"But why can't I go to a normal school like my friends? Mia says she's going to The Russian Academy. The school's great..."

" You're going to RAVENHOLD and that's final! You shouldn't argue with me. "

...***...

Ever since I was in class five, my dad had always wanted me to go to this old, dark school called RAVENHOLD. The name itself sounds so creepy and the school is so scary.

I kept trying to tell my dad, Lucius, that I don't belong in that kind of school but he wouldn't budge. And tomorrow I and my friends are going out for lunch before we all go to our various schools. And if they ask me the school I'm going they would definitely call me weird. I don't know why dad just won't understand it.

"Okay fine. But at least tell me why you want me to go there." I said to my dad.

He stared at me with anger. It felt like his eyes were getting redder by the second. God, I'm so scared of my dad.

"Why do you always find something to use and go against what I tell you? Mmm?" he asked, the anger in him rising.

" You can't just tell me to go to a school I don't want to go and expect me to be okay with it. I'm pretty sure if it were you, you'd feel weird too. "

" No. I would obey without second thoughts and without complaining. That's how we are trained... God, you're just like your mother. "

" Yeah. You say that all the time. " I said, still waiting for his answer. Then he breathed in and out and his anger reduced. Thank God for that.

"I like the school and I think you'll learn a lot from it. Don't be worried, there's nothing there. You will love it. Now, can you stop asking questions and make me proud." he was polite this time. That actually calmed me down but didn't answer my question still. But I knew that if I kept asking then it won't end well.

"Okay dad. I will." I replied and went straight to my room.

Immediately,I closed my door and called my best friend, Lily on my phone.She picked without hesitation.

"Hey baby. What's up?" she said over the phone. I could hear the sound of music playing in the background.

"Don't tell me you're at another party. This girl." I said disappointedly.

" Oh, gurl. C'mmon. There's nothing there. It's the party I told you about yesterday. but your over protective dad won't let you come so d6act like it's a bad thing I'm doing." she replied without any care in the world.

"I don't like parties. It's not my dad." I said in a low tone.

" Yeah, whatever." she replied sarcastically.

The truth is, I've always loved parties since I was much younger but my dad kept restricting me from attending. He said a lot of bad stuff about them and how it can change one's life forever. I was a kid then and I believe anything he tells me so, of course, I believed him. At a point, I actually stopped having interests in parties and later on, it just died away. So, yeah, I don't like parties.

"How's it going?" I asked to change the topic.

" It's always going well. Girl, you know that's not why you called me. Just spill it out baby." she said with concern.

I signed heavily, sadness and I wanted to cry.

"What's wrong?" Lily asked again, moving to somewhere more quiet.

"Umm... about the lunch with the other girls tomorrow.i don't think I'll be coming." I said sadly.

" Is it your dad again?" she asked,this time with a hint of anger in her voice.

"Nah it's me. I'm just not feeling the mood anymore." I said. It's the truth. (sigh)

" Baby stop lying to me. The last time I checked,you were the one can't waiting to see Mia and the others and now this?"

" I can't tell them I'm going to Ravenhold academy. They'll laugh so hard at me." I cried.

Lily hissed so loud I could hear it in my head.

"So that's the damn reason you'll forget about the lunch. C'mmon girl, you're way better than that."

'No, you don't understand. I've always wanted to go to The Russian Academy but I'm not and duh the name sounds weird and creepy and...hello? Lily?...fuck!"

I knew she hung up and I know what her next plan is.

I immediately dropped my phone and lazily stood up from my bed,straight to my wardrobe to look for the clothes to wear tomorrow. I knew calling Lily was a bad idea. She was definitely coming to my house tomorrow to chase me out of my room. And guess what, she didn't even care if my dad agreed it not.

That's why I call her my best friend. Okay, she's mostly annoying and does things like this and even much more,but she's mainly a supportive friend,kicks people's asses for me and acts like my man when she feels I'm being depressed about not having one.

Lily is a black American teenager. she's 19 but she looks 25. That's because she inherited it from her mom. She has this nice figure 8 and attracts almost any guy that passes her. Plus she's also going to The Russian Academy.

Me? I'm just a fair slim girl with nothing but my pretty face. I'm not even sure I'm fatter than Lily's youngest sister. I don't know if I look like my mom but I definitely do not look like my dad. I never got to see my mom because she died after she gave birth to me. But my dad kept saying that I look so much like her. Her name was Valerie. I love that name. And I love my mom even if I didn't get to see her.

God, I'm emotional. Okay,back to what's happening right now. Well, the thing is, I can't find what to wear. Maybe tomorrow I'll just search or later in the evening.

I go to sleep cause there's nothing to do on my phone. I've been on TikTok since morning before my dad called me to tell me about the school. So right now,I am very tired and I want to sleep.

But just before I could close my eyes, I heard the sound of a car horning at my window. I know who that is... I'm so tired, LILY!

......................

I laid back on my bed and groaned. This was not the time, and I knew that she was here to stay. Few minutes after she blew she horn, she barged into my room with an angry-looking face.

"So what did I hear you say over the phone again?" she asked, with her hands on her waist. I covered my face with my palms as I spoke;

"I don't want to go for the lunch again. I'm just not feeling it. Don't you get?"

" No, I don't. And you're going whether you like it or not. This is our last time together, bitch. Ahhh! "

" But what if they ask me the school I'm going. What will I say? That I'm going to Ravenhold. Doesn't that name creep you out? "

" Duh, and so? Wait, just a second so I'll find the cloth you'll wear. " Lily said and left for my wardrobe.

" I knew telling you was a bad idea. I could have just said it in the nick of time tomorrow. " I muttered to myself, but Lily, with her every sharp ears heard it.

"What did you just say?!"

"Nothing."

" It better be nothing baby, cause if that's what you're planning, then you seriously don't know me. You're going for the lunch whether you want to or not. "

" Sure. "

" And, yes! I've found the perfect dress for you. " she squealed. At this point, I knew that I wasn't going to love the dress at all.

She turned around, showcasing the dress to me. it was a silver gown without hand. Then at the back were straps where you can adjust to fit your body. This was the oldest gown in my wardrobe. My dad bought it for me when I was 12. It was my favorite cloth back then but it became too short on me so I stopped wearing it. But die to the fact that it was my best gown, I kept it in my wardrobe.

"You know how short it is on me. Plus that gown is extremely old."

" Doesn't look old to me. It looks sexy. If you wear this gown tomorrow, everyone will be drooling at you. " she smiled mischievously.

" I thought it's just us and the girls. I'm not a lesbian... "I trailed off and watched Lily scratch her head like she hasn't washed it for days.

"Lily?"

"It's just five..." she said shyly. Then, my mind was made up.

"I knew you were up to something, forcing me to go for the lunch. God, I hate you so much."

" It's not what you think. Adrian is coming too. "

" What?! That's it. I'm not going. "

"Oh, my baby. You're still shy. Well, let me cheer you up." she said and came to sit beside me." I think he likes you. "

I shot a sharp glance at her. There's no way Adrian, the hottest boy in our set, will fall for a low-class like me.

"I know what you're doing."

"I'm serious. I see the way he looks at you each time you pass him. I'm not joking about it. " Lily said, now her eyes had changed. It looked so cute, like that of a puppy. That's what she always does each time she's telling the truth.

But I still can't believe her. Adrian is the most popular, hottest basketball player in our set with great steeze and composure. You can never find him dressing bad or anything, unlike some of our other hot boys. Like almost every girl in our set has fallen in love with him and he knows that.

Beside, there is Kiera, the hottest girl in our set. He should have a thing for her, not someone like me that's not even up to Lily. Well, Lily is also among our hottest girls, but she chose to be with me, so not everyone talks to her because not everyone talks to me too.

"You want me to go right? I'm going. Just please stop with your lies." I said, almost getting angry.

" I'm not lying. But if you still don't want to believe, it's really okay. But you're wearing the gown. "

"... "

" Period. " she cut me off before I could even say anything.

Now I'm left to think once more about Adrian. He's so handsome, and I've always wanted him to notice me. But there are way more beautiful girls than me.

Lily actually spent the night at my house. And my dad couldn't do anything to stop her. I kinda like her character in that aspect. I bet if Lily was his daughter, he'll cry for help everyday. Hehe.

(THE NEXT DAY)

"Are you ready to meet your Mr. prince?" Lily grinned so wide, her face lips looked expanded.

I hit her on her back with not so much force. She winced in pain and I didn't care.

"You're so boring. Don't be like your dad when you get older." she said.

" I'm going to the bathroom. I can't be late." I said and took my towel to my bathroom.

"Awwwn. There she is again. Be quick sweetheart."

I took my bath and wore the gown. As usual, it was extremely short on me. It stopped few inches after my butt. I felt so exposed.

"Girl...you look hot. Mmm, delicious. Edible." Lily said immediately she saw me with the dress.

"Stop it." I said, immediately feeling shy.

" Alright. Lemme do your makeup for you." she said and brought out a chair for me to sit on.

Now I was on front of my makeup table,staring at myself while Lily did my makeup for me. To be honest, after everything, I looked beautiful. I admired myself for hours and forgot that I've not worn my shoe.

"Wear this shoe. You'll look good in it." she said and gave me a pair of white heels. I'm actually good on heels so it wasn't a bad idea.

"Now this is my sexy baby girl who has been hiding her nice shape because of her insecurities. I knew you had a nice sexy body, I just couldn't prove it cause you won't let me." she said smiling. I smiled back. I honestly didn't know I grew this much.

"Lunch is by 2 and this is just 12." she said laid back on my bed. I stared at her a a she laid down.

"Aren't you going?" I asked her.

"Of course I am. What, did I just come here to dress you and not go too? It's just not time for me to get ready."

" It's 12! When do you plan to get ready?"

" Calms babe. We can't be early. We're not going for classes. If we go early it would be boring. I want all eyes on us. Then you would look at Adrian and watch him stare mouth ajar." she giggled. I actually laughed back because it was funny.

"And please, don't walk like you do in school. you really look weird and it would be more animated if you walk like that in this sexy dress of yours." she pleaded while still on her phone.

I sighed and took my own phone to keep myself busy. Lily went to the bathroom by 1 and came out looking so itt. she wore a red dress that had cups and two thin hands. Her boobs were exposed it looked like it was about to pop out of her dress. And the length of her dress, it was right below her butt. Even shorter than mine. Then her makeup was lit too. Everything matched with her dressing. (I'm bad at description right?)

"Are we going for a club party or a lunch date?" I asked,still looking at her in awe.

" How do I look babe?" she asked and spinned for me. She didn't need anyone to tell her that she looked gorgeous.

"Aww. I can read your mind already. Thanks sweetheart." she said and went back to lie down. I hissed and laid with her.

When it was almost 3,we started going. I entered the front seat and she drove her car.

"I'm so nervous." I said.

"Ohh baby, don't be. it's just lunch. And guess what?"

" Just say it already!"

" You're spoiling the fun." she cried.

"That's because I can't f*cking guess." I covered my face in my palms.

" You're going to ruin your makeup." she said and pulled my hand from my face.

"Okay. So what's it?" I asked.

Lily smiled her mischievous smile again. I felt like slapping her.

"Well...Adrian is going to Ravenhold." she said and glanced at me with a smirk.

"What?!" I couldn't believe my ears.

****

When we reached the venue for the lunch date, Lily stopped her car and we both came down.

My walking step had changed entirely after what Lily told me in the car.

"Babe, you need to walk with steeze. Everyone is watching." she whispered in my ear.

" How do you expect me to do that after what you told me. You better be lying and tell me now. because if I find out myself, you'll regret." I whispered back, almost not even whispering at all.

Then I could see the smirk on her face. I felt like slapping it out of her face so she would know I'm serious.

We reached the place and everyone was sitted already. Then my walking step became even more weird when I saw Adrian...staring at me.

Why would he be staring at me? I hate people that stare. God, is it my dressing? Maybe my shoe? Damn. It's my walking step. Buyt then I remember what Lily told me and I walk even weirder. How can Adrian like someone like me? This girl will take me to my grave soon.

Well, that stage passed and we were seated already. There was an empty seat after Adrian and nobody dared to sit there, not even Kiera. So why was it in my turn that:

"Hey, nobody stays there, girl." Kiera said, shooting me an evil glance.

"Oh, sorry. I didn't know." I said and was about to leave.

" Nah, she can stay. It's not a problem for me." Adrian said and smiled. It was so cool.

"What?! So why wouldn't you let me sit there?" Kiera nagged.

" This is not school bitch. Relax and enjoy yourself." Lily said. I looked at Adrian giving Kiera a deadly stare.

I sat down beside Adrian. The fragrance of his cloth made me have butterflies in my stomach. He smells like fresh flowers. I love it.

We started with eating appetizers first, then introductions began.

"I got admission into The Russian Academy!" Kiera said, smiling.

" Wow. Really? Well, me too." Lily said.

" Congratulations." Kiera said.

Normally, Kiera is not a bad person. She's just too full of herself because she has the perfect body.

"So, Sera, which school are you going to?" Zara, another girl asked.

" Umm..." I stuttered. " You won't know the school. It's so unpopular." I said.

" Just say it already." Kiera said.

I glanced at Lily and she just smirked and told me to be confident. She said it with her eyes.

"It's Ravenhold academy." I said finally.

" Wow, that sounds so great. I love the name." Lily chuckled.

" Sounds really creepy to me." Kiera said and eyed me.

"I think the school is great. I'm going there too." Adrian said looking at me with a surprised smile.

"Ohh. Wow." was all I could say.

"What's it with the school anyways?" Kiera asked Adrian.

" I just love it. It's cool."

"Well, my dad said I should go there. I think he likes the school. Said I'll love it too." I replied.

" There's so much to know about you Sera." Adrian said, still smiling. His smile is so contagious, but I try not to smile back.

"Thanks. But why do you say so?" I asked.

" Because the school is not just a normal school. I really can't explain it though. Congratulations." he replied.

" What the fuck, Adrian?! First you tell her to sit beside you, and now you're going to the same school as her and telling her all these crap in my presence?!" Kiera screamed and stood up.

" I'm sorry. Did I hurt your feelings?" he asked.

" I'm pregnant! For you!" she shouted.

Everyone at the table gasped in surprise. I looked at him with horror in my eyes and caught him surprised too.

"How?" he asked in a low tune.

Kiera cried and ran out of the room, leaving everyone amazed and in confusion.