Page 8 of Swamp Princess

“You won’t, he likes blondes. Loyal may pass you a pity fuck.”

“A fuck from Loyal is not anywhere near a pity fuck.”

“Oh my god they are coming this way.”

“Ew, hope the swamp bitch doesn’t breathe near them. She may give them an unknown swamp sickness.”

I roll my eyes and don’t look back at who they are talking about. I don’t care. Today is my first day and all I want to do is have a smooth first day and learn the layout and start on the workload I am sure to have. I let the whispers go, most of the time I would have stopped and punched a bitch in her mouth, but I don’t want to cause a scene. Finally reaching the office, I go inside.

* * *

I walk to the elegant looking black marble reception desk and approach the receptionist. Her eyes meet mine and I can see her assess me. The hazel eyes travel over my uniform, taking note of my hair and finally after a minute, when she sees nothing wrong, she speaks.

“You must be the scholarship kid that won.” Her tone is full of disapproval and it makes me ball my hands into fists.

“Yes,” I say, trying to keep an even tone.

“Well, have a seat and I will find someone to take the time to show you to your first class.” She points to the chairs and I turn on my heel and take a seat in the middle one. I place my bag down next to the chair and look around. This is only the principal's office and it reeks of money.

The receptionist desk is black marble and on the front scrolled in gold is Skystead Prep. Under it is what looks like a school insignia and it has L,D,B,L. I’m guessing those are the names of the founders but I didn’t bother to look that up.

The floors in the school are white marble with sky blue runners. The outside was even impressive. A large brick building with large open windows and what looks like lots of rooms. The door swings open and a girl with gorgeous hair that hangs in giant curls down to her back walks in. Her energy screams rich but in her step I see hesitancy. Her eyes look around, briefly landing on me and of course, she has gorgeous blue eyes.

Her eyes flick to the receptionist and she steps over to her. I watch as the receptionist hands her a folder and a key. She briefly communicates with the woman before turning to me. This morning I forgot my duffel of clothing at Blaise’s so my clothing will be delivered tonight. Blaise will bring it back.

Standing in front of me, she holds out her hand, and I immediately know she is not like the others here. “Hi, I’m Haven,” she says, her tone holding warmth and no judgment.

Leaning down, I grab my backpack before standing and holding out my hand. “I’m Brinley, but most people call me Brin.” I shake her hand and even in mine, she feels delicate.

“That’s a beautiful name,” she says, moving toward the doors leading out to the school.

“Thank you, so is Haven.” Small talk but it makes me feel a little better and my nerves are settling.

“It doesn’t look like you have bags with you, so your room can wait until later today. I will be able to show you to your classes today, unfortunately I am a freshman, so we don’t have classes together and you are also in the advanced ones. Your first class is college level writing.”

I smile at that. I love to write. It has been an escape for me since I was little. I would create worlds where the girl always found her happily ever after. I follow her listening to the click of our heels against the marble, and I ponder the silence. This school is already vastly different from my old school, but the silence is not something I am used to.

To break it up, I ask her. “Where is the library?”

She pauses briefly and I can see her thinking. “It will be down the hall and two doors before the dining hall. That is actually where the elevator will take you to floor two which is the sophomores rooms. Yours will be at the very end of the hall on the left. Just in case you need to go there before I meet you tonight.”

My phone pings with a notification and I quickly take it out of my side pocket and I put it on silent. I see the message is from Blaise.

Blaise

You forgot all your stuff. I will bring it back tonight. Come out with me tonight. Amir opened a border club between South and North. Half the club is in North Warren and the other in South.

I quickly tap out a response.

Brinley

Thank you, but not tonight. I just got here, and you know how I am about school work. I want to be a little ahead before I go dancing.

I watch the dots form and disappear telling me he doesn’t know what to say. Finally, after a minute, I get the last message before we stop in front of a classroom. Fine, but next weekend, it’s you and I, babe.

Fine…

I know he will bring me my stuff tonight and try to convince me otherwise, but I like to have a solid foundation before I do anything and that means my homework. Even in my old school they gave a syllabus and by the time the second month of school came, I was already done with my work and helped Blaise and perfected mine. Coming here definitely can not change that.

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