as I realised I was stood in a room of a dozen people and knew none of them. And it wasn't as if I could just sit with them. No, I couldn't do that. By the way they looked down at me as if I was a piece of dirt, I knew it wouldn't be the best idea if I wanted to keep my pride intact. So, I picked the seat as far away from them all as possible, and kept my head down.

The woman, who had come in as William made his leave, stood in the centre of the room. I had to turn in my seat to even see her side profile. Her pinched expression and wrinkled forehead were enough to give the impression that she would stand for no nonsense. Either those around me knew her or got the same vibe, because they all quietened immediately.

I looked to a the grand father clock just beside me, pushed against the wall, to see it was exactly one— the time they'd told us to arrive no later than on either day.

"My name is Ms Everton and I will be supervising everything for the next few weeks." She took in a breath as if she wanted to be anywhere else but here. "Now, each person shall be allocated a butler." She motioned to those stood behind her. "They will take you and your things to your rooms, and will be the ones to ensure you are settled fully. However, I must stress that they are in no means obligated to be at your beck and call 24/7, but shall do all they can from 6am to 7pm."

I wondered how many people would take advantage of this, or even bribe them to do extra hours.

A boy with dark skin and darker still eyes, plopped down beside me. He'd stuck to the wall, so that the woman couldn't see him. Most of his slim build was hidden by an oversized, grey hoodie, and khaki trousers; I came to the realisation, having noted those around us wearing professionally tailored, finely cut clothes, that perhaps he and I weren't so different.

"Have I missed anything?" He whispered to me.

"I'd appreciate if those who arrived late did not talk between themselves," the woman's voice raised a notch, making me flinch. It sliced through the air like a blade, feeling as though it could almost cut us. She spun so that her green eyes could sear into our skin. I must have gone completely red under her gaze. "Did they not teach you manners at school?"

"They did go to a comprehensive," a girl, I didn't recognise, said. Her dark hair was left down, and her almost black eyes morphed to accommodate her smirk. She wore little make up, but she didn't seem to need much of it— her Hispanic features were enough on their own to carry across her obvious beauty.

Those around us scoffed and chuckled. Again, I felt my face heat up. However, it wasn't just embarrassment this time, but anger. It flared within me, and it took all I had not to catapult myself at her or at least say something I'd probably be punished for, severely.

"That's quite enough, Ms Cavellero."

She pushed her lips together tightly, and nodded obediently, but amusement didn't cease to flicker between her eyes, nor did her smirk fall completely.

"I can't wait for three years of this," I muttered to the boy beside me.

"It's not that bad," he muttered back. "She won't be here long: her family's business is filing for bankruptcy."

I was about to ask how on Earth he knew that, but the woman began talking once again. And I didn't particularly feel like being told off again because I'd probably cry, so I turned my full attention to her again.

"The rules are as follows: you are not to be out of your rooms after ten o'clock; you will have a room inspection every other week, and will face expulsion should anything be in there that shouldn't." She stressed this word, and looked around at each face with a critical eye. I assumed she meant like nut-products or something, so didn't take it too seriously. "Your assigned butler will now direct you to your living quarters."

***

My 'butler' had been a stout, well-dressed man. It was strange to even be thinking that I had a butler. Nothing about the whole concept seemed real. He didn't talk all that much, but then I expected that was standard protocol. No one else seemed to embark on conversation with their own help, so I didn't trouble myself all that much.

He led me up the grande staircase I'd seen on my way in and to right, to the East wing. Those who walked in the same direction as us up until the stairs seemed to need several separate trips to get all their stuff to their rooms, and that was with several men aiding their butler. It was only really Miles and I that could manage with only one.

He and I ended up a few doors down from one another, which wasn't such a bad thing. I had yet to ask him what he was studying here or anything really all that personal, instead choosing to laugh with him as I skidded on the floor once again.

All throughout the school, chandeliers hung from the arched ceilings, and tapestries decorated the walls. The place struck me more as a palace than a school.

The walk wasn't all that long, but quite a chore, considering we had to double back on ourselves as my room was right by the front door, but up a level.

Robert, as I now knew him, opened the door swiftly with my keycard. It was strange for a modern bit of technology to be included in such an old piece of property, but also useful as I knew that if it was dark or I was tired, or drunk, I'd most certainly not be able to make a key function.

The room was absolutely incredible. That's all I can say.

The larger than life bed was the first thing to catch my eye with its perfectly draped sheets and with it having posts with material hanging on either side of them. Despite its size, it didn't overshadow the rest of the room or take away from the floor space much at all. There were three doors on my left, two being double door— I assumed would be a conservative cupboard— and another, which when opened, showed to be a bathroom.

I didn't know if I'd, realistically, be able to live in the place without feeling uncomfortable and guilty for making mess. They said a maid would come in and clean, but I hated the thought of making them clear my things up after me.

Once I'd not gotten over, but become a little more used to the room, so that my mouth wasn't permanently agape, I began to put my things away. The double door was, in fact, not a 'conservative' cupboard, but a very large walk in wardrobe. I sorted my stuff so that it fit neatly, and hung my uniform, still in its brown, velvet covering, on the door.

About an hour later, most of my stuff had been put away, only odd bits and pieces were left. I left my room, sure to keep ahold of the keycard, and turned towards Miles's room. No more than a knock and a five second wait later, and he had thrown open the door with the biggest grin I'd ever seen.

"Isn't this just incredible!" He yelled as we began walking down the corridor. "It's like what you could only see in magazines or films!"

"Yeah, it does make you feel a bit like royalty," I said, because it most definitely did.

"Tell me about it. All I need is a crown and some nice badges for doing nothing, and I'd fit the part."

We continued walking, chatting all the way. I found out he lived only with his nan and two little brothers. Like me, he'd gone to an ordinary school and worked a lot of the time, being the only source of income. Topics went towards the gossip side of things, and he began telling me all about the latest scandal.

"How did you know about that girl's business?" I asked, remembering how confused I'd been at the time, but never had the chance to voice it.

"Papers, magazines, online. You name it, and if you dig deep enough, you'd find some pretty dark stuff. And it doesn't hurt that nan knows everyone, and they tell her everything because they think she's just a little, old lady. She tells me all of it, though. They're stupid really, because that woman has the biggest mouth in town."

We laughed together.

Somehow, we managed to do a loop, and wind up back in front of our doors. With an over exaggerated bid farewell, we simultaneously opened our doors, and I stepped back into the room I would never have even dreamed about being near, let alone living in a day prior.

Yes, I'd seen the brochures and the glimpses of photos on the Internet you weren't, strictly, allowed to take. But nothing, nothing could compare to what it was like in person.

I fell asleep, and make of it what you will, the easiest I had in a while.

______

hope you enjoyed! x

love, rosie