Chapter 1: Chapter 1
The limousine pulled up to the iron gates, and the driver leaned out to punch a code into the keypad. The gates groaned open, revealing a long, winding driveway lined with ancient oak trees. Gen leaned forward in her seat, her eyes wide with anticipation. She had heard whispers about this place, a school hidden away from the world, where girls like her went to... what, exactly? She wasn't sure. But she knew it was her chance to break free from the gilded cage her family had built for her.
The car came to a halt in front of a grand mansion, its stone facade covered in ivy, its windows glinting in the sunlight. A woman stood at the top of the steps, her dark hair pulled back into a severe bun, her eyes hidden behind sunglasses. She wore a tailored suit that screamed authority.
Gen couldn't help but roll her eyes. "Oh, great. The welcoming committee is a human traffic cone," she muttered, pushing open the door before the driver could get out.
The woman descended the steps with a grace that belied her stern appearance. "Good morning, Gen. I'm Principal Thompson. Welcome to St. Catherine's."
Gen raised an eyebrow. "Principal Thompson? You're not a bit young for that?"
The woman's lips twitched, but her expression remained stern. "I'm not here to make friends, Gen. I'm here to ensure you make the most of your time here."
Gen smirked. "Well, isn't that just dandy.
I've been looking forward to making some new friends, though," Gen replied, her tone laced with sarcasm as she stepped out of the car. She looked around, taking in the sprawling grounds of the school. The lawn was a lush green, dotted with trees that seemed to have been there for centuries. A group of girls sat under one of the larger trees, their laughter carrying on the breeze. They were all dressed in the school uniform, but each had put their own spin on it, from the girl with the bright yellow scarf tied around her neck to the one with the combat boots peeking out from under her skirt.
Principal Thompson followed Gen's gaze.
"Ah, I see you've spotted the student council. They're quite... spirited." She turned back to Gen. "I'll introduce you to them later. First, let's get you settled in your room. You'll be sharing it with two other students."
Gen wrinkled her nose. "Roomies? I was hoping for a private suite."
The principal raised an eyebrow. "This isn't a hotel, Gen. Sharing a room is part of the St. Catherine's experience. It's designed to foster a sense of community and sisterhood."
Gen sighed dramatically. "Fine. I suppose I can tolerate a couple of roommates.