I woke up to the noise coming from downstairs. With a heavy sigh, I stretched out my stiff body and blinked against the morning light.
Wait… morning already? Wasn't it just a second ago that I'd fallen asleep?
Yawning so deep it hurt, my hand reached instinctively for my phone, which had slept beside me all night. The screen lit up in my face and I squinted. Past eight. Almost nine. No wonder the beeping hadn't stopped.
The girls must've seen my text. Even without opening the app, I could feel their excitement buzzing from the notifications.
My thumb tapped the screen and, pop, pop, pop, pop!, their messages exploded across the chat. Congratulations. Screams of excitement. Emojis flying like confetti.
I couldn't stop the smile tugging at my lips.
Tasha: Now you've passed the main and most important part, gaining admission. Mission number one is to charm the heirs of Red Dynasty. Don't forget to tell us all about them! Even if you don't, just charm a rich Asian and make him your boyfriend!
Rolling my eyes, I typed back quick replies, though most of them had probably already gone into class. By the time I tossed my phone aside, I was already exhausted, and I hadn't even put my feet on the ground yet. Early mornings were the enemy.
Bathroom. That was my first stop.
But before I could get there, I met my mother at the bottom of the stairs, her phone pressed to her ear. My name slipped from her lips the moment my feet hit the last step. She turned immediately, brown eyes sweeping over me.
"Have you had your bath?" she mouthed, one hand covering the phone's speaker.
I gave a quick nod.
She rolled her eyes in relief, sighing. "Oh, thank goodness." Then she was back to her call. "Yes, Sophie just came down now. Sure, we'll be heading to the store to get her school supplies, and I still need to drop Bella off at school."
Before I could sneak away, she was suddenly pressing the phone into my hands.
"Say hello to your uncle Josiah."
I blinked, staring at the screen. Josiah. Saved simply like that.
"Uh, hey, Uncle Josiah! Good morning. How's your family?" I asked politely, one hand on my waist as I listened to his warm laughter and booming congratulations.
"Thank you so much," I said softly, glancing at my mom who was busy packing her lunch for work. "I really couldn't have done this without you."
"You don't need to worry about anything, Sophie," Uncle Josiah's jovial, deep voice came through. "I've already paid the school fees for the year. You just study hard and leave the rest to me, alright?"
I smiled. "Thank you, Uncle."
Josiah was my mom's elder brother, married but with no kids yet. Mom had told me before how Aunt Sandra had been considering adoption. She wanted a son.
"Please give my regards to Aunt Sandra," I added before handing the phone back to Mom. She immediately launched into another conversation, something about family land and his plans to build a house.
Shaking my head, I headed toward the dining table. Bella was munching her cereal, legs swinging under the chair.
"Congratulations, Sophie!" she beamed as I grabbed a bowl and poured cereal and milk in the kitchen. "Mom's so excited. You made everyone proud. I'm so happy for you."
I sat down beside her, chewing loudly on a mouthful of Coco Pops. "Thanks, Bell. Aren't you the sweetest?" I teased, tapping her cheek with my spoon.
After three hurried bites, Mom strode toward us with her bags.
"We're leaving now. It's almost ten."
She didn't glance at the wall clock. Of course not. She always checked her phone.
"Oh, Sophie, your school texted your uncle after he made the payments. You're starting tomorrow since tests begin next week."
I froze mid-chew, spoon halfway to my mouth. "…Wait. What?"
The cereal slid down my throat like a rock.
I wasn't ready. Tomorrow? Already? I hadn't even wrapped my head around leaving home, let alone living among total strangers.
"Why so soon?" I demanded, but Mom only lifted her leather bag, cool and unaffected.
"Because it's school rules. Dale's High isn't a regular school, you've seen that yourself. They want their students focused, disciplined, and prepared. Honestly, I love it. Coordinated organizations produce excellence."
I swallowed hard, my heart pounding. Tomorrow. Dale's High.
"Set your alarm for six a.m. We need to be there before nine so you can move into your hostel and still make it to class."
Her laptop bag was slung over one arm, her leather bag over the other. Meanwhile, I looked down at my outfit, white shorts that barely reached mid-thigh and a red blouse that showed a hint of my navel. Not exactly academic material.
As if reading my thoughts, Mom's voice cut through. "Brush your hair before we go." She paused. "Actually, no, just do it in the car. I've got a brush in my purse."
I let out a long breath. Everything was moving way too fast.
By this time tomorrow, I'd be at Dale's High. Making friends… or enemies.
I glanced at Mom disappearing through the door to the garage, and my chest tightened. Even though I'd only stayed in this house a few weeks, I was going to miss it. Especially my room.
Her voice snapped me out of my thoughts. "Sophie! Let's go!"
With one last inhale, I locked the front door behind me and followed her to the car.
And as I slid into the passenger seat, my pulse raced. Tomorrow was coming faster than I wanted.
But the real question was,
Would Dale's High change my life… or destroy it?