Ridgeview Academy

1 With the new school

Hey, this is unedited so please tell me where my mistakes are. Thank you so much for reading! Xxx

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"Hogwarts." I think out loud as I look at the door of my new school. It's around 9 am and class has started already, but I'll hopefully get to skip today's class, because I have to move in. I look at my five bags behind me. That's it. My whole life, in just five bags.

"You must be Zinnia Scarlet, am I right?" Someone startled me out of my homesickness. Yes, my mom worked every possible shift and I never saw her at home, but it was still home.

"Zinnia?" This time it's louder.

"Yes, ma'm, I'm Zinnia, sorry, what were you saying?" Bad first impression Zinnia, way to go, I scolded myself.

"I said, I'm headmistress Watson. Welcome to Ridgeview Academy. I believe you will enjoy your stay. Now leave your bags right there and come to my office, you need a change of clothing." And with that, she's gone.

I followed her to her office and some lady pulled me into the clothing room. A uniform. That's what she meant. 

I walk out of the office with my hands full of black clothing. Here and there a piece of blood red is visible. Apparently, I should "go make a change of attire" in my new "commune" where she will send me a "tour guide." 

I get to the room where I'm supposed to change into my uniform. Inside, there are five beds. I don't have a roommate, I have roommates, plural.

Okay, I think while putting on my black stockings, the more the merrier, I guess. I put on my black just-above-the-knee skirt, they will be nice. My white button shirt is next, don't worry, you'll be okay. I pull a blood red tie around my neck, you will make friends soon. I put on my slightly heeled black school shoes, this is not who I am, I'm never scared! One last item, oh no, I'm not wearing that. What kind of hat is that even? 

I grab it to look at it closer when someone  burst into the room. I drop the hat and turn to look who intruded my privacy, "Hey! Don't you knock before you come in?"

She looked at me like I just grew a tail, "We never knock, especially not when going into our own rooms." She come closer and hold out her hand, "Hello, I'm Ella Turner. Miss Watson sent me."

"Hey, I'm Zinnia Scarlet. Sorry about that."

"No problem. Hurry up and put on your Bowler, we're already late."

"My what?" 

"Your hat! Put it on, you have to put it on, on Mondays."

I put the weird black hat on my head and follow Ella out of the room. Where do we have to go? This is all so new. 

"Ella, where are we going?"

"To the hall for our weekly assembly, come on, hurry up."

The hall is packed with girls ages 13 and up. I don't even know where to sit! I chew my gum while looking for a seat. 

"You! Which grade are you?" An older lady ask me.

"She's grade 10 and she's with me miss." Ella reply quickly.

"Now get to your seats, right now ladies!"

We found some seats at the grade 10 row and we're waiting for the ceremony to start. 

"Good morning ladies. I trust you all had a good night's rest and are ready to work hard in class. Today we have a new student in our school, miss Scarlet would you please stand up?"

I stand up looking over the school of weird hats. Looks like they rarely get new students if I have to stand up. 

After the warm welcome I got, she read The Hundred Commandments of what not to do at school. Gum was one of them. And lipgloss. And about 99 percent of my life as well.

And really? They put me in grade 10? Come on, I'm old enough to be at least in grade 12. I feel insulted. Why did they even force me to come to this school? I don't know. Am I allowed to tell anything remotely like the truth? No way. Why? Good question. I feel left out and really insulted. I'm just supposed to be here, make friends, blend in, be happy, live a lie, play my part.

Well, we'll see about that.