TRIGGER WARNINGS: NONE
CWs: NONE
I woke up the next morning to Winnie gently shaking me. My eyes flew open.
"Thank goodness you're awake! Come on, sleepyhead. By the way, you're going to be fitted for your uniform today right after breakfast."
"What time is it?" I mumbled, thankfully remembering my accent.
"Six in the morning. Why?"
I leaped out of bed, suddenly wide awake. "WHAT?!" I double-checked my watch to confirm the time.
"I woke you up early so you could shower. You smell, you know," she pointed out, a grin plastered on her face. "Now, into the shower you go."
She playfully pushed me toward the bathroom.
Ten minutes later, I pulled on my red t-shirt and jeans from last night and emerged from the bathroom.
Winnie feigned disapproval. "Really now, Nadia, did you have to wear the same clothes from last night?"
"Yes," I snapped. "I've been living on the streets for six years. It's not like I could've changed or showered, y'know."
"I know. I was just teasing."
I blushed.
In a few minutes, Winnie had pulled her blond waves into a perfectly styled braid tied off with a light blue ribbon. In the meantime, I'd successfully managed to detangle my hair and make a decent ponytail. After this, we marched off to breakfast.
Once I was seated at the table, Winnie ran off to chat with Amiyah Richards. I didn't blame her. She knew all these kids. Me? I was the new kid. The American who wasn't even supposed to be here. I sank deeper into my chair, letting my mind wander. Suddenly a cheery voice broke my thoughts. It was Hallie Collins.
"Good morning, Nadia!"
I returned the greeting after I realized I was Nadia. "Oh, morning, Hallie."
"I noticed your roommate abandoned you. Don't take it personally. Amiyah and Winnie are very good friends, you see, and, well, they just have to be together." She shrugged. "How's being Winnie's roommate like, by the way?"
"Winnie's pretty cool." I snorted with laughter as I realized my unintended pun. "The pun wasn't intended, by the way. I'm pretty sure we're the exact opposite, though. She's tidy and organized; I'm messy and disorganized. She's a Cryokinetic; I'm a Pyrokinetic. But she is a pretty good roommate."
During this, Hallie hadn't uttered a word. She seemed to be intensely listening. At last, she spoke.
"Nadia, why don't we move somewhere a little more private? I've got a feeling things aren't what they seem."
"But breakfast is in, like, five minutes!" I protested. "And then I'm getting fitted for my uniform."
"Nadia, come on. Just say yes."
"Fine. I'll go," I reluctantly agreed.
As soon as those words had left my lips, she grabbed my hand and dragged me off to a secluded corner. "Alright, this ought to be fine. I want to know everything."
I panicked. "W-wha?"
"Well, one, you're not English, two, you seemed slightly confused at first when I called you 'Nadia'...need I continue?"
Should I tell her? Should I—can I—trust her? How will I know she won't tell Lady Folman?
"I asked a question, Nadia," Hallie pointed out. "That means you have to answer."
I secretly hoped I wouldn't be betrayed. She did seem pretty persistent. "I will if you promise not to tell anyone anything. Is that understood?"
"I will accept your terms if you really will tell me everything."
"Okay. My name is Arwen. I'm from the United States. When I was only four, my parents were murdered in a so-called car 'accident'. I was then sent to foster care, where I stayed till I turned eight. On my eighth birthday, I ran away from the System, living on the streets for about six years before Thomas and Harry found me, mistaking me for a girl named Nadia Blair. Then, Thomas teleported me, I guess, to this place. And now, here I am."
Hallie looked shocked. "Is this all really true?"
I shrugged. "Yep. You did ask for everything. Not even Winnie knows all these details.
"Wow," she breathed. Checking her watch, she gasped. "Oh my goodness, it's nearly breakfast time! Talk to you later, Nadia."
Rushing towards the table, I slid into my seat just as Lady Folman began to make the morning's announcements.
Several minutes later, the noblewoman clinched announcements and introduced breakfast. As soon as she'd spoken the words "breakfast", Agatha emerged from the kitchen accompanied by a girl of about nineteen, whose long blonde hair was daintily pinned back out of her face. Like last night, the girls would set a plate of hot food in front of a child and return to the kitchen. At last, the blonde placed a heaping plate of eggs, bacon, and toast in front of me with a friendly smile. Just like yesterday night, after praying, I wolfed down breakfast. Then I looked around nervously. I had to be at the fitting room right after breakfast if Winnie was correct (which she probably was). Thankfully, the blonde, who'd just finished up her duty, noticed my plight. Confidently she spoke up.
"My lady, I believe the young lady in the red shirt needs to be fitted for her uniform, as well as Hallie Collins, who, as my lady may recall, outgrew her old uniform a week ago. May the two young ladies be dismissed to arrive at the fitting room on time?"
"Yes, certainly, Miss Smi—"
"It's Margaret, so please my lady," the blond corrected.
"Margaret, then. As I was saying, Miss Blair and Miss Collins may be dismissed."
At those words, Hallie raced over, yanked my arm, and dragged me in the direction of the fitting room. Winnie sighed.
The blonde girl—Margaret—chased after us. "Girls, do slow down! There is no reason to bolt down the hall to a room that is a mere three-minute walk from the dining room."
"Sorry, Maggie," Hallie apologized.
"It's alright, Hallie. By the way, Miss Blair, what is your first name? Like Agatha, whom you have probably already met, I don't believe in all this rubbish of calling everyone by their last name with the title of "Mr." or "Miss" attached to it."
"Nadia."
"I'm Margaret Smith, but everyone calls me Maggie. I'm eighteen years old."
"Eighteen?!" I hollered. "Why, you're only four years older than me!"
"I'm the youngest staff member here, although not by much. Agatha's barely twenty."
"I thought for sure you were nineteen," I confessed awkwardly.
"Oh, it's fine, Nadia. You aren't the only one to think that."
As we rounded a corner, Hallie announced, "Here we are!"
Maggie smiled. "And now we part."
Hallie seized my arm and dragged me into the fitting room. A plump middle-aged woman greeted us.
"Now, girls, who will go first?" she asked.
"I will," I volunteered.
"Hmm, Nadia Blair, correct? Miss Collins, would you leave the room, please?"
Hallie left.
"There now. I'll need you to stand still, Miss Blair. I just have to take some quick measurements."
After the woman finished up her measurements, she then led me to a section covered in fabrics of all colors.
"Now, Miss Blair, you can choose any color you'd like."
I instantly rushed over to the reds and oranges. My eyes fell on a bolt of dark red cloth. I ran my hand across the fabric, envisioning a shirt made from it.
The seamstress's voice interrupted my thoughts.
"Have you made up your mind yet, Miss Blair?"
"Yes, ma'am, I have. I'd like this one." I pointed to the dark red.
"Are you certain? I believe a lighter red is more of your color."
"Oh no, I think this will look just fine," I protested.
"Very well, then. What pattern would you like for your dress?"
"My dress?! I'm sorry, but I just don't like dresses."
"Well, dear, dress code is dress code, I'm afraid."
I glanced at the patterns. All I wanted was a button-up shirt in that shade. I'd even wear a skirt, if necessary, just to avoid a dress. However, among the frills was a simple short-sleeved dress with a Peter Pan collar.
If I have to wear a dress, I'll wear that one.
I studied it a few more times before announcing that I'd made my mind up. Walking over, the seamstress observed my choice and smiled approvingly.
"You made a wise choice, Miss Blair. I promise you'll have your new uniform by tomorrow. Now, you may leave the room and wait for Miss Collins." She then called Hallie's name.
Upon hearing her name, Hallie darted into the room while I ambled out. In a few minutes, she returned. After thanking the woman, the energetic tween clutched my hand and pulled me back to the dining room, where the rest of the children were.
I was quite confused. "What's the hurry, Hallie? What's going on?"
"You'll see. I hope you're a good fighter."