1 The Prince of Graceland

Everyone in Graceland Academy is accepted either through their family's great connections, political position in the country or of course their wealth. It would be safe to say that no one goes to Graceland who is mediocre and average. Well, not until me of course. You could say that I am the exemption to the rule, the flaw to a perfect plan or the stain to a beautiful painting. But what can I say, my acceptance into Graceland is not at all what it seems to be. They know me as Christie, the scholarship girl, the lucky one, or the geek but that was all going to change because the day I met Henry was the day trouble followed me in Graceland.

Henry is the resident teenage daydream prince of Graceland. No. He doesn't have royal blood but his family is pretty high up in the social ladder. His father, Lord Alfred Archer is a pretty sly businessman but he eventually dominated all his competition and rose as one of Astoria's wealthiest man and he is now currently gearing to be a statesman. He was awarded the honorary title of Lord when his company contributed a lot of money to the economy of Astoria during the Great Crisis that led to the dethronement of Charles II and the entire Royal Family of Astoria. Henry's mother was the beautiful Prima Ballerina of the Paris Opera Ballet, Natalia Monet. Henry's father rose to his status via his business and political connections which he successfully used to slowly climb the social ladder. Henry's mother on the other hand was from the famous Monet clan in Paris, France who were great supporters of the Arts and the Royal family of Astoria, as a young girl she had always dreamed of being Prima Ballerina and have a long career as one but when she met Alfred she put everything, even her dancing on hold to be his wife and a loving mother. This is the Henry that they all know, it's practically public information anyone can get their hands on.

Inside Graceland's little society, Henry Archer is the ruling monarch. Why wouldn't he be? He has the best grades, the outstanding family background and of course the looks. Standing at 6ft and 4 inches tall he towers most of his peers, that's why it's very easy to spot him even if he is with a crowd. His brown soft locks also make him noticeable as it slowly shines when sunlight hits it. And if that does not satisfy you, I bet his grey colored eyes would have you swooning for him. He most definitely looks like a character out of a comic/manga. Perfect in every angle.

Henry is a year older than I am, so I don't see him quite often around the campus because here in Graceland there are rules when it comes to mingling with students of a different year. The only exceptions to this rule is if there is a social gatherings like the academic year opening for all students and of course for after-school club activities. I still remember the opening day of our academic year in Graceland just a few months ago. How could I forget?

I was walking along the lovely stone path that lead to the Grand Hall, where all big social gatherings were held, when I stopped by to look at the lovely flowers by the side of a quaint bench that seemed to be inviting me. I smiled and obliged the inanimate bench. It was rather early in the morning when mist could still be seen hovering amongst the trees slowly melting in the rays of the sun. I was always an early bird back in my other school and before that it had just become a habit or more of a second nature to me to come to class early. So with time to spare, I sat down on the bench and picked up a few of the lavenders planted there and smelled it. The lavender must have smelled so calming because I found myself slowly getting sleepy. I closed my eyes and took in one last breath of the lovely lavender when I felt a soft, warm touch that tasted sweet on my lips. I opened my eyes and there right in front of me was a guy with soft curly brown hair kissing me on the lips. My natural instincts kicked in so I kicked him down there and pushed him down on the green manicured lawn. He yelled something at me, I assumed it was all out of anger. I wanted to help him, make sure he was okay, but I didn't want to give him another opportunity to assault me so I left him there and went on my way.

"I can't believe guys like that really exist. Such a pervert, kissing someone just quietly sitting on a bench. Argggh!! (Muffled scream) that was my first kiss. My precious first kiss, stollen by a no good perverted idiot. "

I buried that indecent incident inside my head, I, "the charity case" couldn't afford to turn heads let alone create chaos in this school. I am here incognito and therefore I just had to let that go unfortunately. But I just couldn't get that soft and warm sensation on my lips out of my head. It wasn't impressive at all but somehow it felt sweet, like it tasted somehow like candy. Probably just that guy's lip balm on my lips, what guy wears lip balm?

After walking furiously and rather speedily, I ended up inside the Grand hall where big doors greeted everyone that entered and high ceilings with lovely stained glass windows. It looked more like a cathedral than a function hall if you'd ask me. Things around Graceland are all like these, extravagant, grand and quiet frankly excessive, yet here I was inside this lavish hall sitting next to the Head Director. I was the first of my kind, "the charity case" to be admitted in Graceland and the Head Director wanted to show the whole world that Graceland is not as stuck-up as everyone outside painted it to be.

"Ladies and gentlemen, my dear professors, and everyone here today, I would like to introduce to you Ms. Christie Miller. She will be joining us in Graceland for the next three years. I would like all of you to show your best to Ms. Miller and show her what makes Graceland an elite among the other schools"

The students didn't cheer they just clapped their hands obligingly as I was beckoned by the Head Director to come forward as he was introducing me. As I was about to stand from my chair there was a hand in front of me, so I reached for it and allowed the person to help me get up. I thought to myself well "his hands are soft, looks like he had never tasted any hard labor before." But that wasn't the most shocking part because as I was raising my head, I met the gaze of a beautiful young man with soft curly brown hair but his cool grey eyes seemed to peer deep down into me. I instinctively removed my hand from his but he smirked at me when he saw that I realized that he was the guy from the incident earlier.

He moved aside and let me stand next to the Head Director but I felt his gaze follow me and he gazed at me for quiet some time. This is definitely going to be a different year for me, I hope I don't get into trouble.

when the Head Director had finished parading me in front of the uninterested student body, I was asked to sit down. Once again the same guy offered his hand to me to assist me and I didn't want to humiliate him in front of everyone so I compelled myself to accept his hand. When I was about to sit down, he gave my hand a squeeze and I eded up looking at him. It seemed like he wanted me to look at him. But I quickly removed my hand from his and sat quietly. Then the Head Director continued his speech.

"This year will be great year for all of us in Graceland. Indeed this year marks the official start of our dependable and might I say beloved and dashing Prince of Graceland as both the Academy's Ambassador and Student Body President. Our dear prince Henry Archer. Let us hear some words from him."

The Head Director must be one of this guy's stan, he seemed giddiest than all the other female and even male students sitting across the stage. Wait? What did the Head Director say this guy's name was? Henry Archer? The Henry Archer. Oh boy! This is quite troublesome indeed. If he is the so called Prince of Graceland why did he behave in such a shameful way this early morning. Big note to self get as far away as possible from this Henry Archer if I want to stay here a little longer. No. I need to stay here a little longer.