WHAT WAS RED

WHAT WAS RED

"I heard you got into the Princess Club." One of the girls informed me. [Mandy. She's the senior in charge of freshman recruitment this year, and the reason for the red flags.]

"Oh," I blinked and tried to quickly look like wasn't getting worked up over Fluffy, ahem, "Are the results out already?"

[No, they're not supposed be out till the end of the week. WARNING: Do not offend these girls.] Why would I do that? Lala seemed really concerned about it though.

"Cali saw the shortlist. Your scores were like phenomenal." Mandy said.

"Well…" How should I say I wasn't going to join the Princess Club without being dragged into the Theatre Club?

"It's not over till the fat lady sings." I laughed and the other girls laughed too. Thank you Mr Devon!

While the girls were smiling, I decided to push my point in, "I'm still undecided. I was thinking of the Archery Club."

"OH MY GODDESS! NO!" The girls were very vocal about their shock. All the smiles were gone. These girls really deserved their place in the theatre club.

"Oprah! Oprah! Thank goddess you're here!" One of the girls suddenly started screaming across the hallway.

I watched Oprah come over, she had her own entourage and walked like the queen of the hall.

[Oprah was the president of the theatre club, and the rising star of the Lorent Girl's School. This term, she performed in the King's Theatre. They say she was signed up immediately by an artiste management company. WARNING: Do not offend these girls.]

Yes, thank you. Because it was in my habit to go around offending random girls. WTH was Lala so skittish about? And another thing, how was it that even after we altered history, and f***ed everything up - even my own soul mate, Oprah's timeline was still running like nothing had changed? I guess she must really be fated to theatre.

"Oprah! This is Kayla Kingsley. You know - Lady Amber's protegee." Mandy was quick to introduce.

"Hi!" I smiled and then I confessed to the other girls, "Actually, we already know each other. Oprah's the Night Leaf Beta's niece."

Oprah forced a smile, "Yes, sorry I haven't come see how you were doing earlier. I've been really busy."

I nodded my understanding, "That's okay. Congratulations on your successful debut into the professional theatre scene."

"I'm sure you can too, La." Mandy coaxed.

I shook my head quickly, "No, not me."

I remembered how well Oprah could cry when we were pretending to torture Oscar in my last life, "I don't have the same level of talent."

"You're just being modest." Oprah smiled.

Okay, I really want to run away right now. Why was Lala bothering with all this crap? Just tell them to go away.

"No, its true." I told Oprah, "You're really amazing."

Despite, or maybe in spite of all the insincere compliments being bandied, I wanted to be honest, "I'm really happy for you. You look great!"

You could say this was my way of rebeling. And I guess even though she wasn't one of my wolves, I'm glad she seemed well in this timeline.

Oprah looked surprised, "Oh, ah… thanks."

I gave them my wide smile, "I got to get to my locker before the first bell."

Mandy laughed, "Ever the popular one, La."

Not really, I was just held up by you girls…

But Oprah just nodded, "Yeah, you better go quick. Madam Vivian is on duty today."

[Madam Vivian was one of four Guidance Teachers in the school. Together, they were unofficially known as the Witches of the North/South/East/West. She's West, if you were wondering. It was said that the number of demerits she had issued across the year was doubled the demerits the other three Witches issued altogether.]

"Yeah, thanks! See you around!" I waved and made a break for it.

Just before I turned away, I accidentally noticed Mandy's sour expression. Opps. I guess I might have offended someone after all. Lala would have been freaking out, and because of that, it was my first reaction too. But I was also Sam, and as I saw it, what was the worst Mandy could do to me? Bar me from joining the theatre club? Ha! She would be doing me a favor really.

Less than 10 steps down the hall, I was smiling and waving at someone by her locker, and then a pair of girls leaving the washroom. Sigh… the first bell hadn't even rung yet, and I felt exhausted. Lala, this silly girl, really lived a very troublesome life.

What would I do to be back in Fluffy's arms… wait. What? WTH? I had NEVER been in his arms! We weren't even touchy at all! What I meant to say was, what would I do to be back in my lemon scented clam shell bed. Safe, warm, and encased in the scent of home, with Ki and Mum and Dad (Ki had become my third parent), and Savy and Sabre, and my Special Team… Weird...why did my memory of my past life seem to feel disconnected? Like I remembered I wanted to go back, but I can't muster any strong feelings of attachment. Should I be worried? I shook my head as if to clear it. The faster we got back, the better.

I unlocked my locker [Passcode: 3407 because if you were looking at it upside down, it would spell LOVE. The 4 is supposed to be a V. Well, Lala thought so!]

Red things: Math textbook, heart shaped magnets, leftover valentine's day ribbon.

I took out my books and files, tidied the space, and shut it as if it were just another morning at school - and it was, but there was also a part of me that marveled at how new and clean the lockers here were. Not a single rust spot! Actually, the entire hallway looked very nice. The floors were pine wood and the lockers were cream (and clean) and full length! Like you could hang a dress or gown in it... Which we sometimes had to bring to school for special events or etiquette classes. Fancy princess school were like that, I guess.

I headed to class noticing how fancy princess schools had cream colored clean walls, and regulated notice boards for student-produced announcements and posters. [Clubs are not allowed to put up posters or flyers on the walls.]

There were also no gum patches because we all clearly knew that chewed gum should be spat out into its wrapper or a piece of tissue and then put into a bin. Also, gum was forbidden in the Lorent Girls' School Section because it was unladylike to chew gum.

There were many, many extra rules ladies of the Lorent Girls' School were expected to live with. The usual rules were also kind of different.

For example, in Winderhill, girls with long hair had to tie it up in a ponytail or braids. Hair accessories had to be black, white, or navy blue. Dying or bleaching your hair was also not allowed.

In the Lorent Girls' School, it was okay to leave long hair down. There was no color code for accessories. Ladies must have tidy and elegant hairstyles. Hair accessories should be muted and tasteful (who ate their hair bands?) And that was it. Make up and manicures were also allowed, but only in natural tones.

It was a big culture shock even for Lala, but not because it was so different from Winderhill or any of the school I had ever been to, but because in comparison to school life at New Leaf Academy, there were SO MANY RULES.

If I had a chance to study at New Leaf, I would never had transferred out. Oh wait, I did study in New Leaf in this life, and I did transfer out. Sigh, I guess it's true, you never knew what you had till its gone. Lala, this silly girl… she's struggling so hard here.

Now, on top of being Alpha Kingsley's daughter back home, she was also Lady Amber's protegee at school. That was a lot of expectation to meet.

Okay, it's alright. I just need to deal with it for one day. Once I got back… oh wait, wasn't I starting school at the Lorent Girl's School next week in my original timeline? Omo. It looked like I wasn't going to escape this life.