I woke up with a headache and my body throbbing in places I never thought was possible. I blinked severally in confusion when I realized I was back in the dorm and in my room.
Charlotte was on her bed, sleeping softly.
I looked down to see that I was wearing my nightgown.
The last thing I remembered was being completely undressed and—My cheeks heated up. Did that really happen or was it a hyper realistic dream?
I moved my legs, still feeling the soreness between my legs. Had the girls brought me back and dressed me themselves?
That seemed plausible but everyone had been drunk and the night had taken a wild turn after my initiation.
It was sad I wouldn't be able to recognize the girls, or the one who had given me my first orgasm. Maybe it was better that way, at least it'd save me the embarrassment of knowing.
I stood up, a slight limp in my steps as I walked over to Charlotte, shaking her awake.
"Hey," she rubbed her eyes. "When did you get in last night?"
I scratched the back of my head. "I was about to ask if you saw anyone bring me back."
"Why? Did anything happen?"
I immediately shook my head, "Let's get ready for class or we'll be late."
.
.
The first class we had was with Ms. Duval. I wondered if I could tell her what happened after I left her apartment.
This time I didn't try to catch her eyes from across the room. I put all my focus on the book in front of me, scribbling random things at the edges of the paper.
It wasn't until she announced the group project that I looked up. This time she was pairing us up herself.
"I'll pass the list around in a bit," she said. "And while we're on it, we'll be going to Silvercrest Academy for their annual college play."
The entire class erupted in loud cheers.
"Behave or you won't be going anywhere," she said with a small smile on her face, one that I wished she'd direct at me.
"It's coming up this weekend, and the headmistress has approved." Everyone clapped. "But don't get too carried away, it's part of your group project and your continuous assessment. You're not going on a vacation."
Still, it didn't deter their excitement.
"We're really allowed to leave the school?" I asked Charlotte who was beaming with joy.
"Yes, but only for school events. Other than that, no one ever leaves."
Her words made my skin crawl. Ms. Duval had said something similar, 'No one ever leaves', after my last attempt to run away. There was something sinister and chilling about it.
"Here, check for your partner." The girl seated in front gave me the list.
"Are we together?" Charlotte asked as I scanned the paper.
I shook my head. "I'm paired with…Isadora Whitely?"
"Sorry I'm late to class!" Someone said as they barged into the class.
I froze when I saw who it was. None other than the girl that was with Ms. Duval last night. Even now Ms. Duval's expression was stern but still had a certain softness in them.
"Thirty minutes late."
"I'm sorry, I had to get my approval letter to transfer to this class from the headmistress." She passed the teacher a slip.
"Never be late again, I do not tolerate tardiness."
Even as they spoke I could see the subtle flirty look they exchanged, or maybe I was paranoid since no one else in class picked it up.
"Isadora Whitely, welcome to my literature class. You can find a seat at the back."
My face went white as a sheet as I watched her take the empty seat beside me. Not only was she my rival for my teacher's attention, she was now my classmate and project partner.
The rest of the class passed in a blur. I couldn't help but wonder what Ms. Duval's intention was for partnering us up. What was she playing at?
"Hey partner!" Isadora called the moment class was over. "Fancy seeing you here."
I knew better than to mistake the high pitch of her voice for genuine excitement.
"Hello," I mumbled.
"You're going to need a better attitude than that if you want to work with me," her voice was saccharine sweet. "We'll go to the library later to start our research."
"I guess."
"Why are you sulking like a child that got their candy stolen from them?" she flashed me a grin. "Cheer up."
A child?
I remained moody for the rest of the day, and it got worse whenever I passed Isadora in the hallway and she winked at me. Or in the cafeteria when she pretended to bump into me.
I thought I'd gotten it over with until she entered the bathroom while I was washing my hands. I said nothing as she checked if the stalls were empty before locking the main door.
"Still sulking?" she leaned on the sink, watching me like I was some wild animal that could go loose any moment. I felt exactly that way.
"How is Madeline ever going to choose you if you keep acting like a child?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Ms. Duval," I corrected her.
"Madeline. I'll call her whichever way I please," then a crooked smile took over. "Not that it mattered to her when I was screaming it in her ear last night."
I pushed away from the sink. "I don't want to hear this."
"Oh, but I think you should. People like you need to be put in their place. I waited for Maddy, for a long ass time because she was in love with Mary and wouldn't look my way. Her soul rest in peace but boy am I glad she's gone!"
I stood there, not uttering a word in response.
"I gave her a shoulder to cry on, and made her bed warm. Now that I'm finally in my rightful place you decided to come along and remind her of the love she lost?" She poked my chest with her index finger.
"You might look like Mary, even bear her name and try to take over her life. But Madeline will never love you the same. She was confused when you first came but now her head is clearer than ever. She only showed interest in who she thought you were."
Each word hurt because I knew it too. I didn't know when the tears in my eyes gathered, I only felt them run down my cheeks. "I'm not trying to replace Mary. We have a genuine connection."
"Please, don't flatter yourself. You'll never understand Madeline the way I do. You're too normal for her."
"What do you mean?"
"That's for me to know. She needs someone that's mature like me, and not you. I'll advise you to stay away from her and you better listen now that I'm still being nice."
But I was her love interest, that's how it was in the book. Or did that change along with everything else?
Isadora walked closer, only stopping when there was no space left between us. Even then she leaned into me.
"Ms. Duval is burning with a thirst only I can satisfy. Our connection goes beyond love and death. I would literally lay down my life for her." Then her eyes pierced mine. "Can you do the same?"