A family of five (Husband, wife, teenage daughter and two young children of each gender) stood outside a two-floored house in a suburban environment inside a well-populated American city. Moving vans had pulled up beside them and had begun unloading furniture and decorations from the back of the van into the expensive looking house.
The house itself was two-storied with white marble walls and flower-hedges lined in front of the house on either side of the doors. It had a path that led up the middle of the front garden, which was plain, and up to several steps that led to the front door. Instead of a roof, there was a floor with deck-chairs, tables and umbrellas used for when the weather was nice enough.
The husband and father of the family was Karim Ulistani, a wealthy business man from Saudi Arabia who held a lucrative position in an export company who dealt with metals. He and his family had moved to America due to the demand of his job. He was of dark olive coloured skin with jet black hair that was slightly jelled upwards in the middle. He always wore some kind of black business suit with a white undershirt. He was a calculative business man with a strong and lean physique that was hidden under his clothing. But despite his cynical nature in the world of business he still kept a bright, cheerful and kind disposition for his family.
Next to him was his wife Audrey Wakeland, a British woman who had spent her University years with Karim and had married him soon after. Despite her quick marriage and life as a housewife, she had still managed to earn a law degree by the age of 21 and always had a flood of requests from law firms to acquire her abilities. However, she had devoted her life to looking after her children and husband, so they never had to be separated. She had shoulder length, well styled blonde hair with a slim physique. She always wore an everyday dress that was neither too formal nor too casual for everyday usage. Her personality was amiable and affectionate to all the important people in her life, but despite being a housewife and her husband being a business man for a multinational corporation, she had always been more dominant than her husband. That being said, they still took on problems as a couple who always consulted each-other in a fair way.
Next were the two children: Samantha and Gideon. Samantha was the older of the two and was known for her tenacious but immature personality, which resulted in her being on the receiving end of more than her fair share of punishments. Gideon on the other hand was an intelligent boy who always obeyed his parents’ rules without question, but his constitution was weaker than the average human, leaving him hospitalised on numerous occasions. Because of his condition his mother and father had decided to move into a house smaller than they had been used to that was located close to a hospital, a sacrifice they were more than willing to make.
And onto our heroine, Danielle Wakeland-Ulistani. A girl of 16 years old and unmatched beauty, her pale skin and long chestnut hair that made its way to the small of her back gave her an almost divine glow. She wore thinly rimmed glasses and she had an average height as well as a slim build matched with her perfectly proportioned chest, hips and legs to the rest of her body. She was a naturally nervous girl, due to the excessive moving of her family she had gained very few important friends and the ones she had made were difficult to make contact with given the distance between them. Despite this, she only ever wanted to make friends with others and to have an ordinary life like others, she took nothing for granted and even worked part-time jobs despite her family’s wealth. Like her mother she was a kind and well-mannered girl but lacked her mother’s attentiveness and confidence, but still retained her mother and father’s intelligence. Danielle (Or Danni as she liked to be referred to) had been transferred to an all-girls private school in the centre of the city, ready to start her new school life whilst getting adjusted to her new surroundings too.
“Well Danni, what do you think of our new place of residence?” Audrey asked her daughter with a bright and warm smile from cheek to cheek.
“It looks amazing!” Gideon expressed with excitement, ready to burst inside and see his own new room, he practically shook with excitement at the idea of exploring a new location.
“Nobody asked you Gidiot!” Samantha mocked her brother by standing on her tiptoes to tower even further over him than she already did (Gideon was 6 and Samantha was 11). She always referred to him as †˜Gidiot’ by mixing his name with the word †˜idiot’, one of the few half-intelligent things she had ever done.
As Audrey scolded Samantha for her rude behaviour, Danni took a step ahead of everyone else and spun on her heels to face her family “It looks…nice” Danni said timidly, as if even talking to her family took a monumental effort for her.
“I’m glad you think so! But it hardly matters, my bosses paid for it themselves so we should all be happy regardless of how nice it looks!” Karim said in response as he folded out the handle of a suitcase and began pulling it along the ground towards the house “Shall we?”
The first few days were spent in a simplistic, mundane fashion of unpacking and setting up the furniture in the family’s new house. However, the first Monday back, Danni and her siblings began their first day of school.
Danni looked at her image in the mirror: Her perfect physique wore a white polyester, button-upped shirt with a crimson red sweater vest over it, a short black skirt, white socks that made their way up to her knees and black school shoes. She had two braids in her hair, one on each side of her head and resting over her shoulders before falling down her chest. “I hope that I can finally make a permanent friend…” Danni said in a hopeful tone that also sounded resigned to defeat at the same time. Although she accepted her family’s position it was still a difficult task for her to not let the depression over being so alone affect her. A loneliness that had permeated through her entire being, she had considered numerous times to just shut the world out and lock herself away from the emotions that had tormented her by forgetting about such concepts as friendship and love. But nothing is ever that simple, not for Danni, she wanted to experience friendship, companionship and love.
Danni found herself on a public bus, despite her personality to never take anything for granted, she had never used a public bus before. Every bump could be felt as if someone was tossing her up in the air, every sensation was as if it were happening to her and not the bus itself. The experience was oddly exhilarating for Danni, it felt so exciting to be doing something that other people would consider an everyday occurrence and yet she was also frightened to be doing something out of her comfort zone. Danni took a quick scan and noticed a girl sat directly opposite from her with the exact same uniform on as her, except she had a multi-coloured scrunchie on her right hand and a guitar case by her feet. In contrast to Danni, who was quiet but wished to talk to others, this girl seemed quiet because she wanted to avoid people. She had short, neck-length, black hair that was combed over one side of her face where it partially covered one of her green eyes. She looked naturally gloomy with her dark expression, skull necklace and black and purple tights. “Excuse me? Do you go to the same High-school as me?” Danni asked but had no response given back to her as the girl bobbed her head to the sound of the music being blared through her headphones that were attached to an IPod in her hand. Danni realised her attempts at communication were fruitless and decided to make the short journey over to the girl. Danni sat down on the seat next to her with her bag by her feet. The girl looked up to see Danni’s nervous expression at making such a bold move and quickly removed her headphones before swaying her head to one side in a resentful way, as if Danni’s presence was enough to annoy her.
“Who are you? And why should I care?” She asked in the bluntest manner possible, whether or not this was the cultural difference between America and England the girl’s manners seemed far less refined than Danni’s.
The immediate shock of being asked such a peculiar question (For Danni) left her stammering around for answers “Ugh…well…I was wondering…” Danni began to organise her thoughts before the girl snapped her fingers right in front of Danni to gain her attention.
“Hey, dumbass, I asked you a question; not the other way around. Who are you?” despite seeming quiet and reserved the girl showed a quick and sharp tongue that spoke in an edgy and commanding voice.
“Oh! My apologies! I’m Danielle Wakeland-Ulistani and I’m transferring in to the all-girls private school starting today” Danni began to explain her situation as the girl next to her snapped her fingers again and yawned simultaneously.
“Okay, okay I gathered the bulk of it. You want to play †˜Follow the leader!’ with me so you don’t get lost huh?” The girl discerned rather quickly, clearly she was quite intelligent to be able to grasp the situation so quickly. Danni hastily nodded in return and the girl sighed “Fine. But don’t annoy me. And if you can’t keep up then I’ll leave you behind, got it?” she pointed her index finger straight under Danni’s chin like she was brandishing a razor sharp weapon.
Danni nodded again and the girl threw her head back with another annoyed expression as she grimaced “So…what’s your name?” Danni asked but the only immediate response she got was a cold stare.
“What did I say about being annoying?” the girl complained before dragging her hand down her face to reiterate her intolerance of Danni “If I tell you, you can’t laugh, got it?” again, the razor sharp finger was brandished and Danni nodded without a word escaping her pink lips again “It’s…Suzie…” the girl looked away with a flustered expression and tried to cover her face with her hand “Pretty stupid fucking name right? Doesn’t go well with my personality, just call me Blake instead” Blake appeared overly embarrassed about her name which soon turned to frustration as she grabbed the armrest at the end of the row of seats and began banging her fist gently against it.
Danni tried desperately to try and come up with a topic for conversation while she left Blake to brood over her own name for several minutes. Finally she noticed the guitar case again that Blake had by her feet and raised an eyebrow over it “Is…is that a guitar?” Dannie asked as she pointed to the case by Blake’s feet.
To Danni’s surprise, Blake didn’t role her eyes or sigh in exasperation like she had done every previous time Danni had ever opened her mouth, instead she looked surprised and almost confused over the case “Oh yeah…forgot about that” her casual attitude over something that had clearly caused such a puzzling response perplexed Danni “It’s the instrument I play for my band. My family isn’t too well off, but I managed to gain a scholarship into the school thanks to my skill with my guitar” Blake explained.
“You’re in a band?” Danni asked “And you needed a scholarship?” Danni continued her questions, unsure of why someone would need a scholarship as she had simply been allowed in the school without a second thought from the school’s chairman.
“Yep. We play gigs every Saturday at a Nightclub” Blake took out a flask of coffee from her shoulder-slung bag, which was resting on top of her guitar case, and drunk some “Me and my band were scouted by the school because of our †˜talent’ as they called it, and allowed us into the school” Blake explained without much care for detail.
“But why do you need a scholarship? I was allowed in without one” Danni admitted and Blake let out a chuckle, something that Danni hadn’t expected from someone like her.
“I guess you’re some kind of rich girl then? The school probably let you in because they thought your parents might donate some money to help your education. There are a few people like that, but people like me and my band…” Blake looked Danni deep in the eyes with a piercing glance that made Danni shake with fear “…Are the only people who have actually worked hard and actually deserve to be there. Don’t forget that” Blake lightened up and sat back in her space “As long as you don’t act all high-and-mighty then we won’t have a problem. Got it?” Blake said and Danni nodded again “Good” Blake clearly lacked any care for people who didn’t work hard in life, something that her appearance didn’t suggest about her. But Danni had already learnt that you couldn’t judge Blake by her appearance at all.
Danni followed Blake throughout the streets of the city for several minutes. The city had skyscraper after skyscraper, but they moved into a part of the city more populated by housing and apartment complexes that surrounded a large school. It had layer upon layer of floors with a large field surrounding it with other similar but smaller buildings on that field. There was a long concrete staircase that led up to the front entrance with dozens of schoolgirls walking up them.
“This is where we separate. Good luck” Blake said as she walked on ahead.
“W-Wait! Blake! Where do I go?” Dannie began to call out as something bumped into her back and pushed her over the top of the stairs onto the flat layer at the top of the steps. Her bag spilled open and all her new school items and equipment sprawled out in a mix in front of her as she sat on all fours, helpless. “Oh God…” Danni’s emotions already reached a boiling point, the combination of anxiety over coming to a new school, the fear of not knowing where to go and now this: Caused her to start sobbing quietly to herself.
“Ah! I’m so sorry! Are you okay?” Danni turned around to the sound of a sweat and tempting voice to see the source of what had tripped her over: A girl of above average height stood behind her. She brushed a lock of her golden-blonde hair that stopped just below her shoulders out of her face. She was unfairly beautiful, with beautifully plump legs that weren’t too thin or fat, a beautifully sized chest that was just a bit bigger than Danni’s. Her eyes were a pure emerald and all of her face’s features were of perfect proportion and shape. She wore the exact same outfit as Danni but with a blue fleece on over her school shirt. “Here, let me help…” she started helping Danni place her school gear back in her bag, but Danni was mesmerised by her appearance the entire time. Eventually she started speaking again, but Danni only brought herself back to reality towards the end of her sentence “-your name?” she asked some kind of question.
“Eh? Um…” Danni didn’t know if asking her to repeat would have been rude, but if she didn’t then she would look stupid just sat there.
“Your name! You do have a name right? I’m guessing you’re new since I haven’t seen you before. I’m Chloe by the way” the girl reiterated her question, exposing herself as Chloe.
“Oh! Yes I do have a name!” Danni wasn’t coming across as the most intelligent at this point “My name is Danielle Wakeland-Ulistani! Nice to meet you!” Danni introduced herself as they both stood up and Chloe handed the bag to Danni.
“So are you new?” Chloe asked.
“Yes, me and my parents moved here from England” Danni explained.
“England? So you’re foreign then? Interesting, so am I. Well, I’m half French so
I’m only partly foreign” Chloe explained herself as something tugged on Danni’s arm, ending their conversation.
“Dumbass! I checked the board at the front and we’re in the same classes! Stop chit-chatting with people and act serious!” Blake dragged Danni into the front of the school with an enraged walk and tone.
“Blake?! Yay! I have a friend!” Danni punched the air in celebration as she followed Blake down the corridors, full of students, closely.
“We aren’t friends! I just hate seeing idiots be stupid!” Blake yelled. They continued onwards until a girl cut across their route and held a hand out to stop Blake.
“Stop! Miss Dayle, what have I told you about shouting in the corridors?” The girl was a few inches shorter than the both of them with long brown hair. She had stormy eyes of grey and an athletic body. She wore the same outfit as Danni, but with an armband on her right arm that read †˜Rule-enforcer’. Despite the title of her armband she looked harmless and cute as opposed to someone who could enforce rules over other students.
“Oh…it’s you Melanie…what a lovely surprise…” Blake said with a dry taste in her mouth.
“Perhaps you would like to answer my question?!” she struck a more impatient mood.
“Oh right…’Please in future incidents do not yell or raise your voice in the halls during lesson time…’ or something like that” Blake spoke like she was used to it “But that only applies during lessons, lessons don’t begin for another 15 minutes. You must be here because you like me” Blake smiled deviously.
“D-D-D-D-D-D-D-Did you just…?” Melanie took a step back and composed herself “In any case! I was simply reminding you ahead of the new school year! Please try to be less trouble for me this year!” Melanie said and walked off with a flustered expression.
“No promises!” Blake raised her voice to annoy Melanie as she walked off before Blake turned back to Danni “Sorry about that. That’s Melanie, she’s a stickler for the rules, but she’s good person at heart. Also, she’s my girlfriend” Blake explained.
“Your girlfriend?! You mean…you…and her…” Danni was at a loss for words, she had heard of such things about two women going out but never before had she seen it.
“It’s pretty common in this school. Better get used to it” Blake said bluntly and started walking off down the hall.
“You don’t seem too close…” Danni said.
“She’s just a little nervous. Give her time” Blake said without worry.
“Soooo….how does that work? I mean, with two girls?” Danni asked out of curiosity as she tilted her head and raised a single eyebrow.
“How? Are you stupid or something?” Danni puffed her cheeks out at that remark
“Christ! Like any other relationship, except instead of having a dick she has…whatever” Blake gripped Danni’s wrist slightly tighter as Blake stopped by a door labelled †˜Music Room’ and opened it before entering.
Inside was a circular grouping of tables in the centre of the room with instruments of all kinds strewn about against the walls, one of which was laden with windows that overlooked a picnic area. Blake took one of the seats and rested her legs up against the table and let out a sigh.
“Are you all-right Blake? And why are we in this room?” Danni asked as she went to touch a drum-like instrument with wires attaching the top of it to its bottom before Blake leaned over and slapped her hand away.
“No touching unless I say so” Blake sighed again “This is our tutor room. We attend here once in the morning to get registered and once at the end of the day” Blake pulled out a seat next to her and pointed to it “You look stupid stood there with those puppy-dog eyes of yours” Danni smiled and sat down with great enthusiasm. Her actions only caused Blake to roll her eyes again, much to Danni’s amusement.
“Do you like Melanie?” Danni asked as she tapped her finger against her chin quizzically.
“What kind of stupid question is that? I had faith you were smart enough to enter this school on merit, apparently I was wrong” Blake insulted. “Oh yeah. There’s something I should probably tell you…” Blake looked as if she was debating with herself to actually finish her thought “Well…maybe it’s best you should find out for yourself…” she finished whilst tapping her fingers with an uncomfortable expression, whatever thought she had clearly had sent her mind racing.
“What about? Please tell me!” Danni leaned over towards Blake and seemed to forget about Blake’s dislike of her staying so close. Danni had the look of curiosity written across her face.
“Ughhhhh…” Blake moaned to herself and kicked the underside of the table in frustration “Whatever I say, you can’t get mad? And take it as fact from someone who has seen too many people get screwed over in the past” Blake warned and Danni nodded quickly, gesturing for Blake to continue as she tried to keep a straight face, but failed as it quickly broke into a fragmented smile in places. “You remember the girl you bumped into? The one you went all googly-eyed over-”
“No, no, no, no, no! I wasn’t like that at all! I mean…she was very pretty…and kind…” Danni blushed remembering the thought and entered a world of her own as her eyes turned slightly glazed over her thoughts, only to be returned by being bumped on the head by Blake.
“Shut up! Christ you’re annoying! Just listen!” Blake yelled and sighed before collecting herself so she could continue “To put it quite frankly that girl, Chloe Jean, is a lady killer. She finds unsuspecting girls and sleeps with them in a one-night-stand kind of deal. I wouldn’t get overly close to her, for your own sake” despite the shocking revelation that had been so quickly and carelessly dropped onto Danni that would have sent the average person into a fit of emotional distress, the look of slight embarrassment rested on Blake’s face. The look of feeling vulnerable over knowing you just took the step in order to protect someone when you hate having to show that side of yourself: Blake’s true self. Someone who cares for her friends and the people she cares about; Danni more than appreciated the sentiment and hugged Blake in a tight embrace.
“Thank you for looking out for me. You’re a good friend Blake” Friend, not a term Danni was able to use a lot, usually those people would quickly drift away from her because of her social standing and her constant moving, but Blake so easily accepted that and even went as far as to insult Danni over it and then cast it aside as if it had no bearing over the person she was or could be. It showed Blake was the best kind of person that Danni could hope to make friends with; someone who just didn’t care about the extra baggage someone carries, just the person themselves.
Blake gritted her teeth back and forth at the idea of being hugged so easily but found herself patting Danni on the back instead of going with her first idea of punching her in the stomach “Don’t make a habit out of this…” she said quietly, but loud enough that Danni caught the message.
Danni sat back with a sullen expression afterwards though, she had been certain that Chloe was a kind person from their initial meeting. But she remembered never to judge a book by its cover, in fact she would have expected Blake to be the bad tempered loner who only looked out for herself and not the type of person to involve herself in a romantic relationship or even look after and care about the best interests of someone like Danni. Still, the feeling of having no real definitive answer or closure of the subject of this girl Chloe frustrated her beyond belief. Then Danni tried to consider why it mattered so much? They had only had one conversation together up to this point and it hardly sounded like the most emotionally connecting conversation in all of history, just some simple greetings and yet this girl never left Danni’s mind in the strangest of ways. An odd burning sensation made its way through Danni’s heart whenever she thought about Chloe, perhaps it was just simple idle curiosity but whatever it was motivated Danni to whisper to herself.
“Okay, I’ll find her after school and talk to her. I at least want to know if she’s the type of person I want to make friends with…” Danni said and clenched her fists in determination as she would set about the course of events that would engrave strong feelings upon her own heart.