Saving My Broken Ice Princess

Chapter Five

Melonie sat comfortably in the leather and crossed her hands over her knee. “Before we get to the meat of the matter”, Melonie spoke. The headmaster felt as if he was the one being interviewed. “What is my lad like a school?”

The man, like many socialites, knew the girl was the only legitimate child. However, this woman didn’t think of the children differently. He smiled to himself. “Simply put, Yule is unsociable”, the headmaster sighed. “He’s never joined a club, but doesn’t spend his time off campus either. He’s content to be by himself.”

“And you did not bring this to Marek’s attention?” Melonie asked.

“It was, but a servant always accompanied Yule rather than his father. While that isn’t unusual, I’m certain it contributed to the boy being unsociable,” Edinburg stated honestly.

Melonie sat back, deep in thought. Marek performed within her expectations. The workaholic was too busy for his son. A single similarity bound them together. Without it, gaining Yule’s trust would’ve been a slow, painful process.

“Alright thank you.” Melonie intended to make Yule’s life as comfortable as she could from this point forward. “Moving on. Simply put, my duckling has poliosis. She was born with a patch of white hair. Children, and even adults, can be unkind, so I’m requesting that you allow her to wear berets to school.”

“We have a no hats policy”, the Headmaster relayed.

“You also have a policy against hair dye, but you were about to suggest it.” Melonie narrowed her eyes. He wisely kept his mouth shut. “She’s allergic to hair dyes. We’ve tried with many types, even child friendly ones. They all result in welts and swelling, so covering it with dye isn’t an option.”

The headmaster grew nervous as Melonie tapped her nails against the desk. He cleared his throat, “I will do all I can within my power to create a safe space for learning.”

Melonie rested her elbows on the table and leaned forward ever so slightly. “Believe me, this is the best alternative. Do not give me the bullshit excuse of creating a stigma free environment, you cannot do that.”

The headmaster swallowed his retort, “what do you have in mind?”

Melonie smiled. “The beret is custom made with the Dewhirst Academy crest sewn into it. She has it in three colours: white, black and grey, to match the uniform, of course. You could produce these yourself and sell to the students separate from their package as watches, etc.” She began tapping the table again, “of course if you choose the alternative both students and teachers will harass my daughter. You may get complaints by allowing someone with ‘dyed’ hair to roam the campus. The reputation of the school would be at stake. We can both be bothered or I can hand you the beret pattern free. Just another school exclusive item to milk from your cash cows.”

“You drive a hard bargain,” Edinburg sighed.

“Again,” Melonie reminded, “you don’t have to.”

“Alright”, the headmaster sighed.

“That was a little too easy”, Melonie handed over the prints with a smile, “Smarmy Muppet.” There was an uproar. Melonie and Mr. Edinburg rushed outside. Right outside of the admin building, a crowd was gathering. Melonie pressed through the moment she spotted Yule. “What caused this Kerfuffle?” Melonie reached out and pulled her two back.

“Nothing at all,” the burly teen before her smiled, “I heard the loner made a friend, and I wanted to see with my own eyes.”

“Kanis”, Rohan scolded his friend quietly. He looked back to Yule, “we meant no harm.”

“Stay away from her”, Yule ground his teeth, both of you.”

“He was just being nice,” Báine defended him.

“You stay out of this”, he pointedly ignored his staring at the burly teen before him.

The boy fired back a less than friendly smile, “the way you’re holding the lassie isn’t very chivalrous.”

Melonie inspected Yule’s grip. “Let go sonny”, she whispered. Yule did so reluctantly. “What happened?”

Báine rubbed her wrist. “I got lost again.”

“Again?” Yule was hysteric. “Did you forget you have a phone?” He snapped at his sister.

“Stop it”, the siblings looked to Melonie like a deer caught in headlights but she kept her gaze ahead. “Oh, the boy from the hospital”, Melonie finally recognized him. “Thank you again”, she smiled perfunctorily.

“It was no problem”, Roshan delivered straight-faced.

“The orientation will begin soon,” her heavy words prompted the kid to action, “we’re going.” Melonie looked at Báine’s wrist. “Was it your father or your mother that taught you such aggressive affection?” She looked at him, “you need to apologise to your sister.”

“Neither”, he grunted.

“Well fair”, she thought, “neither are in his life.” Melonie promised herself to give her best to the boy. They robbed him of that.

Yule looked at Báine, who avoided his eyes, her fingers brushing her bruised wrist. “I’m sorry Báine”, Yule apologised. She didn’t respond.

Melonie patted Yule’s shoulder, “it will be fine.”

The family of three strode towards the auditorium. They garnered the attention of many. Yule’s six-foot figure was eye-catching in contrast to his mother’s five-eight and his sister’s five-three stature. He used his height to shield his sibling. Melonie stopped at the entrance and directed them. They sat together despite being a part of different year groups. After her wards took their respective seats, Melonie moved into the auditorium. Her sway was graceful. Melonie’s once tight figure became fuller in time, but Melonie was a woman of style. Her pencil skirt suit stressed her curves without exposing an indecent amount of skin. Many of the older elites knew Melonie. How could they not remember a “Princess”? Of course, she lost that title when she married into the Edurne family. Melonie was the darkest of the three, her chocolate skin boasting a healthy glow. Her eyes and lips were dusted in deep neutral shades to complement the wonders of her green hazel and soften the sharpness of her nose and high cheekbones. Her chestnut taper-cut, defined with tight curls, brushed the tip of her ears. The mother of the two sat satisfied with the whisper that floated about her head. It was good to know her name was still popular among the elites. Melonie checked on her two again. They were talking amongst themselves. She sighed gratefully. She hoped their relationship would never change.

The moderator opened the ceremony. Báine snorted when she saw who would deliver the speech. Yule arched a brow, but Báine shook her head. She could only fold her lips as the nasal voice droned on she recalled earlier. Rohan played tour guide a second time for her. Báine played her role as a tourist well. She looked about constantly, trying to memorize her way. The ghostly halls were replaced with chatter as bodies moved about the campus. She realized whispers ceased when they got too close, her skin pricked. Báine shook herself. Maybe they weren’t talking about her. She hasn’t even started yet. What could they say, anyway? She peeked at Rohan. He kept his head straight, seeming mildly bored. Báine had only just noticed he wore a loose cut-off sleeve shirt. She wondered how his toned arms were still so pale.

“Sorry to have interrupted your practice,” she hung her head.

“Huh?” Rohan looked at her, he ruffled his hair. “It’s fine. We hadn’t really started, anyway.” Silence reigned between them, but strangely, she didn’t feel pressured to carry the conversation. “Bread.”

Her head snapped up, “what?”

“Mr. Nicneven,” a nasal voice crowed. Báine heard him sigh faintly before he stopped. A grey-haired woman walked over to them. “Mr. Nicneven once it’s not an official match, I must disuade anything other than the uniform to be worn on the main campus.”

“My apologies Teacher Webley”, he answered flatly. “I’m an impromptu tour guide so I wasn’t given a chance to change.” The woman looked beyond Rohan. The woman’s grey eyes felt like knives in Báine’s skin. It didn’t last long as Rohan stepped into the woman’s line of sight. “We best be on our way Orientation is about to begin.”

“Alright”, she conceded before walking off.

“Bread?” Báine looked at him.

Rohan drew a rectangle over Teacher Webley’s silhouette. “Bread”, he said matter-of-factly.

Báine looked at the woman and covered her mouth. “Why does she look like a loaf?” The white and red checker skirt reminded Báine of a bread bag. She fought to suppress her laughter.

“Is it really that funny?” Roshan tilted his head.

Báine took a deep, calming breath. “What do you mean?”

His brows furrowed slightly, he looked in Teacher Webley’s direction. “Everyone always laughs when I say it, especially Kali, but is it really that funny?”

Báine blinked twice. She decided at that moment that Roshan was an enigma.

At the end of the excessive and boring orientation speech, the students are filtered into their forms for that year and given another talking to. Melonie waited for her kids at the entrance to the dorm. Yule and Báine came from different directions. The girl was deep in thought while the boy looked bored out of his mind.

“Come now, was it really that boring?” Melonie folded her arms.

“These old chaps love to drone,” Yule yawned.

“Well”, she bargained, “it’s your last year with these old feet.” Yule glanced at Báine. His sister returned the look, confused, but Yule looked away rather than clarifying. Melonie smiled softly. “Well”, she handed them their room keys, “I’ve called butlers from the estate to help with your unpacking.”

“No thanks,” Yule refuted immediately, “we can do it ourselves.”

“Are you certain?” Melonie held in her chuckle.

“Yes”, Yule voiced his capabilities.

Melonie found his stubbornness endearing. “Alright, I’ll leave it to you,” she went along with his demands, “but let them unload and arrange the luggage so it’s easier to carry.”

After unloading everything, Melonie left them as she promised. Yule carried the heavy packages and Báine carried their suitcases and carry-on. Of course, like a true older brother, Yule walked to the girls’ dorm.

“Stick to me”, he whispered when he noticed his sister was becoming increasingly uncomfortable with the lingering looks.

“Okay”, she hid by his side.

At long last, they arrived at her room. They made quick work of sorting since the packages were labelled. “Unmute your phone and call me when you’re finished unpacking so I can come get you.”

“Aye.”

“And don’t wonder around”, his expression pinched.

Báine narrowed her eyes. Was there something wrong with the kids at this school? “What’s got you so jittery?”

“The fact that I have a pushover for a sister,” Yule gave her an unimpressed look. Then he shrugged, “you should be fine if you have the energy to be sassy. Remember to call me,” he reminded as he walked away.

“I will”, Báine rolled her eyes behind her glasses. She fished through her little pouch to retrieve the room key. With a slight movement, the door unlocked. She pushed the door and went in. “Oh, hello”, Báine greeted softly.

The girl busy at work stopped. Righting her posture and Báine noticed her roommate was a head taller than herself. The sun highlighted her lithe figure and pale skin. Round forest green eyes sat above her freckled cheeks. An excitable smile tugged at her pink lips.

“Hey up lassie!” Deep ginger curls bounced as she trotted over to Báine, “I’m Kalis Macleod!” Kalis had a thick accent that made her words lilt.

The girl before her gave off a “familiar” feeling to when Báine first met Yule. “Báine Willows-Edurne”, she held out her hand.

Kalis shook it enthusiastically but shivered. “Yer skin is scarily cold, lassie. That wid gie yi the boke.” Despite complaining, she didn’t let go.

“It’s always been like this”, Báine pulled away first.

Curiously, Kalis stepped closer and sniffed Báine. She stepped away, startled at the invasion of her personal space. Kalis blinked at her. At that moment, Báine was sure Kalis iris was a golden colour. Yet the eyes that stared back at her were undoubtedly green. Kalis came back to herself. “Oh, I hope yer don’t mind,” she motioned to the covered bed, “I’m a heavy sleeper, so having the window will be better for me.”

“Oh, I don’t mind”, Báine nodded tensely. Were they really going to gloss over the fact that a stranger sniffed her? Kalis continued unpacking after they settled the bed issue.

Seemed that they’re ignoring it after all.