Saving My Broken Ice Princess

Chapter Nine

Báine opened her eyes, it was officially the first day of school and she already hated it. Sofia glanced at the Young Miss and chuckled. Báine sat up and glared daggers in her floral-print blanket.

“I take it the Young Miss didn’t sleep well?”

“Felt like I didn’t sleep at all,” Báine grumbled.

“You’ll feel better after a shower”, Sofia ruffled the child’s hair.

Báine stepped into the steaming bathroom. It is undeniable woke her up, the warm spray against her skin was pleasant and renewed life in her extremities. Now that her mind was cleared she basked in the feeling of freedom. The past two days Báine had been desperate to leave the hawk-like gaze of everyone in the manor. Soon after her unexpected hospital trip, the results of her multiple tests returned negative, but Doctor Niceven gave a charge to keep her under close observation. Since then, the family has been overly watchful. All said and done, she appreciated the concern. She just wished it was less stifling.

A little over thirty minutes later and Báine could finally be seen descending the stairway. “Morning hen”, Melonie called from the foyer.

“Morning”, she sang back.

When he saw Báine hopping behind the maid, all bright-eyed and bushy tail Yule felt a smidgen annoyed. “How are you always so energetic?”

“I don’t know”, she shrugged her earlier plight long forgotten.

“Foder, bring my car around”, Melonie dropped the keys in the chauffeur's hand. “Alright, picture now”, Melonie motioned for them to follow her. In their crisp, expensive uniforms, the teens posed after pose, all while being mindful of the running fountain. Melonie snapped photo after photo, seeming ever satisfied. “Ma ducklings are so lovely,” their mother gushed.

“Why didn’t you do this on orientation?” Yule grumbled, loosening his tie some.

“That was orientation. Which parent doesn’t want to document your first day at school,” Melonie chirped. “Besides you’re boarding. I don’t know when I’ll get to see you.”

Yule’s expression twisted, then he sighed in defeat. “I’ll remember to call often”, he compromised.

Báine smiled when she saw him scratching his cheek. “Me too”, she joined in.

“So filial, like,” Melonie grinned, “I’ll be the envy of the PTA.”

“Ma don’t”, Yule immediately tried to dissuade her. Melonie merely laughed at the aversion in his scrunched features.

The low hum of the Mercedes arrested their attention. Foder stepped out and handed Melonie the keys. She held up the keys and let it jingle. “You’re riding with Ma today,” Melonie motioned to the car.

The teens climbed into the artic white Mercedes-Maybach. It was smaller than their father’s black version of the vehicle. The interior had plush teal seating accented by white, only the dash was of a darker shade. The air condition was off to keep the temperature of their breakfast, while their book bags rested on the floor.

“You really like blue,” Yule clicked his seatbelt, “the white I can understand.”

“You ain’t seen nothing yet,” Báine laughed.

Enya’s celestial soprano, and occasional chatter, permeated the drive to Dewhurst Academy. Their mirth dissipated as they pulled into the driveway. There was a storm between Melonie’s brows and a vicious scowl on Yule’s lips. Báine looked ahead. Two vehicles caught her attention. Kanis’ forearms rested again on the roof of the Gunmetal Grey Rolls-Royce Phantom. Báine couldn’t see who he was talking to, blocked by the Dusky Black Rolls Royce Beluga that Rohan leaned against. Melonie hesitated before choosing a parking space far away from the other vehicles. Báine followed her mother’s lead and waited until the engine cut before opening her side. Yule reached over and shut the door. Báine snapped her eyes to his, but Yule wasn’t looking at her. His eyes finally met her own.

“Wait”, he instructed, then got out first.

She watched her brother move around. Melonie was already standing outside, but her eyes were straight ahead. Yule opened her side deliberately, but he could not block her entirely. Báine witnessed the boys’ attention moved to her as she rose from the Mercedes-Maybach. Both teens offered friendly smiles. Yule’s scowl deepened.

“Show me your form rooms”, Melonie smiled. Her voice brought Báine back to the present.

“Sure,” Yule nodded, “I’ll show mine first.”

As they moved forward, Báine glanced at her side. The other teens hadn’t moved from their place between the expensive cars, but they watched Báine’s posse with keen interest. They took a shortcut to the sixth form wing. Báine noticed lower sixth homerooms were on the first floor as they passed her own form room to ascend a short flight of steps.

“This is me”, Yule motioned to the second class facing the steps. “Hey Bai”, Yule said, “if anyone bothers you, you know where to find me.”

It felt reassuring to know someone had her back in this new environment, “aye.”

Afterwards, she showed her mother to her form room. When she entered the classroom, her fingers found her beret. “You’re fine, hen,” Melonie took her daughter’s hand. Báine felt awkward about it at first, but other parents eased her mind. “Don’t think too hard about it”, Melonie straightened Báine’s jacket, “have a good first day.”

“I hope”, she huffed.

“Atta girl”, Melonie chuckled and gave her a small nudge. Báine looked back to her mother, who smiled and turned away.

At that moment, Báine wasn’t sure if she related more to a toddler on her first day of elementary school or a rabbit surrounded by wolves. She convinced herself it was her paranoia and that no one was looking at her. She doesn’t stand very well on her own.

“Aye blighter”, a foreign voice called. Báine knew in herself they aimed it at her, but she ignored it. “You hard of hearing no mate?” Báine covertly peeked. It was a gang of three, oh goodie.

“Thare yer!” a body crashed into Báine. She teetered forward, but her worry lasted for a moment, the person ensured she wouldn’t fall. A weight rested on her shoulder, Báine glanced back and ginger curls filled her view. Kalis’ smile squished her emerald eye. “I knew 'twas ye the moment a clocked yer tam,” she declared happily.

“Good morning”, Báine lips twitched.

“Mornin'”, the ginger grinned. Ignorant of Báine’s discomfort, she locked arms with the ruddy teen. “We should sit th'gither”, Kalis suggested.

“Okay”, Báine nodded. She let herself be led, “I didn’t realize we were in the same class.” When Báine glanced over her shoulder. The posse had dispersed.

“How about 'ere?” Kalis chose the left middle of the classroom.

“Its fine”, she nodded. The seats were by the window, close enough to the board with ample lighting. Báine was only concerned about the glare of the polished desks. Kalis took the seat closer to the window as if she read Báine’s mind. The ginger giggled at Báine’s expression, then tapped under her eye. It took a moment, but Báine understood. “Ta”, she smiled.

“You’re cute whin ye smile”, Kalis laughed. When Báine sat and was comfortable, Kalis pushed their desks closer and whispered, “Fancy a chin-wag?”

A deep-seated relief washed over Báine. If they weren’t making hits at her appearance, any hazing is manageable. “Cheers”, she leaned against the table and listened keenly.

“Our brothers caused ferr the stir at orientation”, she snorted, “Speculations ur heich. Wha is this freish lassie is strolling aroond wi' a campus prince?”

“Oh no”, Báine grieved.

“Aye. What must be will be!” Kalis smiled sympathetically. “Mr. Loner is pretty popular, hen. And no one knows you guys are siblings, apparently.” The ginger tilted her head contemplatively. “Well, no one knows a lot about yer kid, no mate… Except he can be a crabbit when bothered.” Kalis tapped her chin. “If I remember correctly, he dinnae receive that much attention 'til he started basketball. He’s really good at it too, the three-point shooter o' the basketball team.” Báine arched a brow. She’s never seen a trophy, let alone a medal in his room. Kalis' eyes widened. “yer didn’t know?”

“No.”

“Ah,” Kalis shrugged. “Well, your kid isn’t friendly but he’s aye a gentleman. So there are some green-hearted folk wanting to swipe yer ‘spot’.” The ginger rolled her eyes.

“Aish”, Báine hissed already tired. “What about you?”

“Aye,” Kalis nose wrinkled in annoyance, “Ma twin is th' academy’s starn flanker 'n' oor childhood friend is the country’s top tennis player.” Kalis scratched her head. “How he handles country tournaments while learning all the sciences is beyond me.”

“Wait. You have a twin?”

Kalis stared at Báine blankly before bursting into laughter. “I like yer even more. Ye already forgot his ugly face!” She grabbed her friend’s upper arm. “Let’s go visit them. We have time afore assembly.”

Before Báine could protest, Kalis dragged out her of the classroom and up the stairs to the upper sixth form rooms. “He’s above us?”

“Aye,” Kalis walked towards the first classroom. “I had a medical issue last year and had to sit out, sae ah repeated.” Báine voiced her understanding. Kalis motioned to the classroom, “This is th' arise class aka th' book smarts. Cream o' th' crop.”

Báine had passed the room when she visited Yule’s class but didn’t realise it was a classroom. The door was closed. Kalis knocked on the door before opening it. Some residents spared them a glance before resuming their activities, all as quiet as a church mouse. Báine understood why they sat at the top of their grade. Most were studying. Kalis pulled Báine over to two boys and the ruddy teen recognised them immediately. She only took a moment to see the differences between the twins. Kanis’ hair was paler ginger than his sister. His skin was darker and his cheeks devoid of freckles. Or maybe his tan was hiding them?

Rohan noticed them first. “Oh you’re not dead”, he blinked.

“Nope “, Báine put two thumbs up, “healthy as a horse.”

"Ye weren’t put off by that?” Kalis interjected.

“I know he doesn’t anything by it.” Báine looked back to her roommate. She narrowed her eyes at Kalis raised hand, “what’s that for?”

“Och”, the ginger dropped her hand. “He always says some left field s**t. Ah wis duin to smack him.” She looked at Rohan, “you got away this time.”

“Look, it's the mysterious wee lassie.” Kanis hopped off the desk and stalked towards them. “What brings yer to the wolf’s den?”

“Kanis”, Rohan sighed.

“Jimmy, come on it's juist a joke”, the burly teen chuckled. Despite his words, he retreated like Rohan instructed. “For real though, yer friend is next door.”

“I know”, Báine blinked behind her glasses. Taking the time to look at him, Báine thought it eerie that the twins had the same shade of green eyes. She wrinkled her nose. In her case, her sibling had a different mother. Maybe that’s why their blue wasn’t the same shade?

“Do you need those?” Rohan asked abruptly. The three looked at him but Rohan fixed his eyes on Báine.

“Need what?” He tapped under his eye. “My glasses? Yea.”

“Wait, something wrong wi' the lassie’s eyes?” Kanis asked

“No, they’re beautiful.”

“Nope. It’s reading glasses.”

Rohan and Báine’s words overlapped. The gingers and the brunette looked at the dark-haired boy. “What?” he looked among them. “I’m not lying”, he was indeed straight-faced, “she has beautiful eyes.”

Báine dipped her head and touched her ears. “How can he say that so casually?”

Covert glances from classmates darted between Báine and Rohan who had regained his interest in his notes. Báine ignorantly stirred more interest in her.

When the burly teen finally recovered he moved his attention to Báine. “If they’re juist fur reading” Kanis leaned back on the table and folded his arms, “How come wear them now then?”

“Force of habit.” Báine shrugged.

“If it makes her comfortable leave it be”, Rohan admonished Kanis without looking up.

The bell’s shriek sliced through the atmosphere. Kalis locked arms with Báine again, “We're going!”

“Bye”, Báine could barely wave before she disappeared.

Kanis looked at Rohan’s slightly raised hand and shook his head. “Do better man.” Rohan dipped his head, brows furrowed contemplatively. “Ye mak' simple s**t look hard. Git up”, Kanis grabbed his stuff, “we’re going to be late for assembly.” Rohan stood begrudgingly and followed their classmates out.