The Dark Inheritance

Chapter 5

Serah gaped at the stately buildings visible from outside Redlands High. They all stood towering, with a complex design and elaborate carvings. It was all spectacular, making her feel overwhelmed.

Aria, who had walked a few paces ahead, turned back to wave at her. “What are you waiting for? Let’s head in!”

She nodded and slowly trudged forward. Jennifer was really amazing. In the span of just five days, she had made all arrangements for Serah’s papers and admission procedures to be ready and she was finally integrating the prestigious Redlands High School today. The past five days weren’t easy, each moment a struggle for Serah to adapt to her new surroundings, but the people around her supported her the whole time. Or at least everyone except Asher. True to her decision, she had tried to steer clear of him. But there were times when he caught her secretly eyeing with a strange intensity which unsettled her. She really couldn’t understand the guy’s train of thought.

As if on cue, she heard Aria calling out to him. “Hey! Asher! We came to school at the same time. Such a coincidence!”

Unable to help it, Serah turned to regard the guy. As usual he had been glaring her way but as soon as she looked at him, he swiftly turned away. However, that wasn’t what bothered her. The person to whom his attention shifted did. Standing really close beside him was a stunning auburn-haired girl. Her sharp features gave her a fierce look, especially those blue-green eyes of hers, but that made her all the more appealing. It was clear that she had a really close relationship with Asher. But why did that unsettle her so much?

Just as she wandered who the girl was, Aria addressed her. “Hey Cara, how are you doing?”

“Hello, Aria.” She said in a sharp but elegant tone. “I’m fine. How about you?”

“I’m good.” Aria quipped as she walked over to Serah. “Let me introduce you, this is Serah… I’m not sure if Asher mentioned her, but she’ll be attending our school as from today. And Serah, this is Cara Armstrong.”

“It’s nice to meet you.” Serah politely said.

Cara gave Serah a once-over, her eyes unreadable. “Nice to meet you too.” She said in a clipped tone.

"Well then, we're in a hurry, so we'll be leaving ahead." Asher said. He started walking forth immediately after.

"Wait!" Cara called out, rushing after him. Once she had regained her place at an overly close proximity to Asher, she turned to once again resume her perusal of Serah.

“What’s with her?” Serah asked discreetly. The strange way Cara stared at her was giving her the creeps.

When Aria didn’t reply right away, she turned to look at her, finding her looking at Asher and Cara walking away, an almost sad expression on her face.

“Aria?” She tried again. “Is everything okay?”

Aria shook her head, then regained her cheerful expression. “All’s good! Let’s not waste time either. I want to give you a tour of the whole school before classes start.”

Serah stared at her, trying to determine what caused her sudden change in mood earlier, but she didn’t give anything away. Eventually she also cast it aside. If Aria wasn’t ready to share it with her, then she wouldn’t pry.

Most of the students were staring at her as she walked through the immaculate school grounds towards the principal's office. Some gazes were curious, others even disdainful or scornful.

"Everyone has already been informed of your arrival." Aria explained. "It's rare for new students to be admitted here, so you might be the center of attention for a short while. But they should get bored soon, so do not let that bother you."

She turned to give Serah a solemn look. "Some of the students here tend to look down on those who are of a lower status than them. If such people come to seek trouble with you, just ignore them."

Her eyes then shifted to somewhere behind Serah and her face scrunched. "Speak of the devil. That's Natalia Colton and her groupies." She discreetly whispered. "It will be real hard, but try to not talk back."

Serah recognized the name. As the only child of one of the most powerful families in the country, Natalia is pretty much venerated everywhere she goes. She turned to regard the approaching girls. They all looked fashionable with striking features though right now their expressions were gloating or scornful. It was obvious that they had chosen her as their target. She recognized Natalia right away, her wavy dark-blonde hair bouncing as she strutted at the fore of the group, an air of royalty about her. Her chin was lifted up, her caramel eyes appearing to be looking down on everyone around her.

She didn't deign to look at Serah, addressing Aria instead.

"Aria." She said condescendingly. "I know your mother likes running charity cases, but there should be a limit. To actually send a nobody here. What will happen to our school's reputation?" She shook her head sadly.

"Hey Natalia!" Aria quipped. "It's good to see you too. Sorry but we're in a hurry right now. The principal is waiting for us. We'll catch up with you girls later, okay?" With this, she grabbed Serah's hand and resumed her advance.

However, a dark-haired girl stepped in their path, her eyes spewing fire. "Natalia was talking to you! How dare you ignore her and try to get away!" She screeched.

"It seems that repeatedly helping out lowlifes has turned you into a lowlife as well." Another girl added scornfully.

"You and your mother bring such shame to us high society." Yet another girl spat.

Serah told herself she would try and hold it in. She didn't want any trouble on her first day of school. But how could she remain quiet when these people were insulting Jennifer and Aria simply because of their act of kindness?

"If such a thing brings shame to your high society then what brings pride to it?" Serah asked haughtily. "Your meaningless prattles?" She scoffed. "If that's all the aristocrats are worth, then I'll be glad if I never form part of them."

All the girls were shocked into silence, their mouths dropping open in outrage.

Serah went on, undeterred, shifting her gaze to Natalia. "I believe there are more pressing concerns for our school's reputation than just the fact that I'm studying here."

Natalia was visibly shaking. She opened her mouth to speak but just then another voice carried over to them.

"Miss Serah Summers?"

Serah turned to look at the middle-aged woman approaching them.

"Yes?" Serah answered.

The woman smiled warmly. "Nice to meet you. I am Hilda Wentworth, the vice-principal. The principal asked me to guide you to his office in case you don't know the way."

"Thank you so much for your effort." Serah politely replied.

"Don't mention it. If you'll please follow me." With those words, she turned on her heels and headed off.

Serah was about to follow after her, but then someone gripped her elbow.

"You're lucky for now, bitch." Natalia gritted in a lowered tone. "But be assured that I'll get back at you later. I'll make your life here a living hell until you'll have no choice but to quit school." She squeezed her arm painfully for emphasis before letting her go.

Serah didn't bother looking at her or responding to her threat. As they were walking a few paces behind Mrs. Hilda, Aria addressed Serah.

"You were awesome back there." She said gleefully. "I sure didn't expect that."

"Sorry, I was trying to listen to your advice, but I just couldn't keep quiet."

Aria waved her hand dismissively. "Don't worry about that. You did great." She grinned widely as she went on. "Did you see their faces? It was priceless."

"Sure, bit I might have just signed my death warrant."

Aria grimaced. "Yeah. They're sure to seek retribution after this.” She bit her lip in frustration, then gave Serah’s hand a reassuring squeeze. “I’ll help you out, don’t worry. Just tell me when they come to bother you again.”

Serah smiled, voicing out her gratitude, even as she inwardly decided that she won’t drag Aria into the troubles she stirred. Those girls seemed to hold enough power in this school that they could turn anybody into an outcast.

The principal was a nice old man, but he made it clear that he only accepted Serah into the school as a favor to Jennifer who’s a close friend of his. He also explained the basic school’s rules and structure. Apparently there was a hierarchy system even in the distribution of classes. As such, Serah was in the ‘lowest grade’ class. There were five in total and Aria told her she was in the third best class, mostly because of her average grades while Asher was in the top class. Apparently the guy was a genius in his studies. As she was guided to her classroom, Serah wondered what her life will be like in this new unfamiliar school. Especially now that she had courted the wrath of those who stood at the top position. Still, no matter what happens she wouldn’t let anyone walk all over her. Despite her confusion and vulnerability because of her memory loss, she felt that she was a strong person at heart.