Chapter 5
T he first thing I saw when I opened my eyes were the pink walls of my bedroom in the Courts, along with the stark reminder that someone somewhere had fucked up. It was too late last night to try and deal with the mess, and I had the feeling that I had offended Melody as well. It wasn't my intention, but the final straw was seeing that all of my belongings from my dorm room had been moved to this new room in the Courts. I closed my eyes and pulled the blanket over my head, desperately wanting to pretend this wasn't happening. It was the last thing I needed at the start of term. But I knew I didn't belong here. Hell, anyone could see that I didn't belong among this set of mostly self-entitled trust fund bitches.
I was startled from my thoughts by a loud banging on my door.
"Get the fuck up, scholarship," the unmistakable voice of the prime example of my thoughts, Julia, shouted from the other side, "We don't slob around in bed in this house." I groaned, throwing off the covers and reluctantly swinging my legs out of bed. Julia's shrill voice grated on my nerves, but I couldn't bring myself to expel the energy required to respond to her baiting. I stumbled to the en-suite, still half-asleep and thoroughly disgruntled. The cold water shocked me awake as I splashed my face, staring at my reflection in the mirror. My purple hair was a mess, dark roots showing through. I quickly brushed my teeth and ran a comb through my hair, not bothering with makeup. Back in the bedroom, I rummaged through my suitcase, settling on a pair of ripped jeans and an oversized jumper. It wasn't exactly Courts attire, but I wasn't about to change my entire wardrobe just because I'd been dumped here against my will.
Taking a deep breath, I stepped out into the hallway. The house was already buzzing with activity, girls chattering and laughing as they made their way downstairs. I followed the noise, finding myself in a large, gleaming kitchen that looked like it belonged in a posh cooking show. A group of girls were clustered around the island, sipping smoothies and picking at platters of fruit and pastries. The chatter died down as I entered, and I felt every eye turn to me. Julia, perched on a stool like it was a throne, smirked.
"Well, look who finally decided to grace us with her presence," she drawled. "Did you get lost on your way from the servants' quarters?" A few of the girls tittered, but I noticed Melody giving me an apologetic look from the corner. I squared my shoulders, refusing to let Julia see how much her words stung.
"Nah, just taking my time," I replied, grabbing an apple from the fruit bowl. "Wouldn't want to rush and risk looking as desperate as some people." Julia's eyes narrowed, but before she could respond, Melody piped up.
"Cadence sweetie, come sit with me! I'll fill you in on the schedule for today." I headed over to Melody fully aware of the death stares behind me, choosing to ignore them. Melody was sitting in a seat at the large kitchen table along with several other girls, most of them looking rather nervous themselves. I found a space on one of the benches as the girls shuffled down. Melody smiled quickly at me and I tried to smile back, but it probably didn't come out all that sincere. I knew it wasn't her fault either, and she had been really nice to me so far.
"Now that we are all here," Melody said as she smiled around the little gathering. "I want to formally introduce myself as Melody Kinsley. I will be your guide this year." I realised that the other girls must have been first years, which would explain their nervous looks.
"There are five third year Courts and me as Legacy, here to help you all as Courts in your first year. As you know, our role is to prepare you for the coming expectations of being a Courts girl." Melody smiled at me again, but this time it was less happy and seemed more sympathetic. Maybe she did understand the concerns of being thrust into this place.
"Of course, in your respect Cadence, it may have to be a crash course," she said. I was about to ask what she meant when Julia scoffed behind me.
"Please, I wouldn't waste your time Melody," she sneered, and I turned to glare at her. She shot me a smug look as her two dipshit cronies sniggered next to her.
"Julia, don't you have somewhere to be?" Melody scolded, "Or do I have to give you a strike? It would be so unfortunate for you to miss out on activities in your first week." Julia actually looked scared at the thought, and quickly shoved herself out of her seat before storming out of the room. I huffed to myself, amused that the idea of losing out on some house social event seemed to get her so flustered. I turned back to face Melody who was already back onto her talk about the rules in the house and what was expected of all of the girls living here. I didn't really listen, given that my plan was to get the hell out of this sickly pink hell hole as quickly as possible.
I stood up quickly when Melody finally dismissed the girls, ready to head over to the university administration building, but was stopped by Melody.
"Cadence a quick word please," she said, and I grimaced. "Now I know we didn't get off on the right foot last night, but I hope that-"
"I'm sorry," I said, cutting her off before she could offer some holding hands sisterhood bullshit. "I know I was a bitch, and I should have maybe not taken it out on you, but I really would like to get over to the University to get this sorted out." Melody looked taken aback for a moment before forcing the smile on her face again.
"Cadence," she started.
"Please, it's Cade," I said, and she nodded.
"Cade, I assure you there is no mistake. This is not a situation where mistakes are made. To be accepted into the Courts is a very high honour."
"I’m sure it is," I said. “But it's just not an honour that I asked for, or frankly want." I knew I was probably back to being a bitch, but I didn't know how else to tell her that I wasn't fit for their special house. I took a deep breath and tried to calm myself before plastering a smile on my face.
"Please, just let me go to the Administration office and get this straightened out," I said quickly. "You'll see that I was right." Melody looked like she wanted to argue, but thought better of it.
"Well, if that is the way you wish to deal with it," she said, the reluctance clear in her voice. "We can talk when you get back." I nodded, knowing it was the best I was going to get from her, at least until I could prove that all this was just a mistake.
"There's no mistake dear." I stared at the woman, Mrs Whitton as the plaque said, behind the desk in the administration office, not quite believing her words.
"I'm sorry, what?" I asked. "There must be. I didn't even apply for the Courts." Mrs Whitton looked back at the computer and tapped the keyboard a few more times. I watched impatiently as she clicked her mouse and nodded.
"I have the application right here on the screen," she said. "It says that you were accepted last year." She frowned at the screen and clicked the mouse a few more times, her thin lips pursed. "Hmm, that is strange."
"What?" I asked, almost hopeful. Clearly the situation looked as fucked as I already knew.
"Oh, I just noticed that you were in dormitory accommodation last year, and there is a discrepancy on your support grant." She shook her head and smiled, "No matter, it looks like it has been sorted out now and I can make sure the additional funds are deposited into your account by the end of day, Miss Turner."
"No, you don't understand," I said, shaking my head, my frustration growing. "I've already had too much money, I was going to mention that. And I'm not meant to be in the Courts. It's wrong, something is seriously wrong." Mrs Whitton actually looked annoyed at my words.
"Miss Turner, whilst I understand that you aren't one of our usual applicants, it is clear from the records that you were indeed accepted. I think a young lady of your standing should consider it a fortunate occurrence, and seek to benefit from it." She looked back at the computer before noting something down and then looked back at me.
"In any matter, it wouldn't make a difference now," she said with finality. "Even if you were able to transfer out of the Courts, then there would be nowhere for you to go. If you were allowed to stay at Regents at all."
"Wait, what do you mean?" I asked, dread filling my stomach.
"Well, you signed the contract my dear, and it is a legally binding contract." Mrs Whitton replied like I had said something stupid. I felt like the floor had dropped out from under me. Her words echoed in my head, each one hammering home the reality of my situation.
"I... I never signed anything," I stammered, my voice barely above a whisper. Her steel grey eyes fixed on me, her expression a mixture of pity and exasperation.
"I assure you, Miss Turner, you did. The contract is here in your file." She tapped a few keys, then swivelled her monitor towards me. "This is your signature is it not?" My stomach churned as I saw my signature at the bottom of a document I had no memory of ever seeing. The text above it was a blur of legal jargon, but a few phrases jumped out at me: "binding agreement," "full scholarship," "Courts program." And it was all dated a year ago, when I started at Regents.
"This can't be right," I muttered, more to myself than to Mrs Whitton. "I would never have agreed to this."
"Nevertheless, you did," Mrs Whitton replied, her tone clipped. "And I must stress again, the contract is legally binding. Should you choose to break it, you would be liable for all fees already paid out for your time at Regents. That includes your tuition, accommodation, and the additional stipend provided by the Courts program. And if you are unable to pay, then the amount would fall to your guarantor." I felt the blood drain from my face as the implications sank in. The amount would be astronomical, far more than I could ever hope to repay.
"Guarantor?" I asked, feeling sick. "What Guarantor?" Mrs Whitton tapped a few more keys on the keyboard before looking back up at me.
"I have Guarantor and next of kin as Bruce and Elena Turner. Those are your parents, correct?" I shook my head and swallowed.
"Grandparents," I whispered.
"Well, they are the ones responsible if you are unable to pay back your fees, or if you don't complete the contract." She was so matter of fact about the whole thing. My grandparents didn't have that kind of money, and this would result in them losing everything.
"But... but that's not fair!" I protested, my voice rising. "I never agreed to that!"
Mrs Whitton's expression hardened. "Ignorance is not an excuse, Miss Turner. You had the opportunity to read the contract before signing it. If you failed to do so, that's on you." I slumped back in my chair, my mind reeling. How had this happened? When had I signed this contract? And why couldn't I remember doing it? I knew I had signed something, but it was just a standard scholarship, not this. The idea of having to cosy up with the bitches in the Courts for another two years was awful, but there was no way I was going to let my grandparents suffer for this. I would just have to suck it up.
"C-Can I get a copy of the contract?" I asked, trying to keep the wobble out of my voice. Mrs Whitton seemed satisfied that I had apparently accepted my predicament and nodded.
"I have a copy printed in the outer office waiting for you," she said, and then her face softened, and she smiled at me. "I know that it might seem like it's a little overwhelming now, but I assure you this is a good thing. I am just sorry it took a year for it to be sorted out." I nodded, unable to think of a response. I got up from the seat, heading out the door and into the outer office. The receptionist looked up at me and after confirming my name, handed me a brown folder with the school emblem on it. I stuffed the folder into my school bag and left the office. I made my way out of the administration building, my mind reeling from the conversation with Mrs. Whitton. The weight of the contract in my bag felt like an anchor, dragging me down with every step. The campus bustled around me, students laughing and chatting, oblivious to the shit I was dealing with.
I found a quiet bench beneath an old oak tree and sank onto it, pulling out the folder with trembling hands. As I tried to scan through the contract, my confusion only grew. The language was dense and full of legal jargon, and I was no Law student, but one thing was clear: I was now bound to the Courts for the remainder of my time at Regents. A lump formed in my throat as I thought of my grandparents. They had sacrificed so much in my life, and now they were unknowingly on the hook for a debt that could ruin them. I couldn't let that happen, no matter how much I hated the idea of being stuck in the Courts. With a heavy sigh, I stood up and started the walk back to the Courts house. As much as I wanted to run in the opposite direction, I knew I had to face this pastel-coloured stuck up bitch filled nightmare head-on. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad, the extra money could come in handy for sure. But I had a feeling that things were going to be getting so much worse.