Chapter 1 The white Swan

Lena

I will literally claw out my eyes from their sockets if I endure this gruesome display they're calling prom any longer….fuck it!, I'm outta here.

Bunch of peak Euphoria wannabes, I snorted to myself, grinning at the thought like an idiot as I picked up my purse.

I was getting up from the sofa I had been rotting on all night since counselor Bridge practically threatened my scholarship if I didn't attend  this glitter bomb when–

“Watch it…!” I shouted  jerking sideways just as someone barrelled into me, splashing something sticky down the front of one of my only dresses,because yes good dresses are actually ridiculously expensive. 

“Shit–sorry, didn't see you there”, the drunken idiot slurred as he dashed away for what I thought was another refill. 

Reason two hundred and seventeen of why I hated this school. 

I didn't bother giving the running asshole a piece of my mind because clearly, even the universe wanted me out of here.

I had already resigned myself to the fact that Blackridge had no active mayor because the music was loud enough to rupture an ear drum. Seriously if this was back home ,the cops would have  shut this circus up like days ago.

Muttering under my breath, I wove my way through the sea of sweaty designer suits and glittering gowns, silently praying the ridiculously oversized chandelier didn't decide to go all Final Destination on us as I hurried to the exit so that I could get to the bathroom. 

After waiting in line for what may have been a billion years, it was almost my turn to use the bathroom when one of the girls in front of me suddenly bent over and threw up on the bathroom door.

“Heyy!!!”the other girl shouted before they both erupt  in a string of drunken cuss words that made absolutely no sense. I couldn't take this right now. 

Yhh…I was officially done here .

Spinning on my heels,I was ready to give up altogether when I remembered the Eastern wing girl's bathroom. It was hardly ever used, I had always wondered why though,  not that it was any of my business but still….

Regardless, I turned  to go there as I left the still screaming girls behind. 

As I walked down the hallway I noticed the music had faded until all I could hear was my footsteps and… and probably my own breathing now and it was eerily quiet which I swear wasn't creepy at all . Even though I'd gripped my pepper spray tighter, it was the two of us against the world.

The lights were dimmer here,even the air was way cooler than usual ... .Still, I continued, I'd come too far to go back without getting this stain out now.

After what seemed like hours, I finally reached the bathroom. I smiled  triumphantly as I got inside  and got to work. 

You'd expect the bathroom to be in bad shape and worn out since it was rarely used but fortunately, this was Valemonte and parents paid billions in tuition to make sure their little demons lived like royalty. 

I'd just accepted the stain wasn't coming out and was washing my hands in one of the sinks when the door suddenly burst open .

Vivian Mycroft casually strolled into the bathroom the exact same way she walked everywhere, like she owned the goddam building and we were all peasants. I mean, to be frank who wouldn't be that proud if their parents were that filthy rich. I was definitely the poorest person in this school. 

Without sparing me a glance, she strolled to one of the sinks.

Pilling her pale blond hair to the side, she washed her hands swiftly while I pretended to try washing the stain out one more time as we pointedly ignored each other.

From the corner of my eye I was staring at her ruby necklace trying to memorize its intricate details to sketch later while she dried  her hands before she suddenly turned to me with a ghastly grin.

“It's a beautiful night, is not” Vivian said her grin still in place.

Shocked, I turned to check if there was someone else I'd missed when I entered the bathroom because there was no way off all the people in the world. She was talking to me. 

Vivian wasn't mean per say ,it's just that…we were poles apart ,literally. 

“Uh–Uhmm yeahh”. I cleared my throat .” it is. It's a beautiful night” I said, glancing up like I could actually see the sky from here .

“Good,” Vivian said ,her grin glued firmly in place.

Without waiting for my response ,she skipped out the bathroom like she was on cloud nine….someone was incredibly happy.

I wouldn't realize it until later that night but that was the last night anyone at Valemonte ever saw Vivian Mycroft. 

Not wanting to dawdle now that she was out of the bathroom, I walked out too, closing the door firmly behind me.

I wasn't more than a few seconds behind her ,she should have still been a little ahead of me in the hallway also on her way back to the party but ... .strangely the hallway was empty, I couldn't even hear the sound of footsteps. It was like she'd completely vanished….

Dismissing the thought, I continued on my way back to the party.

I could hear the music again and was nearly at the door when something shiny on the floor caught my attention. 

Someone had probably dropped some jewellery and would come looking for it later. Besides, I'd promised my social worker I would stop picking random shiny stuff from the floor after last time….

In my defence, I wanted to inspect the design for future references. Who was I kidding? I'd make a few thousands if I pawned this off and I've never been one to let opportunities slip .I subtly bent down ,picked it up and slipped it into my dress pockets.

I only took it out when I reached the party because I couldn't resist inspecting my shiny new prize again. It wasn’t until the lights caught one of the tiny silver charms on the bracelet that my heart sank to the pits of my stomach. 

V.M

Vivian Mycroft. I was so fucked…