The door was opened by a blonde haired, blue-eyed girl. With her large blue eyes and perfectly curled platinum blonde hair,  she looked like the final reckoning of Barbie.

Barbie screamed once she recognised Layla. "You! I know you. You're her!"

There was a boy behind her who stood up to get a better view of her. He was clearly well-built, his skin a tawny golden brown. His warm hazel eyes seemed to sparkle and Layla breathed a sigh of relief when he simply nodded at her and said, "what's up?"

"Rose, chill. You're scaring her," he added as he flopped back on the sofa and seized the remote.

Rose whirled around, aghast. "Kyle, how are you so calm? Layla Edwards is here!"

Kyle shrugged. "We've got a lot of famous people here," he said, biting into an apple. "Like Tratchy."

"He's a mumble rapper," Rose hissed, saying it like a curse.

Layla couldn't say she disagreed. "So um can I come in?" she asked.

"What's wrong with mumble rappers?" Kyle grinned as Rose scowled. "Music is music."

Rose didn't look like she was going anywhere so Layla eased herself into the room.

She listened to them argue with slight fascination as she looked around the lounge.

Cream sofas formed a circle around a built-in television that had a mound of video games underneath.

On the other side of the room, a fireplace set the scene, its warmth travelling throughout the lounge. A chandelier hung from the ceiling, each of its precious jewels glinting in the firelight. A small kitchen could be clearly seen through the open layout.

Layla wondered whether there was a housekeeper because the room was immaculate.

The door opened, interrupting their conversation.

"What's going on," a girl with long dark hair questioned as she walked in.

She had piercing green eyes which held a heavy contrast with her dark hair. Her tanned skin and exotic features were reminiscent of the people Layla had seen when she toured Brazil.

"Are you two still arguing over where this stupid table should go. You do realise Catherine isn't going to let either of you move anything in this room, right?"

"Catherine-"

"Layla Edwards is here!" Rose burst out, cutting across Kyle

The girl turned and walked right up to Layla before extending a hand.
"Adriana."

Layla was surprised by how formal she was until she asked, "You're not dating Jude are you?"

Layla shook her head and Adriana looked at her with slight disappointment. "So you wouldn't happen to have his number?"

"Aren't you dating Trent?" Rose chimed in.

"I ended it," Adriana said, taking a seat beside Kyle.

"Oh no, what happened," Rose asked.

"He's so boring," Ariana exclaimed, snatching the remote from Kyle and switching between channels. "The guy jokes about doors!"

"You're on the news again," she added, glancing at Layla before settling on a cartoon. "Did you really forget who Jamie Jenkins was?"

"I should unpack," Layla said.

"You're staying?" Rose exclaimed.

"Why else would she be here?" Kyle grinned at her.

"Oh whatever," said Rose before gesturing to Layla. "You coming?"

Layla reluctantly followed her upstairs before Rose stopped and turned to her.

"So where are you staying?"

"Nightingale Wing-"

"Nightingale Wing?" Rose exclaimed. "Are you serious?"

Layla didn't get a chance to speak because Rose pulled her towards the elevator.

"I've always wanted to see what it's like!" said Rose as she bounded out the elevator.

She walked towards the nearest door, flinging it open, or tried to at least. It was locked.

Sighing impatiently, she tried another, which turned out to be a storage closet before they finally got to Layla's room.

"We're here!" Rose announced, falling dramatically on the bed and crinkling Layla's uniform.

Layla stared at her. Rose reminded her of the manic students back at the Training Ground. She wondered whether Rose was experimenting with drugs like they had and appraised her, looking for any signs.

It appeared that she just had a unique personality.
"Are you okay?" Layla asked her.

"No!" Rose pouted. "I want this room. Look, a balcony!"

She ran to it so quickly, Layla was sure she was going to fly off.

"Are all rich kids like this," Layla muttered as she looked around the room. She raised an eyebrow at the fireplace before wincing slightly. She certainly knew how it had all been funded.

"Where's your suitcase?" Rose demanded.

Layla scowled at her. "I'm carrying it."

Rose gasped. "How did you fit all your shoes in?"

Layla didn't know what to say so she simply shrugged.

"You should change into your uniform," Rose nodded, throwing it towards Layla before pushing her into the bathroom.

After showering and changing, Layla walked back into her room and silently groaned to see Rose laying on the bed, engrossed in a book.

Rose's smile faded slightly as she looked her up and down.
"Where's your skirt?"

Layla shrugged as she emptied her backpack. "I don't do skirts."

Rose looked troubled but fortunately, she had her own problems.

"Does my hair look flat?"

Layla frowned. She looked exactly the same but Rose took that as a no.

"I'll be right back," she announced, taking Layla's card with her.

She returned some time later. "What do you think?"

Layla looked up and almost choked on her laugher. Rose's hair now added four inches to her height. Layla stared at the cobweb-like thing.
"Are you going for the laidback poodle look?

"What?" Rose said as she ran to the mirror before letting out a little scream.
"We have dinner in ten minutes," she said in horror.

"Wash it out?" Layla suggested.

Rose nodded before taking a deep breath and dunking her head in the sink. She came back dripping wet and miserable.

"It doesn't look that bad," Layla tried.

Rose started bawling.

A meltdown later, Rose managed to dry out her hair and they got ready to leave.

"I'm sorry," Rose mumbled. "It's your first day and I totally ruined it."

Layla grinned at her, surprising herself. She didn't think she'd have the patience or sympathy to deal with Rose but here she was, comforting her.
"It wasn't that bad. You'd be surprised by how boring home schooling is."

Rose smiled at her gratefully as they walked through the lounge.

"Oh," Layla said softly as she scanned her phone before turning to Rose. "I have to get to rehearsals."

"What, now?" Rose questioned, looking troubled.

But Layla was already turning back. With the performance looming closer, she didn't want to deal with Jeremy for missing rehearsals.

She threw on a jacket before grabbing her card and making her way to the reception area.

She was glad they had departed early for dinner because there weren't many students about. Still, she felt uncomfortable when the few did double takes when they saw her.

Layla waited for the receptionist to finish her call but groaned as she immediately attended to a few more before noticing her.

"Yes," the woman finally asked, regarding her through her rimmed glasses.

"I have to go to work," Layla said in a dull voice.

The receptionist crossed her arms. "You can't leave the building without-"

"I have leavers permission," Layla interrupted, flashing her the card.

The glass doors slid open a few seconds later and Layla was instantly hit by the chilly autumn wind.

Pulling her jacket tighter around her, she turned her collar up as she walked through campus, careful not to get noticed before slipping into the awaiting car. They reached the gates and Layla tapped her card against the reader, allowing them to finally leave.

She glanced at her watch irritably. She was late. Jeremy wouldn't be pleased. Her mind was already scanning possible punishments her manager would have in store for her.

Sure enough, he stood glaring at her as she approached.

"You're late," he snapped.

"I'm glad you can tell the time," Layla muttered darkly.

Layla knew she shouldn't have said anything as soon as Jeremy smiled cruelly.

She silently cursed him and was still cursing him hours later when she stumbled back to the car, the familiar sparks of pain shooting throughout her body.

438 days