"That's you! That's you! That's you!" Missy exclaimed, standing up from the couch and jumping around feeling happy. "You're going to attend The Royal Charm Academy! I knew you would make it! I just knew it!"

Cody frowned, glancing over at Sidney, and raised an eyebrow. "There has to be a mistake. How did you win? You said you never entered." He slowly got off the couch to get the phone. 

Sidney groaned, running a hand through her hair and letting out an exasperated sigh. "I didn't enter. Molly did, and so did my boss," She paused as she began to pace back while chewing on her thumbnail. "This is so not happening, it can't happen, I can attend." She stopped and leaned against the wall taking deep breaths with her hand on her chest.

Missy frowned, tilting her head to the side. "Molly and your boss entered you also?" She asked, trying not to sound happy but it peeked through the tip of her tone.

"Yes, both my boss and Molly entered me three times a day for the whole year, can you believe that? Like it magnified my odds!" Sidney exclaimed, making various hand gestures. 

Missy messed with the green bow on her dress, rocking on the heels of her ankle boots. "Well, um, I kinda also entered you three times a day, every week, and every month, for the year!" She exclaimed proudly giving a cheeky smile at her sister placing her hands behind her back, humming softly at her actions.

Sidney's eyes widened at Missy's admission and her jaw went slack. "And my very own sister went behind my back and entered me in? It was bad enough that my friend and boss did that but my sister?" Her voice was laced with betrayal as she shook her head.

Missy sheepishly played with her fingers seeing how anxious her sister was. "Uh, yes," She answered in reply, watching Sidney pace back and forth in their small living room. 

"This is just unbelievable! Why me? Out of everyone who had to be picked, why did my name get drawn?" Sidney collapsed onto her knees and buried her face in her hands. "It's not fair."

Missy was taken aback by her sister's words but tapped on her head and looked at her. "Because I entered you three times a day, every week, every month for the whole year, duh!" She said in a sing-song voice but with a little bit of sass also was in her voice. 

Sidney moved her hands and looked straight at her sister. "Did you know that by doing that they could have drawn my name three times? Then I would not have been able to attend because someone would think it would have been rigged! Not to mention I am sure that is against the rules and who knows what will happen if someone finds out!" She rambles, chewing on her nails.

Cody shook his head watching the two banter back and forth. "All right, that is enough for you two. Missy, that wasn't right what you did. Just because Molly and her boss did it, doesn't make it right." He explained motioning with his index finger for her to sit on the couch beside her mother.
    
Missy hung her head down as she sat down on the couch, crossing her ankles together. "Yes, I do know it wasn't right. I didn't think about that when I did it. All I want is a better life for us, this might be the only chance ever -" She cut herself off and then sighed sadly, looking at her shoes. "I'm sorry, Sidney, I truly am." 

Sidney stood up and walked over to her sister, pulling her into a hug and stroking her hair. "I know Missy, I forgive you." She pushed her anger away and took a shaky breath. "I'm going to make the best of this situation and I'm going to go." 

Missy took a deep breath before pulling away with a smile back on her lips. "Yes! I'm so glad! Now, let's get you a bag packed to take with you when the car comes to get you! They could be here any minute!" She jumped off the couch.

Sidney watched her sister run into her room and let out a short laugh. "I can't believe I'm actually doing this. What am I thinking?" She looked at her parents and sat back down on the couch. "I'm gonna miss you both."

Victoria hugged her daughter weakly, pressing a kiss into the top of her head. "I will miss you too Sidney. Just remember: this is your chance at a better life, for all of us." She smiled softly, pausing to cough. "Sometimes out of all bad things something good comes. Even if we don't like it or want it. We can't change it and need to take it on, making the best out of every situation we are given."

Cody nodded, taking his daughter's hand after his wife had pulled away from the hug. "You can graduate because I know a daughter of mine never quits when things get hard." He gave her an encouraging smile, having her back and rooting for her like he always has. 

Sidney shook her head at her father's words, drawing shapes on the back of his hand as it helped hers. "I quit school because I couldn't handle that and a job, so, I did quit something." She mumbled, keeping her eyes on her father's hand.

"That isn't counted, because you had to do that because of our situation. Dropping out of school doesn't mean you quit because things got hard, you dropped out for more time to provide for us." Cody tried his best to be reassuring to his daughter, who seemed to hold much guilt over dropping out of school.

Sidney nodded, smiling at him and letting his hand go. "I suppose while there I could try and get my GED when I am not studying the noble ways." She paused for a moment and waved her hand. "In speaking, Molly said the Headmaster and Headmistress would help me if I asked, and I am so scared to ask though."

Cody picked up a piece of paper and an envelope from the side table with a smile graced on his lips. "I will write a letter for you to hand them that explains everything so you don't have to say a word. I may get a little mushy but in times like this it is good to suck up as much as you can." He tapped the pen on his cheek before writing

"I will have to call Molly." Sidney got up and walked over to the phone and it rang before she could even pick it up. "Hello?" She asked after placing the phone near her ear.

"I knew you would get in! I am so happy for you! Eeek, I just had a feeling, and when I heard your name I was like I needed to call! But I waited to know if you and your family may wanna talk about it. You're not still mad are you?" Molly's voice was bright and cheerful as she spoke.

Sidney sighed softly at her friend's excitement. "I'm not mad Molly, Missy also did what you and our boss did." She chewed on her lip as she spoke. "I'm just nervous and stressed about the whole thing."

Molly nodded understandingly, crossing her legs as she switched the phone to the other ear. "I understand. We are rooting for you and Mom is gonna be sending some of her cookies as a care package with a few surprises to help you get settled in." She said in a sing-song voice, giddy as ever.

Sidney placed her hand over her chest, a happy feeling welling inside of her. "Thank you, it means a lot. While I am away, can you and your family help my family out with the bills and chores if it isn't too much to ask?" 

"Of course, we can Sidney, anything to help you guys out!" Molly replied without hesitation. "You name it we will make time to help out, just make a list of all the bills and all that stuff for me to follow." She grinned, pointing to herself and feeling a sense of pride.

Sidney let out a soft laugh at her friend's words, pulling out the paper from her pocket and writing it all down. "I will have Missy give it to you when you stop by after I leave. I am also writing down the savings and how much gets put into each, along with the price of everything so all bills can get paid on time and with the amount due on that particular day."

Molly nodded trying to remember all Sidney had just said. "I think I got it. You don't have a single thing to worry about. Mom and Dad will help with everything and you just focus on graduating!"

"Thank you so much, Molly, it means so much to me! I have no idea what I would do without you!" Sidney gently gripped the phone a bit harder, trying to fight bad misty eyes. 

Molly giggled softly twisting her hair around her finger. "It's never a problem Sidney! Take care and I will let you get ready to go!" She told her covering her mouth to cover a yawn, before rubbing her eyes.

Sidney nodded, finishing writing down what she needed to do about the bills and then starting on other notes. "Bye, Molly, take care." She set the phone back on its stand and put her whole focus on getting everything written out so it could be taken care of. "I hope they don't mind reading five notes." 

Missy rolled Sidney's small suitcase out from her room and set it down with a duffle bag. "All right, I got the things you love the most, and since I know the dress code, I packed accordingly." 

Sidney smiled at her sister, hugging her tightly. "Thank you, Missy, that helps me out a lot." She turned back around and finished with the to-do list for Molly and her family. "Please help Molly out and keep me updated on all that is going on, okay?" 

Missy hugged her back, nodding her head with a smile, pulling away. "I promise Sidney! Letters will come every day to you along with small care packages from me, like cookies from school and stuff." She beamed brightly, like a little ball of sunshine.

Sidney nodded, taking her suitcase and duffle bag from her sister and setting it at the door. "Now, am I missing anything that I should get in order before - oh yes," She turned back to Missy walking over to her. "Give this envelope to Molly's family when they come." She smiled, extending the envelope to her sister.

Missy took it with a smile on her lips, nodding her head at her sister's words. "You got it, Sidney!" She held the envelope against her chest, which she puffed out with determination. 

Sidney nodded as her smile wavered just a bit at her sister's words. "Yes, I got this . . . " She slowly nodded her head, her tone making it seem more of a question than a statement.

Cody finished the letter and extended it out to his daughter without getting up. "All done with the letter, so all you have to do is give it to them. I know they will help you out, Missy goes on and on about how wonderful they are." 

Sidney took the envelope and stuffed it in her pocket on her skirt, smiling softly at her father. "I will be sure to give it to them!" She said as the doorbell rang, it was off and out of tune, sounding like a bird who was sick. 

Missy skipped over to the door, opening it up with a smile on her face and bright eyes. "Hello," She greeted but then her eyes went wide when she saw who it was and she jumped up and down.
    
In the doorway, Stephen Bernard, one of the royal bodyguards stood there, his bald head reflecting the flickering lights in the dim hallway of the apartment. His dark brown eyes were hidden behind black shades, his burly figure looked intimidating. "Is there a Sidney Barnes of Senoia here?" His mono expression and his dull tone made him seem like a robot.

Missy nodded, having to take a moment to admit the suit he had on, he was a real bodyguard. "Yes, she is, come in." She pivoted on her heels and walked into the apartment, turning back to make sure he was following her. 

Sidney took a deep breath as she turned around and saw him, and boy, he was intimidating. "I'm Sidney Barnes if that is who you are looking for." She anxiously confirmed who she was and gave a small, awkward wave.

Stephen looked at her and then glanced at his watch. "All right, now it is time we leave. Say your goodbyes so we can get going and get you there on time and in one piece." He passively explained, seemingly impatient.

Victoria slowly stood up to her feet, having her husband help her walk over to Sidney. "I believe in you, Sidney. You've always proved others wrong and overcome odds that most wouldn't be able to do. Whenever you get upset, just remember that we all are here cheering you on!" She gently pulled her into a hug.

Cody smiled hugging her back after his wife had pulled away. "Go make us proud." He told her with a light pump on her arm, which made his oldest daughter smile brighter. "Like you always do." He pulled away from her with a proud look sparkling in his eyes. 

Missy hugged her too, she loved hugging her bigger sister. "I am a cheerleader for you too! I will miss you so much but I know you got this!" She exclaimed, nuzzling her head into her shoulder after her sister knelt, and returned the hug.

Sidney pulled away from her sister and stood up, looking at her parents. "I love you all and I won't be that far away. I will try to be able to talk to you in any way I can!"  She took a deep breath knowing this was where her life changed.

She walked over to the door, following after the bodyguard grabbing her suitcase and duffle bag. She closed the door behind her walking down the stairs since the elevator was still broken after that major storm and the power blew out messing it up.

Once outside she paused looking at the beautiful shiny black model T car, the white leather on the inside, the kingdom's crest of a horse on the front in gold. 

'Wow,' She marveled, taking in the pristine condition it was in. It was quite a contrast to the other cars lined up on the sidewalk that were dented or scratched. 'They must keep it in a garage.'

She was brought back into reality by the door opening. She scurried in and got inside as she set her bags beside her. She stayed near the window and rolled it down, using the little crank on the door. 

She looked up at the window and her sister was always looking out waiting for her to go home and waving to her. "I love you." She called and waved at them leaning out of the window herself, feeling tears welling in her eyes. 

As the car pulled away she pulled herself back in, rolling up the window and resting her hand on her lap. Her lip started to quiver as she bit softly down on it to stop herself from getting emotional.

She wiped the few tears that fell down her cheeks away with her hand. "Oh boy, pull yourself together Sidney. I just hope I can make it through the school year since my family depends on me to make it through graduation. Talk about pressure!" 

She accidentally let her mind wander about the questions she had and it made her panic a bit. 'What if I make enemies of people? What if no one likes me? What if I make a complete fool of myself? What if I fail all my classes? What if they won't let me catch up? What if I do something embarrassing?' 

She squeezed her eyes closed and gripped the seat. 'Come on, Sidney, get yourself together! Take a breath and calm down. Do not focus on the future of 'what ifs' and just focus on what you can do -' She paused when it was not helping her at all. 'Forget it. I will ruin my family's name because of this! Molly is wrong, I can't do this.'

She groaned in the way someone would do if they were sobbing, tipping her head back on the headrest. 'Why did I agree - I couldn't say no - they looked so happy about a better life.' She sighed softly, torn between all of her feelings not having an idea what to do. .

She moved her head so she was looking out the window, blinking a bit as she saw her downtown side of the city turn into the posh fancy houses the closer they got to the inner city.

She then sank in her seat when she saw they were coming upon the school grounds and many people were gathered outside along red rope. "I hope they do not see me because I look like I have been through a hurricane." She mumbled doing her best to fix her hair and look halfway decent.

She took a deep breath and closed her eyes, gripping her suitcases. "You can do this Sidney. This is the beginning of your new life for the next school year. Give the letter to the headmaster and headmistress that your father had written and everything should be fine." 

She had no idea what was in store for her this year, nor did anyone. It was going to be a wild ride for commoners, royals, and nobility alike.

〰❦〰❦〰❦〰❦〰❦〰❦〰

A/N:
I am really happy I got another one done! I also tried to draw some of the characters, let me just say, my drawing skills are bleh now and I am trying to relearn and it is so hard. I am so picky now and before I wasn't, I was just proud that I could draw. I will grab an old picture and use that as a reference of my old drawings.

I will have a few others up here soon, just gonna work on Shipwrecked Princess since I posted this two times in a row since I had this one more done than the other. I am just glad I had taken time and wrote a bunch when I was younger so my job now was cut out. Just to had it didn't happen for my other books.

Chapter Talk:
Sidney did not take it too well and although she is trying to be strong for her family, she'll reach her breaking point. Now that I'm editing and redoing some of these chapters, I have much more in-store for everyone and I can't wait to finally be caught up to where I left off.

She is now on her way to the academy and where her story really begins. Now, I will also get into the other scholarship winners, yet Sidney and Thea are the ones this book centers. Don't worry each character is gonna get their own shining moment inna chapter for them. Which idk how many chapters this book should have lol.

Thanks for reading!