Work Text:
Prologue
The chills hit September early this year. I was smart to have made my jumper ready for my first day. My first day at Britain’s Ultimate Reserve School. Hope’s Peak Academy’s sister school. Unlike the reserve in Japan, we’re all ultimates here, taking an extra two years before having a spot at Hope’s Peak. We’re the first students to take part in a school like this.
“Ava, don’t forget your letter!” My mum yelled from downstairs. She was prepping up a special breakfast for me.
“Coming!” I answered. I grabbed my yarn bag and suitcase. As a boarding school, we had to be sure to bring everything with us. My bedroom was essentially empty. I even brought my lucky stuffie. A ginger cat I made as my very first crochet project.
My phone rang as I was eating my bacon buttie.
Unknown International Number
. Knowing who that could be, I answered it.
“Am I speaking to Ava Avery? Did I pronounce that right?”
“Yes, that’s me.”
“My name is Jin Kirigiri. Are you aware of who I am?”
“You’re the headmaster of Hope’s Peak.” I knew what this was about. We were told to expect a security phonecall between acceptance and arrival, though I suspected it served another purpose.
“What will you be pursuing at B.U.R.S?”
“Crocheting.”
“And finally, who’s the headmistress of B.U.R.S?”
I tried answering, but I had completely forgotten.
Did I even know in the first place?
“I- uh…” My heart sank. I didn’t know…
“You don’t know?”
“No… I’m sorry, I know this isn’t appropriate…” I tried making myself sound as sincere and professional as possible. Making up many excuses and defenses. Faintly, I heard a giggle.
“You’re alright. You are soon to meet Miss Burgendy. We’ve kept her and your identities as secret as possible up until now due to the growing excitement revolving around our very new school overseas. Farewell miss Avery. I will be overseeing your progress during your term at B.U.R.S.”
He hung up the phone before I could say anything else. Miss Burgundy… I finally got to know the headmistress’ name. I imagined a large woman akin to Miss Trunchbull. I prayed to God that wasn’t the case.
After breakfast was over, I sat on the stepstool, anxiously awaiting my taxi. My mum stepped outside, tapped me on the shoulder and handed me a cup of tea. It was thoughtfully made in the mug I promised to never use. I had won it at a crocheting competition, making an astral themed cape.
“Thanks, mum…” I saw the relief on her face after I approved of it.
“My bab’s going to B.U.R.S. I still can’t believe it. I’ve been staring at that letter on the fridge ever since you’ve gotten it and it still doesn’t feel real.”
“I’m all grown up now.” I took a sip of the tea - awful as always, but I appreciated the gesture.
All of a sudden, I heard a beep. I looked towards the taxi and a limousine stood in its place.
“I’m going in that?!” I exclaimed in awestruck. My mum chuckled.
“And to think this is all paid for.”
“I’ll give you a ring when I arrive. I love you mum. Tell that to dad, too.”
“I love you too, babs. Now go on, enjoy having a disco in that limo”
We both giggled and I walked towards the chauffeur. He looked as if straight from the movies. Black, slick-backed hair and sunglasses. He politely smiled and opened the back door for me. No disco, unfortunately. I was alone, too. Turning to look at my mum, I saw she was already in tears, and waved, but I doubt she saw me through the tinted windows. They were darker than the legal limit yet I assumed the school got approved for our secrecy.
Leaving the estate felt unreal. The chauffeur and I conducted smalltalk, talking about my interests and awards, but I couldn’t ground myself one bit. It genuinely felt as if I were Fiona the First. Going from a lower class estate in Liverpool to a prestigious school on the outskirts of London, surrounded by cozy woods and quiet fields. The sun was rising and we were expected to arrive midday.
The journey felt longer than I wanted it to be. The suffocating nerves got to me and I was on the verge of crying. Homesickness had already crept in. Well, that’s what I assumed I was feeling. I must’ve been tired, my eyelids felt heavy… My body felt limp… Wait what was happening to me? I caught a final glimpse of the chauffeur before falling asleep to this unknown force.