Chapter 18: Dolly

"Thank you," Kara said to the blonde girl, who was still staring after the three dolls that had nearly trampled her on the staircase.

"You're welcome. If I hadn't saved you, you'd have been pushed out of the way and rolled down the stairs like a carpet. Trust me, it happened to me," the girl replied with a broad smile.

Kara returned her smile. "So, what's with the crowd anyway?"

As they climbed the stairs heading into the school building, the girl replied, "Those are the gods of this school." Her words earned an odd look from Kara.

The blonde girl stopped in the middle of the hallway. "You must be new here."

Kara nodded. "Yep, just got here on Saturday."

"Oooooooh, then you must have a lot of connections to get into this school," the blonde girl remarked, earning an awkward smile from Kara.

"I'll explain," she continued. "Eight years ago, Monowi had a population of just one until the mayor and founder, Oron Alister Bredford, started developing and investing in the town."

She paused for breath, then went on. "Now, eight years later, Monowi boasts fifty high schools and ten universities, including Mountain High School, one of the most prestigious in the world, and Mountain University, currently one of the top ten universities globally."

Kara listened carefully, navigating her way toward the principal's office.

"The current mayor has no family, but he takes care of four boys. People say they're from rich families in L.A., sent here because of drugs or some other issues," the girl added with a conspiratorial whisper.

"They're young, rich, intelligent, handsome, and athletic, so people call them the gods of this school, or the town, to be exact. Monowi is steadily rising, and statistics say that in five years, it could rival L.A. or New York City," she finished, her excitement palpable as they arrived at the principal's office.

She tapped her mouth. "Sorry, I blab a lot."

"It's okay. It's cute," Kara said with a smile. "I'll see you later?"

The girl nodded, her blonde hair bouncing. "I'm Dolly Williams, by the way," she said, extending her hand.

Kara took it, feeling a warmth she hadn't felt in a long time. "I'm Kara."

A bright grin spread across Dolly's face. "I'll see you later, Kara. Gotta get to class."

As Kara opened the door to the principal's office, a woman with a stern expression, typing furiously at her computer behind a stack of files, barked, "Yes, who is it?"

Chuckling nervously, Kara walked in. "Good morning. I'm new here."

"It's spring. We don't get many new students in spring," the woman said, barely glancing at Kara as she continued typing.

Pulling out the chair opposite the desk, Kara sat down, taking in the details of the barely tidy office. Her eyes fell on the plaque bearing the principal's name. "I'm Kara Meadows, Mrs. Adams."

The principal froze, then looked at Kara with wide eyes. "My word, you're the neurosurgeon's daughter. The one whose mom is marrying the mayor?"

Awkwardly, Kara shifted in her seat. "The one and only."

"Well, why didn't you say so? Here's your schedule. And we do not permit indecent dressing," Mrs. Adams said, eyeing her from head to toe.

Raising a brow, Kara met her gaze. "I'm well-dressed."

"Mini skirts with crop tops and jackets aren't school dress code. Please refrain from wearing them tomorrow. Mayor's soon-to-be daughter or not, I will send you home," the principal warned with all seriousness.

Kara shrugged. "I literally just ran into girls wearing short skirts outside."

Mrs. Adams leaned back in her seat. "Were they wearing crop tops as well?"

Nibbling on her bottom lip, Kara groaned and threw her head back. "Nooooo."

"Good. Please dress decently tomorrow. Sports is compulsory in this school, so you'll have to pick a sport and join a club. With that, your first class starts in five minutes. Welcome to Mountain High, Miss Meadows," Mrs. Adams concluded in one breath as the bell rang on cue.