Lady and the Scoundrel - Chapter 1 - First Day
“Wakey, wakey!” Barkk cheered.
Chloe groaned and cracked open an eye before she turned over. Barkk smiled as she tore the blanket off Chloe. Chloe flinched at the sudden coldness.
“Rise and shine! It’s the start of a new school year.”
Chloe sighed and got up. She got ready as Barkk bounced around the room.
“Alright, so we have our first class in about an hour. That should give us plenty of time for you to get ready, head down for breakfast, and then off to class. Then we carry on with the schedule until dinner, eat, study, and back to sleep. Then we rinse and repeat until holiday.”
Chloe grumbled about stupid boarding school and parents for sending her away.
“C’mon, cheer up! You’ve already started making friends here,” Barkk exclaimed.
“You’ve made friends here. I’m just your accessory.”
“That’s not true. You’ve made steps still. Baby steps, but steps nonetheless.”
“Face it, Barkk, they’ll remember you, but not me. You were the one that made an impression. I was just the plus one.”
“Well, this is a new year and the chance for a better, newer you. One that is bold, confident. Just remember what I taught you over summer holiday.”
Chloe looked away. She wasn’t sure she could manage the way Barkk did. Sure, she had lessons and had managed to approach people with the help of Barkk, but she was still nervous. So much could make her slip up and revert to her old ways. If she did, would people hate her? Would she be shunned and left with nothing again? Was it worth trying to make friends? Should she just keep her head down and trudge through the school year?
“Let’s go! A growing human such as yourself needs a healthy breakfast,” Barkk barked.
Chloe sighed. She finished washing up and got dressed. She shuffled behind Barkk as they headed down to the cafeteria. They ate breakfast and headed over to their first hour class. Barkk skipped along the path while Chloe shuffled behind. Chloe glanced around at the other students that happily chatted and headed to their classes. Envy struck her heart as she wanted what they all had but didn’t believe she could achieve it. She was just a monster, nothing more.
Chloe looked down and crossed her arms in front of her, hugging herself. She tried to focus on the lessons that Barkk gave her to be better, but her mind slipped back. She thought back to how she made Marinette’s life a living hell, the terrible treatment of her then only friend, and the monster she became chasing the love of another monster. Easily tossed aside while the golden half of a sister got to stay in Paris. With their parents and basking in their love while she was so far away from everything. Stuck in a foreign land with no real home aside from the school.
“Cheri! Zoe!” Aden yelled.
Chloe stopped and shuddered. Anger flared in her hearing her half of a sister’s name. She turned to face Aden, ready to snap off, but Cheri stepped out between them.
“Cheri and Chloe. Get it memorized,” Cheri scolded.
“Geez, Aden, way to go,” Jake teased.
“God, you’re hopeless,” Shannon added.
Shannon and Jake laughed at Aden. Chloe gulped and took deep breaths as the anger fizzled out. Fear and stress clawed at her stomach, making her nauseous. Her eyes misted over, and she reached out for Barkk, clinging to her.
“Woah! Is she ok?” Shannon asked.
“Oh. Uh, she’s not, but it’s not my place to tell why,” Barkk said.
Aden grimaced. “Hey, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to call you Zoe. It was an honest mistake.”
Chloe shook her head. Tears streamed down her face, and she ran. She rushed to the entrance of the building of her first class. She stopped to hide behind a statue. She desperately dried her eyes as she took deep breaths. She attempted to calm herself, but her mind raced knowing that she had almost slipped up. If not for Barkk, they’d all hate her right now. She’d be seen as a monster again. There would have been no escaping it.
Chloe’s fear melted as warm, fuzzy love filled her. She snapped her head up to see Barkk standing before her with love and pride in her eyes.
Chloe looked down. “I’m sorry. I almost-.”
Barkk pulled Chloe in a hug. Fresh tears rolled down Chloe’s face as she basked in the love of Barkk.
“It’s ok. You did the right thing in the end. If you ever feel angry or upset, remove yourself. You don’t have to stay or give anyone a response. However, you’ll need to overcome hearing our half-sister’s name,” Barkk whispered.
“That’s not fair. He called me it.”
“I know, but I still felt that anger over hearing it. The hatred was terrifying, Chloe. I understand, but you will need to learn to let go. You don’t need to forgive, but you need to learn to let go.”
Chloe sneered. She pushed Barkk away and headed inside. Barkk shrugged and trotted after her. They entered the classroom and took a seat.
The day went by in a blur. Chloe allowed herself to be led around by Barkk to their classes. She tuned in and out throughout the day but ignored everything after the morning. When it was time for leisure time, she hid up in her dorm until study hall. Barkk remained at her side during the time until it was time to retire.
Chloe faceplanted on her bed once the day was over. She kicked off her shoes and curled up in a ball. Barkk shifted into a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and crawled up beside her. She grabbed Barkk and cuddled her.
Chloe petted Barkk’s head as she lost herself to her thoughts. Was it the right idea to be better? Even with the knowledge, could she even put it to practice? She had that knowledge and almost slipped up today. She almost yelled and berated Aden just for calling her Zoe. What was even the point?
Barkk nuzzled Chloe. “Are you ok? I feel… a lot.”
“I don’t think I can change. I think you’re wasting your time. I’m never going to be more than a monster,” Chloe whispered.
“I just… after today… I’m scared.”
“That’s ok. You’re going to hurt people just as people will hurt you. It’s all part of learning to socialize. As you slip, you’ll learn more.”
“But what if they hate me for my mistakes?”
“Then they aren’t worth keeping in your life. If that’s all they see, then there’s no need to hold on to them. Like your mother and father.”
Fresh tears rolled down Chloe’s face. “I can’t. I love them and I want them to love me. But they don’t. They love Zoe more because she’s not a monster. Because she’s not a lost cause. Because she’s not me. And I hate it. I hate it, I hate it, I hate it!”
Barkk whimpered and nosed Chloe. “Your parents may have been willing to throw you away, but you are far from a lost cause and a monster.”
“Because I feel your heart. A monster can’t love. A monster doesn’t care. But you do. I feel the love you long to give, but the love you also desperately crave. You care what people think about you and the fear you experience is from that caring. On top of that, I see you considering other people, making another sign that you care.”
Chloe sniffled. “You’re just saying that.”
Barkk smiled. “Not at all. I would never feel compelled to lie or spare your feelings. I will only ever be honest and open, as I know you will with me.”
Chloe gave a small smile. “Thank you.”
“No need to thank me, Chloe. I’m here because I love you. I care about you. And I want to see you happy. That is love and it’s a love I feel inside you as well.”
Chloe hugged Barkk tightly. “Still, thank you.”
“Always. Now, get ready for bed. It’ll be lights out soon. And remember, tomorrow is a new day. Always remember this. The morning is wiser than the evening. Take a step back, relax, and approach things with a fresh mind. Just as we will tomorrow. Ok?”
Chloe nodded. She inched off her bed and dressed down for bed. She turned off her light and crawled back into bed. Barkk crawled in beside her, curling up on the pillow next to her. She reached over and kissed Barkk’s head.
“Goodnight, Barkk. I love you.”
“Goodnight, Chloe. I love you too.”
