Bloomsdale School for girls and boys, the two most prestigious schools in Bloomsdale City, were separated for decades. But just a month ago, the board decided to transform the two into co-education.
Almost two decades ago, the founder of Bloomsdale City built two schools that separated boys and girls. The sole purpose of the school was for all the young generations to have basic education and to focus on academics and sports.
At first, the student's status was never a criteria for getting into these schools. But the families that belonged to the first class rallied and demanded special treatment for their kids. The school's administration was afraid of losing support from the elites and agreed with their demands.
The rank and value of a student were based on their family background and the amount of money they pledged to donate to the schools.
Xylia Lovelle Antonov was the heiress of the most influential and wealthiest family in Bloomsdale City and the biggest contributor to the success of Bloomsdale School for girls. Her parents donated a considerable amount of money every year. And because of it, she became popular and the face of the school.
She wasn't just a pretty face. She's smart and has won awards in academics and also sports. She became the student council president in her first year of high school and won every year after that.
Xylia had never studied in a co-ed school, and this was the first time she would join a class with boys.
The other day, Xylia heard her parents talking to the school's administration. She listened to her mother yelling and cursing, so she already expected to be transferred the next day.
To her surprise, her mother told her she would continue her studies in the same school until graduation. It was her last year, so she was happy with the decision.
"This guy is Aciel Vance De Silva. He's the illegitimate son of a Mafia boss, but I heard his father chose him as his successor." A girl with a pigtail and a thick foundation on her face excitedly said. She was pointing at the guy on a small book.
"But he's also a royal, right? I heard His father is a Mafia boss, and his mom is a princess." Another girl said.
"Yes. His mom wasn't just a princess. She's the daughter of the King, Magnus the Third." A short girl with short hair joined in the conversation.
Xylia heard a group of girls standing by the window talking about Aciel De Silva. They were holding a yearbook that looked like they got from the other school.
"Xylia! Hello?" Chelsea called her.
She looked at the girl in front of her with a frowned face. Chelsea had been her best friend since kindergarten. Like her, she had never studied in a school with boys.
Chelsea was her only friend, trusted and liked by her parents. She had other friends in school, but her parents, especially her mother, always had something to say about them.
Chelsea was the only one who passed her parents' standards to become her friend. She was pretty and intelligent and also belonged to the upper class. Her family owned a shipping company and a restaurant chain. That may be one of the reasons her parents liked Chelsea.
"What?" She asked while staring at Chelsea's face.
Chelsea rolled her eyes and took a breath. Xylia wanted to laugh at her friend's reaction because she knew Chelsea was beginning to lose her temper.
"The boys will arrive soon. Are you okay with welcoming them and being their tour guide?" Chelsea asked.
She sighed before giving her best friend an answer. "I guess so. I don't really have a choice. Besides, you, Liliana, and the rest of the student council will be there. So I think it's fine."
Xylia wasn't sure about her answer. If she would tell the principal to find someone else, she would gladly do it for her.
"Do you think your mom knows about it? She never allows you to talk to boys, especially if they are from a Mafia clan. And as per the rumor, that school is led by Aciel De Silva, the Mafia's illegitimate son." Chelsea said.
Before she could make another statement, Liliana, one of her few friends in school and the student council secretary, suddenly appeared in front of them. Her mother wasn't fond of Liliana. Maybe because she belonged to a middle-class family or because her father was in jail for the murder he didn't commit.
Xylia frowned because Liliana was panting and couldn't convey her words.
"Take a deep breath, Liliana. Don't rush." She calmly said.
Liliana nodded and started taking deep breaths. When she finally caught her breath, she smiled at Xylia and Chelsea.
"So, what's the important news that you need to come running here?" Chelsea asked while crossing her arms on her chest.
"Well, the buses just arrived, and in front was a Rolls-Royce car." Liliana excitedly answered.
Chelsea glanced at Xylia to see her reaction. A Rolls-Royce car was definitely owned by the De Silva Clan and only meant one thing, Aciel De Silva had come.
Xylia took a deep breath and then gently stood up. The girls in their class noticed it and knew the boys from the other school had arrived. Like a real princess, the lady of the Antonov Clan elegantly walked out of the room, followed by Chelsea and Liliana.
The principal instructed the student council members to come to her office once the students of the other school arrived. Their classroom was on the top floor of the fourth building, while the principal's office was the first building near the campus gate, so it would take time to get there.
Xylia saw the buses, and as Liliana said, a Rolls-Royce car was in front. From the looks of it, the car was a limited edition, and from what she knew, only five of that model were released by the company.
"It looks like one of your cars, Xylia." Naomi, another member of the student council, commented.
Xylia didn't answer and continued to walk toward the principal's office.
Inside the car, Aciel was staring at the group of girls who were passing by. He looked at them one by one, but none of them sparked his interest.