Welcome to Thistlewood Academy for Girls!

— Thistlewood Academy for Girls. Your mother had told you that you would be going there as a first year. It was in south British countryside, in the middle of nowhere. Apparently the place was pretty strict and mysterious, and that they didn’t allow phones!

— You begged your mother to reconsider, but there was no going back. Out of your car window, you saw it. It was titanic. Colossal. It towered over the trees. It seemed to be a converted castle built in the 17th century or so.

— You stepped out of the car and smoothed your black blazer, adjusted your black tie, uncreased your black pleated skirt, pulled your white socks up, fastened your shoes and tucked in your white shirt. It was the uniform. You pulled your bag over your back and watched as your mother said goodbye to you.