The Chrysalis Project - Chapter 27

“I could just eat Scarlet up, seriously,” Geneva pouted as she watched Scarlet attempting to stuff more spaghetti she can handle.

I thought it would have been nice to invite Geneva for lunch with Scarlet and Margaret. It’s a popular diner close to where my part-time bookstore job was located. Speaking of that job among other occasional odd jobs I’ve taken to make more money, I decided to make calls to announce my resignation. I liked the bookstore job the most, but having more money now and being comfortable meant I didn’t have to take any jobs, which ultimately meant I could spend more time with Scarlet, Margaret, and my friends.

“Dear, this is not a race! Only eat what you can comfortably stuff in your mouth,” Margaret sighed as she frantically wiped Scarlet’s face and now stained clothes. Scarlet smiles back and laughs childishly, not paying attention to anything else but her food, causing Geneva too swoon over my baby sister’s cute expressions once again.

“Scar, remember what I said about eating?” I reminded her.

“Only eat half of a mouth full,” Scarlet repeated between her chews, muffling her words as she chewed on her spaghetti.

“Yeah, that’s it!” I smiled as I encouraged, “No one is rushing you, so take your time and enjoy the food, or the food will be too much at once and it’ll get stuck!”

“You don’t want that do you?” Margaret added as she continued to wipe Scarlet’s mouth.

“Noooo!” Scarlet grinned, but the food in her mouth had still been left there, so Margaret let out a small gasp.

“Margaret, please eat your food, it’ll get cold, she will be fine! There are two of us other than yourself watching over her,” Geneva said as she pointed out the untouched food.

To be honest, Geneva Hamilton wasn’t someone I’d think of calling to a local diner like this, and she certainly wasn’t my first choice. I actually texted Theo first, since he’s a much more approachable type of person compared to a literal star like Geneva. But apparently, Theo was out of the city conducting some important business and won’t be back until later this week, so I thought to take a chance on texting Geneva.

It’s not that I enjoy Theo’s company more, or that Geneva isn’t as good of a friend, it’s just that I still didn’t know how to comfortably accept that a supermodel like her was just so down to earth. Our friendship started very suddenly, with a strange deal between us that apparently still is a thing, but Geneva was willing to be friends with a scholarship-turned-sponsorship student and she didn’t care about statuses or people’s pasts. I think I’ve always brainwashed by the media to portray people like her in a much more negative way. But seeing Geneva adoring my sister, and being respectful and genuinely caring to Margaret who is a hired housekeeper to in her eyes, as an equal human being. Her actions were something I was really impressed with, and it has certainly changed my mind about the pre-existing boundaries that were in my head.

“I just worry about her sometimes, she’s like a daughter to me and I don’t want her to grow up without good influences. Starting young is very important, especially for children who get enrolled in Valentino,” Margaret admitted as she finally began to pick up her fork, a face full of worry.

“Still doesn’t mean you shouldn’t enjoy your food while it’s hot,” Geneva added, “you’re family to them, there’s no need for you to be the only one responsible.”

“Don’t worry Margs, I know they do offer basic etiquette classes in elementary schools, so Scarlet will be fine,” I explained.

“It’s not that,” she replied worriedly, “I’m afraid the etiquette classes are not enough, most of the children in her classes are too young to have a prejudice about it, but Scarlet isn’t from those families, and sooner or later people will talk.”

“I’m not sure I follow,” I responded, totally confused at what she had to say.

“I think what Margaret means is that you and Scarlet are not from a wealthy, powerful, and influential family, and therefore that’s already a disadvantage in a school full of children of these exact backgrounds,” Geneva interrupted.

“Yes, that’s what I am trying to say, I didn’t know how to word it in a way that it won’t offend anyone,” Margaret said wearily.

“Margs, Scarlet and I treat you like our family, you don’t need to hold back on these things, if you have a concern then I’d be happy to talk about it,” I reassured, placing my hand on top of Margaret’s.

“I’ll take the uneasy load off of Margaret because I also agree with her,” Geneva admitted, “I think because of this difference people will be more inclined to tease or bully her in the future. So it’s essential that she learns everything now, if not learn even more than the other children.”

“I’m still a bit confused, I thought regular wealthy people also could attend Valentino? Why would she be the only non-elite type?” I asked.

“Regular wealthy banker or small business owner’s children can only start attending Valentino after secondary school which is why most of the elites know each other. Only elite families can enroll at this age, and they’ve been in the same classes since they were young,” Geneva explained casually.

“That makes no sense, how come Scarlet can attend elementary school at Valentino then?”

“Dunno,” Geneva sighed, “once in a blue moon they have students that aren’t elite enroll, and to be honest I’ve never heard of them lasting that long because of all the teasing and bullying. They all eventually transfer to another school, I think.”

“I think it might have something to do with you, Sienna,” Margaret spoke out, “when I was assigned to your floor this year, they specifically told me to take extra care of you and Scarlet because of your situation. I think someone on the Valentino admissions committee took you as a charity case and made an exception.”

“Charity case or not, it’s really a privilege that Scarlet can attend Valentino,” I said truthfully, “starting here early has its benefits and will really put her on a good path to success.”

“I think if you want to avoid the teasing and bullying for Scarlet, you need to get her a private tutor, just so she’s not only caught up with the rest of the children but also to show that she’s not entirely powerless or poor,” Geneva advised as she forked her pasta plate.

“How would I do that, I have no clue,” I said aloud, slightly overwhelmed.

“Mr. Whitehall would be your best bet,” Margaret said as she finally took the first bite of her food, slightly eyeing the floor to avoid my gaze.

“Really Margs?” I glared at her, disappointed.

“I mean, she ain’t wrong,” Geneva said, impressed with her bravery.

“What am I going to say to him? How do you even ask someone for that?!” I defended, dropping my fork in my lasagna plate.

“Hey Hayden, I don’t want Scarlet to get teased or bullied, can you hire a tutor for me or let’s just get married so nobody can talk shit about my sister?” Geneva imitated.

“Language…” Margaret spoke out hastily.

“Oopsie,” she smiles back, “but something like that.”

“I’m going to pretend that you didn’t say that,” I rolled my eyes.

“You can pretend all you want but I still said it,” Geneva snorted, “plus, what’s so bad about what I said, you never thought about it? It’s entirely possible in my opinion.”

“I hope you’re talking about the tutor part,” I stared at her back, my expression completely in disbelief.

“Oh, I know you’ll ask him about the tutor part, that’s going to happen whether you like it or not and I know you’ll do it for Scarlet,” Geneva scoffed teasingly, “I meant the marriage part.”

“Are you serious? I’ve known him for less than a week!”

“And yet you’re still the first girl he’s been around in ages, the last serious girlfriend he had was during high school? I’m pretty sure their parents helped to arrange it too, and they dated until the beginning of sophomore year. Hayden is a ladies man for sure, and he has no shortage of woman he can attract, I’m sure you know that already. I’ve never seen him this intrigued by anyone before you,” Geneva said.

“Okay, marriage though? Too far into the future,” I scoffed.

“Is it really? For someone like Hayden Whitehall? For any of us elites?” Geneva asked rhetorically, “People like us have political and business marriages more often than not. I have friends in my network that have been dating since high school, and I’m certain as soon as they graduate, marriage is in the question.”

“If marriage is all that you said, then it’s impossible between us, I have literally no status compared to someone like him,” I wholehearted admitted.

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