HIS ROOMMATE WAS A LIE

Sera pov

"Sera! Mail's here!"

I was busy chilling in my room with my legs propped on the wall when my mom's voice rang from the hallway. Her voice was laced with usual tiredness but she always tries to hide it behind a forced smile.

I dragged myself out of my room, wiping my greasy hands on my jeans. I just got rejected from another art contest so now the only option was to keep looking for a part time job to support our bills.

I got out and saw an envelope, from the look of ut, the envelope seemed fancy and I bet this wasn't meant for me, maybe the mailman made a mistake .

I reached for it and it was thick and heavy. It was sealed with a silver button of virelade Academy, the kind of calligraphy that only the rich were used to. I only see this type of writing only in movies and in my dreams . My finger trembled slightly as I opened it. Inside was a letter with other papers, I took a letter first

VIRELADE ACADEMY

est. 1746

To Mr:Seth Calix

Date: july 1st 2025

Dear Mr Calix,

We are pleased to inform you, that you have been selected into virelade Academy under our scholarship program. Inside you'll find your admission certificate, travel details and all required documents.

Welcome to a future unlike any other!

Sincerely,

Dr. Cedric Miller

Headmaster

Virelade Academy

Seth? Seth Calix?

I was utterly confused! I was Calix yes, but not Seth Calix!. There might be a mistake. This letter was meant for a boy called Seth Calix who happened to have the same last name as mine but on the bright side... This was an opportunity for me!

I could feel my mom's eyes on me " who is it from Sera?" She asked while drying her hands on her apron.

I smiled and blurted out a lie way smoothly than I had imagine. "It's scholarship letter mom!. I got into St helia's prep!" I said.

I couldn't say the letter was from virelade and I was going to disguise myself as a boy!

That would be a suicide mission.

She gasped, her eyes welling with tears and pride. "really? Oh my God! Sera" she enveloped me in a warm hug.

I felt bad for lying to my mom but this was my one and only chance to secure a better future for us, and I couldn't afford any kind of mistake.

"So when do you want to report? We should also go to buy you some school needs like towels, uniform, books..."

"Mom!chill. I'll just go by myself,you have to go to work remember? I'll be fine by myself". I cut my mom who continued to ramble excitedly.

"Are you sure? I can take a leave today and come with you". My mom beamed,she was so excited because we've been trying so hard to get a chance like this, except she doesn't know that I'm going to an all boys school. I reached out for her and hugged her again.

"Yes Mom, I'll be fine. You just go or you might be late to work again!"

She nodded slipping into her shoes and took her tote bag "okay I'll see you later! Be careful okay? Bye!" She disappeared out of the door.

I let out a breath of relief I didn't know I was holding into. I went back to my room and took out all of my savings.

"This might be enough for everything as long as I they're cheap!" I murmured.

I decided to go to buy uniforms, both from virelade and St helia. Virelade Academy uniform was an elegant black trousers white shirt and dark blue blazer with a maroon tie. While St helia was a matching maroon short skirt and a blazer without a tie

I picked up the cheapest versions of everything else Ill need shoes, socks, notebooks, a plain backpack. Nothing with brand names or shine. We didn’t have that kind of money and luxury, and I’d already pushed the limits by convincing Mom that St. Helia required a registration fee.

I felt a pinch of guilt when she handed over the cash, her fingers lingering a second too long on the bills before letting go.

After returning home, I made sure to put the St. Helia uniform to the top of the bag and tucked the Virelade one beneath it because I didn't want my mom to find out about it .

Mom was in the kitchen,  excitedly humming her favorite song, her back was to me as she stirred something in the pot probably lentil stew again.

I hate lentils!

“Did you get everything, sweetheart?” she called without turning around.

“Yeah,” I said, forcing a smile as I placed the bag by my bedroom door. “ I got everything I need.”

I didn’t mention that I was starting school at a place where no girl had ever set foot or that my acceptance wasn’t meant for me at all.

Mom didn't have to know that, everything was going according to plan and in two days I'll going to Virelade Academy.