Chapter Text
It's another day, just like any other at Piltover's Finishing School for Young Ladies. Girls huddle together in their respective cliques, gossiping about everything under the sun; from the all-boys school next door to the dresses they want to wear to their next dance. None of these things interest Caitlyn. Her mother will pick the dress for her and no doubt the boy she will dance with too. She has to look no further than Jayce Talis to know that they'll be reluctant dance partners again once the month draws to a close and they'll be paired off for the annual summer cotillion.
The girls rush to their seats when Headmistress Cassandra Kiramman walks into the classroom. It's paid Caitlyn no favors to have her mother run the school, she's treated like an outcast as it is without her mother's interference. Cassandra gives the class a once over before she begins speaking in that clear, commanding tone of hers that has all the girls sitting up straight and stiff as a board.
"Good morning, girls," she begins.
"Good morning, Headmistress," the class drones.
"I have a surprise for you today. We have a new student, her name is Lady. Violet. Now, I must warn you. Lady Violet comes from a rather… distasteful background. It is up to you to help keep her straight. If she is to act out of line, you may come to me and I will act accordingly to discipline her."
Caitlyn's ears prickle as she listens to her mother. A new student with a bad reputation? It wouldn't be the first time this has happened. Their school tends to be the last resort for many girls on their way down a disastrous path.
The girl that walks into their classroom is quiet with a deep scowl set on her lips. The cuts and bruises on her face instantly start whispers and rumors among the girls in the class. Cassandra shuffles her feet nervously as she ushers Violet towards the one empty seat in the room, which happens to be next to Caitlyn.
“You sit here next to Caitlyn," Cassandra instructs, "and you, Caitlyn. I'm leaving you in charge of helping Lady Violet find her way around the campus."
"But mo--" Cassandra's stern look had Caitlyn quickly backtracking. "Yes, Headmistress."
Cassandra gives her a nod of approval. "You and Lady Violet are now roommates so it is essential that you two get along. I have very high expectations of you, Caitlyn."
Roommates? Since when? Caitlyn's eyes dart over to Violet and then back to her mother's. Why had no one discussed this with her earlier? Surely this was something important enough to bring up before hand.
Cassandra excuses herself before Caitlyn has a chance to start asking questions. “Now, I’ll be off. I have a staff meeting to conduct so I must hurry.”
Caitlyn sighs and puts on her best smile before she turns to Violet. “Good morning, Violet.”
“It’s Vi,” Violet corrects her tersely. “Just Vi.”
“Vi,” Caitlyn repeats. “How’s your first day been so far?”
Vi doesn’t answer. She stares out the window next to her assigned desk, openly ignoring Caitlyn’s question. How rude! Caitlyn frowns and whips her head away to glare at the chalkboard. The nerve of that girl, but Caitlyn can’t let Vi’s attitude get to her. She needs to remain proper and poised, even if Vi refuses to play nice.
Their teacher comes into the classroom to begin their lessons for the day. Caitlyn quickly forgets all about their earlier spat and by the time lunch has rolled around, she’s in a better mood.
“Let’s go get something to eat,” Caitlyn says as she rises from her seat. She straightens out her skirt and collects her books into a neat stack to take them with her.
“I’m not hungry,” Vi says. Her attention is still somewhere outside the window.
“You have to eat,” Caitlyn argues, "or you'll go hungry until dinner."
Vi shrugs and continues to ignore Caitlyn. Caitlyn sighs and shakes her head. So be it then. If Vi wants to play stubborn then let her. Why should she care?
Except, she does. When she eats her own lunch, she saves a little something to give to Vi. Once she's returned her lunch tray and dishes, she sets off to look for the other girl.
She only happens to find Vi through sheer luck. She decided to follow her usual short cut behind the sports building and that is where she finds Vi, sitting with her back against the wall of the equipment shed.
"Are you smoking?" Caitlyn asks, shock clear in her tone. There's a single cigarette hanging from Vi's lips.
"Nope." Vi frowns. Her voice is muffled as she speaks around the cigarette. "My fucking lighter is busted."
"You shouldn't smoke here," Caitlyn says. "You'll get into trouble."
Another shrug from Vi. "What's new?"
Does she have to be so insufferable? "I brought you a snack," Caitlyn says. She just wants to get this over with and go back to class.
Vi waves her over and pats the ground next to her. Caitlyn hands her the treat before she squats awkwardly next to her. She's careful to tuck her skirt between her thighs and calves so it won't drag on the dirty ground.
Vi unwraps the napkin covered gift to reveal a cupcake. She smiles a little when she sees it. It's hard to refuse such a tasty dessert especially when it's piled high with buttercream frosting along with a cherry on top.
"Thanks, how sweet of you," Vi says after she's taken a bite. She speaks with her mouth full so crumbs spew out everywhere as she talks. "Just for this, I'll call you Cupcake."
"Do not call me Cupcake," Caitlyn mutters. "My name is Caitlyn."
Vi smirks mischievously. "Sure thing, Cupcait."