Chapter Three: New Rules

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The dorm rooms were even more elegant than the boys expected. Large windows let in the late morning light, casting a golden glow over the polished wooden floors. Each room was neatly furnished with matching white furniture—a bed, a wardrobe, a desk, and a bookshelf—everything immaculately arranged. Despite the feminine touches, like the floral curtains and soft pastel bedding, Dylan was relieved to see it wasn't too over the top. At least, not yet.

"Welcome to your new home," Sophie said, her voice neutral as she pushed open the door to Dylan's room. "You'll be staying here for the semester."

Dylan set his bag down by the bed, glancing around. "So, this is it, huh?"

"This is it," Sophie confirmed, leaning against the doorframe. "Get settled. We'll meet in the common room in half an hour to go over the rules."

He nodded, his stomach tightening slightly. He still wasn't sure what to expect, but so far, Crestwood felt more like a boarding school for debutantes than anything resembling a place for punishment.

Before Sophie left, she glanced at his duffel bag. "And, just so you know—organization is important here. You're expected to keep your room tidy at all times."

Dylan gave her a mock salute. "Yes, ma'am."

Sophie rolled her eyes. "I'm serious. They check."

"Got it. Neat and tidy," Dylan muttered, mentally noting that they were already in for more than just a semester-long vacation.

Once she was gone, Dylan flopped back onto the bed, staring up at the ceiling. He could hear the other guys moving around in their rooms down the hall. A thud came from Marcus' room, followed by Aaron shouting, "Dude, careful!"

The sound of footsteps echoed down the hallway before a knock came at Dylan's door. It swung open slightly to reveal Kyle, already looking bored. "Man, I don't know about you, but I feel like I'm in a dollhouse. Everything's so... polished."

"Yeah," Dylan said, sitting up, "and we're stuck here for months."

Kyle grinned, trying to shake off the seriousness. "Could be worse. We could've ended up in military school."

"True." Dylan smirked, thinking back to what their parents had threatened if they didn't agree to this. He could handle a few rules if it meant avoiding that nightmare.

Before long, the half-hour had passed, and all four boys met in the common room with their assigned mentors. It was a large, airy space with more white furniture, soft couches, and an enormous fireplace that looked like it hadn't been used in years. The girls were already seated on one of the couches, chatting quietly amongst themselves.

Headmistress Beaumont entered shortly after, her presence commanding immediate attention. She glanced over the group before folding her hands neatly in front of her.

"Now that you've settled in," she began, "it's time to go over what will be expected of you during your stay at Crestwood Academy."

Dylan shifted uncomfortably, sensing the shift from casual to formal. This was it—the rules.

"As you know," Beaumont continued, "Crestwood has high standards of decorum, respect, and etiquette. During your time here, you will be expected to adhere to the same rules as our regular students. That means abiding by the dress code, attending classes, and participating in extracurricular activities. You will be mentored by some of our finest young women, who will guide you through this process."

Kyle raised an eyebrow. "We've got classes? Like... math?"

Hannah, Kyle's mentor, gave him a sharp look. "Yes, classes. And much more."

Aaron leaned forward. "What's the 'much more' part?"

Headmistress Beaumont didn't miss a beat. "In addition to your academic studies, you will also receive lessons in etiquette, deportment, and behavior that befits a student of Crestwood Academy. That includes dining manners, posture, public speaking, and general conduct."

Marcus groaned under his breath. "This is gonna be worse than I thought."

Beaumont shot him a look that could freeze water. "You'll find that it's all designed to help you grow as individuals."

Aaron leaned over to Dylan, muttering, "Help us grow into what? Victorian ladies?"

Beaumont continued, ignoring the snickering, "You'll also follow the daily schedule set for all students, including morning assemblies, study hours, and dormitory curfew. Your mentors will ensure you meet these expectations."

Dylan exchanged a glance with Aaron. This was starting to sound more intense than they'd imagined. They had figured there'd be rules, but "etiquette" and "deportment" weren't exactly what they had signed up for.

"And finally," Beaumont said, her voice hardening, "there will be consequences for failure to comply. Crestwood does not tolerate disrespect or disobedience. You're here because of poor choices, and this is your chance to correct those. If you take this seriously, you might just leave Crestwood as better young men."

She paused, letting that sink in. "That will be all for today. Tomorrow, your formal lessons begin. I suggest you prepare."

With that, she turned on her heel and left the room, leaving the boys staring after her.

Kyle was the first to break the silence. "Well, that was fun."

Emily stood up, dusting off her skirt. "You heard her. Tomorrow, things get serious. So I'd suggest you actually try to follow the rules. It'll be easier that way."

Hannah crossed her arms. "And don't think you can talk your way out of anything. You're under constant watch."

Aaron let out a low whistle. "Constant watch? You guys are intense."

Olivia, Aaron's mentor, rolled her eyes. "Trust me, you'll need it."

Sophie turned to Dylan. "I'll meet you here tomorrow morning at 7:30 sharp. Don't be late."

"Wait—7:30?" Dylan blurted out. "That's like, the middle of the night."

Sophie shrugged. "Get used to it. That's when the day starts around here."

With that, the girls left, and the boys were left sitting in stunned silence.

Marcus finally sighed, running a hand through his hair. "This place... I dunno, man. It's not what I thought."

Aaron nodded. "Yeah, I thought it'd be a little more fun. But it's looking like we're in for a real crash course in... whatever this is."

Dylan stood, stretching his arms. "Let's just get through it. We'll be out of here in a few months, and then we can laugh about the whole thing."

Kyle grinned, always the optimist. "Besides, there's still plenty of girls around. I'm sure we'll find a way to make this semester interesting."

But as they made their way back to their rooms, Dylan couldn't shake the feeling that Crestwood was going to be a lot more complicated than any of them had expected. And tomorrow, when the real lessons started, that suspicion would probably be confirmed.

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