One sunny summer day in Edinburgh, two sisters were playing a game of chess in their bedroom. They had school in just a few days, since it started in early September. They went to the same class in school because they were only seven months apart. Paisley was born in July, and Emily was born in January of the next year.

That day awaited lots of surprises, because their mother had important news about their school. They had been moving from city to city for the past two years and they had finally settled in Edimburgh. The game of chess was intense, as the sisters were very competitive.

- Knight to b2!- yelled Emily, the younger sister, her face shining with pride.

- Queen to a6!!- continued Paisley, smiling proudly.

Just when they were about to move another piece, their mother barged in with an envelope in her hand. It looked rustic and there was a green stamp with gems on the back. The sisters looked at it with a puzzled expression.

What is that envelope?- asked Emily pointing her finger at it. She tilted her head to one side and examined it with more detail.

That is a letter from your new school. But not just any school, you're going to a boarding school in Shetland. I have been offered a job and they need me to be far. I won't be at home in the afternoons, so I have decided to enroll you in a boarding school. I know that it will be something new and maybe a little bit scary at first, but it's for the best. It's very prestigious. It's called Emerald Towers , and you are going this Friday to get settled in- said their mother, Mrs. Smith

This Friday... Wait a minute, that's tomorrow!!!!- Said Paisley, panicking.

I am well aware. Now, pack your trunks, we're leaving at exactly 11 am. Pack, pijamas, books and swimming gear, everything else you need is provided. Don't sleep too late!- informed their mum as she closed the door and left the sisters very confused.

Well, that was random, but we should prepare our things to take- said Paisley, as her sister started looking for the trunks.

That was a bit weird, but I'm sure we are going to have a great time- said Emily, searching for her panda pyjamas- Let's forget about that and finish packing.

They planned everything they would want to do at their new school. Midnight feasts, pranks on teachers, sports and loads of fun things. Emerald Towers was a boarding school, but they were sure that it would be fun. They ate tea thinking about the next day and brushed their teeth. When they were ready, they wished goodnight and instantly fell asleep. Paisley was very happy to go with her sister, because technically they were from different years, but she was allowed to sleep in the same room as Emily, as long as her schoolwork was a higher level.

The next morning they woke up early, got ready and went to the train station. After many hours of train rides and a ferry trip, they finally made it to Shetland.

The school is above this hill. I have to leave you now, but I shall visit soon. Make sure to work hard and write to me. I will visit as soon as I can. Don't get into trouble!- said Mrs. Smith as she kissed them and they parted ways.

Paisley and Emily walked for a few minutes up the hill. They admired the incredible landscape and the animals that surrounded them. Everything around them was green. They even spotted beaches full of ponies drinking from the water. The puffins flew near the cliffs, and the sun shone very bright. After about five minutes, they finally arrived at Emerald Towers. They stared at the enormous gates covered in wild ivy and emeralds. There was an enormous castle, with four towers. It was very tall, and looked like it had been cleaned over a thousand times. The gates were filled with plants, and there was an enormous fountain surrounded with flowers. There were larkspur, orchids and primroses. Astonished, they took a deep breath and entered the building. From the inside it was decorated with marble columns, and there was an aroma of flowers. It felt very relaxing and calm. You could hear birds singing. It was very big. It looked like a palace!

Welcome to Emerald Towers, I am headmistress Gemma Emerald. I assume that you are our new students, Paisley and Emily Smith, am I right?- said a woman who looked to be in her thirties. She had jet black hair and gorgeous green eyes. She was wearing a very elegant dress in various tones of green. Her long, black hair was put up in a high ponytail and she had a pearl white smile from ear to ear.

Hello, yes we are Paisley and Emily Smith- responded Paisley and smiled back.

Well, I am very glad that you have arrived. You must feel exhausted after the journey here. There will be dinner in the hall on your right in one hour. The school is very happy to have you here. I know that being here may feel strange, but I assure you that you will have a splendid time. As you know, your subjects this year will be spanish, history, physics and math. I don't know if you practice sports, but at Emerald Towers, we host various tennis tournaments, since it's our school sport. Tryouts for the team will be next Wednesday after lunch. There is also an opportunity to swim every morning before class and on weekends from 12 to 17 pm. There are many clubs, so I recommend that you enroll in lots, as it will also be evaluated. Pass by my office in half an hour to collect your timetables. You both will sleep in the same dorm, but Paisley will have a higher level on subjects, as she is older. I think that everything is basically said. If you need help you are always welcome to come and speak with me. With this said, I hope that you have a lovely term- said Gemma and went to her office, her high heels tapping the floor.

At that moment, a girl who looked like she was about twelve waved kindly and ran up to the sisters. She had long, wavy brown hair and hazel coloured eyes. Her hair was messy, and it had a green gem hair clip in It, neatly getting hair off her face.

Hello, you must be the new girls! I am Faith, follow me to our dormitory- she said enthusiastically and smiled.

She led them to a very big room. It had five beds and floral prints everywhere. The room was very bright and colorful. There was a beautiful dresser with a shiny mirror. All around the beds, there were bookshelves filled with all sorts of antiques, novels and green jewelry. The walls were painted in pistachio and there were pictures of animals in the ceiling.

Faith led them to the beds.

I like this one, it's next to the window- said Paisley, sitting on a dark green bed. It had a floral blanket and a comfy pillow. Next to it, there was a small bedside table with a lamp and a drawer. She put her floral trunk in front of the bed.

I'll go next to you- said Emily, sitting on a bed equally nice.

Here are your new uniforms- said Faith, handing them two emerald green dresses, with silver and brown embroidery of flowers and some brown shoes. They had an emerald print on the right corner, what they guessed was the school logo.

There are also different clothes for trips and some classes, so when you need them, speak to Gem.

Who is Gem?- asked Emily

The headmistress. We call her Gem because it's short for Gemma and it sounds nice- said Faith.

The sisters put their uniforms on and went straight to the dining hall for a meeting and dinner. When they arrived at the gates it was late, since the train and ferry journeys were long, so it was already quite late.

When they arrived at the dining hall, the headmistress was waiting with an enormous smile on her face.

Good evening girls, these are our new students, Paisley and Emily Smith. Please make sure that they feel welcome- said Gem.

The sisters sat at a table and looked at the girls in front of them. Faith joined them, and they had a great time discussing important rules from the boarding school, such as eating times, visits, sending letters to family members or dormitory rules. There was salad and chicken curry for dinner, which the sisters loved. For pudding, the cook brought out fudge cake, and all of the students clapped happily. This meal was special because of the new girls, so everyone was thrilled to eat posh food that they didn't have on a daily basis.

After a delicious meal and a brief presentation of the school, the sisters went to the dormitory, changed into their pyjamas and went to sleep. The following morning was their first day with normal classes and they had to rest well to make the most of it.