Hearts Academy Ch. 01

"Greetings, Mr. Morgan!" A woman called in a sweet melodic voice. He turned to see a woman standing by the entrance with a thin black book in her hands and a bright white smile. She was tall, slender, and she wore a tight-fitting navy-blue dress that hugged her frame. It was almost sinfully inappropriate for someone in a school to wear. Not revealing but scandalous in its own right how much it emphasized her womanly attributes.

"Hello." He waved as the car's engine stopped and the driver got out without a single word.

"I am Mademoiselle Joy Jolicoeur." She took a step off the landing and began to walk over to him. "It is a pleasure."

"Likewise." He nodded. "Thank you for the invitation."

"Speak nothing of it!" She laughed. "I am so happy you decided to attend. For an artist like yourself, this must be quite the sight."

"Yes." He nodded again as his eyes took in the sheer beauty of the academy. From the stone masonry, the sweet-smelling flowers that blossomed on the side of the building as gentle threads of ivy grew over the ancient walls. He could see four turrets jutting out for the sky and from where he could see into the manor and that was not saying anything of the soft grassy meadows that he could still see stretching out over the countryside.

"Our Academy is quite small, Mr. Morgan."

"You can call me Dana." He never wanted to correct her but it seemed oddly formal for her to keep on calling him by his surname. He had hoped in his heart of hearts that he was not offending her or stepping on some local tradition.

"Ah forgive me. As I said earlier, we run things in a bit of an unorthodox manner. There are no specific guidelines to follow here. We follow the idea of personal learning and growth. We are here to foster your growth into something truly spectacular. Of our students, we see a lot of creatives of all shades, but we do have scientists, historians, philosophers, and the like in our ranks. It is my job to see that you are settled and comfortable."

"Thank you." He stretched with a quiet yawn.

"Ah! You must be exhausted after such a long trip. We must greet the Madame but after I shall take you to your room."

"The Madame?"

"Yes, she runs the school. She's a charming woman who I am sure will be delighted to meet you." He turned on his heels as heard the car begin to pull away. Behind him was his suitcases which he took hold of with a grimace and began to approach the school.

"Sounds good!" He smiled. "Should I just bring my stuff?"

"Oh no!" She laughed. "Leave it in the entryway and we'll have someone bring it to your room."

"Wow you guys are so much nicer than any school I've seen." He grunted as he lifted his luggage and followed her through the big wooden doors.

The entryway of Hearts Academy was something out of a storybook. It was not like a school but a place of nobility and elegance. The floor was a dark wood that was covered in parts by a long red rug inlaid with threads of gold. Portraits of men and women of different fashions, ages, and statures lined the large grand staircase that ascended upwards. The air smelled of old parchment and of the sweet countryside. He couldn't help but to focus his eyes on the large grandfather clock that sat on the landing between the floors. It was a magnificent old thing where the face of the clock was an almost faded artwork of some saintly figure holding a flower in one hand.

"Dana?" She called with almost a tone of concern. "Is something wrong?"

"No, I'm just admiring the school."

"Yes," She smiled. "It is wonderful even on the inside. It's a place of antiquity and beauty of long-lost times. You'll find many wonderful amenities that would call even the greatest muse to you."

"I believe it." He nodded. "Which way do we go?"

"Up the stairs if you would." She called. "Oh! Just leave your luggage off to the side." He followed her instructions leaving it beside a small little table near the door. As he approached the stairs, he couldn't help but to see something move in the shadows of the old academy. He paused as he slowly turned around to look for it.

"Come, Dana. We don't want to be late." She called down from the landing.

"Yeah..." He muttered shrugging as he picked up his pace to walk beside her.

"Do you have any questions?"

"A few," He shrugged. "Where are all the students?"

"Oh, I'm sure we'll run into a few of them soon enough. We don't have many. I believe that we have twenty students here right now."

"Twenty? That seems a bit low for a school."

"For a normal one yes." She nodded. "But I must say to you once more that this is not a normal school. Students are independent and free to pursue what they wish."

"I see. So then is it impossible to flunk out?"

"Dana!" She laughed. "I assure you it is not. We have a few rules here at Hearts Academy that if broken will result in immediate expulsion."

"Ah." He said quietly and nothing more.

Hearts Academy was built in the shape of a square U. From what he could tell when he saw it from a distance, there was this main building and two wings attached in either direction. At the second-floor landing, an open door greeted them on the left-hand side. The right-side door was firmly closed. He followed Joy patiently as she walked down a corridor that had many closed doors. He let everything fall away until he could only hear the soft footsteps of the two of them and couldn't help but find it odd.

He heard nothing. Aside from the ambient noise of the hot summer day, he heard no other voices nor footsteps. Were they alone here? Where exactly were the other students? He stopped as she did outside a large door flanked by two marble columns on which sat two twin bronze sculptures of a mermaid holding a jar of water out as the water curled around her.

Dana had little time to admire the sculpture before Joy Jolicoeur pushed open the large door and motioned him inside.

It was an office, a startling beautiful one, spotted with unique and spectacular treasures. On his left, a full suit of mail holding a halberd was positioned near another ornate grandfather clock. The left wall of the office hung a magnificent painting of what appeared to be angels whisking away a young boy to a large mountain. What caught his attention was the two other women in the room. One was a tall muscular woman who stood in a black suit at the utmost attention. She had short brown hair and eyed him like a hawk from the moment he entered. The other woman was an middle-aged woman with raven black hair like his own and wore a crimson smile that only grew as she saw him enter. She was seated behind a large mahogany desk of which was carved with the likeness of raging waves that trailed the edges.

"Mr. Dana Morgan?" She asked. Her voice was sweet not unlike a mother calling to her child. She radiated warmth and comfort even as he got closer. In fact, it only seemed to be stronger.

"That's me." He smiled. She extended a hand for him to sit in the two chairs by her desk.

"I am Madame Beaulieu. I am how you say, the headmistress, here at Hearts Academy."

"It's nice to meet you." He nodded as he took his seat.

"The scowling woman on my right is Mademoiselle Brunelle. Don't be afraid of her, she doesn't bite."

"Yet." The woman answered in a coarse voice. It was almost like a growl which was fitting for a woman who reminded him of a bear.

"I'm glad you can attend our academy. I like to meet all of our students face to face when they first arrive. There are two orders of business today, Mr. Morgan. All students of my school must complete a project by the end of the year. For you, the artist, I challenge you to create something that captures the likeness of Hearts Academy."

"I wasn't told anything of this sort." He couldn't help but feel his anxiety begin to build. He hated being told what to create. Even worse, he hated having deadlines to adhere to. Nothing good was produced under pressure.

"That's alright for an artist of your caliber this should be simple. The second is your understanding of a peculiar condition to attend my school. Will you hear it?"

"Yes of course." He nodded.

"We, as part of an ongoing gender study, will require you to become the opposite sex for one day a month. Every student here must adhere to this rule. You will receive everything you require for this study. Cosmetics, clothing, and even lessons should you choose."

"I'm sorry?" He balked her words. He tried his hardest not to let his shock show on his face. He didn't want to appear to be rude.

"It is a requirement, Mr. Morgan. If you do not wish to adhere to this rule then I must ask you to leave."

"How come I wasn't told this over the phone? This is really strange." He blurted out and then felt his cheeks grow flush as he shook his head. "Sorry! I don't mean to offend."

"It is a requirement, Dana." Joy spoke from over his shoulder. "If you do not wish to participate in the study then you must tell me now so I can get you a car back to the airport."

"I," He swallowed the lump in his throat. "Just once a month?"

"Yes." Madame Beaulieu smiled. "Once a month."

"Why?"

"The purpose of the study is to research gender identity amongst young adults such as yourself. Does this have an overall effect on your state of mind? On your bearing as an individual? It is a very scientific pursuit and you would be helping untold others will the data that you provide."

He sat there in silence as he weighed his options. On one hand, the situation reeked of foul play. There was something undeniably strange going on with these women and this school.

On the other hand, it wasn't that strange of a thing to have. A small sample size of willing adults that participated in the study to procure data for a heated topic in the scientific and political communities. Academic institutions were founded on research and exploring the unknown.

Finally, he had his mother's ire awaiting him back home. If he came back now, not even a day into this adventure then she would surely never live it down. He'd have to attend Syracuse and study business. He'd have to follow in her footsteps and be shackled for the rest of his life to a mind-numbing nine-to-five.

So ultimately, he had to conclude that acting like a girl was severely less shameful than admitting failure in this moment.

"Fine." He sighed. "I suppose wearing a dress once a month isn't so bad."

"Good!" She clapped her hands together. "Then that's it. I welcome you to my school with open arms. I cannot wait to see what you create. Now, Mademoiselle Jolicoeur will take you to your room so that you may rest. You may explore the school at your leisure. Just be mindful of your fellow students."

"Thank you." He nodded. "I look forward to seeing the rest of this beautiful academy."

"Come along, Dana." Joy called cheerfully. "Let's not bother the madame any more than we have to."

"It was nice to meet you." He said as he stood from his chair. "Both of you."

"Have a wonderful evening, Mr. Morgan." The woman known as Mademoiselle Brunelle spoke. He didn't hesitate to exit the room quickly. There was something about her that simply terrified him to his core.

"See!" Joy smiled. "Very easy."

"I guess." He shrugged as they walked further down the corridor and then up a small set of stairs.

"Your room is just down this hall." She smiled as she led him further down the hall and to a closed door. Curiously, tied around the doorknob was a red ribbon bow.

"This is it?"

"It is!" She smiled. "Would you like the honors?"

"Sure." He nodded as he turned the knob and pushed it open and then his eyes grew wide at what was inside.

For inside the room was a large common area leading to three other bedrooms but on top of the table was two naked girls who glanced over to them with a sheepish smile. The one on the bottom simply continued to smile as she gasped in delight but the girl on top gave them both a scowl as she continued to thrust hard into her friend causing the wet dull smacks of flesh to echo off the walls.

"Didn't you see the ribbon!" She growled suddenly. His head grew hot and he began to sweat. He didn't know if it was the air, the trip, or the display in front of him. He stumbled backwards as his vision blurred.

Then Dana Morgan fainted.

****

He woke up on the couch as Mademoiselle Jolicoeur and the two girls watched over him. He couldn't help but to notice that the two women were still naked, and his eyes nearly bulged out of his head as he noticed, well, the bulge in their underwear. He groaned as he sat up right and the three of them nearly rushed to his side.

"Here." Mademoiselle said as she placed a glass of water on the table in front of him. The same table that the two girls had been furiously fucking on just moments before. He was inside the room now and he could see it plainly. From the door, he could see on the opposite side of the room two closed doors that he guessed must have belonged to the two lovers. In the middle of the room was a large grey couch that sat on a sky-blue rug with a coffee table facing the left wall. On said wall was a large media cabinet that sat an expensive looking flat-screen TV. The right side of the room held a small kitchen area.

"What happened?" He groaned as he accepted the glass of water and emptied the glass down his throat.

"You passed out." One of the girls spoke. "Which is sort of a weird reaction to have."

"Charlotte," Mademoiselle sighed. "meet your new roommate Dana."

"Hey." She offered. She had long golden hair and an almost sly smile. Her eyes were like twin sapphires and she carried herself with confidence even after what he had seen.

"Dana, this is Charlotte and Marie. They are your roommates."

"Roommates? I thought that I was getting my own room?"

"Yes." She nodded. "But this is a shared space. You will have a private room connected to this one."

"Alright," He sighed. "I was just never told about sharing a room."

"Well you are." Charlotte smiled. "Now, if you would be so kind as to leave so I can cum that would be absolute fantastic."

"Charlotte!" Mademoiselle hissed as she stamped her foot down. "That's no way to speak to him."

"She's right, Char." Marie sighed. She had a soft voice and silky brown hair that trailed far down her shoulders. She was far less confident than her friend. Instead, she hugged herself tightly as if she was expecting to be reprimanded for her actions.

"Well, I'm just saying." Charlotte shrugged grabbing a white t-shirt off the ground and slipping it over her head to cover herself.

"Ladies, I trust you will welcome Dana appropriately?"

"Yes, Mademoiselle." Marie nodded. "We'll help him adjust to the Academy and get him settled in for you."

"Thank you, Marie. I can always count on you. Well, Dana, I must attend to other matters and I will leave you in the care of these two for today. My office is always open to you should you have any questions."

"Thanks." He muttered. "I'm sorry for fainting earlier. I'm just tired after my long flight."

"Of course," Mademoiselle smiled with a nod. "Oh! When you get the chance be sure to stop by the studio to meet Miss Woods. She's our art teacher and likely someone you will be seeing a lot of. She's an American just like you so perhaps she can give you some tips on how to adapt here, no?"

"Yeah." He nodded. "I'll be sure to do that. Thank you again for your help today."

"Goodbye, Mr. Morgan!" She smiled as she exited the room quickly.

"Watch for the ribbon next time!" Charlotte called after her. The door gently closed behind her and then he felt Charlotte and Marie's eyes upon him.

"Hello Dana," Charlotte smirked. "Welcome to Hearts Academy."

"Thanks?" He shifted slightly away from the two of them.

"What do you study, Dana?" Marie called as she walked into the kitchen.

"I'm an artist."

"Ah!" She clapped her hands as a look of delight spread across her face. "How good! I am a writer myself and Charlotte is a musician."

"All creatives." Charlotte laughed. "Makes sense why they'd put us together."

"Yeah," He gulped. "So uh, how often do you uh-"

"Fuck?" Charlotte snickered and his cheeks burned. "A lot."

"So, the ribbon thing?"

"Yeah, check the door before you come in unless you want to see that again." He chuckled nervously.

"Definitely not."

"Bit prudish, are we?" Charlotte grinned. "We'll fix that."

"Lay off." Marie laughed loudly. "Give him time to settle in."

"Please." He sighed.

"Sorry," Charlotte laughed loudly, her voice echoing off of the walls. "Didn't mean to strike a nerve."

"I'm just," He groaned. "I've had a long flight."

"So, Dana," Marie spoke as she emerged from the kitchen with a glass of what appeared to be soda. "Where are you from?"

"America."

"Far from home, aren't you?" Charlotte snickered.

"Very." He nodded. "I'm not going to like you two, am I?"

"Dana!" Charlotte gave him a small shove. "Rude!"

"Char is hard to get along with, so I get that reaction." Marie said as she sat beside him. "But I'm not bad."

"Marie!" Charlotte called out in shock at the accusation.

He let them bicker for a moment allowing himself a moment of respite and distance from their truly grating conversation. He had no interest in getting to know them right now. They were the kind of people that only thought of themselves evidenced by inordinate amount of time they spent flirting with him instead of worrying about his safety. After all, he had just fainted on the floor in front of them. Why didn't they care a bit more about his well-being?

That wasn't entirely fair to them. If anything, it was their personalities that he disliked. He didn't like energetic people or places. Perhaps that was what was skewing his perception of these women.

"Do you have any questions?"

"Yeah, a few." He groaned as he leaned back. He could only think of the bulge between their legs. The one piece of equipment they were not supposed to have.

"Well feel free to ask."

"Are you two actually girls?"

He didn't get the answer the way he wanted. Instead, he received the response with a sharp smack across his cheek.

"How dare you?" Charlotte hissed. "How insulting can you be?"

"Sorry." He muttered as he rubbed his cheek. "No offense."

"Some taken." Marie laughed it off. "Yes, we're actually girls. But I get why you asked. You were already told about the gender study?"

"Some of it."

"Okay, I'm sorry Dana." Charlotte sighed, her voice was low and quiet. "I shouldn't have hit you."

"It's okay." He understood why she did it. Why she would have had such a rash reaction to his words. He had been rude and impulsive in his questioning.

"So yeah, we're part of the same study. But Charlotte and I sort of discovered that we liked being girls and so we stay this way here."

"I see."

"You're going to need to pay us back for that comment though." Marie smiled. "We'll think of something."

"Oh yes-"Charlotte grinned again but Marie cleared her throat loudly.

"Nothing sexual."

"Oh boo!" Charlotte sulked. "Ruining my fun as usual, Marie."

"So, which one is my room?"

"In a hurry to get away from us?" She spoke batting her eyelashes as she leaned in closer.

"I don't mean to offend either of you. It's just I would like to sleep sooner or later." He sighed.

"I understand." Marie nodded with a soft smile. "I'd be more than happy to show you to your room."

"Thank you, Marie." He smiled back. "That would be very nice"

"Can I give you a piece of advice, Dana?" Charlotte nearly whispered in his ear. He felt the hairs on the back of his neck stand on end as he swallowed an ever-growing lump in the back of his throat. He couldn't even get himself to speak. There was something so electric, so fascinating, so sensual about the way her breath felt on his face, the sweet smell of her, and the way her words vibrated in his skull. Even the soft tone drove him wild like she was sharing a secret only he was supposed to hear.