FIRST DAY AT STERLING HEIGHTS ACADEMY
Vera stepped out of the car slowly… and stopped. For a moment, she just stood there. The gates in front of her were tall—taller than anything she had ever seen in a school before. The walls were spotless, almost shining under the sun, and beyond them were stretched buildings that didn't even look real. It didn't feel like a school, it felt like a whole world."Wow…" she whispered under her breath. Her fingers tightened around the handle of her small suitcase as she took a step forward. Students walked past her in neat uniforms, their shoes polished, their posture straight, their laughter easy.Everything about them looked… effortless. Her heart began to beat faster. I'm really here, she told herself."Hi, you must be Vera." The voice pulled her back. She turned to see a tall girl standing in front of her in a perfect uniform, with a calm expression, the kind of confidence Vera wasn't used to seeing."Yes… I am," Vera replied softly. "I'm a prefect. Come with me. I'll show you your hostel."Vera nodded quickly and followed. The hostel was… beautiful. Clean and Bright. Organized in a way that made Vera feel like she had to walk carefully just to avoid ruining anything.She stepped into her room and paused again. There were two beds in the room, two desks and wardrobes. Everything was neatly arranged. She placed her suitcase gently on one of the beds, almost like she didn't believe it was hers.Her roommate was already there, sitting at her desk flipping through her textbooks. "Hi… I'm Vera," she said, trying to sound confident. The girl barely looked up. "You can use that side," she said casually. "Just don't touch my things." Vera nodded quickly. "Okay." She didn't take it personally. She couldn't afford to. Instead, she unpacked quietly, folding her clothes neatly. They were simple nothing compared to what she had already seen around her but she didn't let it bother her. I'm here and that's enough.She tried having a conversation with her new roommate, Regina after unpacking most of her belongings but got shunned. "Uhm, excuse me, can you brief me about how this school runs and are there some things I should be aware of?"She asked just to get her mind prepared and possibly to find out if she knows anyone by the name Dylan.Regina looked at her briefly and with a smirk, as if processing what she was asked. Then, continued what she was doing.Vera felt a bit ashamed for asking that question.After a while, A knock came shortly. "The administration is ready for you," the prefect said. Vera followed her, taking in everything around. The courtyards, the gardens, even fountains. It all felt too perfect and too far from the life she knew.As they walked, her roommate, Regina caught up with her as she was on her way to the library."So," Regina said, lowering her voice slightly. "You want to know how things really work here right ? I'll tell you"Vera blinked. "Oh really? Thanks "Regina gave a small smile. "Well, this is a prestigious school and there are a lot of things you'll get familiar with the more time you spend here. But there's a major one which is important for you to know, so you can know your boundaries as a scholarship student as well""There are four boys you should know ". Regina continued. "Dylan, Melvin, Jeffery, and Justin."Vera's steps slowed slightly. Dylan. "Dylan…" she repeated softly. Regina nodded. "Yeah. Dylan. You know about Dylan? Vera acted, feigning ignorance, trying to hide her familiarity with Dylan. "Uhm..no. I was just asking " Regina continued," The heir to everything here is Dylan. His family owns the school. His aunt manages it, but everyone knows it's basically his."Vera swallowed. "He's… important?" she asked carefully. "Important?" Regina let out a small laugh. "He's everything here. Top student, Influential and Untouchable."Vera didn't respond. Her heart was beating faster now. Regina continued, her tone a little more serious. "And just so you know… scholarship students don't exactly have it easy here."Vera looked at her. "What do you mean?" "We clean, we serve. We come last for food, for everything. It's… just how things are." Vera nodded slowly. She wasn't surprised, she had seen worse."Dylan and his friends keep it that way," Regina added. "No one challenges them."Vera looked ahead again. Her chest felt tight. I'll be fine, she told herself quietly. I am always. Regina left for the library.The administration office was formal. Some rules, schedules, and words sounded too big and too proper. Vera listened carefully, nodding when needed, holding onto every detail like it was all that mattered. When they handed her schedule, she held it like something precious. The dining hall was loud. Not the kind of loud Vera was used to but something sharper. Trays clinked against tables, chairs scraped the polished floor, and laughter rose and fell in small, confident bursts. Everything moved fast, like everyone already knew where they belonged.Regina leaned closer. "That side? That's where the elite sit." Vera followed her gaze. A group of students sat comfortably, laughing like they owned the space."Dylan sits over there with his friends" Regina said quietly. Pointing to a specifically large table where the elite sat. "They come to the dining hall once in a while if there are important announcements" Regina continued. "When they don't, their meal gets delivered to them in their hostel". Vera's stomach fluttered. She didn't know why. Or maybe she did.They moved to another section. "This is where we sit," Regina added. Vera nodded and sat down, holding her tray carefully. She noticed the difference immediately.Some students were served quickly. Others… waited in line. She was among those who waited in line. But when she finally got her food, she whispered a quiet, "Thank you," and sat down without complaint. Regina who was also a scholarship student sat next to her."Don't expect to meet Dylan," Regina added, leaning forward slightly. "Final year students like him have their own schedules."Vera nodded. Even so…she couldn't help but wonder what he was really like now. A small part of her hoped she would.