Alice woke up to her first official day at the new school, feeling a mixture of excitement and wonder anticipation. A week had passed since she had moved in, and during that time, she had familiarized herself with the campus, occasionally crossing paths with Charlie, who always greeted her with a friendly smile.

The morning air was crisp as Alice made her way to her first class, her thoughts a whirlwind of what the day might bring. The black uniform she wore, a stark contrast to the higher ranked colors of other students, felt like a badge of difference, yet she wore it with a smile.

As she walked through the bustling corridors, she could feel the curious glances of her new classmates. She heard snippets of whispered conversations, some about her low-ranked uniform, others simply curious about the new face in their midst.

Her first class was a foundational course related to her abilities. The teacher, Mr. Orion Smith, a man known for his stern demeanor but fair teaching methods, introduced her to the class. "Class, this is Alice Willden, a new transfer. Let's make sure she feels welcome."

Alice took a seat near the back, preferring to observe and learn about her classmates from a distance. As the lesson progressed, she found herself engrossed in Mr. Smith’s teachings.

The day continued in a blur of new faces, classes, and corridors. During lunch, she found a quiet spot in the cafeteria. She had hoped to meet her friend but was soon joined by a few curious students, eager to know more about the new girl who stood up to his highness with her unranked uniform.

Her afternoon classes were a mix of academic subjects and practical sessions focusing on the development and control of her abilities. In one such class, she caught the eye of a student who had similar dark blond hair like the guy she was searching for . He gave her a smile, wondering her reasoning of staring at him.

As the final bell rang, signaling the end of the school day, Alice felt a sense of accomplishment. She had navigated her first day with a degree of poise she didn't know she possessed. Her thoughts turned to her brother Marcus, wishing he could see her now, standing strong in a world that was both daunting and full of possibilities.

As Alice was walking back to her dorm room, her eyes caught a familiar figure with dark blond hair  in the distance. Her heart skipped a beat as she recognized her childhood best friend, Alastair Miller. They had lost touch over since they split school, and seeing him here, at this school, was to be expected since he did tell her he would be attending last year..

"Alastair?" Alice called out tentatively, her voice laced with a mix of cheerfulness.

Alastair turned, his face lighting up with recognition and joy. "Alice! Wait ALICE? WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING HERE?"

They rushed towards each other, embracing warmly. The year of separation melted away as they caught up, sharing stories and memories. The connection they had as children was still there, untouched by time.

As they were laughing over a shared childhood memory, the moment was abruptly interrupted by a familiar, unwelcome voice. It was the school prince.

"Well, well, what do we have here?" The boy sneered, eyeing Alice and Alastair with a look of contempt. "Reunion of the nobodies?"

Alice felt her mood shift, the joy of the reunion with Alastair dampened by the boy’s presence. She stood her ground, meeting the boy’s gaze with a calm, unflinching stare.

"Actually, we were having a great time until you showed up," Alice retorted, her voice steady. Alastair stood beside her, his posture indicating he had no intention of having Alice insulted by the school’s prince.

The boy laughed mockingly, "Oh, I'm so scared." He grinned.

Despite the boy's attempts to provoke them, Alice remained calm but annoyed because not of the boy’s attitude, but because he was being a bitch by involving Alastair. Last thing she wanted was to get Alastair into trouble.

"Lawrence, isn't there something more productive you could be doing? Like, I don't know, actually trying to make something of yourself?" Alastair chimed in, his tone laced with a mix of sarcasm and tiredness.

The boy’s face reddened, clearly not expecting resistance. He took a step closer, trying to intimidate them, all he did was stare.

“The name is Noel. Noel Lawrence, unlike I have better things to be doing than wasting my time on the likes of you.” Lawrence voiced, before turning and walking away.

As Lawrence disappeared down the hallway, Alice and Alastair exchanged a relieved look. "Thanks, Alastair ," Alice said, smiling. 

"Always got your back, Alice," Alastair replied with a smile. "Just like old times, huh?"

Alice and Alastair, engrossed in their conversation, walked into the bustling dining hall. The hall was a hive of activity, with students from various ranks and houses mingling, eating, and laughing. The sounds of chatter, the clinking of cutlery, and the occasional burst of laughter filled the air, creating a lively atmosphere.

As they entered, a few heads turned in their direction. Alice's lower-ranked uniform and Alastair's more prominent status made them an unusual pair in the eyes of many. Unfazed by the attention, they found a table in a relatively quiet corner of the hall.

The array of food available was impressive, catering to various tastes and dietary needs. They grabbed their trays and began filling them with an assortment of dishes – roasted vegetables, grilled chicken, a variety of salads, and freshly baked bread.

Once seated, Alice observed the dynamics of the room. "This place is like living a fantasy," she remarked, taking a bite of her salad.

Alastair nodded in agreement. "Yeah, you can tell a lot about the social hierarchy just by looking around. See the table over there with the ornate centerpiece? That's where the high-ranked students and some members of the Student Council usually sit."

Alice's gaze followed Alastair's gesture. "I see. And I guess we're at the other end of that spectrum?"

"Sort of," Alastair said with a reassuring smile. "But don't worry about it. Here, everyone's just trying to enjoy their meal. Plus, you've already made quite the impression."

They continued their meal, discussing various aspects of the school. The conversation soon turned to the Student Council, a topic that seemed to be of interest to many around them.

"Valencia’s Association, our student Council here wields a lot of influence," Alastair explained. "They're involved in decisions about school events, rules, and they even have a say in some of the curriculum matters."

Alice listened intently, her curiosity piqued. "Who's in charge?"

"Gilbert Rivers, fifth year” Alastair replied, his tone indicating his mixed feelings about the Association president. "Then there's fourth years Blake Garfield, Charleston Palms, Mason Anderson, brilliant, top of their class, and genuinely cares about student welfare," Alastair explained. "Then there's Noel Lawrence, the one incharge of athletics, in our year. Lastly second years Quinn Norris and Albert Collin whiz with numbers and are very approachable.”

“Palms? I met him before the year started, and he gave me a tour around the school.” Alice spoke.

“Yeah. Charlie is a great guy, a lovely person to be around. He’s usually prompting the school’s next event, oh hey he’s over there.” Alastair pointed out getting the attention of Charlie, and waving to him.

Alice raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Really? Lawrence... surprising, given his charming personality," she replied dryly.

Alastair chuckled. "Yeah, well, his family has a lot of sway in the Association, and he's got a knack for politics, in a weird sort of way. But it's not all about him. There are other members who are actually dedicated to making the school a better place."

"The Association sounds like a mixed bag," Alice mused. "Some good, some not so much."

"Exactly," Alastair agreed.

Alice's thoughts turned to her own place in this new world. "Do you think it's worth getting involved with the Association, or is it better to stay out of it?"

Alastair pondered for a moment. "It depends on what you want out of your time here. If you're looking to make a difference, or if you end up needing their support, it might be worth considering. Just be prepared for the drama that comes with it."

The conversation then shifted to lighter topics, but Alice's mind was still on the Association. She wondered if perhaps, in time, she might find her influence there, a way to contribute positively to the school community. For now, though, she was rather busy with her own endeavors.