As the days turned into weeks, Alice found herself gradually integrating into the rhythm of school life. Her initial apprehension fading away, replaced by a newfound sense of belonging. One significant change was the friendships she was starting to form in her classes.

In her foundational abilities class, she connected with a girl named Tina, who shared Alice's honesty and intelligence. Tina, with her bright green eyes and infectious looks. They would often be seen together, poring over textbooks and discussing various theories.

Then there was Lillian , a tall, lanky boy with a sharp wit, in her history class. He had a knack for making even the driest of topics amusing, and his easy going nature made him a popular figure. Despite his popularity, Lillian chose to spend his time with Alice and Tina, drawn to their genuine personalities.

During lunch breaks, Alice, Tina, and Lillian would gather under a large oak tree in the courtyard. They shared stories, snacks, and sometimes, their personal dreams and fears. Alice found herself being more comfortable and opening up to them, sharing bits about her life before the school and her aspirations for the future.

One particular afternoon, as they sat enjoying the warm sunshine, Tina broached a subject that had been on her mind. "Alice, how do you deal with all the attention?"

Alice shrugged, a small smile on her face. "I just try to focus on what's important – my studies, my friends, and trying to make the most out of my time here."

Lillian chuckled.. "But you handle it well. We admire that about you."

She felt a sense of camaraderie with them, a feeling that she wasn't alone in navigating the complexities of school life.

They were her anchor in this new environment. With them, she could laugh, share her thoughts, and just be herself.

It wasn't just about making friends; it was about building a small community within the larger, often chaotic world of the school. And as she looked at Tina and Lillian, laughing at a joke Lillian had just made, Alice felt a profound sense of gratitude. She had found her people, and with them, she wouldn’t have to run away like last time.

The lunch break was usually a time for relaxation and camaraderie, but today, it took an unexpected turn for Alice. As she sat under the oak tree with Tina and Lillian, a school attendant approached, carrying a large, beautiful bouquet of flowers. The attendant handed the bouquet to Alice. 

The arrival of the flowers at lunch caused an immediate stir among the students. The bouquet of red roses, vibrant and fresh, sat prominently on Alice's table, a card attached with the name "Alastair" elegantly written on it. Whispers and curious glances filled the cafeteria, but Alice’s reaction was far from the expected delight or embarrassment.

This had to be Noel's doing, a twisted way to mock her for her protective stance towards Alastair, Alastair would never send her rose knowing the meaning behind them was deeper than a blade to the chest.. With anger boiling within her, she stormed across the cafeteria towards Noel, who was sitting with his usual entourage.

Noel looked up, surprised as Alice approached. His expression quickly turned to amusement as he took in her furious demeanor. 

"What's got you so riled up, Alice?" he asked with a smirk.

The cafeteria fell into a hush, the attention of everyone present now fixed on the unfolding scene.

"You think this is funny? Sending me flowers as if you’re Alastair, trying to mock me? You’re pathetic," she continued, her eyes blazing. 

"But let me make one thing very clear. Try to mess with me, and you'll regret it. Everyone who messes with me…"

The entire lunch hall had gone silent, all eyes on the unfolding drama. Noel looked genuinely taken aback, his usual cocky demeanor replaced by confusion. "Alice, what are you talking about?" he asked, a hint of sincerity in his voice that she hadn't expected.

"You think I'm just letting you talk down to me because you're a high rank, or because you think you actually scare me?" Alice's voice rose with each word. "Use your brain, Noel, and stay the fuck away from me."

With that, she turned on her heel and stormed out of the cafeteria, leaving a stunned silence in her wake. Noel sat there, baffled, his friends equally confused. Whispers erupted among the students, the incident already morphing into the next big gossip.

The aftermath of the confrontation in the cafeteria rippled through the school, creating an air of tension and speculation. Rumors and theories about the origin of the roses and the reason behind Alice's outburst circulated wildly. Meanwhile, Alice found herself struggling to control the tempest of emotions that the incident had stirred within her.

As the day progressed, a surprising development unfolded. Alastair, having heard about the incident, approached Alice with a mix of concern and confusion. "Alice, I need to talk to you about the roses," he said, his tone serious.

Alice braced herself for another misunderstanding, her defenses already up. "What about them?" she asked, her voice sharp.

Alastair took a deep breath. "I sent them," he admitted, looking into her eyes. "I totally forgot about the meaning of the roses for you , I’m terribly sorry."

Alice was taken aback, her anger dissipating as quickly as it had flared. "You sent them?" she repeated, her mind racing to process this new information.

"Yes,. I'm sorry, Alice. I never meant to upset you," Alastair explained earnestly.

Alice's emotions shifted from anger to embarrassment and then to a soft, unexpected warmth. She let out a small laugh, more at herself than anything. "I thought... I thought Noel I didn't realize..." Her voice trailed off.

Alastair smiled gently. "I’m even more sorry, I couldn’t believe it, I felt partly guilty for the scolding Lawrence got."

The revelation brought a sense of relief to Alice, but also a newfound appreciation for Alastair's gesture. "Oh Ali.."

Alice marched into the Association room, a room that resonated with prestige and power, usually reserved for the elite members. Her steps echoed in the otherwise silent space as she locked the door behind her, her gaze firmly set on Noel, who was seated at the grand table in the center.

Noel's eyes narrowed as he watched her approach. The audacity of her entering this sanctum, a place where only the chosen few of the Association were allowed, irritated him. The click of the lock sounded almost like a challenge to his authority.

"What the hell do you think you're doing, Alice?" Noel's voice was a mix of anger and disbelief. He remained seated, his posture rigid, a clear sign of his attempt to maintain control.

Alice didn't waver. "We need to talk, Noel. No interruptions. Just you and me."

An incredulous laugh escaped Noel. "You think you have the right to demand a private audience with me?"

Ignoring his sarcasm, Alice started, "About the flowers—"

"I don't give a damn about the flowers!" Noel cut her off sharply, slamming his hand on the table. His anger was palpable. "What I want to know is why you think you're so different. Why do you walk into this school and act like you don't have to follow the same rules as everyone else?"

Alice remained calm, meeting his fury with an unwavering gaze. "Is that what bothers you, Noel? That I don't fit into your idea of how things should be?"

"Yes!" Noel stood up abruptly, his chair scraping loudly against the floor. "You come in here, interacting with high tiers as if you're not afraid, as if you belong among us. What makes you so special? What makes you think you can just ignore the hierarchy that everyone else respects?"

Alice took a step closer. "Maybe the problem isn't with me not following the rules. Maybe the problem is with the rules themselves. Why should fear and intimidation be the norm?"

Noel's face twisted with anger. "You have no idea what you're talking about. You think you can just waltz in and change things? You're nothing but a—"

"But what, Noel?" Alice interjected. "A low tier? A bitch? Or just someone who's not afraid to stand up to you?"

Noel glared at her, his breathing heavy. "You're playing a dangerous game, Alice. You think you're making a difference, but you're just making a target of yourself."

Alice's expression softened slightly. "Maybe. But if standing up for what I believe in makes me a target, then so be it. I'd rather be a target for doing the right thing than be safe by doing nothing."

There was a tense silence as the two faced off, their ideologies clashing in the quiet of the room.

Finally, Alice turned towards the door. "I thought you might understand, Noel. But I see now that you're too caught up in your own power to see anything clearly."

Alice paused at the door, her hand on the handle, and glanced back at Noel. Her expression was a mix of understanding. "I used to be like you, Noel. Angry at the world. But all it brought me was pain and suffering."

Noel, still standing rigidly by the table, scoffed at her words. "We're nothing alike," he retorted sharply.

"You're right, we're not alike. Not anymore." Alice's voice was low, imbued with a sense of reflection. "But I see the anger in you, Noel. The same anger that once consumed me. It's a destructive force. It blinds you, isolates you."

Noel's expression hardened. "You think you know me? You think you understand what drives me?"

"I don't claim to know all of you, Noel," Alice replied calmly. "But I see the burden of that anger. I've carried it myself. It's a heavy weight, one that eventually drags you down into a place where you can't see anything but your own rage."

Noel turned away, looking out the window. His posture betrayed a hint of vulnerability, a crack in his otherwise impenetrable façade. "You don't know anything," he muttered, almost to himself.

Alice slowly approached him. "Maybe I don't. But I do know that living with that kind of anger is exhausting. It eats away at you, leaving you feeling empty and alone."

Noel remained silent, his gaze fixed on the world outside, a world where he had always felt the need to assert his dominance, to hide any sign of weakness.

Alice continued, her voice softer now. "It doesn't have to be that way, Noel. You can choose a different path. One that's not defined by anger or the need to control everything."

Noel turned to face her, his eyes a mix of defiance and curiosity. "And what path is that?"

Alice sighed, recognizing the futility of trying to reach him at that moment. "I hope one day you'll see that there's more to life than anger and control, Noel. Until then, I'll be here, doing what I believe is right."

With those final words, she opened the door "For what it's worth, I wouldn't send flowers. That's not my style." Noel finally spoke.

As she walked away, Noel's voice followed her. "Alice," he called out, a hint of something indefinable in his tone.

She stopped but didn't turn around, waiting.

"You're not like the others," he said, his voice lower, lacking its usual edge. "That's all."