Was Hana correct? She couldn’t be.

We were the worst class in the entire program? How? What made them think that? Not to give myself too much credit, but I’m a classically trained music student. I’ve worked my whole life for this and they rank me the lowest? Was I too stiff on my audition? Did I not have enough charisma? Was my music not good enough? Not pop sounding? 

…Could Mr. James have been right? 

I was thinking by myself in the reading room. It was in an isolated part of the campus so I could let my mind breathe. No offense to Griffin but he tended to stay in his room and I did not want anyone with me at the moment.

I’m not insecure–I’m never insecure! Comparison is the death of joy! 

I heard footsteps outside the reading room. It was a ginger woman. I recognized her from orientation day. I pulled out my notebook to avoid any potential conversation. Hoping she was just walking by.

She wasn’t. She opened the door and walked inside…taking a seat next to me. 

“Hello…” I say, being polite. 

“Good afternoon to you too.” She replied, to the point. She had a European accent but I couldn't point to which country it came from.  She took out a large, leather bound book and started reading. The reading room was big. Why would she choose to sit next to me? 

“It’s a beautiful day out, why not read in the garden? It’s summer after all.” 

“It doesn’t look like you’re outside either.” 

“Oh I just came back inside, had a nice picnic with my class, what class are you in?”

I must’ve been dazed out since I forgot to introduce myself, “I’m Noah, Class D.” 

She gave a small smile, or she was subtly smiling since she sat down, “Wonderful, I’m the leader of Class C myself. I’m Christiana” 

“Congratulations.” I say, curt. She chuckles. 

“I actually overheard your class conversation this morning, I must say…it got me thinking.” 

She overheard us? But I didn’t see anyone around, “What do you mean?”

“You know, about the significance of our class names, after your leader pointed it out it made a lot of sense. Groups competing, ranked by skill, the ability to move classes. It explains why you have celebrities like Ayden and Anora in Class A and I hardly recognized anyone from your class.”

I’m getting less polite, but I still want to hear her out, “I still don’t understand what you’re getting at.” 

“Hasn’t today been awfully quiet, Noah?”

“Yes…?” 

“No teachers anywhere on campus, no RA’s in dorms, not a single class schedule handed out…” 

“Atypical. I know.”

Christiana’s smile dropped as she put her book back in her purse, before she left the reading room, she turns to me, “If you manage to learn more about the class groupings, feel free to find me.” She swung the nurse around her shoulder and left without another word.