It was just after seven PM when we returned to the dorms. Despite my attempts to walk back alone, Violet had insisted on accompanying me. According to her, it was the neighborly thing to do.

As we stood in the foyer, waiting for the elevator to arrive, Violet turned to me with a smile. “So, did you enjoy your day today?”

I paused for a moment, reflecting on the events of the day. Despite feeling out of place at times, there were moments I found surprisingly enjoyable. Being around people my age, listening to their conversations, and observing their interactions was a new experience for me. One I hoped to experience again.

“Yeah, I had fun,” I admitted.

Violet’s smile widened. “I’m glad to hear that... What did you think of my friends? I hope they weren’t too bad.”

I considered her question for a moment before responding.

“Your friends seem nice.”

It was true; despite my initial apprehension, her friends had been welcoming and polite throughout the day—especially Chloe and Vanessa.

Violet nodded in agreement. “Though they can be a handful at times, they’re a pretty decent group.”

DING!

The elevator doors slid open and the two of us stepped inside. As the doors closed behind us, I seized the opportunity to ask something that had been on my mind since we left the mall.

“Hey, Violet. How long have you been friends with everyone in your group?”

Violet glanced at me, a thoughtful expression crossing her features. “Well, Nicole and I graduated from the same elementary school. We’ve been friends for a very long time.”

Nicole and Violet’s long-standing friendship didn’t come as much of a surprise to me. From the moment I met them, it was evident they’d known one another for quite some time. They were like sisters.

“What about the others?” I asked. “How long have you known them?”

“Well, I’ve known Alex, Simon, Chloe, and Vanessa for about a month now,” she replied. “We all met shortly before starting at Crestwood.”

Just one month?!

Her response took me by surprise. From what I remembered, the familiarity I’d witnessed between them felt remarkably deep, almost as if they had been friends for years. The fact that they had only met in August was unexpected. It was astonishing...

How could so many people become friends in such a short amount of time?

“Do you mind if I ask you another question?”

Violet shook her head. “Ask away.”

“When we were hanging out earlier, I couldn’t help but notice how you and the others seem to know a lot about this school. How do you all know so much?”

Although it was subtle, I’d caught on to the fact that Violet and her friends seemed to have a solid understanding of the school, despite being just freshmen. They didn’t even bother to conceal it. At one point, her friend Alex even admitted to skipping the entrance ceremony because he believed he already understood how things worked.

Crestwood Academy was notorious for its secrecy, guarding its programs and curriculum like precious treasures. Which made all of this even more intriguing. How did they manage to get their hands on such sensitive information?

Violet’s brows furrowed slightly before she spoke. “Have you ever heard of the Summer Transition Program?”

I shook my head. I had no idea what she was talking about.

“The Transition Program is a month-long program that Crestwood holds every August,” Violet explained. “It’s basically like a summer camp for incoming freshmen, where they get to spend time with each other and learn about the school before the academic year starts.”

A program like that would undoubtedly provide students with valuable insights into the school’s inner workings. But why hadn’t I heard about it before? Wasn’t I also a freshman?

“How come I’ve never heard of this program?”

Violet’s gaze softened as she met my eyes. “Unfortunately, the Transition Program isn’t open to all students. Only students who rank in the top forty receive invitations. It’s kind of like a special privilege for those who did well on the entrance exam.”

“I’m assuming that’s how you met the others? Through this transition program,” I inquired.

“Yeah, that’s how we all became friends... Well, except for Nicole. Like I mentioned earlier, we’ve been friends for a long time.”

“I see...”

In just a few seconds, most of the questions I had, had been answered. Thanks to Violet’s insight, I was beginning to understand how Crestwood functioned. Just like they advertised, this school wanted to prepare us to survive in the real world. The fact that they gave the top forty freshmen the chance to arrive early and familiarize themselves with the school, showed how committed they were to fostering a culture of merit.

There was something else I’d taken notice of. I couldn’t shake the feeling that the school was deliberately trying to create a rift between students. It was only a matter of time before the rest of the grade caught wind of the privileges the top students had received. When that happened, it was inevitable that those in the top forty would find themselves with targets on their backs.

How interesting...

As we stepped out of the elevator and made our way down the hall, Violet cleared her throat. “Doesn’t it bother you that the school didn’t invite you to be part of the transition program?”

I paused for a second to consider her question.

“Hmm... Not, really.”

Violet’s eyebrows shot up in surprise. “Really? I would think most students would feel betrayed, maybe even jealous.”

I understood where she was coming from. To an ordinary student, such a revelation might spark feelings of resentment towards the school for not offering them the same opportunity. It could even stir feelings of envy toward those who were benefiting from privileges they couldn’t access.

But for me, it was different. I wasn’t interested in the privileges or the prestige that came with being a top student. All I wanted was to navigate through high school like any other average student.

“I’m honestly impressed.” A hint of admiration flickered in Violet’s eyes as she regarded me. “Not many people would take the news as well as you have.”

“Why do you think that?”

“Because... I know I’d feel jealous if I was in your shoes.”

I was a little surprised by how honest she was being. Most people wouldn’t admit something like that so casually.

Just as we reached our rooms, Violet stopped as if she’d remembered something. I tried reading her face, noting that she seemed a little anxious.

“Hey, James... Ever since I found out we’re in the same class, I’ve been wanting to talk to you... More specifically, I’d like to ask you for a favor.”

The bright and cheery Violet from moments ago had disappeared. My body stiffened slightly.

“If it’s something I can do, I’ll help.”

“Do you know what a class rep is?”

“More or less...”

The class rep was essentially a student leader chosen to represent their class. They served as a bridge between the teachers and the students, ensuring effective communication and cooperation within the class.

“Uh, well you see... I’m aiming to become the class representative for our class. But to do that, I need nominations from at least five classmates... Perhaps, could you consider nominating me?”

Her request caught me a bit by surprise. Even though classes hadn’t started, she already had a well-defined objective in sight. It was quite impressive. I couldn’t help but wonder what had motivated her to pursue the role of class representative. It was by no means an easy job.

“So... Can I count on you?” she asked again.

“I don’t see a problem with that. You have my vote.”

Violet let out a sigh of relief. “Thank you, James. I honestly appreciate it.”

“No worries.”

“I knew I could count on you. I had the feeling you’d be a nice guy... If you ever need help with anything, feel free to let me know.”

“Oh, okay.”

With that, we bid each other goodnight and went into our rooms.

* * *

September 2. The first day of class.

I was walking down the sidewalk when I spotted two first-year girls ahead of me. They were chatting with one another. Even though I didn’t know their names, I recognized their faces. They’d been sitting behind me during the entrance ceremony.

For a second, I wondered if I should try talking to them, but then decided against it. Since the two girls seemed to be happily chatting, barging in might have seemed rude. Not to mention, I wasn’t exactly bursting with the courage to strike up a conversation. If you hadn’t noticed, I wasn’t exactly proficient at small talk. Or socializing, for that matter.

Yesterday had been an exception. Without Violet’s help, my name would still be a mystery to everyone.

Even so, I was starting to understand why I found it so difficult to engage with kids my age. It was the same reason I struggled to relate to them. In simple terms, I just didn’t possess the same sense of normalcy as everyone else. Which wasn’t surprising, considering the environment I was raised in.

My life had been far from ordinary before arriving at this school. The place I came from was a place where the strong ruled and the weak perished. Things like feelings, dreams, or relationships were seen as nuisances...

GROWL!

I was walking through the school’s entrance when a pang of hunger gnawed at my stomach. With all my thoughts tangled up in how my first day of classes would play out, I’d completely forgotten to eat breakfast. The realization hit me with a wave of irritation, but there was no time to dwell on it now.

My eyes landed on a vending machine nearby, and I headed straight for it. Swiping my ID card, I quickly punched in the code for a chocolate milk protein shake. Even though it wasn’t the most satisfying breakfast, it would have to do for now.

Class 1-C.

As I stepped into the classroom, my heart fluttered nervously in my chest. The room was already half full, the buzz of conversation filling the air.

Closing the door behind me, I made my way toward the desk with my name on it. It was situated at the far side of the room, in the middle row, three seats from the window.

As I settled into my seat, I couldn’t help but notice the camaraderie among my classmates. Most of them were chatting animatedly with each other as if they were old friends. It was a stark contrast to my solitary presence.

Why do I feel like I’m being left out? Maybe I should try talking to someone...

After scanning the classroom briefly, my eyes settled on the boy sitting directly in front of me. Dark strands of hair fell gracefully past his shoulders as he leaned over his phone, completely absorbed in a game.

While the rest of the class buzzed with lively conversations, he seemed to be wrapped in his own little universe. For once, there seemed to be no obstacle preventing me from starting a conversation. Maybe this was my chance to talk to someone.

That settles it! I’m going to do it. I’m going to introduce myself...

Just as I opened my mouth to speak, I noticed a pair of long white cords dangling from his ears. He was wearing earbuds.

A wave of disappointment washed over me, followed by a familiar sense of self-doubt.

With a heavy sigh, I sank back into my seat, resigning myself to a day of silent observation from the sidelines. It seemed like my high school life was set to be rather bleak.

"Sigh... What an unpleasant coincidence.”

I was so wrapped up in my thoughts that it took me a moment to notice someone had settled into the seat next to mine. Turning slightly, I saw a girl with long brown hair and piercing brown eyes. Nicole.