NINE : OLIVIA

OLIVIA

The student guide was a girl dressed in colour matching stuffs, from her dress to her shoes to her hair accessories and even her glasses.

She also looked bubby. "Hi, I'm Freya. You must be Olivia." She said holding her hand out for a handshake. I shook them immediately, not wanting to come out as rude or whatever.

She smiled wider when I shook her hand, like I’d just passed some invisible test.

“Welcome to Beacon Hills,” Freya said brightly. “Don’t worry, I won’t overwhelm you—okay, maybe a little, but only in a helpful way.”

I laughed softly. “I’ll take helpful.”

She linked her arm with mine like we’d known each other forever and started walking. “First rule here: everyone pretends not to be impressed, but everyone is impressed. Second rule: don’t try too hard. They can smell desperation.”

I blinked. “That’s… oddly comforting.”

“Told you,” she grinned. “You’ll fit in just fine.”

As we walked through the corridors, she pointed out everything with practiced enthusiasm—the honor board, the science wing, the art studios that looked more like mini galleries, the lockers that were somehow sleeker than my old school’s classrooms.

“So,” she said casually, “you live on the estate, right?”

I stiffened for half a second before nodding. “Yeah.”

“Makes sense,” she said. “You’ve got that ‘I live somewhere ridiculous’ calm about you.”

I snorted. “I really don’t.”

She laughed. “You do.”

We stopped in front of my first class. Literature. My favorite—and also the one I was most scared of. The room was already filling up, students talking in low clusters, phones out, confidence dripping from every movement.

Freya leaned closer. “Okay, survival tips. Sit near the middle—not too eager, not invisible. Answer questions if you know the answer. And don’t let anyone intimidate you. Half of them are bluffing.”

I nodded, taking it all in. “Thank you. Really.”

She waved it off. “It’s my job. Also—I like you. You’re quiet, but not in a boring way.”

“That might be the nicest thing anyone’s said to me today.”

“See? Already winning.”

I hesitated, then asked, “Do you… like it here?”

Freya paused, then smiled—this time softer, more honest. “Yeah. It took a while, but yeah. You just have to find your people.”

Her words stuck with me as I took my seat. I chose a desk near the middle, just like she said, and set my bag down. As the bell rang, I glanced out the window briefly, my thoughts drifting—again—to Adrian.

Find your people.

I didn’t know who mine would be yet. I didn’t know where I truly belonged in this polished, intimidating world.

The class filled up seconds after the bell rang. Since the teacher was not yet in, I just concentrated on my phone. Trying to ignore the fact that some people already noticed a new face and were now staring at me.

A woman walked into the class and stood behind the teacher's desk. She looked around and saw me, smiled softly and began to talk.

"Good morning, everyone. How was your weekend? We have a new classmate with us today." She looked at me. "Would you like to introduce yourself?"

I stood and she motioned for me to step to the front of the class, I slowly walked out and turned around facing everyone.

"Good morning, my name is Olivia.” I began, my voice steadier than I felt. I clasped my hands lightly in front of me, forcing myself not to fidget. “I’m new here, and I just moved into the area. I… like literature, music, and reading more books than I probably should.” A small smile tugged at my lips. “I’m looking forward to getting to know everyone.”

There was a brief pause.

Then a little bit of applause, not the rowdy kind, just low but still welcoming.

"Thank you Olivia." The teacher said warmly. "You can take your seat."

I nodded and moved between desks back to mine. Once I took my seat, the teacher wrote her name by the corner of the board. Mrs Hale.

"This week, we’ll be focusing on classical and contemporary literature, with a strong emphasis on critical analysis and discussion.”

Groans followed. Quiet ones. Controlled.

Mrs. Hale smiled knowingly. “Yes, yes. You’ll thank me later.”

I found myself listening, she taught really well that it was enjoyable. Everyone was paying attention, even the ones that groaned earlier.

Time went by and the class was almost over.

"There will be a little assignment project at the end of the month, so next class I will group you all and each groups will have a topic and areas to work on, by balloting." Mrs Hale said.

The bell rang and she left and saying, "See you next class."

I packed my notebook and took out my timetable and map. After going through the map, I saw that my next class was not too far from this one so I got ready to leave the classroom.

Outside in the hallway, it was crowded but not pushy. Everything was just so calm here. I found the next classroom and walked in.

I found a seat by the window because of the amazing view outside, it looked like a botanical garden. The flowers were so vibrant and beautiful.

I sat down slowly, still a little awed by the view outside the window. Sunlight filtered through tall trees, flowers blooming in neat rows, students walking past stone paths like they were part of some carefully designed postcard. It didn’t feel like a school. It felt like a retreat.

I set my bag down and leaned back, letting myself breathe.

Maybe Beacon Hills wouldn’t be so bad after all.

Students filtered in one by one, filling the room with quiet chatter and the soft scrape of chairs. A few glanced my way—curious, subtle, sizing me up—but nothing hostile. No whispers loud enough to sting. No pointed laughter. Just interest.

Interest was okay, as long as it isn't bad. Freya and a girl walked in, Freya noticed me immediately and dragged the other girl with her. Freya took a seat behind me while the girl in front of me. She turned around immediately. "Hi, my name is Mira, I'm Freya's twin sister." She greeted. The two sisters were definitely balls of sunshine.

"Nice to meet you, I'm Olivia." I smiled, at least I have someone to talk to.

"Would you like to sit with us during lunchtime, we have two other friends and our brother." She said.

"Okay,I'd love to." I replied.

The class filled up a minute just before the bl rang and as it rang a man walked into class.

The man who walked in carried himself with quiet authority.

He wasn’t old—maybe mid-thirties—with rolled-up sleeves, a wristwatch, and glasses perched low on his nose. Conversations died down almost instantly as he set his bag on the desk and looked around the room, assessing everyone with sharp but not unkind eyes.His gaze swept the room—and paused on me for half a second longer than necessary.

“A new face,” he noted, not unkindly. “Welcome.”

“Thank you,” I replied softly.

He launched into teaching immediately, like a fired missile. Advanced Biology. The only science subject I enjoyed so much.

Once the class was over, the man walked out without any extra talks. Just announcement that there will be quizzes, assignments and projects for the class.

Mira groaned as we packed our bags. "My head is on fire. I need some ice cream to cool it down." She held her head dramatically.

"Drama Queen, it wasn't that bad." Freya said to her.

We walked out of the classroom together. "What's your next class, Olivia?"Mira asked me.

I took out my timetable and she collected it to read it."Nice, most of your classes are either with me or Freya or the both of us. Next is Calculus, is it too late to quit school?"

"Unfortunately, yes. My dear sister." Freya told her.

As we walked down, my phone pinged and I unlocked it to see a message from Adrian.

Adrian : How is your first day going?