Silvercrest Academy looked even bigger up close.
The gates stood tall and black, polished like they were meant to intimidate anyone who walked through them. Students streamed in and out, all dressed neatly, all looking like they belonged. I tightened my grip on my bag.
"Don't panic," Lia whispered beside me. "Rule number one—act like you know where you're going."
"I don't," I muttered.
She grinned. "Fake it."
Inside, the halls were bright and spotless. Glass walls reflected rows of lockers, notice boards filled with achievements, trophies shining behind locked cases. Every step reminded me of one thing—
High standards.
This was the school my grades had dragged me into.
We stopped at the main hall where new students were being directed. Lia leaned closer to me. "Classes here aren't like normal schools," she said. "Teachers don't chase you. You fall behind once, and they move on without you."
My stomach twisted.
A tall woman with sharp eyes and a calm, commanding presence stepped onto the stage.
"Welcome to Silvercrest Academy," she said. "Here, excellence is not optional. It is expected."
Whispers rippled through the hall.
"You have been selected because you are the best," the woman continued. "But being the best once does not guarantee you will remain so."
I swallowed hard.
After the assembly, Lia dragged me through a maze of hallways to my class. The room fell silent the moment we stepped in.
New girl effect.
I felt dozens of eyes on me—curious, judging, measuring.
"Seat's empty," Lia whispered, pointing to the desk beside hers.
Relief washed over me as I sat down.
The teacher walked in, placed her books on the table, and glanced around the room. "We have a transfer student."
Every eye snapped back to me.
"Introduce yourself."
My throat went dry, but I stood up anyway.
"I'm—" I paused, steadying myself. "I'm here on academic placement."
A few impressed murmurs followed.
The lesson began, fast-paced and intense. Questions were thrown like weapons. I answered when I could, stayed quiet when I wasn't sure. Still, I felt it—
Someone watching me.
I looked up.
Across the room, a boy leaned back in his chair, arms crossed, eyes fixed on me. Not curious. Not impressed.
Interested.
When our eyes met, he didn't look away.
Instead, he smirked.
And for reasons I couldn't explain, my chest tightened—not with fear, but with something dangerously close to anticipation.
The bell rang, snapping me out of it.
Ava nudged me. "You survived."
"Barely," I said.
As we stepped into the hallway, the same boy brushed past me, his shoulder grazing mine.
"Welcome to Silvercrest," he murmured.
I turned to look back, but he was already gone.
I didn't know his name.
I didn't know his story.
But I had a feeling—
Meeting him wasn't part of the plan.
And plans at Silvercrest never failed quietly.