Three hours. That's how long it took to leave my world behind.
Braywick, with its narrow cobbled streets and crooked rooftops, shrank to a memory as Dad's rusty sedan rolled further into the countryside.
After I woke up, I had spent most of the drive with my forehead pressed against the window, watching as farmland gave way to winding roads that cut through forests like green waves.
And then, suddenly, we were there, and my eyes widened.
Moonveil Academy wasn't just big, it was magnificent.
The main building rose up like something from a fairytale, all dark stone towers and sweeping arches, with spires that kissed the clouds. White marble statues, wolves, I realized, stood guard along the path, their sharp eyes seeming to follow me as we drove through the wrought-iron gates.
"Whoa," I whispered, my breath fogging the glass. My mouth actually fell open, and I couldn't help it.
Next to me, Mom laughed softly, her hand covering her mouth. "Close your mouth, sweetheart, you'll catch flies."
"I—" I tore my gaze from the towering academy. "This place is… it's insane. I knew it would be, but wow."
"Insane expensive, more like," Dad muttered, squinting at the map he had printed out. He had his reading glasses shoved low on his nose, tracing the route with his finger like we were trying to navigate through another country. Which, honestly, it felt like we were.
Students were everywhere, strolling along the manicured gardens and walkways. They looked like they'd stepped out of a glossy magazine, dressed in tailored coats, cashmere sweaters, shiny leather shoes that clicked against the stone.
A group of girls passed us, laughing like wind chimes, their jewelry catching the sunlight. They glanced at our battered sedan with polite confusion before gliding past.
I sank lower in my seat, clutching my tote bag.
"Alright," Dad said, tapping the steering wheel. "If this map's right, that big fancy building over there should be the female dorms."
I leaned forward, following his gaze. A sprawling structure sat just off to the right of the main academy, with white balconies and ivy climbing the walls. It looked like an upscale hotel.
"Should we park?" Mom asked.
"Yeah. Let's go make our girl official." Dad pulled into the guest parking lot, which was lined with luxury cars so shiny they looked like mirrors. Our car groaned like it was embarrassed to be there.
We spent the next few minutes unloading my things. I tried not to notice the curious looks from passing students as I heaved my duffel over my shoulder. Compared to their designer luggage sets, my mismatched bags looked like they'd been rescued from a thrift store clearance bin.
"Don't stare at them," Dad murmured, struggling with my biggest suitcase. "Just hold your head high. You got in here fair and square, so you can do it."
"Dad," I said with a small laugh, "you don't have to go all motivational speech on me."
"I can't help it," he grinned. "This place looks amazing."
We made our way toward the check-in station, a long wooden table near the dorm entrance. Behind it, a staff member handed out keys and schedules while students lined up, chatting and laughing.
I was halfway through the line when I felt someone watching me.
"Hi there," a warm voice said.
I turned and froze.
The girl standing in front of me was, well, she looked like she belonged on the cover of a fantasy novel. Her hair was a cascade of coppery-red waves, her skin pale and glowing, and her eyes… bright blue, like sunlight on water. She smiled at me, and I instantly felt less awkward.
"You have the prettiest gray eyes," she said without hesitation. "They look amazing with your dark hair."
"Uh—" I blinked. "Thanks?" I definitely wasn't expecting a student here to like anything about me. "I'm Maeve."
"Freya," she said, offering her hand with a friendly grin. "Are you new too?"
I nodded, and relief loosened the knot in my stomach. "Yeah. First time here."
She glanced at the bags piled next to my feet. "Same. Want a hand getting them to your room? I already checked in."
Before I could answer, Mom practically jumped in. "Oh, that would be wonderful. Maeve, isn't she sweet?"
"Uh, yeah," I said, smiling nervously. "Thanks, Freya."
When it was my turn to check in, I signed my name and was handed a sleek keycard with "G-12" printed on it.
"Ground floor," Freya said, peeking at my key. "Lucky! We're roommates. We won't have to drag your stuff up the stairs."
Mom's face crumpled. "Oh, Maeve," she whispered, pulling me into her arms. "I'm so proud of you, honey." She kissed my face over and over, her tears leaving damp marks on my cheeks.
"Mom," I mumbled, laughing a little even as my chest tightened. "You're embarrassing me."
"I don't care," she said, holding me tighter. "My baby girl, going to the best academy in the country…"
Dad stepped in, hugging me with one arm while clapping me on the back. "Never forget that we love you, Maeve. Go make us proud, okay?"
I swallowed hard and nodded, my throat too tight for words.
"Alright, alright," Dad said gruffly, pulling Mom away. "We'd better get going before your mother floods the entire dorm."
Freya grinned. "I'll take good care of her, promise."
~
Inside, Moonveil's dormitory was nothing like I expected. The hallways were lined with plush red carpets, and the walls were decorated with oil paintings of stern-looking figures in elaborate clothes. Crystal chandeliers dripped from the ceilings, scattering soft light across the polished wood.
And the girls.
Everywhere we went, I felt their eyes on me. Their whispers followed me like smoke, soft and biting. My thrift-store jacket and scuffed sneakers felt like neon signs screaming outsider.
"Just ignore them," Freya murmured, walking beside me with effortless grace. "They like to size up the new girls. It's all bark, no bite."
"Right," I muttered, though my cheeks burned.
We reached a wooden door marked "12" at the end of the hallway. Freya swiped her keycard and pushed it open.
The room inside made my jaw drop.
It was huge, easily the size of our entire living room back home. Two canopy beds sat against opposite walls, draped in silver and cream linens. A crystal chandelier hung from the ceiling, and the windows stretched nearly floor-to-ceiling, offering a breathtaking view of the academy gardens.
There was even a small sitting area with velvet chairs and a marble table.
"Welcome to our room," Freya said with a grin.
I turned to her, stunned. "Wait… this is for just two people?"
"Crazy, right?" She laughed. "I guess Moonveil doesn't do small."
I set my bag down, running my fingers over the polished wood of my desk. It smelled faintly of lavender and rose.
"This is… amazing," I breathed.
Freya flopped onto her bed, propping herself up on her elbows. "You'll get used to it. Trust me, Maeve, we're going to have the best year ever."
I chuckled, looking at the ceiling.
"I don't doubt it."