It was a fine morning when a carriage rolled to a stop in front of the Howards' modest home, where Louise, an elderly lady, was tending to her flowers.
She paused and turned, catching sight of two imposing bodyguards dressed in regal attire. Their expressions were serious— They meant business.
"How may I assist you, distinguished gentlemen?" Louise asked, her gaze shifting from one of them to the other.
"We're from Lucent Elite Academy, and we have a letter for you," one of the guards replied, handing her a sleek, expensive-looking envelope that resembled a royal invitation.
She scrutinized them with a skeptical look in her green eyes before accepting the letter. As she opened the envelope, she suddenly recalled. "Oh dear, I will not be able to read this," she chuckled.
Then Louise called out, "Sierra! Come out here!"
But there was no response, even as she pressed on.
"Just a moment," she said, earning a slight nod from the bodyguards as she stepped inside her home. Her feet padded across the floor as she made her way to her granddaughter's room and knocked on the door.
Sierra, still asleep, groaned, and Louise entered her room without hesitation. "Wake up, it's morning already. You need to get up," she asserted to her sleepy granddaughter.
"What is it, Grandma?" Sierra mumbled, struggling to pull herself from sleep.
"Two men are outside, and they say they're from… which adacemy was it?" Louise rubbed her temple, then said, "Take this. You can read: What does it mean?" She handed over the letter.
Sierra narrowed her eyes suspiciously as she took the paper from the envelope, catching a whiff of its fragrance. As she scanned the words, her eyes widened in shock, transforming her earlier fatigue into excitement. She squealed with joy, a sound so loud that it startled the birds on their roof, causing them to fly to the sky. The guards outside were shaken as well.
"Grandma! I got accepted to Lucent Elite!" Sierra shouted, jumping to her feet. "Do you have any idea what this means? I'll have the chance to study at the top academy in Averlyn! Isn't that amazing?"
"Yes, dear, that is fantastic news" Louise smiled proudly. "I've always wanted you to become a great woman. If you put in the effort, you'll secure a good job and elevate your position in society—just as your mother always wanted. This is truly good news."
Just then, a deliberate clearing of the throat interrupted them. Louise furrowed her brow; who was intruding on their moment?
She and Sierra walked into the parlor to find the two guards waiting patiently.
"We apologize for the intrusion... Congratulations, Miss Sierra Howard, you're coming with us"
Sierra exchanged an alarmed glance with Louise. "Now?" she asked, clearly taken aback.
The guards nodded in unison.
"Wait, I need to pack!" Sierra exclaimed, her mind racing. "I'll need a lot of things for this." She trailed off.
"All your essentials are waiting for you, Miss Howard. We don't have time to waste," the guard replied firmly.
Sierra's heart raced. "You mean everything's ready for me?"
"If you're not prepared, Miss Howard. You can always decline the offer, and we'll inform the academy," one guard said, his tone leaving no room for negotiation.
Sierra's eyes widened, her heart pounding erratically. "No, no, I accept. I just need…"
"Five minutes, Miss Howard. We leave in five minutes," the guards reiterated, and Sierra nodded frantically before sprinting to her room.
Louise followed quickly, still processing the rapid turn of events.
Together, they packed what Sierra would need, and when they finished, Louise placed a steady hand on her granddaughter's shoulder. "Promise me you'll be good, Sierra. Enjoy yourself, but don't forget where you come from. I'd like it if you could write to me every day about your experiences, and if the adacemy becomes too overwhelming, remember you can always return home. I hate that you're leaving so soon, but your dreams matter more," she urged as time slipped away.
"Yes, Grandma, thank you, I love you," Sierra replied, going in for a hug.
"I love you too," Louise said, returning the embrace.
"And it's an academy, Grandma," Sierra corrected with a smile.
Louise chuckled. "You know better."
Sierra stepped into the carriage, fully aware that she was on her way to Lucent Elite.
With a gentle wave to her grandmother, she settled into her seat as the carriage rolled smoothly away from home.
The two bodyguards flanking her maintained their stern expressions, and she took a moment to compose herself. Her heart raced. This was REAL—Lucent Elite was the top academy in Averlyn, and she had earned a scholarship to study there. It was finally happening.
She had heard about the academy's beauty and its students, predominantly from affluent backgrounds, while many others could never afford to attend. But Sierra had fought her way in on merit, and she was proud of that.
As an introverted girl, she had only known her grandmother; her parents were gone, and she had no friends. In her previous schools, peers had avoided her, labeling her 'boring.' At Lucent, she was going to change that. She was ready to make real friendships, if that was going to be possible—and steer clear of trouble, as she was a trouble magnet in the past.
Sierra was prepared to keep to herself, but she wouldn't settle for loneliness. Having a friend or two was good for her.
Peering out the window, she noticed the landscape changing, heading into a more secluded area with sparse houses.
Upon arrival, she beheld the grand iron gates of Lucent, towering and ornate, the academy crest proudly displayed. As the carriage glided inside, she leaned forward to take in the immaculate surroundings: trees, trimmed bushes, and vibrant flowers. Students in their uniforms roamed the grounds, and excitement sparkled in her eyes.
When the carriage came to a stop, she was allowed to step out. Sierra inhaled Lucent's air, and it was indeed Elite.
The carriage rolled away, and she was left standing with her luggage at her side.
Sierra surveyed the imposing structure of Lucent Elite Academy. The towering stone buildings gleamed, and at the center, a magnificent fountain sent sparkling water dancing in the sunlight. Wide pathways bordered by neatly clipped bushes and elegant trees greeted her. The entire scene exuded an air of wealth, quietude, and a sense of intimidation, as if she had stepped into a different world.
"Take a deep breath. You can do this," she urged herself, clenching her fist to assert her resolve.
However, whispers floated toward her as students ascended the marble steps leading to the building, casting curious and judgmental glances in her direction.
{Is that a Lucent student?}
{What is she wearing?}
{Is that really a dress? My dog has better clothing than hers}
They tittered as they walked past, their laughter ringing in her ears.
Sierra swallowed hard, now aware of her disheveled appearance. She hadn't been allowed to prepare—those men had whisked her straight from her home to Lucent Elite.
Was it her fault?
With determination, she climbed the marble steps, her luggage firmly held by her side.
Upon entering the building, she was awestruck by the grandeur of the hall—massive glass windows, polished marble tiles that reflected her image, towering chandeliers, and elegant pillars reaching toward the soaring ceiling. Students flowed through the space.
The way they carried themselves, it was clear she didn't blend in.
And she sighed internally, this was looking bad for her already.
Knowing she had to reach the administration office to finalize her admission, she felt a flicker of uncertainty—this was her first time here, and she was unfamiliar with the layout.
"Excuse me," she called out to two guys who were approaching with books in their hands.
They eyed her, then glanced away almost immediately her as they continued on their path.
"Could you tell me where the admin office is?" she muttered to herself, biting her lip as she watched them go.
Next, two girls passed by her side, and she called out once more, "Excuse me!" But they merely laughed, ignoring her completely as they walked away.
Frustration bubbled up inside her—was no one going to help her? She just needed directions. The arrogance and rudeness of the other students struck her.
Just then, a loud bell chimed, and Sierra scanned her surroundings, realizing that students were rushing about. "Excuse me, I need to get to the admin's office," she said, moving closer to another student.
"Ew, don't touch me," the girl snapped, glaring at her as she pushed past angrily.
Sierra sighed inwardly. "Looks like I'll have to find it myself," she thought.
She had initially wanted to ask for directions to avoid looking lost, but the people here weren't going to help.
She swiveled on her heels, only to collide hard with a wall—or rather, a person. Gasping as she fell to the ground, her luggage clattered beside her. She raised her head, a small hiss escaping her lips as her gaze locked onto striking blue eyes that narrowed at her in irritation.