Fionna Ramos slouched in her creaky wooden chair in the back corner of the classroom, her silver-blonde hair spilling over the desk like a curtain. The hum of fluorescent lights and the faint chatter of her classmates faded as her eyelids grew heavy, her head dipping forward until it rested on her folded arms.
Exhaustion clung to her like a shadow,she hadn't slept well, haunted by strange dreams of howling wolves and a burning fire. Her fair skin looked paler than usual, her green eyes hidden behind closed lids as she drifted into a light nap, her soft breaths barely audible.
Beside her, Cynthia Hathaway, her best friend with a mess of curly brown hair and warm hazel eyes, noticed Fionna's slump. Cynthia leaned over, her denim jacket rustling, and tapped Fionna's shoulder gently with her finger.
"Fionna."
She whispered, her voice soft but insistent. No response. She tapped again, a little harder, her bracelets jingling faintly.
"Fionna!"
Still nothing. With a worried frown, Cynthia gave a firmer nudge, her voice rising just above a whisper.
"Fionna, wake up!"
Fionna jolted upright, her green eyes blinking rapidly as she shook off the haze. Her hair fell messily around her face and she rubbed her neck, wincing at the crick from her awkward nap.
"What's going on?"
She mumbled, her voice groggy. Cynthia's gaze softened with concern, but she pointed toward the front of the room.
"Sit up straight, girl. Headmaster Matthew's coming in."
Fionna straightened in her seat, smoothing her faded sweater and turned her eyes to the chalkboard at the front. Cynthia kept glancing at her, worrying about creasing her brow.
"You okay?"
She whispered, but Fionna just nodded, forcing a weak smile.
The classroom door swung open, and Headmaster Matthew strode in, his gray suit crisp and his bald head catching the light. His stern face scanned the room, silencing the students' chatter.
"Listen up."
He said, his voice booming.
"After break, I want everyone back in this classroom immediately. We've got a new student transferring in, and he'll be joining this class."
The room buzzed with curiosity, a few kids whispering guesses about who it could be.
"Okay, Headmaster Matthew."
They chorused unevenly, some voices eager, others bored. He gave a curt nod and left, the door clicking shut behind him.
Minutes later, the school bell clanged, a sharp and metallic ring that echoed through the halls. Students poured out of classrooms, a flood of sneakers squeaking on linoleum as they headed for the cafeteria.
Fionna grabbed her tray, her stomach growling and she followed Cynthia through the crowded line. They were loaded up with soggy fries and questionable meatloaf, the smell of grease heavy in the air. At a corner table, Cynthia plopped down and leaned in, her eyes bright with excitement.
"So, who do you think this new kid is? Bet it's some rich guy from out of town. Maybe he's cute!"
She teased, poking Fionna's arm.
Fionna's face, still heavy with sleep, barely reacted. She pushed her fries around her plate, her mind foggy. Cynthia tilted her head, her smile fading.
"Hey, what's wrong? You look out of it. You okay?"
Fionna forced another smile, her lips tight.
"Yeah, I'm fine. Just tired."
She nodded toward the table.
"Come on, let's sit and eat."
Cynthia shrugged, unconvinced written all over her expression.
"Okay then."
As Fionna turned to head to their usual spot, a shoulder slammed into her, hard. Her tray tipped, and her lunch splattered onto the cafeteria floor,fries scattering, meatloaf landing with a wet smack. Fionna froze, staring at the mess, her heart sinking.
She looked up to see Rose Bradford smirking, her glossy lips curled, her perfectly styled blonde hair bouncing as she tossed her head. Anna Roberts and Queen Williams flanked her, their matching sneers like a pack of hyenas.
"Oh, sorry about your food, Fionna."
Rose said, her voice dripping with fake sweetness. She glanced back at her minions, and the three burst into laughter, high-pitched and cruel, drawing every eye in the cafeteria.
"Guess you can't buy another one, huh?"
Rose taunted, stepping closer.
"Everyone knows your family's dirt poor. Bet you're used to eating off the floor."
Anna snickered, adding,
"Yeah, cursed girl, go scrape it up."
Queen chimed in.
"Maybe your buddy buddy will share her scraps with you."
Fionna's hands clenched at her sides, her eyes fixed on the ruined food as their words cut deep. Anger bubbled inside her, hot and unfamiliar, her chest tightening like something wild was clawing to get out. She wanted to scream, to shove Rose back, but her throat locked up.
Cynthia stepped forward, her face flushed with fury.
"What's your problem, Rose?"
She snapped, planting herself between Fionna and the trio. Rose's eyes narrowed, and she raised her hand, aiming a slap at Cynthia's cheek. Before it could land, Fionna's hand shot out, catching Rose's wrist mid-air.
Her grip was iron-tight, stronger than she realized, and Rose yelped, her smug expression twisting into a wince.
"Let go!"
She whined, tugging uselessly. The cafeteria fell silent, all eyes on them. Fionna's anger flared brighter, but just as quickly, it faded, replaced by a wave of panic. She released Rose, grabbed a juice box from a nearby table, and bolted out the door, her sneakers pounding the floor.
"Fionna!"
Cynthia called, running after her.
Rose stood clutching her wrist, tears welling as a red mark bloomed on her skin from Fionna's grip. She glared at the door, her voice a low hiss.
"She'll pay for that."
The bell rang again, its shrill cry calling everyone back to class. Students shuffled into the classroom, Rose and her minions straggling in last. Rose's wrist was wrapped in a dramatic bandage, her face a mask of fake pain as she whispered to Anna and Queen.
"That freak's gonna regret touching me."
She muttered, settling into her seat with a scowl. The room buzzed with restless energy, everyone curious about the new student.
Headmaster Matthew walked in, his shoes clicking on the floor, followed by a tall boy with chocolate-brown hair and striking blue eyes.
"Alright, everyone."
Mr Matthew announced, gesturing to the newcomer.
"This is David Phillip, the transfer student I mentioned."
The classroom erupted in murmurs,girls whispering about his sharp jawline and easy confidence, boys sizing him up.
"He's so cute."
One girl giggled.
"Total heartthrob."
Another whispered. Rose, already primping, touched up her lip gloss and turned to her minions.
"He's mine."
She declared, her voice smug as she flipped her hair.
Cynthia nudged Fionna, who'd returned to her seat, her face still pale.
"Check out the new guy. He's kinda cute, right?"
Fionna glanced up, her eyes locking on David. Her breath caught, and her vision blurred as a deep, primal voice growled in her mind,a woman's voice, fierce and otherworldly.
'Yes, he's the one. Our true mate.'
Her eyes widened, her heart racing as she pressed her hands to her ears, trying to block out the sound. The classroom spun. Without a word, she shot up from her seat, chair scraping loudly, and ran for the door, her silver hair trailing behind her like a ghost.
The room fell into stunned silence, all eyes on the door she'd fled through.
"What's wrong with her?"
Someone whispered. Rose leaned toward Anna
and Queen, smirking.
"What's up with that freak now?"
She scoffed. Cynthia, ignoring them, stood and hurried after Fionna, her face tight with worry, leaving the class buzzing with gossip and David's calm gaze lingering on the empty doorway.