Elara’s POV

"How do people understand this thing?" I groaned, flipping the school brochure upside down, with furrowed brows, while also trying to concentrate but unfortunately, the school corridors just have to be so noisy.

'This academy is going to be the death of me.' I thought, clutching it tightly with my hands and feeling the need to squeeze it but just then, I felt a warm hand on my shoulders and jumped.

"Hello there, Elara." A soft tone greeted me and I froze, my eyes widening in disbelief.

Someone remembered my name?

I slowly turned around to see a girl around my age beaming at me so wide that I wondered if her cheeks weren't hurting her.

"Who are you?" I demanded, frowning at her, before shrugging her hand off my shoulder, suddenly feeling like going to take a bath.

'Couldn't people here just talk without touching or pushing?' I pondered, trying not to wrinkle my nose in disgust.

The girl in front of me kept on smiling despite my being rude, even going as far as swinging both her hands back and forth.

'Weird!' I thought.

"I am Pearl, same class as you." She introduced herself, and I mouthed an "oh," scrutinizing her eyes and still not finding her familiar.

Well, it wasn't like I paid anyone any attention when I was being introduced to them, so it was funny she actually recognized me.

"Okay," I told her dismissively and turned back to glance at my brochure, hoping to sort it out this time and for Pearl to leave.

"You look confused, why don't I help with that?" She suggested and I fought the urge to scoff.

She was just being nice but I didn't need it. Was better off on my own. I had learned in a bitter way nice people were mostly just pretenders.

"It's fine. Thank you, actually getting the hang of it now." I lied, hoping she would take the hint and disappear but no.

"Okay then. How about I show you around since you are new?" She offered and I groaned, dropping the brochure and glaring at her.

Why was she being so stubborn, couldn't she see I wanted her to leave?

I was about to give her a piece of my mind when;

"Well, well, isn't it the omega girl?" A voice snarled behind me, followed by pearls of laughter and I stiffened.

I watched as the smile on Pearl's face disappeared, her eyes twitching as if she was scared before her face twisted into a scowl.

"What do you want, Charlie?" She questioned, and I turned around to see a blonde girl with hazel eyes, throwing me a smirk.

I felt this feeling of dread go through me as we stared at one another. Two girls with blue hair were behind her; theirs arms folded across their chests as they both glared at me.

'Now, what was that for?' I pondered but then shrugged.

"We are not here for you, nerd." The girl Pearl called Charlie sneered, and for some reason, I clenched my hands into fists as anger surged through me.

'What right did she have to call someone a nerd? I wondered as I moved closer to the girl, who obviously didn't expect it because she took a step backward unconsciously, her eyebrows raised at me

"If I were you, I would watch my mouth," I warned, my expression tightening, as I glared at her. 

She was reminding me of those bullies back in the street.

The cold air blew by, and Charlie shivered, her face growing pale but as soon as I blinked, it wiped off.

Rather, she moved closer to me, her head standing tall as she scrutinized me with her eyes like I was some sort of dirt not worthy to be standing in her presence.

She was about to talk when;

"What is going on here?" A soft but deep baritone asked out of nowhere, and we both froze while I looked from the corner of my eyes toward the direction of the voice.

I tried taking a step backwards but my steps faltered as my gaze landed on him. My breath getting caught in my throat.

It was a man, and he had golden blonde hair, a bit tousled, warm, playful amber eyes that seemed full of mischief as he blinked at us.

"I believe I asked a question." He said and Pearl immediately rushed to our front, blocking his view of us.

"My apologies Mr. Westwood. It's just that she is new and Charlie tried to bully..." Pearl had barely completed her sentence when Charlie snorted and then kicked her leg from backward, making Pearl jump forward, about to fall.

My eyes widened, especially when she let out a scream, her eyes shutting quickly as if bracing herself for the impact of the fall when he rushed forward and caught her in his arms.

We all let out a gasp, my heart skipping a beat while Pearl opened her eyes, and when she noticed she was in his arms, her cheeks went red.

"Charlie. To the detention room now." He ordered, his eyes turning strict, leaving no room for otherwise.

Charlie and her bunch of maids all grumbled before doing as said, while I just stood there, trying to take all that was going on in mind.

"You are? Sure I haven't seen you around before." His question brought me back to earth and I was about to reply but;

"Elara Blackwood. Adoptive daughter to Mr. Blackwood." Pearl beat me to it and I stiffened.

His daughter? I wasn't his daughter yet.

"Oh!" Mr. Westwood muttered, a look of disappointment flashing through his eyes before he turned around to leave.

'Weird!' I thought. Just then, everyone's phone pinged, and they all brought it out to check, a look of excitement on their faces as they whispered to one another.

"It's Gossip Girl." Pearl, who had also done the same, cried out, and I narrowed my eyes at her.

"Gossip girl?" I repeated after her before I could stop myself and she nodded briskly, a smile appearing back on her face.