The new girl
Loyce Carter stood frozen in front of the enormous school gates, staring at the place that was supposed to become her new home for the next few years.
She tightened her grip around the strap of her bag.
So this was it.
She had finally made it.
Her eyes traveled up the towering gates and toward the massive building visible beyond them.
It was even more intimidating than she had imagined.
A small breath escaped her lips.
She still couldn't believe she was standing here.
Getting into this school hadn't been easy.
Not even close.
The scholarship had been her only chance.
Her father had made that very clear.
"I'm not paying your school fees."
Loyce could still hear his voice in her head.
"Not now. Not ever."
He hadn't cared how badly she wanted to continue her education.
He hadn't cared how hard she had worked.
As far as he was concerned, she was on her own.
So Loyce had worked harder than she had ever worked before.
Late nights.
Countless books.
Exhaustion.
Tears she refused to let anyone see.
She had pushed herself until she finally earned the scholarship.
And now she was here.
Loyce looked at the school again.
A nervous feeling settled in her stomach.
What was college even going to be like?
She had heard stories about this place.
Rich students.
Expensive clothes.
Luxury cars.
Popular students who acted like they owned the school.
And then there was her.
A scholarship student with barely enough money to get through the semester.
Loyce sighed.
She didn't need to become popular.
She didn't need rich friends.
She didn't need anyone's approval.
She only had one goal.
Survive college.
That was it.
Survive.
Get her degree.
And leave.
Her thoughts were interrupted when she felt something pull against her skin.
Loyce looked down at herself.
Her shirt was clinging to her body like chewing gum.
She tugged at the fabric with an annoyed expression.
Then she looked at her skirt.
Her eyes widened.
"This is shorter than I expected."
She pulled the hem down.
It barely helped.
Loyce frowned.
"What kind of school allows students to wear something this short?"
She looked around, wondering if she had somehow misunderstood the dress code.
Before she could think any further, a deep voice interrupted her.
"Miss?"
Loyce looked up.
A security guard stood by the gate, watching her curiously.
"Are you coming in, or are you planning to stand there all day?"
"Oh."
Loyce quickly stepped forward.
"Sorry."
The guard looked at her for a moment before reaching for a piece of paper.
"What's your name?"
"Loyce Carter."
He checked the list in his hand before handing her the paper.
"This is your classroom number."
Loyce took it.
"Thank you."
"And hurry. You're already late."
Her eyes widened.
"Late?"
She looked at the massive building.
Then back at the tiny piece of paper.
Great.
Her first day hadn't even properly started, and she was already late.
Loyce hurried through the gate.
The moment she stepped inside, she stopped.
Her mouth fell slightly open.
The building was enormous.
She had thought it looked massive from outside.
She had been wrong.
It was even bigger from the inside.
Polished marble floors stretched beneath her feet. Huge glass windows allowed sunlight to pour into the enormous halls. Expensive-looking decorations covered the walls, and students moved through the corridors wearing clothes that probably cost more than everything in Loyce's wardrobe.
She swallowed.
"Wow."
This place wasn't a school.
It looked like a palace.
Loyce looked down at the paper in her hand.
"Okay... classroom 4B."
She started walking.
Five minutes later, she was completely lost.
She turned left.
Then right.
Then left again.
Nothing.
"Where is 4B?"
She checked the paper again.
Maybe she had read it wrong.
No.
Definitely 4B.
She continued walking.
The halls seemed to get longer instead of shorter.
Eventually, Loyce stopped.
"I am definitely lost."
She looked around.
There wasn't a single familiar face.
She was about to turn around when she noticed a door at the end of the corridor.
A small number was fixed beside it.
4B.
Loyce's eyes widened.
"Finally."
She hurried toward it.
Her hand reached for the door handle.
She paused.
For some reason, a strange feeling crept over her.
Maybe it was nerves.
Maybe it was instinct.
Either way, she pushed the door open.
And the moment she stepped inside...
Loyce froze.
Every conversation in the room stopped.
Dozens of eyes turned toward her...
