CHAPTER TWO
322 Words
The morning air bit at Aria’s cheeks as she pedaled furiously down the winding road leading to Oakhaven Academy. Her bike was a rusted, squeaking blue cruiser—a piece of junk her mother had spent three months saving up to buy from a secondhand shop. It was the only way Aria could get to school, considering every spare penny Comfort made went straight into Aria’s heavy textbook fees and medical supplies. Aria’s legs ached, and her lungs gave a soft, ominous wheeze as she climbed the final hill, but she pushed through. She couldn't be late.
When the large -iron gates of Oakhaven finally loomed into view,
The student parking lot looked less like a high school and more like an elite luxury car showroom. Flashy, polished Porsches, sleek matte-black BMWs, and roaring sports cars idled in rows, driven by teenagers who hadn't worked a single day in their lives. Students stepped out of the vehicles clad in perfectly tailored uniforms, carrying designer leather backpacks and flashing jewelry that could easily pay for Aria’s rent for a year. This was high society, and the air itself smelled like wealth.
Oakhaven Academy wasn't just a school for the rich; it was an institution of excellence. The massive stone buildings housed state-of-the-art departments for every elite discipline—from advanced Science labs and high-end Business hubs to specialized tracks in Home Economics, General Arts, IT, and Visual Arts. Beyond academics, the campus was a breeding ground for prestige. They dominated in everything: football, ballet, music, drama, basketball, and countless other extracurriculars.
Walking through the main foyer was like walking through a museum of triumph. Glass cases lined the hallways, packed to the brim with glittering trophies and awards upon awards. For decades, Oakhaven's bitter rival, Silverwood Prep, had tried everything to usurp the crown, but the Oakhaven Oak Trees always emerged victorious, leaving their rivals in the dust.
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