TWO SIDES

LUNA ACADEMY

The morning mist clung to the cobblestones of Astron Station like whispered secrets, and Iris pulled her woolen coat tighter as she wheeled her vintage leather suitcase behind her. The station appeared ordinary enough—wrought iron benches, a few scattered newspaper stands, the distant rumble of approaching trains—but there was something else in the air. Something that made her excited and anxious at the same time. And mind you Iris blade rarely felt this emotions not to speak of feeling them at the same time

"You sure you have everything?" her father asked for the third time, his voice betraying the nervousness he was trying to hide behind his usual stoic demeanor. He carried her trunk effortlessly, though she could see the tension in his shoulders.

"Yes, Dad. We've been over this. Yesterday and today and yes I have my toothbrush" Iris glanced around the platform, noting how few people were actually waiting. For a university train, it seemed oddly empty. "The acceptance letter said to be here by nine, and it's only eight-thirty."

A girl about her age stood near the far end of the platform, her silver hair catching the dim morning light in a way that seemed almost luminescent. She wore a deep purple coat that looked like it belonged in a different century, and when she turned, Iris caught a glimpse of eyes that had a shade of violet. The girl was speaking to what appeared to be her grandmother—a tiny woman with a knowing smile who kept glancing toward the empty tracks with an expression of barely contained excitement.

"Interesting crowd," her father murmured, following her gaze.

Near the station's ornate clock tower, a tall boy with dark skin and intricate braids was saying goodbye to a woman who looked remarkably like him. Shadows seemed to gather around both him and his mother but the moment she blinked it was gone. The early morning light seemed to be playing tricks with her eyes. When he laughed at something his mother said, the sound carried further than it should have, echoing off the station walls with an almost musical quality.

"Luna Academy students," Iris whispered, more to herself than to her father. She'd wondered what her classmates would be like, but seeing them now, she felt a flutter of both excitement and apprehension.

A sharp whistle pierced the morning air, though no train was visible yet. The silver-haired girl immediately perked up, and the boy with the musical laugh began gathering his belongings. From seemingly nowhere, more students began emerging from the station's shadowed corners—some alone, others with family members who looked as if they'd stepped out of old photographs.

There was a petite girl with auburn curls who seemed to be arguing with her suitcase, which appeared to be moving on its own. A lanky boy with wire-rimmed glasses was reading a book that glowed faintly around the edges. And near the information board, a girl with dark hair and paint-stained fingers was sketching something in a leather-bound notebook, her drawing seeming to shimmer and move on the page.

"Dad," Iris said slowly, "what exactly did you know about Luna Academy when you told me to enroll?"

Her father's expression grew distant. "Only that it was... special. That it would help you understand certain things about yourself. I just know that it's unique" He paused, watching as the girl with the living paintings approached them with a warm smile.

"First year?" the artist asked, her voice carrying a slight accent Iris couldn't place. "I'm Celeste. Third year. You look like you're confused. It's written all over your face".

Iris nodded, suddenly feeling very ordinary in her practical jeans and university sweatshirt. "I'm Iris. And yes, I suppose I am."

"Good," Celeste grinned, her dark eyes twinkling with mischief. " You should be. Luna Academy has that first dazzling effect on most people .I've heard rumours that if you're not dazzled and confused at first it means you don't belong. That's a lie actually.

Fair warning though—Luna Academy has a way of changing people. You'll never be quite the same after your first semester."

The whistle sounded again, closer this time, and through the mist, Iris could finally see the train approaching. But this wasn't the sleek modern locomotive she'd expected. Instead, an elegant steam engine emerged from the fog, its deep blue cars trimmed with silver that seemed to catch light that wasn't there. Wisps of what looked like stardust trailed from its smokestack.

"That's our ride," Celeste said cheerfully. "The Luna Express. She only runs to the academy, and she only comes for students who were accepted ."

Iris's father squeezed her shoulder. "I'm proud of you, honey" he said quietly. "And I'll be here when you come home for holidays."

As the train pulled to a stop with a sound like wind chimes, Iris hugged her father tightly, breathing in his familiar scent of coffee and old books. Around them, other students were having similar moments—tearful goodbyes, excited chatter, and in some cases, what appeared to be family members giving last-minute advice about controlling unusual abilities.

"Call me often," her father said, releasing her reluctantly. "And remember—you're stronger than you know. My pretty blazing fire, I'll miss you".

As Iris boarded the train, suitcase in hand, she couldn't help but wonder what adventures awaited her at Luna Academy. Through the window, she watched her father grow smaller on the platform, and felt the first stirrings of a new chapter beginning.

The train pulled away from Astron Station, leaving the Astron city behind, and Iris settled into her seat beside Celeste, ready to discover whatever mysteries Luna Academy held in store.

Just as the train settled into a steady rhythm Celeste began looking around as though in search of something.

"What are you looking for?", Iris had to ask.

" Nothing actually. It's just me having my hopes high that Leo Hayley or Rex would be in the same car with us".

A girl who sat in front of them turned and looked at Celeste with a dream on look.

" Dream on Celeste. Have you ever seen royalty sit with commoners before?", the girl asked.

" You gotta let a girl dream Anna", Celeste replied.

" Who is Leo and Rex?", Iris asked before she could stop herself. And she regretted it the next moment because both girls turned to her as though she had said something alien.

" Girl, have you been living in a cave or something?"

" I just moved to Astron city", she said wanting to clarify.

"Oh, that's why. Anyway those two are like one of the royalties in Luna Academy even Astron city as a whole. So never get on there need side", Anna explained before going back to there business.

Never make enemies of Leo Hayley or Rex, Iris made a mental note .