Midnight

Chapter 1

"Alice! Hurry up! We're going to be late!"

UGH! That's why I don't want to go to school with this loud-mouth Celine. She's always worrying about being late. So what if I skip a subject or two? It's not like they could fail me anyway. 

They'll lose their job if they do that. My family, the oh-so-great "Winter" family, is one of the 2 families that founded this school, Academia de Elite.

The school has a special system, they choose the top among the top students, and are bestowed the title of "Privileged". They are the elites among the school. The criteria are simple actually, I wonder why there are only 10 of us given the title. There are only 2 criteria, and if you pass them you can be a Privileged. First, you need to ace all your subjects; and lastly, you must be personally acknowledged by the Faculty, Board of Directors, Headmaster Oliver Williams, and the stamp of approval from both the heads of the family that founded the academy. My grandfather Clark White, and his best friend and business partner, Frederick Sullivan are the founders of the academy.

They aim to train outstanding students from high-society to low-society families and scout them to bring them to work in their companies. 

Every Privileged are granted an Aid, they serve us as our assistants and they are candidates to become Privileged themselves. To become an Aid you must be seen as a potential Privileged, therefore excel in academics.

 At least 1 Aid assists a Privileged. The maximum number of Aid a Privileged can acquire is 3. The number of Aid a Privileged needs would depend on the workload of the Privileged. Be it organizing clubs, facilitating the school, going outside the campus to oversee the business connected with the school and the organizations that the students participate in.

 Because the students of this academy are trained to be employees of our company and other partner companies, we let them participate in the activities of the outside world and let them experience it first hand. We partner each club and organization with the respective companies that can help them gain experience on how the real world works.

I had 2 Aids. One was transferred to another Privileged.

Due to his incompetence to keep up with my work he requested to be transferred to another Privileged, and here I am now. I lack the staff to assist me with my paperwork, the table in my office is always filled with papers waiting to be signed.

Who cares, it's not my loss. Besides, the one who left was useless anyway. Martin Sullivan, my other Aid, one of the grandsons of Mr. Sullivan, has been with me for a year now. He has already proven himself worthy.

"OKAY! I'm almost done." I checked myself at the mirror as I shouted. Perfect.

I made my way downstairs with the maid following behind me, holding my handbag. 

"You're so loud. Why are you here anyway? It's Valentine's Day." I asked as I walked down the stairs. She was waiting at the last flight of stairs.

"Well, duh! To eat your chocolates, of course. I know you'll throw it all away anyway. It's such a waste." She rolled her eyes as she said that.

"You pig," I teased her, "it's not like you won't receive anything. I know many students also give you chocolates and other gifts every year." I rolled my eyes at her, "I throw it all away because you'll never know what's in it. Given by people you don't even know existed in the first place. If I know, they might be putting poison in it or something."

"That's scary, stop saying that, or I won't be able to eat it later. Well, you know what they say, food tastes better when FREE." she shrugged as she replied. Is her family having a financial crisis that  I don't know about? She's always been like this since we were kids. It's not as if she or her family lacks money. Her family is almost on par with mine. Her frugality will always be a mystery to me.

We headed outside the mansion, where the driver was waiting for us. The maids were lined up outside as they bowed to me. Peasants. I crinkled my nose as I walked past them. I held my head higher because I know I'm better than them: looks, body, wealth, and intelligence. I have it all. 

"Good morning, Miss Alice." greeted the driver as I was approaching the vehicle. I glanced at him and nodded, "Good morning, Miss Celine." as she noticed Alice following behind me, she was smiling at the maids. Rael has been my driver since elementary school, so I cut him some slack.

We set out on our way to school. The trees lined up the road as we made our way out of the estate. 30 minutes later, the school gate was now in sight. As the students noticed the car, they made way for the center path. Yes, you lowlifes. Make way for I have arrived.

The students are lined up on the sides. Some girls are squealing as they saw my car pulling over at the gate. 

"OMG! It's Goddess Alice! and she's with Miss Celine too!"

"Seeing a Privileged first thing in the morning, and 2 of them to boot. I've been blessed."

"They're both so pretty, but Alice is prettier."

"I know right!"

I made my way out of the car and gracefully walked between the path that they have made as they stand on the sides. I walked confidently, feeling the weight of my status on my shoulders.

I am Alice Winter. Heir of the Winter Corporation, and I am a Privileged.

NO ONE CAN STAND IN MY WAY.

NO ONE.