A New Beginning
591 Words
Monday morning arrived faster than Evelyn expected.
She stood outside her apartment, staring at the black luxury car parked across the street.
Its polished surface reflected the morning sun.
It looked completely out of place in the neighborhood.
"So..." Ivy folded her arms beside her. "They're seriously sending a chauffeur?"
Evelyn let out a nervous laugh.
"I guess so."
A man in a dark suit stepped out and opened the rear door.
"Good morning, Miss Hart."
"I've been asked to take you to Crestwood Elite High School."
Ivy leaned closer and whispered,
"Okay... this is definitely rich-people behavior."
Evelyn elbowed her lightly.
"Behave."
"I'm behaving."
"No, you're not."
"I haven't even started yet."
The girls laughed as they climbed into the car.
The drive into the city felt unreal.
Glass skyscrapers stretched toward the clouds.
Luxury stores lined the streets.
Everything looked cleaner...
Brighter...
Like a completely different world.
Evelyn rested her chin against the window.
"Do people really live like this?"
Ivy shrugged.
"I don't know."
"But if I ever become rich..."
"I'm buying a bakery."
Evelyn blinked.
"A bakery?"
"Of course."
"Unlimited pastries."
"Think bigger."
"I don't need bigger."
"I need cinnamon rolls."
Evelyn laughed so hard that even the driver smiled to himself.
Twenty minutes later...
The car slowed to a stop.
Beyond the gates stood a campus that looked more like a palace than a school.
Fountains sparkled beneath the morning sun.
Cherry blossom trees lined the pathways.
Students in elegant uniforms chatted as luxury cars arrived one after another.
Above the entrance, silver letters gleamed.
CRESTWOOD ELITE HIGH SCHOOL
Ivy's mouth fell open.
"Tell me that's a university."
The driver smiled.
"No, Miss."
"That's the high school."
She stared for another second.
"I suddenly feel underdressed."
"You say that every morning," Evelyn teased.
"Because I'm usually right."
As soon as Evelyn stepped through the gates, conversations began to quiet.
Students glanced toward the unfamiliar girl.
"Who's she?"
"I've never seen her before."
"Transfer student?"
"She doesn't look rich."
A group of girls standing near the fountain exchanged curious looks.
One of them, dressed in a perfectly tailored uniform with flawless makeup, folded her arms.
She was Vanessa King.
The unofficial queen of Crestwood.
Her eyes swept ov
er Evelyn from head to toe.
"Interesting."
Beside her stood Bianca Monroe, who smirked.
"She looks ordinary."
Vanessa smiled faintly.
"Ordinary girls don't arrive in cars like that."
On the other side, Sophia Lane leaned in.
"You think she's here because of Ethan?"
Vanessa's expression changed.
"No one comes near Ethan."
"No one."
Inside the hallway...
A cheerful voice interrupted Evelyn's thoughts.
"You must be the new student!"
A girl with short hair hurried over, nearly dropping the stack of books in her arms.
"Oh no—"
The books slipped.
Before they could hit the floor, Evelyn caught them one after another.
The girl blinked in surprise.
"...Wow."
"Nice reflexes."
Evelyn handed the books back with a small smile.
"Here."
"Thanks."
"I'm Chloe."
"Chloe Summers."
"I'm Evelyn."
"It's nice to meet you."
Chloe grinned.
"Trust me..."
"...today's going to be unforgettable."
From the second floor, Vanessa watched the exchange.
She slowly turned away.
"Find out everything about the new girl."
Bianca nodded.
"You think she's trouble?"
Vanessa's eyes followed Evelyn down the hallway.
"I don't know yet."
"But something tells me..."
"...she's going to change this school."
At the far end of the corridor, another student quietly closed a locker.
He had heard every word.
Without looking back, he walked away.
No one noticed him.
Not even Evelyn.
- Writer
