I just stood there, my legs frozen. My heart felt numb and cold. I was so shocked, I thought something was maybe changing with him but I was too eager, too generous. I should have known he'd never change or treat me the same as any other student here.

I looked at the digital clock to my right and knew I just needed to get to bed. I take a deep breath in to try and calm my heart and head down and I turn my body to the door to room thirty seven. My hand touches the cold handle and I push the door open. The room was quiet and thank god no one was up and awake and listening to the conversation I was just involved in.

All of the girls were asleep as I creep forward silently, trying my best to stay quiet. I tip toe to my bed and grabbed my pj's out of my bag and head towards the bathroom. Thankfully the bathroom door was already open and I swiftly move into the cold room and quietly shut the door.

The bathroom was even colder than the main room, the white tiles that my feet were splaying on were freezing to touch. The big blurred window providing a luminous light into the room and the big square mirror by the sink took up must of that wall on the right.

I quickly take off my top and pants and whip on my warm pj's that Tilly has lent me which doesn't help with warmth instantly but once I get into bed I'll feel better. I turn to the sink and grab my tooth brush which was sitting in this little compartment with the other girls brushes. I grab the tube of toothpaste and squeeze a bit of the product on my brush and rinse it under the tap before placing it in my mouth and start brushing.

I look at myself in the mirror, my happiness from having a good first session training by myself was quickly drained already by Landon's harsh words. I shut my eyes desperately while I brush my teeth to try and get rid of my thoughts. I just need to sleep.

I pull the toothbrush out and bend down to the cold sink, wrapping my hands on the base and spat out foamy texture. I wipe my mouth and pick up my training clothes from the floor and open the door swiftly. The girls were still sleeping as I crept through the room and placed my training stuff down next to my bed. I grab the end of my sheets and open them and I hop into bed. My head hits the soft pillow and this bed honestly felt like heaven, still not used to the comfort of my own bed, let alone a bed itself.

My mind tries to focus again on the situation that happened right outside this room only moments ago but my body was too tired and ultimately strong and my eyes start to drift closed and very quickly I fell into a deep sleep.

-

I hear the slight sound of the birds tweeting outside which told my brain it was time to wake up, my eyes slowly start to open and I could hear some rustling around in the bedroom. My eyes adjusted to the bright light beaming through the window from the warm sun, Tilly was rummaging around all her clothes, looking frantic as she pulls clothes out from her wardrobe. Adira was in the bathroom doing her hair in the mirror and Frankie was sitting in her bed writing in her journal.

"Why do I have to be so indecisive?" Tilly asks to the room as she continues to pull out clothes, she grabs a pink tube top and places it up against her body and looking to see if she likes it. Adira was focusing on her hair and Frankie looked up from her journal and smiled,

"I wouldn't say indecisive, you just have too many good outfits" Frankie answered and she looked over at me as she realised I was awake. "Good morning girl" she spoke again making Tilly stop her outfit making and turn around to face me,

"Sorry did I wake you up?" She asks gritting her teeth in hopes she didn't wake me up. I shake my head in response,

"No you definitely didn't" I voice as I sit up on my bed and tie up my hair so it was out of my face.

"Phew, I just can't decide what I'm going to wear to the party tonight" she turns back around quickly focusing back on her outfits. Frankie closed her journal and stood up from her bed and walked over with Tilly until she was standing right next to her looking down at what now is a mess.

"I think you should come back to it after classes today, it's turned to be a bit of a mess now. Messy room, messy head" she exclaims her wisdom and opinion. "Plus the house party doesn't start until eight o'clock, you've got plenty of time" she says hugging her shoulders trying to comfort her,

"Plus you look hot in everything" Adira yelled from the bathroom as she finished up with her hair and starts to walk back into our room. I start to stand up from my bed and look through my wardrobe to find something to wear,

"Stop it you're making me blush" Tilly jokes as she turns her back to the mess she's created and starts tying up her long strawberry blonde hair into a messy bun. "Tavia what are you thinking of wearing to your first house party?" She turns to me putting me on the spot and ultimately reminding me of the conversation I had last night.

I can't go. Especially after seeing him train, I'm not sure what he'd do to me.

"I don't think I'm going to go" I spoke softly, trying to ease the tension I'm about to feel.

Adira, Frankie and Tilly's heads all turn to your direction rather quickly, all with furrowed brows and a confused reaction, they all come closer to me as I hear Tilly about to speak,

"Um, what?" She asked dumbfounded, "you're not missing out on your first Marnock house party" she exclaimed with a serious tone. By this time, the girls were standing with me by my bed.

"These parties are easily the best nights of the year. You have to come" Adira stated,

"No one misses this night, the drinks, the dancing, the songs, the games." Frankie goes off in a dream remembering the last house party.

"What we're trying to say is, you're coming" Tilly finishes the conversation of memories, she looks at me with a warm smile.

"It does sound really fun but I just think it's all too much for me, I just don't think I can do it. I'm sorry girls" I say trying not to disappoint the girls who seem so excited about tonight and to share it with me but I just couldn't do it.

"I think you're really going to miss out but we definitely don't want to push you to do something you don't want to do" Tilly comforts me with a warm smile, making her rosy cheeks shine,

"And hey, maybe you might change your mind later anyways" Frankie says with excitement, "but we should probably head for class otherwise we're going to be late" she finishes off and we all start to move and get ready to leave our room and head downstairs.

I quickly get into the bathroom and change into my clothes for the day and we all head out of our room and start to walk down stairs.

As my foot hit each steps we make it down to the kitchen to quickly grab a snack for breakfast, I grab an apple and a muesli bar to eat on the way, it was only small but I honestly didn't feel like eating.

I see axel and Henry cooking up some eggs for themselves and pouring onto two plates. We say hello and goodbye to the boys as we will see them very shortly in class.

No sign of Landon. Thankfully

We walk through common room, there was a really nice vibe in the room surprisingly, I think all the students were looking forward to tonight. The sun was shining through the big thick windows covering a big percentage of the front wall and the warm air slowly filling the room from the outside. The students were slowly getting up from the couches and getting ready to head to class.

"Our first class is 'defensive systems' it's probably one of my favourite classes" Adira mentions to me while all four of us walk through the front entrance and outside.

Adira has a stern but loyal vibe to her, she doesn't joke around too often but I can sense she really values her friends and is very strong minded. I like that about her. Hopefully we can become closer, she seems like a great friend to have your back.

We step outside and the sun was shining, not a cloud in sight and it honestly made me feel a lot better. The other students were in groups or walking by themselves to their classes, filling the courtyard as they rush to their designated rooms.

Us four girls just talked all the way to class, they pretty much talking about tonight's party the whole way to class. Talking about what they're going to do with their hair, still deciding what to wear, what to drink, who they want to see and dance with.

We walk up some spiral stair cases and made it just on time to our class. The room was pretty much filled already, it was a beautiful classroom, it was dark and luminous which made it all the more inviting, multiple single file desks filled the room in aisles, the first three rows were already filled by students and only two rows left.

"Miss Pierce" I hear my name get called out from the front of the room. My eyes try to locate who spoke my name, there stood a mature aged lady, she looked to be around her 60's. She had beautiful grey hair tied up in a messy bun with a pencil, she wore a matching black pant and vest, looking very slick and neat.

The girls say they're going to find a seat while I walk up to the teacher, as I weave through the students desks, she welcomes me with a warm and gently smile.

"Miss Pierce, lovely to have you in my class. My name is Mrs Chambers and I will be your defensive systems teacher for this year" she greets me, I'm not sure what it was but this teacher had something about her that I couldn't even try to describe. She seemed dangerous and cunning.

"Excited to start learning" I say, not sure what else to say really, I was honestly a little bit intimidated. She was lovely but just something about how she presents herself was honestly very intimidating.

"Lovely to hear, you can go take a seat where available and we will get started" she spoke gesturing with her left hand to take a seat in her classroom. I smile back at her with a response and I turn my head to face the classroom and pick a seat and I was struggling to find one.

My eyes scan the desks until I spot one last available seat in the last row, a sigh of relief as I found a seat but before I start heading my way there, my heart drops. The seat next to me,

there he was.

-

Authors note:

Hi! Wanted to do a quick little update,

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Also, I know I've asked this before but I'd love to get an updated response, where does everyone live and where is your favourite country to visit?

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- A