As my feet step on the loose gravel, my thoughts were all over the shop, so many questions. I wasn't used to the sudden attention I was receiving, I've been isolated and kept hidden in my parent's basement my whole life. With no social interaction, no fresh air, and especially no eyes on me for a very long time. And I didn't like it.

What was left of my very little 'confidence' was shrinking with every glance and wavering look shot my way. I keep my head down as I continue to follow the man in the direction he was walking until we reached two large doors, he opened both of them and gestured to me that we had made it to the head office.

"Miss Pierce, how lovely to finally meet you" A man in his early 40's with clearly dyed grey hair stands up with open arms and a large smile spread across his face, I stutter with a response.

"you too?" I question with confusion and very little sound coming out of my mouth. The room just radiated money and lots of it. The smell in there was strong, smelt like rich cologne, a massive painting of the ocean behind his chair, framed by large gold bars, his desk had paper work spread across it, some pens laying around as well as his name tag at the front.

'Mr. Whitlock' it said.

"please, take a seat" he motions for me to grab the chair facing in front of his desk as he sits down as well. I step forward and take a seat opposite him. His smile doesn't leave his face.

"How are you?" He spoke softly, a change in his voice and face as his smile drops revealing a rather empathetic look. Like he knows the answer to his stupid question already.

I shrug my shoulders, unable to answer. I'd be lying if I said I was perfectly fine but I can't be bothered speaking any more then three words right now.

"I'm good" I say.

He leans back in his seat, like he was contemplating what to say, but then he changes the subject. I think he realised he wasn't going to get much out of me today.

"I want to welcome you to my gorgeous academy-" he pauses with a genuine smile,

"-Northview academy of fine arts" he spoke proudly, with his chest up and a confident voice. I wasn't sure how to react, I mean I just left my basement just over 24 hours ago, my mind isn't exactly ready for surprises. I have no idea what's going on.

So I sort of just sit there and smile as my response.

He takes a deep breath, I think he understood my situation and figured I wouldn't know anything about this place.

"My name is Mr. Whitlock, I'm the headmaster here at Northview academy." He stands up from his chair and looks out the window, which from I can see over looks a big grass area, filled with many students

"We're happy to finally have you at Northview and we hope that you enjoy it here" he looks at me when he finished his sentence.

Finally? Why does he say finally?

Once again, I smile and slightly nod my head.

"I suppose it's been a bit of a whirlwind 24 hours, I'll bring someone down to show you to your room and which house your apart of" he spoke, not realising I was confused.

My eyebrows scrunched up as I tried to process what he meant.

"Oh, sorry I should explain. Here at Northview, the students are split into four houses. Balyang, Marnock, Riverside and Bareena. From my file I have of you, I have placed you into Marnock. I think you'll fit right in there" as he finished, the door was knocked on from the other side,

"Come in"

A girl with strawberry blonde hair and a confident demeanour walks in, a small smile on her face as she spots me sitting there.

"You wanted to see Mr Whitlock?" She questioned, standing a metre beside my chair,

"Would you please show Miss Pierce to the Marnock common room and as well as where she will be staying"

"Sure can. Which room will she be staying in?" She asks, glancing over at me with a warm smile,

"Thirty seven, with you and the other two ladies"

She looks at me, somehow her smile got even bigger then before, she points her head in the direction of the door as she starts walking that way. I stand up and smile awkwardly at Mr Whitlock

"Come see me tomorrow morning, we'll have to go through some stuff" he spoke, once again I just nod and make my way out of the money filled room.

"I'm Matilda, but you can call me Tilly" she pops out her hand to shake as I step out of the room, we're now in the hallway, with glass windows showing the courtyard where I was dropped off earlier.

I shake her hand, "Octavia" I keep it short and sweet. No surprises. She smiles, does this girl ever not smile.

"Follow me, I'll take you to your room but I'll give you a proper tour tomorrow of the training facilities and all the classrooms" her excitement showed in her voice as we make our way across the courtyard.

"Your going to love Marnock, we're easily the best house within the academy. Plus we have the hottest guys for sure." She says peeping a side eye at me for my response, I let out a chuckle as I found her energy fun and vibrant, nothing I was used to.

But as for the 'hottest guys' part, I mean I really wouldn't know, the only 'guy' I ever saw in my life was my dad, and he was an asshole and ugly so I think anyone is better then him right now.

"I suppose your really tired" she pauses looking over at me for a second as we continue walking, does she know what I've been through? Does everyone?

I don't want anyone to find out, I'd rather keep it to myself, I don't want to be seen as weak, I hate it. I've had enough of being weak.

"You know, from all the travelling-" she continues, putting my mind at rest,

"Yeah I'm very tired" I agree with her so she doesn't think it's from me being locked in my basement my whole life and suddenly I'm now at an academy full of rich people I don't know anything about.

"That's okay, you can get some much need sleep very soon." She says as she bends down a little bit and places her thumb on this little screen, it scans her finger print and a little green light pops up, allowing her to open the door and enter to what I'm guessing is the Marnock common room.

—

Authors note:

I've got another question that is quite important, where is everyone from? I'm trying to decided when's the best days/time to post and would love to learn where everyone is from!

As you know I'm from Australia!

Definitely keep commenting and pressing the little star at the bottom of every chapter, it helps my story a lot and recognises me for my writing! Thank you so much for all the support already!

See you in the next chapter xx

- A