Chapter 4

As Professor Thompson led her to her dormitory, Mia couldn't help but feel a sense of awe at the grandeur of the building. The stone walls seemed to stretch up to the sky, adorned with intricate carvings and statues of mythical creatures. The entrance hall was filled with students chatting and laughing, their eyes fixed on her as she walked by. Mia felt a pang of nervousness as she followed Professor Thompson up the stairs, her footsteps echoing off the walls. She had never been in a dormitory before, and the thought of sharing a room with a stranger made her stomach twist with anxiety.

They finally reached the top floor, where a small plaque read "Room 314 - Mia and Sophia". Professor Thompson handed her a key and nodded. "You'll be sharing a room with Sophia, a fellow first-year student and scholarship recipient. I'm sure you'll get along just fine."

Mia took a deep breath and pushed open the door. The room was small but cozy, with two beds, two desks, and a large window that looked out over the campus. Sophia, a petite girl with curly brown hair, was sitting on her bed, typing away on her laptop. She looked up as Mia entered, and their eyes met for a brief moment.

"Hey, I'm Sophia," she said, looking up with a friendly smile. "Welcome to Ravenswood Academy. I'm also a scholarship student, so I know exactly what you're going through."

Mia smiled back, feeling a sense of relief wash over her. "I'm Mia. Nice to meet you. I had no idea I'd be rooming with the only other scholarship student."

Sophia nodded. "Yeah, we're the only two scholarship students allowed in this year. I'm sure it's going to be a wild ride."

As they began to chat, Mia learned that Sophia was from a small town in the countryside, and was excited to be at Ravenswood Academy to study environmental science. They talked about their shared nervousness about the academic demands, and their hopes for making new friends. Sophia mentioned that she had been working multiple part-time jobs to support her family, and that the scholarship had been a lifesaver.

Mia shared her own story, about growing up in a low-income household and working hard to get good grades. They both laughed about the struggles of being a scholarship student, and the pressure to perform.

As they unpacked their suitcases, Mia couldn't help but feel a sense of gratitude towards Sophia. She was friendly, outgoing, and seemed to understand exactly what Mia was going through. They bonded over their shared love of science fiction and fantasy novels, and Mia was impressed by Sophia's extensive knowledge of environmental policy.

Just as they were settling in, a loud bell rang out across the campus. "That's the orientation bell," Sophia said, jumping up from her bed. "We have to get to the auditorium for the welcome speech."

Mia grabbed her bag and followed Sophia out of the room, feeling a sense of excitement and nervousness. They walked down the stairs, chatting about their hopes and fears for the upcoming year. As they made their way to the auditorium, Mia couldn't help but wonder what the welcome speech would be like. Would it be inspiring, or intimidating? Only time would tell.

As they entered the auditorium, Mia was struck by the grandeur of the high ceilings and the intricate carvings on the walls. The room was filled with students, all chatting and laughing, and Mia felt a sense of belonging wash over her. She and Sophia found a seat near the back, and as they waited for the speech to begin, Mia couldn't help but feel a sense of gratitude towards Sophia.

They were both scholarship students, and they were both in this together. As the lights dimmed and the dean took the stage, Mia felt a sense of excitement and nervousness. She was finally here, at Ravenswood Academy, and she was ready to take on whatever lay ahead.

As the lights dimmed, the dean, a tall, statuesque woman with a kind but firm smile, took the stage. She welcomed the students to Ravenswood Academy, and Mia felt a sense of excitement and nervousness as she began to speak.

"Welcome, young ladies, to Ravenswood Academy. I am Dean Thompson, and I am thrilled to have you all here. As you begin this new chapter in your academic journey, I want to remind you that Ravenswood Academy is a place of excellence, where we strive for academic rigor, personal growth, and community building."

Mia felt a sense of pride as the dean spoke, her voice echoing off the walls of the auditorium. She seemed kind, but also firm, and Mia sensed that she would not tolerate any nonsense.

"However, I also want to remind you that Ravenswood Academy is a place of rules and boundaries. As young women, it is essential that you understand the importance of discipline and responsibility. As such, I want to remind you of a few key rules that you will be expected to follow."

Mia leaned forward, her eyes fixed on the dean as she began to list off the rules.

"First and foremost, curfew is at 6 pm sharp. You are not allowed to leave the campus after 6 pm, unless you have explicit permission from a faculty member. This is for your own safety, and to ensure that you are focused on your studies."

Mia nodded, making a mental note to be back in her dorm by 6 pm every day.

"Secondly, Ravenswood Academy is an all-girls school, and as such, we have a strict policy of no boys on campus. The boys' school, Ravenswood Prep, is just a wall away from us, but I want to remind you that it is off-limits to you at all times. You are not allowed to visit the boys' school, or to have any boys visit you on campus."

Mia felt a pang of disappointment at this rule, but she understood the importance of maintaining a focused and distraction-free environment.

"Thirdly, all students are expected to maintain a high level of academic excellence. You will be expected to attend all classes, to complete all assignments on time, and to participate in extracurricular activities that will help you grow as a person."

Mia felt a sense of determination wash over her as the dean spoke. She was ready to work hard and to make the most of her time at Ravenswood Academy.

"Finally, I want to remind you that Ravenswood Academy is a community, and as such, we expect you to treat each other with kindness, respect, and compassion. We are a family, and we will support each other every step of the way."

As the dean finished speaking, Mia felt a sense of excitement and nervousness. She was ready to take on the challenges of Ravenswood Academy, and to make the most of her time here. She looked over at Sophia, who was smiling at her, and felt a sense of gratitude towards her new roommate.