1: The Chance to Escape

The morning air was cold against Blaire Delpine's skin as she stepped out of the cramped bathroom, a thin towel wrapped around her damp body. The old pipes rattled as the shower finally sputtered to a stop, dripping into the rust-stained tub. She ignored the sound. It was just another reminder of how much this house was falling apart.

The one-bedroom home she shared with her mother was small, the walls stained from years of neglect, the wooden floor scratched and warped from water damage. A single flickering lightbulb hung from the ceiling, casting a dim glow over the mess of beer bottles and cigarette butts littering the coffee table.

Her mother lay sprawled across the couch—the same couch Blaire slept on every night—her thin body curled around a half-empty bottle of cheap whiskey. Even in sleep, Isabella Delpine looked exhausted, her once-beautiful features marred by deep lines of regret.

Blaire's chest tightened. She had memories of a different version of her mother—one who used to sing to her, who smelled like jasmine instead of alcohol, who held her close on stormy nights. But that woman had disappeared long ago, swallowed by grief and self-destruction.

Blaire turned away, stepping into the cramped space she used as her own. She grabbed a pair of old jeans and a black tank top, pulling them over her athletic frame. Years of running, climbing, and fighting had given her a toned body—lean and strong, but not bulky. She wasn't the tallest girl, standing at an average height, but what she lacked in size, she made up for in endurance and raw determination.

Catching her reflection in the cracked mirror above the sink, she examined her face. Dark brown hair fell just past her shoulders, slightly damp from her shower. Her eyes—her most striking feature—were a mix of blue, violet, and gold, shifting in the dim light. People always stared at them, unsettled by the unnatural gradient of colors.

She quickly tied her hair into a low ponytail and grabbed her school bag.

"Where the hell do you think you're going?"

Her mother's slurred voice stopped her at the door. Blaire sighed, gripping the doorknob tighter.

"School."

Isabella groaned, rolling onto her back. "You think that place is gonna change anything? You'll always be nothing, just like me."

Blaire swallowed the bitterness that rose in her throat. "Maybe," she said, keeping her voice even. "But I'm still going."

She didn't wait for a response. She stepped outside, letting the door slam shut behind her.

The walk to school was a long one—almost four miles of cracked sidewalks and uneven roads. Thrive High was on the other side of town, near the wealthier neighborhoods, where the houses had gates and the streets were clean. By the time Blaire arrived, her muscles were warm from the trek, but her mood was sour.

Thrive High was the kind of school where status dictated everything. It wasn't the worst school in Solhaven, but it was far from the best. Most of the students came from struggling families, scraping by in a city ruled by the elite.

Blaire kept her head down as she walked through the halls. She wasn't invisible, no matter how much she wished she were. She had caught too many eyes—some intrigued, some resentful.

It was the latter that made her life difficult.

"Well, well," a sickly sweet voice called out.

Blaire sighed, already knowing what was coming.

Tiffany Vale. The school's self-proclaimed queen. Blonde, wealthy, and cruel. She and her group of followers blocked Blaire's path, their expressions smug.

"You actually showed up today," Tiffany mused, flipping her hair. "I figured you'd finally given up."

Blaire kept her face impassive. "And miss the opportunity to disappoint you? Never."

Tiffany's smile faltered for a split second before she regained her composure. "You know, it's kind of sad," she continued. "Pretending like you belong here. Pretending like you actually have a future."

The girls around her giggled.

Blaire felt the familiar heat of anger rise in her chest, but she refused to give Tiffany the satisfaction of a reaction.

"Move," she said flatly.

Tiffany tilted her head, feigning innocence. "What's the magic word?"

Blaire didn't hesitate. She stepped forward, her movement sudden and forceful. Tiffany instinctively flinched, stepping back.

The small victory was enough. Blaire smirked and walked past them.

"You're trash, Delpine!" Tiffany called after her, but there was frustration in her voice.

Blaire didn't turn around. She never did.

By midday, the school buzzed with an unusual energy. It wasn't just the usual chatter of students—there was an electric tension in the air, a sense of something big about to happen. The intercom crackled to life just as lunch was ending, cutting through the noise like a sharp blade.

"All students who turned seventeen this year, report to the school hall immediately."

Whispers spread like wildfire, sweeping through the cafeteria. Blaire's stomach twisted in anticipation. She had heard the rumors—everyone had. Aetheris Academy. The prestigious school where humans and shapeshifters studied together. A place for the elite, the chosen few. And now, for the first time, Thrive High students were eligible to apply.

Blaire's heart hammered in her chest. She had never imagined it could be her chance. But here it was, an opportunity she couldn't ignore. Not that anyone believed she had a real shot. The elite academy was reserved for the best, for the smartest and the strongest. Her mother's drunken rants echoed in her mind, telling her she would never be anything more than a poor girl from Solhaven, never someone worthy of that kind of chance.

But Blaire was tired of letting those words hold her back.

She pushed the thoughts away and stood up, making her way to the hall. As she moved through the crowded corridors, she felt the weight of eyes on her—some curious, some dismissive. It didn't matter. Her gaze stayed straight ahead. She had more important things to focus on than the whispers that followed her wherever she went.

When she entered the hall, she was one of the last to arrive. The room was packed with seventeen-year-olds, all gathered in tight clusters, murmuring among themselves. Blaire joined the others, feeling the buzzing anticipation in the air. Some were excited, their faces glowing with the hope of escaping their lives in Solhaven. Others looked skeptical, as though they had already convinced themselves that someone like them—someone like Blaire—didn't stand a chance.

A teacher stepped forward at the front of the room, and the chatter died down almost immediately. He cleared his throat, his voice echoing through the room. "As you all know, Aetheris Academy is the most prestigious institution in the country," he began, his tone formal. "It is a place where humans and shapeshifters study together, and where only the best of the best are given the opportunity to learn. Only ten human students are chosen each year from all over the country."

A murmur rippled through the crowd. Blaire's pulse quickened. She had heard the stories—the whisperings about Aetheris Academy, about the powerful shapeshifters who attended, and the impossible standards for entry. She had spent her entire life feeling like an outsider, always looking in on the lives of the wealthy and the powerful. And now, she had a chance to change that. But was it even possible? Did she have what it took to get in?

"This year," the teacher continued, "for the first time, Thrive High students are eligible to apply."

A sharp gasp went through the crowd. Blaire felt a surge of excitement in her chest. This was it. This was her moment.

"The selection process consists of two parts," the teacher went on, "a written exam, which anyone can take, and a physical exam for those who pass the first stage."

The mention of the physical exam made Blaire's heart race. It wasn't just about intelligence; it was about strength, endurance, speed—qualities she had honed over years of training and surviving in a world that often overlooked her. She wasn't the strongest, but she wasn't weak either. She could hold her own.

"Applications are open until the end of the day," the teacher announced. "If you wish to take the exam, sign up before you leave."

A surge of energy filled the room, and Blaire could almost hear the collective heartbeat of the students around her. Some whispered excitedly about the chance to escape their small town, others scoffed, their doubt clear in their voices. No one from Thrive High had ever made it, they said. Why would this year be any different?

But Blaire wasn't listening to them. She couldn't afford to. This was her chance.

The moment the teacher finished speaking, Blaire was already pushing through the crowd. She didn't hesitate, didn't pause to think. She made her way straight to the sign-up table, her heart pounding in her ears.

The table was surrounded by students, some looking hopeful, others skeptical. A few of them lingered, glancing at the paper before walking away. Blaire's hand gripped the edge of the table as she waited for her turn. Her eyes skimmed the faces around her—some familiar, others strangers—but none of them mattered. This was about her.

When it was her turn, she picked up the pen, feeling its weight in her hand. The paper in front of her looked so ordinary, but Blaire knew this was anything but a typical moment. This was the defining choice of her life.

She took a breath and wrote her name.

Blaire Delpine.

Each stroke of the pen felt like a small rebellion, a refusal to accept the limits that others had placed on her. She wasn't going to be the girl who always stayed behind. Not anymore.

As she stepped back, she heard a voice behind her—a voice that she would never forget.

"You actually think you'll get in?" Tiffany's voice was dripping with disbelief.

Blaire turned slowly, meeting Tiffany's eyes. The blonde girl stood with her arms crossed, her expression full of mockery. Her group of friends hovered behind her, their gazes just as condescending.

"You're delusional," Tiffany continued, her smirk twisting further.

Blaire's hands clenched at her sides, but she refused to show weakness. She met Tiffany's gaze without flinching, her voice calm but firm. "We'll see."

Then she turned and walked away, ignoring the laughter behind her. It didn't matter. None of it mattered anymore.

For the first time in her life, Blaire felt something she hadn't known in years: hope. She wasn't going to let anyone take it away from her. She had a chance. And she wasn't going to waste it.