2. Oh Shit!

BEEP! BEEP! BEEP!

Something shrieked in my ear, and for a split second, I thought the Moonveil fire alarm was going off. Then a pillow slammed into my face.

"Maeve! Your alarm has been going off for five minutes!" Freya's voice was sing-songy but laced with mock irritation. "It's almost eight, girl. Get your butt out of bed."

Almost eight.

I shot up so fast I nearly headbutted her. "WHAT?!"

My phone vibrated on the nightstand, the bright red 7:20 a.m. glowing on the screen like it was mocking me.

"Shit! Shit, shit, shit!" I scrambled out of my blanket cocoon and ran straight to the bathroom, nearly tripping over my suitcase. "Why didn't you throw water on me or something?!"

"Because I like you, and I'm not that cruel," Freya teased, flopping back onto her bed with a dramatic sigh. "Besides, I'm running on maybe four hours of sleep thanks to you."

I paused mid-step. "Hey! You kept asking questions too!"

We'd stayed up most of the night, curled on our beds like old friends, trading stories. I'd confessed that I was here on a full scholarship, and Freya had whistled, impressed.

"Wow, so you're one of the rare ones who actually earned a place here," she'd said with a grin. "Most of these rich brats would die before sitting through an exam."

Her honesty had made me laugh. She'd told me her dad was a history professor at Moonveil—"which is probably why they let me in"—and that she'd grown up roaming these halls.

The memory made me grin now, even as I panicked. "You know, it's your fault too! You distracted me with all your insane Moonveil gossip."

"You begged for it," Freya called through the door with a laugh. "Don't blame me for your own curiosity."

"What do we even have at eight? We're not late unless it's serious."

I turned the shower on full blast and jumped in, the icy spray making me shriek. "Ethics and Society! I think!"

Freya snorted. "Ah, nice. We're in the same one." Her voice floated lazily through the door. "Relax. We've got time. I'm already dressed."

Of course, she was.

By 7:30 a.m., I was back in our room, dripping water on the polished wood floor. "What do I wear?!" I panicked, grabbing the nearest outfit.

"Not that," Freya said immediately, eyeing my wrinkled hoodie and jeans. She was perched on her bed, looking like a rebellious magazine cover in her plaid skirt, fishnets, and oversized cream sweater.

"Uh," I hesitated. "What's wrong with it?"

"Girl. Maeve. This is Moonveil Academy. The girls here treat the hallways like catwalks. Do you want to look like a tourist on laundry day?"

I groaned, rolling my eyes. "I'm not trying to win a fashion show!"

"Just… pick something cute. Something that says, 'Yes, I'm new, but I have taste.'" Freya smirked, twirling a strand of her fiery red hair.

With no time to argue, I threw on my black pleated skirt, a soft grey t-shirt, and a cropped black jacket. Not perfect, but it would do. I slathered lotion on my legs like I was in a race, nearly slipping when I stood up.

"Lip gloss?" Freya asked, tossing me a tube.

"Uh, yes. Wait, where's mine?" I frantically dug through my bag, knocking my phone to the floor.

"You're hopeless." She crossed the room and dabbed gloss on my lips. "There. Emergency makeover complete."

"Thanks, Mom," I said sarcastically, though I meant it. I ran my fingers through my damp hair and grabbed my black crossbody bag.

By 7:45, Freya was lounging by the door, scrolling her phone like she had all the time in the world. "You ready?"

I shoved my feet into sneakers and tied the laces at lightning speed. "As ready as I'll ever be."

She arched a brow. "You sure you didn't forget anything? Pen? Notebook? Dignity?"

"Shut up," I muttered, slinging my bag over my shoulder.

"Damn," she said with a teasing grin. "The scholarship girl's got spice."

"You better believe it," I smiled, still catching my breath.

~

The hallway outside was alive with students, all perfectly put together, like walking ad campaigns. I tugged self-consciously at my skirt.

"Stop," Freya whispered, looping her arm through mine as we moved. "They're staring because you're new, not because you look bad. Trust me, Maeve, your grey eyes and dark brown hair? It's giving mysterious queen energy."

I blushed. "No it's not. You're just saying that."

"Nope." She flashed me a grin. "You're a stunner. They'll figure that out soon enough."

We crossed the courtyard, sunlight glinting off polished shoes and crisp jackets. I tried not to gape, but Freya laughed.

"You're doing that open-mouth thing again," she teased.

"Sorry! It's just… wow," I whispered.

"Wait until you see the South Wing library," she said. "Glass dome ceiling. Total royalty vibes."

We continued walking, and I stole a glance at my phone.

7:55 a.m.

"Oh shit," I muttered. "We're going to be late."

"We won't," Freya said with unshakable confidence. Her father, Professor Vance, was one of Moonveil's most respected professors, and as a result, everyone we passed greeted her like she was royalty.

Meanwhile, I clutched my phone like a life raft, trying not to flinch as a group of girls in silk blouses whispered behind their manicured hands. I caught the word "scholarship" and kept my head high.

"If anyone gives you crap, I'll fight them," Freya whispered. "You're with me now, and I have a reputation."

That made me grin despite my nerves. "Oh, so you're dangerous?"

"Extremely," she said with a wink.

We reached the East Lecture Hall just as the bell chimed, and I exhaled in relief.

"See?" Freya smirked, opening the door. "Never doubt me."

I chuckled, following her inside, and froze.

For a fraction of a second, one of the boys near the front turned his head in my direction, and I swore I saw his eyes flash gold.

Gold.

But just like that, it was back to normal.

Chestnut.

Nothing strange.

I swallowed and took my seat next to Freya at the back.

Okay, Maeve you're just hallucinating.

Nothing to worry about.