The first activity for the Apprentices was an orientation of sorts. We were supposed to meet in the auditorium. I realized everyone here was an Apprentice. None of the students had any sand in their hourglasses. I wondered what was going on with that, but couldn't do anything to find out without tapping into my shifting abilities, which didn't seem like a good idea at the moment. I stood and tried to leave without drawing too much attention to myself. Unfortunately, as soon as I stood whispers began spreading across the cafeteria like wildfire. I tried ignoring them and just dropped off my tray and left, feeling like the biggest freak in the school of freaks. I was tempted to pull out my cell and text someone about how miserable I was so far, but I knew that wouldn't help anything.

I made my way to the auditorium and found a seat at the very back to sit in. I was hoping the whispers wouldn't follow me here. Slowly some of the other Apprentices came to join me, but they all sat up at the front of the auditorium. Professor Rhodes took the stage. "I hope you are all acclimating well to the Academy. I know this is the first evening here for some of you. As you all should be aware, there have been Choosings happening all summer in preparation for the new school year. The last Choosing for the year occurred early this morning with 5 new Apprentices joining our ranks. Between the Vampire born students and those Chosen, there are 100 new Apprentices this year. The rest of the students will be rejoining us on Saturday. I encourage you all to make friends among the Apprentices, and to seek guidance and mentorships from the upper level students, especially the Journeymen, as they will be most likely to be able to help you with your studies and learn how everything works around here. If you need suggestions of who would be a good mentor for you, please feel free to ask any of your Professors once classes start. A copy of the school rule book will be delivered to all of your dorm rooms. Please read over the rules before classes begin. Aside from that, there are sports try-outs this evening and an opportunity to meet with your fellow Apprentices. If you have any questions or problems, please let one of the Professors know." With that, she left us to our own devices. I checked the time on my phone. There wasn't much time before the belt test, so I headed over to the gym to get ready. At least sitting in the back of the auditorium, I could sneak out before any of the other students noticed me and could start whispering again. I ducked outside as quickly as possible and made my way to the gym across the open field of the campus. Professor Kinoshita was waiting inside.

"There's a changing room downstairs, Apprentice Lykos," she told me when I entered. I gave her a small bow and headed downstairs to change. There were lockers for our bags and clothes, but no locks for the locker doors. I worried about my things, especially with how I'd been treated so far, but I had no option except to use the locker. I stowed my things carefully and locked my phone, praying that it would be ok. I had changed into my gi quickly, and tied my white belt with practice. When my father had taught me karate, he had taught it properly.

I made my way back upstairs where the other Apprentices in the karate class were warming up. I joined them, noting how good it felt to stretch again. I was feeling stressed, and that was making my inner wolf want to stretch her legs again. It wasn't long until the testing began. It was a long grueling process. We were tested on kata, or forms, which moves we knew, sparring techniques, everything. After two hours, when the testing was finally over, we waited for Professor Kinoshita's determination of our belts. There were about 10 others in the class. I was the only one who'd had more than a few months of karate lessons. One of the boys received a blue belt, a couple received yellow belts. The preppy blonde girl, whose name I really needed to learn at some point, didn't get a belt, which made her grumble and glare.

"Apprentice Lykos," I stood and went to Professor Kinoshita, hoping I had done well enough. "I present you with a black belt," I wasn't surprised. I had been studying for 10 years. I had already earned my black belt under my father's teaching. I took the belt from her and bowed, much more deeply. I heard grumblings from the other students. "The rest of you are dismissed. I will see you in class on Monday," the others left, still grumbling. I tried to hide my feelings about how my fellow students were treating me. Why couldn't they see past the fact that I was a shifter? I hadn't even shifted since I'd been here. "How long have you studied?" Professor Kinoshita asked me.

"Since I was 6, Professor," I replied, wondering where this was going. She smiled.

"I'm glad to hear it. The black belts in my class are expected to help their Kohai," she told me. I was familiar with the term. It was Japanese for underclassmen. I nodded.

"I will do my duty as a black belt," I confirmed. I knew what was expected, and had even begun teaching my younger cousin, Abi, before I had been Chosen. My uncle had wanted her to learn how to protect herself, but didn't want her learning in a traditional dojo, just as my father had wanted the same thing, so it had become my job to teach her.

"Good. You are dismissed," I headed downstairs to change into my uniform, only to find my locker open and my clothes strewn in tatters all over the floor. My phone was smashed on the floor as well.

<Shifters don't belong. Go home Bitch!> Was written on the locker door in red lipstick.

I picked up my poor destroyed phone, in disbelief. Why would anyone do this? I fell to my knees, sobbing. I didn't know when I had started crying, but once I had, I couldn't stop. Why couldn't anything go according to plan? Why was everything turning out so terribly? I hadn't done anything wrong. I hadn't hurt anyone.