Evanna jolted awake, seeing nothing but black. She sprang upright in a cold sweat—panting hard while her heart pounded an irregular, thunderous beat in her chest. She tried in vain to cling on to the dream that was vanishing into nothingness. Wait...a dream?

Shrouded in darkness, she sat staring into space as if in a trance. I was walking with Alcina down the passageway...Panic gripped her while her ragged breathing rent the still air. What happened! Where am I?

The pillowy softness underneath and the folds of fabric clutched in her fists made it amply clear that she was on a bed. As her pupils dilated, objects gradually gained definition. A strange familiarity hung about the place. She discerned the shape of a lamp next to the bed, its alien contours barely visible.

She lunged at it with one wild motion, and her fumbling fingers switched it on. Light flooded the room, momentarily blinding her with its brilliance. She clapped her hands to her mouth.

It was her room, but a warped version of it.

Everything was in whites and pastel pinks—the entire wall behind the bed was pink. Hanging on the walls were posters that were startlingly foreign. The unrecognizable items all around her fueled the burgeoning firestorm within. Her skittering eyes paused on the bookshelf, seeking her favorite books. They were missing. She suppressed a shriek.

Clambering off the bed, she dashed to the wardrobe and stopped short. The mirror held her undivided attention.

Her hair was longer—flowing all the way down to her hips like a flaming red weeping willow. Her petite frame was encased in sweatpants and a tee, neither of which belonged to her.

Evanna stood for a full minute while another wave of panic rocked her.

She slid open the wardrobe and stared at the contents. Her clothes were gone. Instead, there were types of clothing she didn't even wear. They came in varying colors, predominantly pastel pinks.

As she scurried around in a manic rush, she found her phone under a pillow, sheathed in a lurid pink skin. Thankfully, the screen pattern, which was an "E", worked without any issues. Now logged in, the background image assaulted her in a hot pink mess that failed to ring any bells of recognition. Her eyes jerked to the time.

It was 5.11 a.m.

Then her stare zeroed in on the date. She experienced a sensation akin to the floor giving way, innards lurching as if in free fall. Her vision swam for a second. She goggled anew at the date, and pixels popped out to her. She screamed.

The piercing sound shattered the silence. Evanna bounded to the computer, which stood on a long table against the wall. Maybe it's some mistake! The date settings must be wrong.

The computer booted with agonizing slowness. She wrung her hands, rocking to and fro on the swivel chair. When the desktop loaded, the background seemed to mock her with its cheery image. Her eyes drilled into the date on the taskbar.

It was indeed Monday. The first day of school. Again.

Its implications crashed into her with the force of a wrecking ball. She recoiled.

Seizing the mouse, she made a cursory scan of the computer. One absurdity after another screamed out at her. There was no Arcana Online or any other games on the desktop. Most of her files were gone. Like an overheating CPU, her fevered brain struggled to process the sheer impossibility of her situation.

In one convulsive swipe, she shoved the keyboard away. Then she grabbed her head, hyperventilating. Focus, Ev! Get online. Figure out what the heck is going on!

Before she could do so, urgent footsteps approached the door. She twisted around to face it. It opened with a bang, and she jumped violently.

"Is everything alright?"

Her mom stood in the doorway, clad in a nightdress and a dressing gown.

Mom seems to be herself. Evanna just stared at her, stifling a sob. "I—I'm okay. Just a nightmare."

Then the phone came alive with an upbeat tune and vibrated against the table. It was the alarm. Hands slick with sweat, she jabbed at it furiously. Why was it set at 5.15 a.m.?

Mary sighed and turned to leave. "I'll just go make you some breakfast."

"Huh? Now?"

"Yes," Mary said, pausing with her hand on the doorframe. "Why?"

"It's—it's very early..."

"I thought we're leaving in an hour?"

An hour? Swallowing the lump in her throat, she managed to nod.

The moment Mary closed the door, Evanna turned back to the computer and opened up the web browser.

Forty-five minutes later, Evanna drifted downstairs. The kitchen retained its normal appearance, except for an aura of the utmost orderliness. Mary and Janet, who were having breakfast at the table, looked up when she entered.

"Good morning," her aunt said with a smile.

"Morning," Evanna murmured.

She lowered herself onto a chair and curled up her legs, one hand dropping the backpack onto the chair next to her.

"Can you sit properly, young lady?"

She lifted her head and met Mary's firm gaze. I stand corrected.

Without a word, she let her stockinged feet fall and wriggled them back into her sneakers, which were nothing like her own beloved pair.

"Are you going to go to school with your hair done like that?" Mary asked, her eyes tracing the length of Evanna's ponytail.

"Pigtails aren't mandatory here, I suppose," Janet said and turned to her niece. "You look good with a ponytail."

"Well, I'm not at all happy about the school policy." Mary shot a reproving glance at Evanna while buttering her toast. "But it's the best school there is, so it cannot be helped."

"I think it's quite recent." Janet took a sip from her steaming tea. "I heard the new principal was the one who brought in the reforms."

Mary shook her head, making a tut-tutting sound. "School is for learning—not for fashion statements."

Evanna watched as Mary spooned a generous glob of scrambled eggs onto the toast and placed the plate in front of her. "Mom, is this...JUST eggs or something?"

Mary's eyebrows pinched into a frown. "Yes, it's just eggs."

"They have JUST eggs here?"

The sisters watched her, confusion etched on their faces. No, of course not. It's just eggs.

"Thanks, but I—I don't eat eggs," Evanna croaked.

Janet slowly placed her cup on the table. "Since when?"

Her gaze fell on the fruit bowl. "I'll just have some bananas."

As she staggered to her feet, the chair scuffed loudly against the floor. She reached for a banana and flinched when a chirrup of a bird sounded shriller than it should.

"Are you alright?" Janet asked, peering at her.

"I'm good, Aunt Jan."

Never better. Everything is just good and dandy. No one spoke while Evanna ate the banana and peeled the next.

"We should leave soon." Mary took the untouched plate and stowed it away in the microwave. "You don't want to be late on your first day."

She just chewed the banana.

"I didn't know you were that nervous."

The chewing continued. Shell-shocked would be more like it, Mom. Throw it all at me. Don't hold back. I'm expecting pigs to fly now. Scratch that—make it unicorns pooping rainbows outside.

She fought down the hyena cackle that threatened to spew out—followed by a tightness in her chest that almost rammed open a floodgate of tears.

Ten minutes later, sitting on the passenger seat of Mary's car, she learned that unicorns were not pooping rainbows outside. It was a surprisingly ordinary morning in Komoreby. Maybe the problem is not the world outside—maybe it's you, Ev. Maybe you've finally lost it. Like, gone batshit crazy.

"You were so excited about today...and now, look at you," Mary mused, her hands planted firmly on the steering wheel. "Did something happen?"

Evanna said nothing.

Her phone pinged with an incoming message. She started and dug a hand into her skirt pocket. At least, they allow this.

She recalled the long list of school rules and banned items. She had stumbled upon it while skimming over the school website to see how much had changed in her warped new reality. As she looked up the topic online, she was flabbergasted to learn it was actually worse elsewhere. Bringing a phone to school was a privilege only accorded to the students of Komoreby High by virtue of the liberal new principal. Phones were allowed for students to engage in "essential communication". Whatever that means. Maybe if you suffocate from the oppression, you can call for an ambulance.

There was also a uniform now. It was the first thing that struck her when the homepage loaded. She had discovered hers in one corner of the wardrobe.

Her eyes dropped to her white shirt, atop which was a blazer—black with an infinitesimal sheen of blue where the sun fell on it. The ensemble was complete with a knee-length skirt and a tie that was black and gold. Opaque tights or long socks were compulsory. No adornments or makeup was allowed. At least, the uniform isn't hideous.

A car honk startled her back to reality. She unlocked the phone to check the text she had received. Her pulse quickened.

Evanna warded off the avalanche of emotions that threatened to smother her. She switched off the phone.

To her relief, Mary made no attempts to strike up a conversation.

When the school loomed in the distance, Evanna peered through the windshield. The Hive rose to its full splendor amidst topiary that was trimmed even neater. It was the picture of tranquility with evergreens swaying gently in the breeze while the ascending sun banished the curling wisps of mist. 

Mary pulled the car to a stop by the sidewalk outside the gates. "Is Anukie already here?"

"No, she'd be a bit late—it's cool," Evanna mumbled, pulling off the seatbelt. "Thanks for the ride."

"Don't be nervous now. No one's going to eat you. Smile, be polite and don't slouch."

She forced a polite smile. "You have a great day too."

Hoisting the backpack onto her shoulders, she got out and inhaled a lungful of morning air. Then she joined the students trudging past the gates onto the paved road that led to the Hive.

Tall hedges and topiary flanked the way, while roads that led to the car parks branched off on either side. A sporty car sailed past her, driven by a boy in uniform. Oh, people do have cars.

She neared a roundabout, beyond which were terraced steps leading up to the Hive's primary entrance. She faltered to marvel at the roundabout's hexagonal fountain. Its sculptured center spouted jets of water and scattered sparkling droplets into the air, creating a mini rainbow.

The Hive was buzzing with students and teachers despite the early hour.

Arms crossed and head down, Evanna slipped into the admissions office and stood in line behind a tall girl at the queue. A few minutes later, it was her turn.

The harried-looking guy at the counter barely looked at her. "Yes?"

"Hi, I'm Evanna Zeller. I'm new here," she said, trying to smile. That's probably more like a grimace.

"Right." He tapped rapidly on his keyboard. "What grade?"

"Twelve."

She stood twiddling with her fingers until he handed her some papers. Murmuring a hurried thanks, she was about to go when the entries on her timetable caught her eye.

"Sorry, I think this is the wrong timetable," Evanna said in a rush.

Impatience flitted across his face as he took the paper back and checked his computer. "Hm, it's the correct one. What's the problem?"

She stood stock still. "It's mostly art, lit and stuff."

"Yes." The guy frowned. "You're taking art, literature, GRC and French. Math and IT are your minor subjects. Right?"

"Can I please change my subjects?" She shifted her weight. "I—I want to take science subjects. Not that I don't like art and lit. In fact, I love them, but..."

The guy scratched at his neck. "You want to change subjects now?"

"Uh, yeah. Please?"

The guy gave her a so-why-did-you-sign-up-for-these-then look and said, "Go to that desk over there."

A while later, Evanna was on the way to her homeroom, which still resided in Building Alpha, but on the second floor. She had convinced them to change her subjects, though for the time being, she had no timetable—just a note scribbled with information she needed for the day's classes.

Her mind strayed to the "minor subjects" that turned out to be classes everyone had to take for a more "wholesome" learning experience. Evanna was encouraged to pick hers from the humanities courses. She had opted for Art and Literature, which stirred a bubble of wonder in her heart, since studying both science and art wasn't possible before. As if it even matters, Ev! You need to get the hell out of here.

The gravity of her logic-defying predicament dragged her down again, and she quickened her pace. Pushing through the double doors at Alpha, she made a beeline for one of the stairwells and avoided the crowd at the elevators. She sprinted up to the second floor corridor and stopped short.

Her jaw dropped open.

The walls were decorated with paintings, predominantly in monochrome tones. One entire wall was black. The recurring themes seemed to be a black unicorn on ice. Her gaze wandered to a particularly detailed piece that depicted a lone animal in a wintry landscape—a gorgeous rendering with masterful brushstrokes. Then her eyes landed on the other end of the corridor. It was all white, and gryphons popped out in splashes of bronze. Wow, it's a bloody art gallery here. Art class must be fun.

Evanna recovered enough to notice the looks she drew from students chatting nearby. She fast-walked past them and aimed her attention at the homeroom numbers. She pushed through the door marked 12-E.

The interior mimicked the flamboyant display of creativity outside, though she was too flustered to admire it. Wilting under a dozen pairs of eyes, she headed straight to the lockers. She shoved the backpack into the locker assigned to her and trotted out as fast as she could, phone in hand. Now, the assembly.

Back on the ground floor, Evanna jogged down the corridor. A small figure up ahead jolted her to a stop.

Anukie was shuffling along, eyes glued to her phone.

Frozen in place, Evanna absorbed the drastic change in the other girl's appearance. She was shorter without her wedge heels, and her hair was cropped into a choppy bob. Without a layer of makeup, her face had an almost childlike vulnerability about it, which made her wonder if she resembled that herself without eyeshadow.

It was almost as if a vestige of Anukie's old self was peeking through. She struggled to stem the barrage of memories and emotions.

Before Anukie could look up and spot her, Evanna made a U-turn and slipped through the nearest door. She took a step in, closing the door behind her—and collided with someone.

She was so startled that she gasped, dropped the phone and almost fell backwards. A hand grabbed her forearm and steadied her—just as the phone hit the floor and skidded away.

She looked up and met the surprised face of a boy who simply towered over her. He had tawny brown skin and longish, black hair that was pulled back into a knot.

"I'm so sorry!" she chirped, backing away, while he just blinked.

Evanna moved to pick the phone off the floor, but another hand beat her to it. In her haste to straighten up, she almost collided with its owner and lost her balance again. For the second time in a span of few seconds, she felt an arm grab her—this time around her waist.

She breathed in a pleasant woodsy scent while blinking at a white shirt in extreme close-up. Her stare flitted up, and she lost herself in eyes as dark as black holes.

"You okay?" asked the guy holding her, his voice muted to a resonant rumble.

"Yes, I'm sorry!" she said in a shrill squeak.

Heat blossomed in her cheeks. She jerked her hand off his chest as if electrocuted and extricated herself from his hold. The long-haired guy just watched on with an amused expression.

Evanna pushed back her ponytail and pretended to take an interest in her surroundings. The grand piano ahead made it apparent that this was a music room. She had rushed in right when the two boys were about to exit. Holy cowsies, both guys rescuing me from falling flat on my face, and they're cool and good-looking as well? I mean, I'd have expected at least one to be Mort. Am I in some bloody anime?

"Your phone," said the boy who just held her and handed her the phone, which had survived the ordeal unscathed.

"Thanks." Evanna glanced up at him as she took it—and did a double take.

Her eyes widened in shock. Standing before her was none other than Shane Evans.

His styled hair was gone, along with his air of vanity. In its place, there was a dark intensity about him. His face was inscrutable with a touch of boredom, and his eyes pierced her under the shadow of low eyebrows and unruly hair. The languid way he held himself emitted a cool, untouchable aura that Evanna found intimidating. An involuntary wave of animosity erupted from the very core of her being. He's probably a bigger jerk now—possibly dangerous.

His face registered surprise at her reaction, but a nanosecond later, he cocked his head, chiseled features reverting to their impassive mask. "Something wrong?"

"No," Evanna mumbled, averting her stare. "I—I gotta go."

She whirled around and pushed at the door. Annoyance bubbled up at how much he fazed her. He'd probably intimidate Zeus into rethinking any abduction plans.

"Didn't you come here for something?"

She whipped back her head. The long-haired guy surveyed her with raised eyebrows.

"Oh, never mind. It's not important," she muttered, trying to sound calm. Why is this stupid door not opening? It has to inexplicably get stuck at a time like this?

She detected a whiff of that woodsy scent again as the arm that held her a minute ago materialized above hers and gripped the door handle.

"Let me open it for you," Shane said.

Evanna stiffened and stepped aside, painfully aware of his proximity. He pulled the door and held it open for her.

She wanted to facepalm while her cheeks burned hotter. Of course! Pull from this side, not push!

In her peripheral vision, she sensed him watching her with a ghost of a smile hovering over his lips. She murmured "thank you" and dashed out.

After a quick detour to the restroom to recover, Evanna hurried out into the plaza and followed the stream of students. To her surprise, they didn't stop at the auditorium. They went past the car park and down a pathway that wound through leafy grounds until they reached the multi-purpose stadium.

Students took their positions in neat rows and columns on the well-tended field, while teachers sat down on the tiers of seating. Amidst the flurry of activity, Evanna drifted to the very back, wondering where she should stand.

"Where are you going?"

She turned to face a thin girl in pigtails, standing erect with her arms behind her back. The shiny badge pinned to her blazer gleamed in the sun. A prefect.

"I was wondering where 12-E is," Evanna said.

"Over there." She pointed out a column of students further away. "What's with your hair?"

"I'm sorry?"

The prefect reached out a bony hand and flicked a lock of stray hair. "This should go in the ponytail, hon."

Evanna straightened up and locked eyes with her. "Why?"

"Why?" she snapped, eyes flashing.

"Yeah, what's wrong with it?"

It was as if steam issued out of the other girl's ears, but before she could respond, another prefect materialized next to her.

"Steph, you're needed," he said distractedly. "10-B."

"Fix your hair." Steph glared at Evanna and stormed off.

Evanna walked to the line of students making up 12-E and positioned herself at the back. Then she pushed stray hair behind her ears just to be on the safe side. The last thing she wanted was to get into trouble over trivialities.

The short boy in front of her turned around. "Girls stand at the front."

"Oh."

A few minutes later, Evanna stood behind Sery Kwan, the girl she stuck her tongue out at just the day before in the bus. Memories of the trip flooded in, and it was as if an icy claw constricted her. She balled her fists.

Sery turned briefly to introduce herself. Then she resumed her hushed conversation with her friend, whose name seemed to be Ula. The boy behind Evanna made no attempt to talk.

"Did you see the hair?" Sery was whispering. "It's longer than ever!"

"Of course I did." Ula giggled. "I think the knot suits him better."

"I like the old hair!"

Evanna ignored them and glanced back to ask the boy what time it was. He appeared startled at being spoken to, and his features morphed into a sheepish look.

"Sorry, no idea." His eyes flitted to Sery before settling back on her. "You're not into Obsidian?"

"What?" Evanna whispered back. He doesn't have a phone? Oh, switched off too maybe.

"Obsidian. You don't know?"

"Um, no."

Surprise flickered over his face. "You'll know soon enough."

"Okay..."

Evanna craned her neck and looked around. There was no sign of Marilda, Junho or Max. It doesn't matter, Ev! Find Alcina. Whatever this is might've happened to her too!

Suddenly, a hush fell over the assembled students. Evanna leaned to the side and glimpsed a woman in her thirties, who strode up to an elevated podium. Her prim suit lent her a formal air that was toned down by bold lipstick and strappy heels.

"Good morning! And welcome to a whole new year, people! I'd like to welcome all the new kids to the best school ever," her youthful voice boomed out, and she added in a lower voice, "I'm your principal, by the way—Sandra de Alwis."

There was a smattering of laughter.

"This assembly is going to be long. Now I'd have liked to hold this at the auditorium, but quite a few of our teachers have insisted on upholding this tradition."

There was a collective groan. That was when it occurred to Evanna that they were all expected to stand motionless in the sun until they were dismissed. Prefects were stationed around to make sure no one was talking.

The vice principal, who was an older woman, addressed the crowd in a subdued voice—a stark contrast to the principal's ebullience. She went through a list of announcements.

Evanna tuned out the monotonous voice and shifted her weight. Bright sunlight now fell directly on the listless crowd as the sun climbed higher up the sky. She bowed her head to shield her face. Let's hope my day cream comes with SPF.

After the woman finally stepped away from the mic, the head prefects were summoned to speak. Evanna snapped up her head. Alcina! She's going through this too? Is she going to pretend everything's cool or—

A tall, dark-complexioned girl walked purposefully towards the mic, followed by a lanky boy. Their names were announced as Vanya Lenadora and Neo Estefan. Vanya delivered a speech that was formal, while Neo's was more impromptu and light-hearted.

There was no sign of Alcina.

Then new prefects and heads of clubs made a grand entrance, marching to music provided by the school band. Each student walked proudly up to the principal to have their new badge pinned.

Half an hour later, the last badge was bestowed and the applause waned, at which point, a thin teacher slowly took the mic.

A charged silence descended.

Evanna twiddled impatiently with her fingers while worry roiled inside. Her need to sit somewhere steadily intensified.

Then a sudden commotion grabbed her attention.

The girls ahead of her turned to stare at the source of the disturbance, and she followed suit. She had a split second to glimpse an unconscious girl being carried away by three female prefects.

"Just one today. That's a good sign to start the year," a deep, drawling voice announced with a touch of amusement. "Young people nowadays are too...soft. A little sun will do you good."

The teacher clapped her hands next to the mic—a harsh sound that rang out like a gunshot. "Stand straight!"

Everyone tensed up.

"Much better."

Evanna leaned forward and whispered to Sery, "Who is she?"

"Thelma Lycurgus—the discipline incharge. She's a math teacher," Sery whispered back. "The prefects report to her."

"Oh."

"It is, of course, no secret that the amendments made to school policy are not to my liking," Lycurgus said, which elicited a laugh or two from the other teachers. "But I'd like to remind you that at Komoreby High, we take discipline very seriously. You will not act in such a way that will tarnish the reputation of the school...while you're here and in public. Some of the school rules and banned items can be found on the website, but I will go over it briefly. Your uniform should be in order...and your physical appearance."

The teacher swept her laser-like eyes over the students as if daring them to step out of line. "Boys are allowed to have hair up to ten inches, as long as it is firmly secured away from the face. As for girls...pigtails are not compulsory now. Ponytails are allowed, and short hair should not be obstructing the face. You may consult a prefect to get information on banned haircuts. The prefects are updated on the latest, Vanya?"

Vanya, who was standing next to her, replied in the affirmative.

"Girls are required to wear simple gold earrings. No other jewelry allowed. Bags must be black or gray. Items such as DVDs and pen drives can only be brought with a teacher's permission. Now that mobile phones have been allowed, they have to be on silent and should only be used to make phone calls to contact family, when staying back after school or going for private classes. Large groups of students should walk quietly in single file...the supervision of which is the responsibility of the prefects and class monitors."

A wind blew through the assembled students—the rustle of clothes sounding loud in the stillness. Here I thought the frying pan was bad. Now, it's tipping...into the fire.

"If you're found with inappropriate material, you face the risk of expulsion. If you cause trouble or habitually break rules, you risk expulsion. If you are found to be in a romantic relationship or behave in a way that suggests it, you risk expulsion. Any questions?"

Her query was met with silence, except for another student collapsing in a dead faint.