Several cars arrived in succession, one after the other.

     Some were taxi cabs; others were luxury or bulletproof cars. As each vehicle stopped another student dragged their bags into the dormitories. Winter break was officially over and every student who'd been away was back to start the new school year.

     Chloe never had a really stellar grade average, even though her mother was a teacher. She used to not take school seriously and really she never had to. Somehow though, she felt that was about to change.

     Chloe hugged her books against her chest as she walked down the hallways to try and find her homeroom class. She could see several students—that she assumed were Scholarship kids—skimming through colored index cards filled with notations. That couldn't be a good sign.

     The door that led into her class was tall and paneled with six small glass panes to peek inside. The interior was set up more like a college lecture room than a high school class room. The teachers desk was more like a professors, fully equipped with an overhead projector, whiteboard and large HD screen for class movies.

     There were already so many students seated, but the teacher hadn't arrived yet, so that meant she had to be early. The Elite students in the class were all sitting together in the front seats of the classroom. Scholarship students seemed to sit all together at the seats far in the back. Chloe tried her best to make a quiet entrance into the classroom and take a seat.

     A small, crumpled piece of paper hit the back of her head and caused her to look for the culprit.

     It was Solara; she flagged down Chloe to come sit with her and Sanford. At least she knew someone in her class. That had to be a relief.

     She bit her lip and with all her belongings bundled in her arms she tried to slide past students like a person in a crowded movie theatre trying to get to a bathroom. Once she reached Solara she sat in the empty chair beside Sanford.

     "One of the hottest guys at our boarding school and he spends his winter break with you, whatever magic you're able to work, please pass some of it to me," Sanford whispered towards Chloe.

     She needed a moment, just a moment to process what Sanford was saying.

      "Please, like you didn't know I was gay. . ." Sandford has assumed that was why Chloe was silent.

      "No, it's not that! It's just. . . if you're talking about Dominic, it's not like that between us," she explained. Even though she gave him a clear answer, Sanford didn't look convinced.

      A tall woman in a bright-red overcoat and heels stepped into the room. Her skin was pale; her hair was jet black and shadowing her face. Her lips were the same color red as the rest of her outfit. In a sea of cream, blue and cranberry uniforms she stood out like a lighthouse across the sea at night.

     Chloe found there something very strange about the teacher, something she couldn't quite put her finger on yet.

     "All right class, winter break is over, and you know what that means. In order for each student to qualify for graduation they must gain a minimum of three or more credits in each subject here at Darkwood. For each failure, misbehavior or breaking of school rules there will be demerits that will determine your overall credit score. Three demerits removes one full credit from your year and your parents signed wavers giving teachers full permission to give out demerits as they see fit." The woman voice was strict and clear. She pressed her hands against the desk and leaned forward to smile.

     "Basically children, if you so much as breathe in a way I don't like, I can give you a demerit for it. Do your work, don't whine, complain or say it's too difficult and we'll get along just fine for the school year. Don't forget, your fellow students here at Darkwood are your future employers, business partners or even spouses, what you do here at Darkwood will follow you for the rest of your natural lives. So don't screw it up. . ."

     The door suddenly opened; another student had arrived, but they were late. They stayed by the door at first and apologized to the teacher.

     Chloe lifted her head up to see who it was who managed to probably get their first demerit of the year.

     It was Prince!

     He was panting, like he'd just been running to get there.

     "Mr. Price, so glad you could join us, I heard you were switched to my homeroom at last minute. I will let you off this time, but if you are late again don't think I won't issue you a demerit. Please take your seat." The teacher gestured towards the other Elite students in the front row.

     "I apologize, I won't be late again, I promise." Prince was sincere in his apology, but he didn't go sit at the front. He deliberately went up the stairs and seemed to be heading towards Chloe's seat!

     Prince settled into the empty seat beside her and smiled with his perfect face. His eyes seemed to say that this was his solution. Chloe had told Prince to find another way, but she never expected that it'd be this. Her heart started to pound hard within her chest.

     The teacher withdrew her arm, a little perplexed with Prince's seating choice, but she didn't seem to reprimand it.

     "Alright class, for those of you familiar with me and how my classes work, welcome back again. To those of you who are new to Darkwood my name is Mrs. Sara James-Apple, nicknamed by the students here as the 'Poisoned Apple' for my fierce approach—I'm well aware that is what you all call me behind my back. . ."

     Mrs. Sara Apple lifted her wavy black strands of hair from her features and tucked them behind her ears. Now Chloe could recognize her face; it was very much like Elizabeth's' face had been before her numerous plastic surgeries.

     The teachers gaze locked directly on-top Chloe's. ". . . and yes, if you wiki me, I happen to be the younger sister of the former child-star Elizabeth James."

     Just like that, Chloe felt all the air within her lungs vacate. . .