The soft morning light filtered through the patterned curtains, casting playful shadows on the lemon-yellow walls of my new room. I blinked awake before the alarm even had a chance to ring, excitement bubbling up inside me like a fizzy drink. Today was the day—the beginning of a new chapter at Blackthorn Academy. It felt like I was about to sip hot chocolate on a cold day, warm and comforting, with the anticipation swirling within me.

I turned my head to glance at the other side of the room. There was Sumi, all snug in her blanket, cocooned against the chilly air drifting from the air conditioner. Her breathing was steady, a rhythmic sound that filled the quiet morning. I sat up in my bed, the woven patchwork of my rug soft against my feet, and grabbed my phone from the bedside table. The screen lit up to reveal 5:45 AM. The orientation was set to start around 07:00 AM, giving me plenty of time to get ready.

I didn't want to disturb Sumi after all the fun we'd had last night—sharing a meal with my parents, her infectious laughter during our movie marathon, and her insistence on binge-watching her favorite Shah Rukh Khan [1] films. How did I let her convince me to watch so many? I chuckled softly, remembering how I'd promised myself I would only watch one, and yet I ended up staying up far too late, enchanted by his classic charm and the timeless magic of those stories.

I swung my legs over the edge of the bed, trying to mimic a leopard's stealth. I quietly reached for my backpack, careful not to make a sound. I unzipped it with precision, peeking back at Sumi to make sure she was still out like a light. She shifted a little but remained blissfully unaware of my morning mission.

With steady hands, I pulled out the small gift my parents had given me yesterday. I hadn't had a chance to unwrap it in all the excitement. What could it be? I carefully undid the ribbon, each tug of the fabric igniting a spark of curiosity. As the box opened, my breath hitched in my throat. Nestled inside was the most beautiful necklace I had ever seen—an 'A' shaped gold pendant that felt both thoughtful and minimalist, perfectly reflecting my style. This is so gorgeous! I held it up to the soft morning light, admiring how it caught the rays and shimmered.

I carefully fastened the necklace around my neck, the cool metal warming against my skin. It feels perfect. Unable to resist the moment, I snapped my first morning selfie on my bed at Blackthorn Academy. The sunlight streamed through the window, casting a soft glow on the necklace, making it shine.

As I looked at the picture, a thought crossed my mind: Can you believe I'm really here? It still feels like a dream. I'm excited to dive into this new adventure and discover what awaits me.

***

I was lost in thought when Sumi stirred awake after a while, rubbing her eyes vigorously as if trying to wipe away the remnants of sleep. "Good morning!" she greeted me, her voice still heavy with grogginess.

"Good morning! Sorry, did I wake you?" I asked sincerely, hoping I hadn't disturbed her.

"No, no," she waved her hand dismissively. "I woke up to my mom's morning texts reminding me to get up." We both chuckled softly at the thought.

Before I could respond, Sumi added, "We shouldn't be late for our first day. We need to head downstairs for breakfast, or we'll be stuck with just cornflakes and fruit. And don't forget to wear a light jumper; all the classrooms are air-conditioned except for P.E., of course."

Sumi spoke with the confidence of someone who had been at Blackthorn Academy long enough to know the ins and outs. Her family's legacy was woven into the fabric of the school. With an elder brother who was an alumnus, she carried the knowledge passed down from years of experience. She had a way of navigating the school's dynamics that made me feel like I was in good hands. I'm glad I have her to guide me, otherwise I'll be already lost in the maze of twinkles and stones.

Her enthusiasm was contagious, and I felt the excitement bubble up inside me as she urged me toward the bathroom that connected our dorm rooms. I took a quick hot shower, the steam enveloping me like a warm hug. This is just what I needed to shake off the last remains of sleep. When I stepped out, I noticed Sumi still cocooned in her blanket, scrolling through her phone. But the moment she spotted me, she sprang up and dashed into the bathroom for her turn.

As I dried my hair, I decided to leave it loose, adding a few clips to keep my strands from falling into my face. The long mirror in our room beckoned, and I couldn't resist capturing the moment. I stood there in my school uniform: a crisp white shirt beneath a sleek black jumper adorned with a crest on the upper chest, paired with a blue plaid pleated skirt. I can't believe I'm finally wearing this! It feels so official. The combination had a polished, formal aesthetic, accentuated by black tights and shoes that gave a classic, yet slightly edgy vibe.

I snapped a picture and sent it to my mom, excitement thrumming through me. Almost immediately, my phone chimed with her response, filled with emojis and a sweet message: "You look great, Vani! Ace your time at Blackthorn like you always do, my love. You make us proud." Her words always make my heart swell.

Just as I finished reading her message, Sumi emerged from the bathroom, fully dressed and ready to tackle our first morning meal together. The day was just beginning, and I could already feel it was going to be special. Here's to new beginnings!

***

As Sumi and I descended the majestic white marble staircase, I couldn't help but marvel at its elegance. The smooth, spotless steps gleamed under the soft morning light, as if they'd never seen a speck of dirt in their lifetime. Every footstep echoed lightly in the vast hallway, leading us straight into the dining hall.

When we entered, my jaw nearly dropped. The room was one of the longest I'd ever seen, stretching out with high, ornate ceilings and chandeliers that glittered like stars. Intricate details adorned every corner—the golden moldings, polished wood panels, and floor-to-ceiling windows that let in a flood of natural light. And at the farthest corner, the buffet spread awaited us, almost glimmering with promise.

Sumi and I practically pounced on the food as though we hadn't eaten in days. I filled my plate with a little bit of everything—don't judge me, okay? We grabbed our plates and made our way to a long dining table, eager to dig in.

As we settled down, Sumi glanced at me and asked, "Do you want me to grab you something to drink?"

I smiled and shook my head. "It's okay, I'll get us both some juice. It's right over there."

I walked over to the juice station and filled two glasses with fresh orange juice, but as I turned to head back, I bumped straight into someone. Juice splashed everywhere.

"How dare you!" a voice snapped, sharp and angry.

Startled, I quickly placed the glasses on the nearest table to avoid spilling more. "I'm really sorry," I apologized, feeling a knot tighten in my stomach. What a way to start the day... "I didn't see you."

The girl in front of me scowled, her uniform perfectly polished, like it had just been pressed. She wore what I could only guess were real diamonds around her neck and on her finger, sparkling like stars in the morning light. Her auburn hair was pulled back tightly into a sleek hair half up and down, tied with an oversized black bow—so big it looked like something you'd see at a wedding, resting dramatically on her head.

"You've ruined my favorite shoes! And now you're making excuses like you didn't see me standing right here!" She ended her rant with slow, sarcastic claps, making the whole scene even more theatrical.

Another girl stood beside her, slightly less polished. Her hair was tied into a tidy bun, and though she wasn't dripping in diamonds like her friend, she was still trying to make a statement. But it wasn't exactly working. She'd paired her skirt with a strange-looking cardigan—honestly, it resembled one of those ugly Christmas jumpers, completely out of place.

The girl in the cardigan jumped in, clearly ready to back her friend up. "Hey, you! Now you need to help her clean her jumper," she demanded, even though the jumper wasn't the problem.

Miss Sparkle Snob gave her friend an annoyed look, rolling her eyes before turning back to glare at me, as if trying to see into my soul.

In an effort to calm things down, I said, "I'll pay for your shoes."

She laughed, loudly and mockingly. "You? You think you can pay for my Versace shoes?"

I tried again, keeping my voice steady. "You can send them to professionals. They can clean them for you, and I'll cover the cost."

Sparkle Snob gave me a look like I'd just said something ridiculous, her irritation only growing. "I can't believe this school is letting in weirdos like you," she scoffed, saying it loud enough for the whole room to hear. She shot a glance at her friend, the girl in the weird cardigan, who nodded in solidarity.

Excuse me? That was uncalled for.

I felt my temper flaring. "Look," I said, standing my ground, "the only weirdo here is you. I spilled the juice by accident, I apologized, and I even offered to help. But you're clearly just looking for a fight."

"Oh, so now you're telling me what to do?" She smirked, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

I was ready to fire back when Sumi, who had been watching the whole thing, stepped in. "Tanya, that's enough!" she said sharply. "Stop making a big deal out of this. Don't you have anything better to do?"

Sparkle Snob—Tanya, apparently—narrowed her eyes at Sumi, but after a long pause, she rolled her eyes one last time and stormed out of the room, her friend trailing behind her like an obedient shadow.

Sumi turned to me, concern etched on her face. "Are you okay?" she asked softly.

I nodded, taking a deep breath. "Yeah, I'm fine." I won't let this ruin my first day.

We returned to our seats, and I tried to push the incident out of my mind. The last thing I wanted was to let Tanya ruin my morning. I wanted to enjoy my first breakfast at Blackthorn, not get caught up in pointless drama. So, we ate in silence, the clinking of utensils the only sound between us, as I tried to focus on the day ahead.

When I finished my breakfast, Sumi leaned in and said, "Don't worry too much about Tanya and Alia. Tanya can be... difficult. Sometimes. Well, most of the time." Her voice was soft, and her brow furrowed in concern, her eyes twinkling like she wanted to apologize on Tanya's behalf. It was clear she didn't want this incident to ruin my first day.

I nodded without saying a word, appreciating the gesture.

To break the silence, I smiled and said, "We should hurry, or we'll be late for orientation."

Sumi's face lit up, her perfect, contagious smile returning as she jumped out of her seat, full of energy. "Let's go!"

A u t h o r's   N o t e

Hi there, my loveliest blueberries! 

How are you all doing? I hope you are rocking your life like a rockstar!

So, what do you think of this new chapter? What do you think of the new character introduced—Sparkle Snob (a.k.a) Tanya Shroff? I would love to know your thoughts. 

Please click that star button below (or on top if you're a web user), your single vote pushes me to write more! Thanks a ton whoever is reading this. :)💖

—Love, your OG blueberry.

P.S. Reference [1]: Shah Rukh Khan (SRK) is an actor in the Indian Cinema. He has some bangers, especially his classics! ;)

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