It's an odd feeling when you receive an acceptance letter to a school you never even applied to. Very odd. In fact, when my mom showed me, all I could do was laugh because Axis University didn't exist. Well, as it turns out, I was wrong. Apparently it does, and I was accepted, strangely enough. I felt the soft, white paper in my hands and traced the seal, my eyebrows knitted together as I stared.

"So," began my mother, "what do you think? You want to take a look?"

I rolled my eyes, letting the paper slowly fall back to the marble kitchen counter. "Mom, I'm going to Harvard, remember? That's what I want. I've never even heard of this 'Axis University' place before. Besides, look at their motto: 'Be a person on which the world can turn.' How cheesy is that?"

Mom smiled. "Okay, sweetie. I'm only saying you should consider it. After all, if you didn't apply there, that means they went looking for you. They really seem to want you at their school, Ally," she said, turning back to the pile of mail she had been sifting through only a few minutes ago.

"Fine. I'll consider it."

* * *

The sun was bright and hot on the day I walked into Axis University. Sporting a green AU sweatshirt, I had my small denim-looking backpack slung over my shoulder and my blonde hair up in a messy bun. Though I was nervous, I plastered a confident smile to my face as I strode through the huge double doors of the school.

Students milled around everywhere, filling up hallways and corridors, either chatting with teachers or each other. I grinned at that Italian guy I'd met before the year started. He was a senior, but he quickly scampered over to me when our eyes met, his brown ones lighting up.

"Hello, Ally! How are you today! Are you all right? Do you need help with anything? I can help you and guide you around if you need it!"

I laughed. "I'm fine, Fel, but thanks for asking. You can back to talking to your friends now."

Feliciano grinned. "Okay, but let me know if you need anything! I'm happy to help out ... especially if it involves pretty women!" B

Giggling as he walked away, I turned down a hallway to look for my first class; however, just as I was about to round the corner, out of the corner of my eye, I caught Fel's friend Ludwig glaring at me. I rolled my eyes. What was his problem? He was a German, definitely. I mean, his accent gave that much away. Golden-blonde hair was cut short on his head, and piercing grey eyes stared out from a rather square-shaped head. Something about him bothered me, though I couldn't quite place it. Maybe it was the fact that he treated everyone like he was their superior ... yet he wasn't exactly arrogant.

As I turned another corner, deep in thought, I ran straight into someone.

"Oh my god, I'm so sorry, I just--" I began, faltering when I glanced up to look at who I'd bumped into. Alfred smirked, a cold look in his blue eyes, which stared out from rectangular, wire-framed glasses.

"You're going here?" I asked incredulously, feeling the color rise in my face as I flushed with anger. How could Alfred be attending AU? No! I thought this year was going to be perfect! He snorted.

"Of course not! No; I'm not going to college. It's a waste of time, if you ask me. I just wanted to see who all was here, since we may be seeing each other every once in a while," he said with a sneer. "Besides, if I wanted to choose a school, it definitely would not be this one. I can't stand the people here!"

I glared at him. "Hmmm, well, I happen to like Axis University, so if you don't mind ..." I pushed past and said over my shoulder, "I'll be getting to my first class."

Alfred shrugged. "Whatever. See you around."

I froze, feeling the anger rise in my chest, then turned slowly to face him again. "No, Alfred. I will not 'see you around'. I have no desire to speak to you, look at you, or listen to you ever again. I only put up with you because, unfortunately, it is illegal to murder people."

As if he was trying his best to vex me even more, Alfred only laughed. "That's what I thought. Have a nice day." With that, he turned on his heel and turned the corner, hopefully exiting the school and never coming back. I stood for a moment and counted to ten, taking deep breaths. I had not expected him to be here. 

The door Alfred had been standing in front of opened, and a man walked out. He had blonde hair, like Alfred's, and green eyes, but oddly dark and thick eyebrows. Our eyes met and he smiled, nodding his head in my direction, then traced the path Alfred took out of the school.

I cocked my head and narrowed my eyes as he left. That man looked oddly familiar. It was like I'd seen him before, but not recently ... like I'd seen him about four years ago at Alfred's eighth grade graduation. Yes, that was right. He was Arthur, Alfred's older brother! He was the one who lived with his aunt and uncle in England. Why was he here?

Maybe he's volunteering with Alfred at FAEBS, I thought. FAEBS (Forces Allied for the Eternal Betterment of Society) was the organization across the street from the school. I knew that Alfred volunteered there every once in a while. Hopefully, he would stop volunteering this year so I wouldn't have to see him anymore.

The alarm on my phone started me out of my thoughts. Crap! I only had a few minutes left to get to my first class on time!