"APPARENTLY," ADELINA WHISPERED to me, "Sebastian Hong likes you."

I didn't respond immediately. In a way, it didn't all that surprise me. The consistency with which he messaged me, tried to talk to me in class, the whispering and the snickering from the rest of the boys...

I wasn't an idiot. I sensed these things.

"Well, too bad for him," I whispered back.

Adelina sent me a sideway glance. "You're going to say no? You're quite close with him. And he's good looking. Fairly popular. Nice. You get along."

"That's a friendship I'm interested in," I replied, eyes still on our speaking tutor. "Not a romance. I'm not interested in any romance, not especially right now. Besides, he hasn't actually said anything." And hopefully, he'd be smart enough to keep it all to himself.

"Huh," she murmured. "You knew, didn't you?"

"I suspected. I'm not stupid, you know, I notice things."

"How did you know?"

I shut my eyes. "He asked me to be Zhao Wan'er. You know, the Chinese magician. He's doing the runway as Xuan Hu. The most iconic pair of lovers in Chinese magician history—what else could he be trying to do?"

"Well, fuck."

"If he's clever, he won't say anything."

"He just might," Adelina told me. "If I were you, I'd start subtly dissuading him."

"I'll try my best." I'd always been a bit cold of a person—he might not even notice the difference if I started trying to push him away. That was slightly sad.

But I wasn't lying. I had no interest in entering any kind of romantic relationship with anyone, least of all Sebastian Hong. But if I pretended nothing was going on, that I didn't suspect a thing, he probably would be inclined to stay silent. That was fine by me.

I just didn't want things to be awkward. Things always got awkward when feelings got into the mix. Especially romantic ones at this age. As if any of us, any of us, knew what love actually was. Half the time, crushes weren't even crushes. People just didn't know how to differentiate their feelings.

I'd already had a few debates with Yunji over this. Yunji, who thought it didn't matter as long as you found the one. She always liked to talk like she knew exactly who that was, and lately I'd been inclined to believe she thought she had. I disagreed. Firmly.

It didn't matter if you found the one at this age. Because at the end of it, there were too many things in the way for someone at age fifteen. Exams. University. Work. It would just be the age-old tragedy of the right person at the wrong time.

I'd always been a cautious person. I wanted to do my very best to avoid that kind of situation. I was going to be here for almost four more years, I did not want to have anyone I actively needed to avoid. Especially not among the full boarders, who I'd be facing every day.

But that was just me.

I made a mental note to see how this progressed. I hope it didn't.

"So, we're doing the fashion of the early 2000s. Y2k culture, if you'd like to put it that way," Miss Carpenter announced. "Feel free to dig through your wardrobe, see if you have anything. If you want to be a model, find the sixth formers in charge—I believe that's Hannah and Kylie and sign up with them. Don't come to me, that's just useless."

Yunji strolled to me and Adelina in the corner, grinning. "Oh Adelina, Adelina, can I borrow your garments?"

Both Yunji and I dressed in a relatively similar style—the preppy style, you could say. Relatively more conservative and old-fashioned, with darker colours. Adelina was the opposite. Adelina liked to dress bright, with exaggerated pieces that instantly captured the attention of anyone in the room. She was born to be the star of the show and it was obvious in every thing she did.

She was the kind of girl everyone envied, it was obvious from the moment I'd met her.

Adelina looked up at Yunji and jokingly scowled. "Which one?"

"Any that you think fits on me," Yunji said, bringing one hand to her forehead. "You're the fashionista, save me from this disaster."

"You don't have to be a model," I said dryly.

"I want to be a model," Yunji huffed. "Every fucking school event, I sit underneath the stage in the orchestra pit and play my bloody violin. It's boring. I want to be on the stage for once."

"That's where we all want to be, isn't it?" Adelina grinned. "Unless you're an introvert. Then probably not. But most people. The centre of the stage, the lights all around you..."

"One would think you were the one interested in doing Drama GCSEs rather than me," I remarked.

"Eh, I was born into what basically is a family of celebrities."

Yunji said, "You know, most celebrity kids crave privacy since they got none for most of their lives."

"Yeah, but my family's not that famous," Adelina scoffed. "I actually lived fairly privately for the most part."

"Your family's only one of the most famous last names in the world of magical sports," I snorted. "You're famous, deal with it."

Adelina pulled a face at me. I shook my head and glanced at Yunji. "If you're doing it, I'll do it with you."

Yunji's grin grew. "I assume you're doing it too, Ade?"

"Obviously," Adelina said, looking offended she might even suggest something different. "Where else would I be? Not going?"

"Are you going as Jacilara?"

"If you go," Yunji said hopefully, "you'll be getting us both a free meal of takeaway."

Adelina scowled. "Yeah, that's you. What do I earn from it, hmm?"

"Our undying love and friendship."

Adelina's eyes narrowed at me. "Do I not already have that?"

I blinked. "Our never-ending, no matter what you do, love and friendship."

"That sentence sounds very grammatically wrong." Yunji scratched her head.

"It was," I nodded in agreement. "It's very wrong. Stupidly wrong."

Adelina let out a loud, loud snort. Yunji and I made a show of ignoring her, still furiously nodding our heads at each other. Analisse Kwok, who'd just sauntered towards us, blinked. "Am I missing something here?"

Adelina jabbed her fingers at us. "Yeah. Them being idiots."

"So," Analisse said, smile on her lips, "the usual?"

"Excuse me?" Yunji snarled, whipping her head around, mock fury written all over her face. "Did you just call us idiots?"

"No," Analisse said innocently, pointing at Adelina. "She did."

"And you agreed."

"Did I?" Analisse asked, blinking. "Oh, I hadn't noticed."

"You did," I said with a grimace. "I thought we were friends, Analisse Kwok. I thought we were allies."

"We still are," Analisse informed me. "But I can still think you're idiots."

"You're the bloody idiot!" Yunji shot back, crossing her arms. "No, but seriously. I'm so excited for the fashion show."

"Any particular reasons?" Analisse questioned, leaning against the wall.

Adelina raised a brow. "Dressing up in fancy clothes and sauntering in front of the entire school isn't enough of a reason for you?"

"That's you," Analisse murmured. "Yunji isn't like that."

Yunji scowled. "Actually, that is me. It'll be so cool, you know?"

Analisse blinked. "Never took you as the type who enjoys the spotlight." It wasn't criticism or insult, just an observation. Analisse was a smart girl, I'd realised that a while ago. There was a reason she of all of us had established a group of friends among the day. She read people quite well, I liked to think.

Yunji's lips tugged downwards. "I'm a performer, Analisse. I play instruments."

"Yeah, but like, you rarely do solo performances. It's always group performances or orchestras..." her voice trailed off as she noted Yunji's expression, quickly changing the topic. "Well, the fashion show is going to be awesome fun. I'm already sure of that."

"Most definitely," I grinned. "It's going to be awesome."

"Our first major school event," Adelina noted. "We got to impress. Blow them all away with our grace and beauty."

"Have we not already done that?" Analisse asked sarcastically. "My mistake—I thought we'd already succeeded."

"Debatable," Yunji said, jokingly, though her tone was tight and her unhappiness was clear. Yunji was someone sensitive, easily upset. We always had to watch our words around her, make sure she didn't take something the wrong way. Like with the Nadia situation a few weeks ago, for example.

It got annoying sometimes.

But we were in the same house, and we had to live together for at least another year or two, so I'd kept quiet. Sometimes you had to learn to accept things even if you didn't like them.

Just the way of life. Nothing would ever go exactly how you wanted it to be.

"Time to get to class," I told them, standing up as I checked the time. "I'll see you guys around, yeah?" My first class was Theory of Magic today, my favourite. Behind History, perhaps, though the two classes were honestly similar enough right now.

I left the common room and walked out of Lok House, slowly making my way to the Klairns Building when a voice called my name. I whipped my head around to meet Sebastian Hong's eyes. Theodore was besides him, one dark brow raised as he regarded me. I dipped my head slightly in greeting at him, then said, "Well, hello there."

Seb grinned. "Yo, good morning. What class do you have right now?"

"Theory of Magic," I told him. "Dude, we have basically the same schedule. We always have Theory in the same period, even if we're in different classes."

Seb waved his hand. "Shut up. I don't remember these things."

Theo pinched his nose as he sped up to catch up with Seb. "It's not something that takes brainpower to memorise, Seb."

He rolled his eyes. "You two, I swear, you just love to team up to bully me."

My earlier conversation with Adelina suddenly flashed through my head, and I subconsciously took a step to the side. Best if I wasn't seen too close with Seb right now. Or give him any ideas.

Just in case. I was on a mission to make friends and keep them. Crushes and romances rarely helped with that.

Theo blinked. "No, I just think you need to use your brain more often." I let out a loud snort in agreement, and Seb's nose scrunched up in displeasure as he glanced between the two of us.

"This is abuse," he declared after a moment of silence. "Abuse, pure and simple. I ought to report both of you for this."

"Go ahead," I said. "Report us. Let's see what the teachers say."

His dark eyes narrowed. "Wow, Honoria. Just wow."

Theodore rolled his eyes at the other side of Seb. "Come on, we're going to be late to Theory. And Dr Johanson is going to slaughter us. Well, you. I won't get punished for it because he knows it's not my fault, but she'll kill you."

Seb grunted in disgust. "He's so fucking biased, I swear. I hate him."

Theo smirked. 'The way around that is to become a teacher's pet, you know. Start paying attention, answer questions, hand in your homework on time. It's not that difficult."

"No," Seb deadpanned. "Just no.'

"Is she good? Dr Johanson, I mean? I've heard mixed things." I shrugged so that my tote bag wouldn't slip off my shoulders.

"She's good," Theo admitted, "but biased. If you're a good student you'll love her classes. If you're like Seb, she'll demolish you. Whose class are you in?"

"Mr O'Hara's," I told him. "He's an actual legend, I love him with my life."

"Oh wow," Seb snorted. "Imagine."

I stuck my tongue out at him. He laughed, shaking his head. I pushed open the doors into the Klarins Building. My classroom was on the ground floor, so I waved to the boys before pushing the door in.

Mr O'Hara nodded at me in greeting as I made my way to my seat. James Taylor turned his head, glancing around to make sure no one was eavesdropping, and then whispered, "I've been hearing things about you."

"Does it have to do with Sebastian Hong? If it is, it's not true."

James grunted. "I expected as such. You don't seem like the kind to date someone like him."

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"You're... you, and he's him. You're too different."

I blinked as I sat down. "Yeah, well, I'm not interested in dating anyone right now. I don't know if it's true on his part, but I most definitely don't like him back. Why do people care anyways? My friends told me about it earlier. I thought he wasn't that popular."

"Well, he's no Clark Ford or James Withington, but he's still fairly well-liked. Everyone knows him even if he's not living in their heads rent-free. And the only other real piece of drama so far has been Adelina Roche and Withington, and Adelina's been denying it with ever inch of her life."

I snorted. "Tell me about it. I'm best friends with her, Taylor."

"Well, it's funny. But at the same time, at this school, people think you're dating the moment you talk to someone of the opposite sex. Or even the same sex. It's ridiculous."

"I've noticed," I said dryly.

"Has he said anything? Sebastian, I mean?"

I shook my head. "I mean, we talk. He's quite... enthusiastic, but I haven't been able to tell if he's just like that or if it's something else yet. I'm being careful, though. Keeping some distance, you know. I don't want to start shit."

"Smart choice," he said with approval. "That's the way you survive at this school. Don't worry about the rumours, they'll die as quickly as they appeared if you don't fan the flames."

"I won't," I promised. "I'm not an idiot."

"On the other hand, if you want to get relevant, fan it now."

"Not interested," I laughed.

Mr O'Hara started his lesson then, so James turned back to start listening to class. I flipped open my textbook and began to listen as well.

—

"HONORIA!"

I felt like quite a celebrity today, if I must be honest, with the amount of times people I wasn't even that familiar with had stopped me in my path. Is Sebastian Hong potentially crushing on me really that important? I thought to myself. This time it was Nicole Yeung, ponytail bouncing behind her as she ran towards me, bright smile on her face.

I smiled in return. Nicole was nice. I didn't necessarily like her, but she wasn't a bad person by any means and I had gotten no reason to hate her. I just didn't enjoy her presence. She got on my nerve in that way where you couldn't explain it.

(Jealousy, I reminded myself again. I'm jealous of her, whether I want to admit it or not. Jealous of her popularity which I didn't want, jealous of how the world seemed to revolve around her which was ridiculous because Adelina gave off the same charm, jealous of how she made everything I found difficult seem so easy.)

"Nicole," I said in greeting. "How's your day?"

"Pretty good, pretty good," she replied, sucking in a deep breath. "Jesus, that was tiring."

Good-humouredly, I said, "You didn't need to run, you know."

"Yes, yes, but I wanted to talk to you, so I had to catch up somehow. You walk really fast, did you know that?"

"Long legs," I said dryly. And I was around a head taller than Nicole, who was extremely short, even for an Asian female. She must be barely five feet tall.

"Is that a height joke?" she demanded, faking a scowl. "I'm insulted, Honoria Song."

"Well," I offered, "it could be me saying I'm tall."

"Not around here," she said sympathetically.

I sighed. "Not around here." While I was easily the tallest in class at my old school, five feet six really wasn't that dramatic here. Considerably tall, but still rather average. Nothing special. But it was enough to put a distance between me and Nicole.

She giggled. "My god, it's funny isn't it? How things are different here?"

"Yeah. It's quite interesting. Culture differences, I like to think. I mean, I expected it before coming here."

She nodded. "Some of us adjusted better than others, I think."

Was that a jab? That had to be a jab, right? Because there was no way Nicole hadn't realised I was one of those people who hadn't adjusted very well. My closest friends were still the full boarders, and the people who I'd consider my friends outside of them numbered few. Was she just oblivious, or was this on purposeful?

I was thinking too much. I was certain about that. But I couldn't help it. I always tended to overthink, and with someone like Nicole Yeung who I still hadn't properly discerned the character of, well... my brain went rampant.

My silence seemed to throw her off. She blinked as she turned to me. "You good?"

"Yeah, yeah, sorry, just a bit tired." I rubbed my forehead, offering a (fake) sheepish grin. "What did you say?"

"Never mind," she said, shaking her head. Was that her realising she'd said the wrong thing? Probably. Okay, I had to stop thinking she was trying to fuck with me with every word she said. That's Nadia Sorren, not Nicole Yeung.

And what do you know? Speak of the devil. "Nicole!" Nadia's voice yelled from behind us. I didn't turn, but Nicole stopped. I continued to walk. Maybe she wouldn't notice. But then Nadia yelled, "Honoria!"

Well, I couldn't keep on walking now, could I? I'd been called by name by Sorren herself. So I halted in my steps, plastering a smile on my face as I turned, cocking my head in silent greeting. "Nadia."

Why did she want to speak with me?

"Nadia!" Nicole was visibly far more enthusiastic than I was, and good for her. If she wasn't, I'd be concerned. They were meant to be best friends, after all. "I was just chatting with Honoria here about, umm..."

"How things are different here than home," I said tightly. "Is there anything important either of you have to tell me? If not, I need to rush back to house, I don't want to be late for my next class."

Nadia's eyes flickered to me, the disbelief clear in her gaze. "Classes are in twenty minutes. Chill out, Honoria."

"I'm hungry," I replied. "I really want to eat."

"Chill, chill," she let out a little laugh, "we won't take up too much of your time. We've just been hearing rumours."

The moment Nicole had approached me, I'd already been thinking about this. There was no reason for why these two of all reason would be interested in this. Even if they wanted to ask, they'd have gone to Seb. Not me. Unless they were less close to Seb than I'd originally expected. In which case, I supposed it would be less awkward asking me.

I blinked, feigning confusion. I was rather good at that. "Rumours? About what?"

Nadia stared at me. "You haven't heard?"

I knew she'd buy it. I knew she'd buy it because I didn't have a lot of friends around school who would actively keep up with the news, or so she thought. I was pretty sure she thought my friendship with Adelina wasn't much of a friendship anyways, instead something more like her and Nicole and Collette. Almost minion-like, though not precisely. And she didn't think much of Yunji, that much was painfully clear. It was idiotic of her, honestly.

Both of them kept up with the news. Happily. And both knew a lot.

"Heard what?" I asked incredulously, letting out a soft laugh. "Whatever it is, it's probably not true. It's a rumour for a reason."

"Huh," Nadia exchanged a glance with Nicole. "That's interesting. Never mind, then, never mind."

I just stared, as if I was utterly confounded. Maybe she'd think that I was simply too startled by the fact that anyone was bothering to gossip about me, which was partially true. I genuinely could not fathom why anyone was finding this tidbit of information interesting.

Nicole gave me a smile. "I'll see you around, Honoria."

I smiled back. "Bye. Have a nice day."

They turned into Sorren House, and I continued a few steps further to reach the entrance of Lok House. Stumbling in, I was immediately dragged to the side by Yunji. "I saw you talking to them."

"You saw correct. I feel like I've just barely escaped from Nadia Sorren's fucking claws."

"What did she say?" she demanded. "Why were they talking to you?"

I raised my brow at her. Her expression was knitted together, her frustration clear. She was jealous. That seemed to be the main emotion that dictated us. That couldn't be good. "What do you think she'd be talking to me about? What do you think about me has suddenly captured attention around the school?"

She covered her face with her hands, grimacing. "Sebastian Hong?"

"Sebastian Hong. I managed to very gracefully extract myself from the conversation, in case you're curious. Extremely tactfully. No feelings hurt. Though I'm pretty sure she thinks I'm an isolated idiot now who doesn't keep up with any of the latest news."

"Honoria!" she exclaimed. "You could have befriended them through that."

I froze for a split second, taken aback by the sudden turn of her attitude towards the Sorren girls. "Excuse me? I thought you hated them?"

"Yeah, but," she bit her lip, "if you befriend them, they'll probably accept me too. And then we could be relevant, you know—all her friends are relevant, and—"

I waved my hand, cutting her off, expression turning harsher. "Yunji. What the fuck?"

She stared at me, nonplussed. "What?"

"They look down on us. Every damned second of the day. Especially you. You hate them."

"Yeah, but they're popular. We could use that—"

"I think you're reading things wrong here." I raised my head, meeting her eyes with a steely gaze. "Yunji. You're the only one among the two of us who wants to become relevant. And if that's ever going to happen to me, it's not going to be because of Nadia Sorren or Nicole Yeung."

"I know we don't like them," Yunji sighed, "but this opportunity is just too good to pass on—"

"I think that you need to rethink your priorities. Grades are the most important thing here, Yunji!" I rubbed my forehead. "I'm not using this to befriend Nadia Sorren so that you could become popular!"

"Why not?" Yunji asked, crossing her arms. "It's perfect! And if you date Seb—"

"I'm not dating anyone! I thought I told you I'm not dating anyone until I turn sixteen!"

"You cannot be serious," she laughed, shaking her head. "That's two years away. That's just ridiculous."

"No it's not! I'm not dating anyone until I'm sixteen, least of all Sebastian Hong!"

"He's considerably handsome," she supplied, "of course, you can't compare him to... I don't know, James Withington or someone like that, but he's still fairly good looking."

"No."

"Why not?"

"I don't feel anything for him past friendship, and I'm not dating until I at least turn sixteen. And even if I ever date anyone, it's not going to be so that I become more... popular."

I shouldn't be surprised this was what Yunji saw this whole situation as. A chance to raise her social status. Selfish, that was what she was being. But she was my friend, so I didn't say that. I kept quiet, like I always did, swallowed the words that threatened to erupt from my throat that I knew would hurt her. And thus our friendship, which I did treasure despite her many flaws.

God knew I had few enough friends at this school already to risk losing any.

Yunji pouted. "Fine. Whatever." But I could tell she hadn't just accepted it. That little brain of hers that she thought was so clever was still moving, its gears stil turning. Luo Yunji didn't give up this easily.

"I mean it, Yunji." But I, Honoria Song, wasn't someone who could just be used like a tool either. And when I meant business, I packed a punch. Yunji better get it. If she tried anything, there would be consequences.

"I get it," Yunji huffed, rolling her eyes. "Okay, I need to go back. I'll see you later."

I didn't say bye as I turned to the stairs to head upstairs. I glanced at my watch. Ten minutes left. Fuck my life. It took five minutes to get to the classrooms, so I basically only had five minutes of break left. I despised this with every inch of my being. Theory of Magic was fun, but always draining. And I actually was starving. I hadn't lied about that much to Nadia Sorren.

I barged into my room. Neither of my roommates were here—I was quite certain I'd seen them in the common room when I was passing by, and I made a beeline for my food stack in the cupboard of my desk. I took out two pieces of chocolate chip cookies and began munching as I quickly checked my schedule for my next lessons—I had Mythology and then Human Sciences. One was fun, the other was not.

Well, I supposed I couldn't have everything in life.

I was out of Lok House five minutes later and managed to get to Myth class just in time. Thankfully the teacher didn't care all that much—certainly half the class showed up after me. Our teacher, Mr Bandara's dark eyes scanned the incoming students with various levels of disgruntlement. "You're all late. I think you all should be saying something right now."

"Sorry sir," one of the smarter students said. "I was talking to my tutor."

"And the rest of you?" Mr Bandara demanded.

"I was in the bathroom," one girl sid.

"That is not an excuse. Get to your seat. This is all of your last warning. If you're late to classes next time, you're getting a detention unless you have an acceptable excuse. And going to the bathroom is not acceptable, you have twenty minutes for that." Mr Bandara had a fairly bad temper, but honestly, he wasn't wrong. It really wasn't that difficult to not be late, especially for the day students, whose common rooms were mere steps away from the Klairns Building, or even in it.

The boy besides me sat down with a grunt. I swore I heard him whisper asshole under his breath. I pretended not to hear it.

"Now that we're all settled down, let's get down to it. I've marked your narrative accounts of Lady Clarissa, and I'm disappointed." Mr Bandara stood up, strolling to the centre of the room. "I expected far better from all of you. Only a few of you showed you actually put any effort into it. The rest of you seem as if you wrote the essay the night before class."

I chewed on my bottom lip. I really hope I hadn't fucked it up. I knew I'd put effort into it, but I still hadn't fully grasped how teachers marked things here. It wasn't the same as back home in Hong Kong, and it took time to adjust.

"Thus," Mr Bandara continued, "I want some of you to redo your essays. If you see something written in purple at the bottom, I want your rewritten essay by the end of this week. Don't give me that look. You have three days, and these really are just not up to standards."

No one said anything. Everyone just remained silent. Marissa McKennen, a red-haired girl from my house, met my gaze across the classroom and faked a pout. I shrugged in response, shaking my head.

Mr Bandara started handing back our work, and the class exploded into motion again as papers exchanged hands. He placed mine on the table, and I picked it up.

Ten out of twelve. Not bad. Not bad at all. I was alright with this. I rather thought I was one of the people he said did put effort into it.

"Look through my comments," Mr Bandara demanded, "and try to see what you did wrong. I want you all to reflect. How are you going to do well on your JCMs if you put this little effort into it? I know what you're thinking—oh, sir, our JCMs aren't until next year—but this is preparation for it! Are you only going to start working hard in the months before it? Let me tell you, it'll be far too late by then!"

I bowed my head as if ashamed, even though I knew he wasn't talking about me. If I wasn't working hard enough, well, then, I simply gave up.

Okay, of course I could work harder. But compared to the other students? I thought I was doing just fine. I was actually studying, for one, rather than making videos to post on social media every day after school when we should have been focusing on our academics. I placed effort into my preps rather than doing the absolute bare minimum. And it was barely October.

I'd been here for an entire month. I thought I'd be feeling homesick by now, but school and life kept me busy enough I hadn't had much time to think about home. That was a good thing, I supposed, but it did make me feel a bit guilty at times. I still called my parents daily, checked in with them all the time, but the fact that I rarely thought about them now as I rushed from one class to another, one meal to the next made me feel bad.

But I'd made my choice. And I didn't regret coming here at all. I was grateful for all the people I'd already met, and the many more I would. Adelina, Seb, the two James of Wadsworth House, and even Yunji, despite our grievances. This was probably one of the best choices I'd ever made in my life.

"I want all the rewritten versions handed in on time. Anyone who misses the deadline will be given detention. Am I understood?"

The class murmured their agreements. I, who didn't have to rewrite it, put it between my textbook for easy storage.

"Good," Mr Bandara glowered. "Let's get started with the actual point of the lesson today."