16 | FIRST DAY

   WINTER was awake bright and early the next day. She gave a loud yawn while sitting up and stretching, her arms outstretched over her head. Winter laid back down in bed, half tempted to close her eyes and sleep the rest of the day away.

However, she was reminded that she was unfortunately no longer on summer break and furthermore would be unable to sleep all day for a long while. With a groan, Winter forced herself out of bed, stumbling her way to the shower.

After a long refreshing shower, Winter was quick to put on one of her normal scholarly outfits. Tightening a tie around her neck, Winter smoothed it down eyeing her form in the mirror to make sure she looked nothing less than presentable.

Her hair was already up in a tight bun, and her face was makeup-less alike to most days. Pulling on her gloves, Winter adjusted them until they were comfortable. Turning around, Winter double-checked her backpack making sure she had everything.

She had already packed it last night, making sure she had a folder and notebook for every class. The work that she had done early was in the respective folder for each class, and she had six different pencils and pens at the ready. Plus her calculator sat in her frontmost pouch.

With that thought in mind, Winter tugged her backpack on and made her way out of her room. Normally, on the first day, the hallway were buzzing with life as girls scrambled to their friend's dorms looking for certain beauty products or guys rushed about bleary-eyed.

However, none of that had started yet as it was still too early in the morning. Winter guessed people would start waking up in less than twenty minutes or so.

Walking down the hall toward the stairs, Winter paused briefly as she passed by the Sea Three's door. For a split second, she imagined Harry Hook popping out, but she was able to breathe when she passed by and there was not so much as a whisper of the Scottish accent.

She assumed they were all still sleeping. Plus, as far as she was concerned, they did not realize her room was literally a few doors down. She intended to keep Harry in the dark about that fact as long as she could, but she had a feeling it would not take him long before he was knocking at her door.

Walking down the few flights of stairs, Winter was suddenly in the courtyard watching as the sun completed rising. During the end of the summers and beginning of fall, the sun was already mostly risen when Winter woke up. However, during the winter and springtime, that was when it was still dark when Winter woke and she got to watch the sunrise.

The only people running around campus, as Winter noted, were teachers. She waved to a few she had last year, many teachers always finding that their favorite student was Winter as she rarely gave them trouble, always paid attention in class, and had her work done on-time.

When Winter entered the library, it was quiet and there was nobody inside. Winter figured the librarian was in the back. Making her way to one of the many comfortable armchairs, Winter sat down, nestling her legs close to her.

Peter Pan was a story that she, surprisingly enough, had not read for the first time until last year after she first met Harry. However, after her first read, the book quickly moved its way to her favorite books of all-time. Winter lost count of how many times she read the tale, but she certainly loved it every single time.

She found every character enthralling in their own way, although her favorite was no doubt Wendy Darling. She especially liked the part in the story where they partied with the indigenous people of Neverland.

When reading about Captain Hook, she could not help but find him to be a rather interesting person. The history between Hook and Peter Pan was intense. To hear that Peter Pan (a mere boy!) cut off Hook's hand and fed it a crocodile was interesting.

As Harry Hook was not in the story, Winter figured he must have been born on the Isle after Captain Hook's adventures in Neverland. She wondered if now that the barrier was down whether Harry's father would be returning to Neverland to finish off what he started long ago.

That thought made her curious about how Harry had been raised. It was obvious Harry respected and idolized him in some way as Harry did wear a hook to symbolize his father.

Perhaps one day Winter would get the courage to ask Harry. That was if Winter ever got over her fear of getting too close to him. Until then, she would continue to push him away.

Winter hoped that Harry never saw her reading the book of his essential roots because she was not sure if she could handle how pompous he would act if he learned just how interested she was in his origins.

After a while of reading, Winter put the book back in her bag and decided to head to the dining hall. Just as she suspected, there was barely anyone inside as it had just opened and no one was quite ready for the day.

Winter's stomach growled, her hunger built up from eating practically nothing yesterday. Humming to herself, Winter grabbed a plate and helped herself to the impressive buffet that was still being set up.

She figured it had something to do with the new VK students and the staff wanting to especially show-off for them. Winter placed a waffle on her plate along with some eggs and two pieces of bacon.

People would generally not begin showing up to the dining hall in the mornings until just after seven-thirty.

On the Isle, life for the VKs concerning school had been much more flexible. Only show up if you want and even then, the Isle schools did not start until eleven. And that was if the teachers themselves decided to make an appearance.

Or at least, that was what Evie and Mal had told Winter. Based on how Harry described school on the Isle yesterday only solidified the facts.

Winter remembered the first few days the four original VKs were here that they did not show up until the third class hour. Fairy Godmother eventually had to get on them about it.

Winter had already finished breakfast and was sitting in a spot by the window drinking a steaming cup of coffee when people began showing up. She always loved hot drinks as they made her feel warm inside, something that was rare for her.

It was not that the cold ever bothered her, but she did enjoy the feeling of warmth.

"Good, you showed up!" Evie sat across from Winter who was sipping on her coffee.

Doug sat next to Evie, both of their plates filled with similar foods. Pancakes and fruit, classic Evie.

"Couldn't miss the breakfast buffet, now could I?" Winter questioned as Evie gave her a warning look.

"Hold up, you ate something right? Because coffee does not count as breakfast Winter—" Winter held up a hand, stopping Evie short.

"Yes, I ate already, don't worry," she promised.

"Good," Evie grumbled as Doug shook his head with a smile.

"Coming in hot guys," Mal and Ben appeared, sitting at the table.

Mal was wearing her normal purple leather, Ben in his usual blue suit.

"Hi, Winter!" Ben greeted with a smile, Winter giving Mal's fiance a small wave.

"Where are Carlos and Jay?" Evie questioned, taking a bite out of her pancakes.

"Jay had to talk to the tourney coach and Carlos is eating breakfast with Jane and her mom," Ben explained as Doug rose a brow, taking a sip of his own coffee.

"Carlos is eating with Jane and the Headmistress?"

"Yep," Evie snickered at the information.

"That sucks," she laughed, knowing Carlos probably hated his life right about now.

It was not that Carlos disliked the Headmistress by any means, actually, he quite liked her, but eating breakfast with her was not fun in the slightest.

"Winter," Mal rested her head on Ben's shoulder, "we never did get to finish talking about our summers,"

"Oh my Gosh, you are so right!" Evie cheered, grabbing Doug's hand from over the table. "Doug and I proclaimed our love for each other!"

"It's about time," Winter casually leaned back in her chair, her coffee still in her hand.

Evie squealed and pulled Doug closer to her, Dopey's son only giving a bright smile as well. Winter nearly awwed out loud, finding their relationship adorable. Doug treated Evie even better than the princess she so hoped to be, he treated her as though she was his sun, moon, and air, as though she was his sole reason for living.

"Moving on from that," Mal stated causing Ben to snicker and Evie to glare, "why don't you tell us about your summer, Winter?"

Winter shrunk as all attention was thrown to her, the girl in question about to open her mouth until a certain group of people entered the dining hall that caught everyone's attention.

"They actually showed up on time?" Mal rose a brow at the sight of Uma leading a large group of villain kids.

Harry and Gil were right behind her, looking as though they were her personal bodyguards. Winter's breath was taken away at the sight of Harry, he wore something different than the usual red coat. Instead, he wore a dark short-sleeved vest that was unbuttoned revealing his tattered white shirt underneath.

The chains on his ripped jeans clattered against his belt, his boots halfway made up of leather. His leather-clad gloves were covered with metal, and he still adorned heavy eyeliner like a true pirate.

At this rate, Harry looked like some badass mix of a pirate and biker.

"Yeah, apparently they're better than you guys were on your first few days," Ben laughed as Mal hit his chest in a lighthearted manner.

"Shut up," Mal rolled her eyes.

Winter jumped when Harry met her gaze, the girl whipping back around, her cheeks flaming up. Evie noticed this and giggled.

"I really love that you're so pale, it brings out your blush,"

Winter whined at Evie's words, bringing her hands up and hiding her face.

"Good mornin', duckling," Winter peeked from the confines of her hands, watching at Harry pulled up a chair and brought it uncomfortably close to her own.

He was practically on top of her, the girl's shoulder brushing against him.

"Good morning, Harold," Winter said while scooting her chair slightly away, only for Harry to scowl then proceed to reach down and pull her chair back and even closer than it was before.

"Haha, Harold," Gil laughed earning a sneer from Harry and silent laughter from Uma.

"Oh my Gosh, look at you two!" Evie gushed. "Are you together yet?"

"No!" Winter called loudly, blushing brightly when everyone's eyes turned to her.

"Oh now that just hurts," Harry mockingly placed a hand over his heart, "don't worry, I have plenty of time to win you over, duckling," Harry leaned closer to her, smirking when Winter only looked forward, her cheeks flaming up.

Winter cleared her throat as Harry wrapped an arm around the back of her chair with a smug expression. Uma watched with raised brows, shaking her head at Harry.

The fact that he really had no game sometimes—were all the thoughts racing through Uma's mind.

"Okay then," Uma said, looking to Mal and Ben, "what were y'all talking about before we got here?"

"Ooh!" Everyone's eyes widened as Evie practically jumped from her chair, "Winter was about to tell us about her summer!"

"Ha, Winter in summer," Gil laughed causing Winter to sigh.

"Trust me, that is not the first time I have heard that joke and it definitely won't be the last," honestly, it was only people at Auradon who used that joke as outside of Auradon, she went by her full name.

"How was your summer, Winter? Is Arendelle doing well?" Ben questioned as Winter nodded.

"My summer was fine," Winter did not reveal too much about what she had done over summer, "and yes Arendelle is well. My mother and Queen Anna asked me to give you their greetings respect, they say Arendelle, the Enchanted Forest, Ahtohallan, and the North wish you luck in your rule as King,"

Ben coughed awkwardly, his cheeks warming as he nodded. Winter remained stoic, not sensing Ben's sheepishness.

"Uhm, thanks..."

"Uh-huh," Winter nodded as Harry let out a loud cackle.

"Yer funny," Harry stated causing Winter to purse her lips while looking at the side of his head.

"I'll show you funny," Winter scoffed earning a look of curiosity from not only Harry but everyone around him as well, "I take it you two were safe over summer?" Winter turned back to Mal and Ben who looked confused.

The two glanced each other in confusion, Mal looking to Evie for help but Evie only shrugged.

It was Uma who spoke up for Mal, "Do you not know what happened with Audrey...?"

"That is not what I meant, I mean were you two..." Winter paused as they still didn't get it, "...safe,"

"Oh..." Mal's eyes lit up understanding but soon she was flushing. "Oh! Oh my Gosh, Winter, this is not the place to ask that!"

Harry actually fell out of his chair from how hard he was laughing, Ben hiding his face in his hands while Uma's mouth was hanging open. Evie was laughing with Doug and Gil, well Gil just looked confused.

"What does she mean by that, I don't get it?" Gil said causing Harry to laugh even harder and Uma to release a few snorts.

"Well, were you?" Winter questioned, not even cracking a grin and ignoring the psycho-laughter next to her ear.

"God, yes, yes we were Winter!" Mal exclaimed as Winter smirked and stood up.

"Good, now if you will excuse me, I need to get to my first class—"

"Will ye help me find my class, duckling?" Harry had just gotten over his laughter, standing from his chair as well.

"You have not eaten yet," Winter reminded Harry who cursed as Winter shook her head while leaving.

——————

Magical History and Grammar flew by in the blink of an eye.

Much to Harry's chagrin, in Grammar the teacher assigned them all seats and he was seated on the other side of the room from Winter.

However, in the next class that they had together, which was History of Woodsmen and Pirates, the teacher was not quite so strict on a seating chart and they were able to sit where they wanted. Winter huffed when Harry pulled her all the way to the back as she wanted to sit in the front.

Not only that, but the rest of the class, Harry proceeded to barely pay attention and instead kept trying to play footsie with her. Winter eventually had enough and stomped on his foot, which sadly did little damage, and only made Harry tease her more.

"Harold, that was not funny," Winter hissed as they left the history class.

They did not have the next class together, but their classrooms were located in the same direction so Harry walked close to Winter. He walked so close to her, in fact, that he looked nothing less than some overprotective boyfriend.

"Aye, but yer cute when yer worked up, duckling," Winter's face flushed earning another laugh from Harry.

With a growl, Winter only pushed him the direction of his classroom. It was Safety Rules for the Internet and Winter knew he would hate it.

"Love ya too, lass!"

Winter ignored him, feeling the scar of his name on her burn slightly, as she walked to her next class. Belle's Bookclub.

Unfortunately, the book club did not last as long as she wished and soon Winter was walking to her Biology class which she again shared with Harry. Luckily, this was her last class of the day with him.

Winter had barely passed through the door before she was suddenly grabbed in a gentle manner and led to the back of the class.

"Harold," Winter acknowledged as Harry once again scowled.

"Duckling, I'm serious, stop calling me that," Winter simply breathed out as Harry's eyes moved to Winter's hands, "why do ye wear those gloves?"

The question took Winter by surprise, the girl going rigid. "What do you mean? I don't always wear gloves," She defended herself weakly, although they both knew it was a lie.

They took a seat at a desk in the back.

"Really?" Harry lazily drawled, resting his head on his hand, "because ye have worn gloves every time I've seen ye,"

Winter was at a loss for words.

"Is it because of yer powers? I've never seen snow ya know, we never got it on the Isle..." Harry said causing Winter to swallow, her eyes turning hard.

"The reason I wear gloves is none of your damn business," Winter snapped fiercely causing a look of surprise to flash across Harry's face.

He smirked at the sudden fire.

"Ooh, sorry, sore subject?" Harry teased only irritating Winter further. "You can tell me, I've been told I am a great listener."

"I somehow doubt that," Winter narrowed her eyes as the Biology teacher began speaking taking both Harry and her own attention.

"Welcome to Biology of the Human Body 101, in this unit we will be discussing..."