Easton Rhodes steps out of the sleek black car, sunlight glinting off the polished surface as he takes in the sight before him. Cypress Institution stands like a fortress, its imposing façade of gray stone towering above, intimidating and grand. The whispers of its secrets seem to echo through the air, curling around him like smoke from the fire that consumed his former school.

     Santino Teuscher joins him on the front steps, his expression unreadable as he surveys their new reality. "So this is it," Santino mutters, his voice low. "The place we're supposed to spend the next few years of our lives."

     Easton nods, but his thoughts are already drifting elsewhere. "It's different," he replies, his tone a mix of anticipation and reluctance. "But that's the point, isn't it? Different means better." His eyes scan the courtyard, filled with clusters of students in uniforms, some already casting curious glances their way. "No more ashes, no more ruins. We can start fresh."

     "Fresh," Santino echoes, though there's a note of skepticism in his voice, but he's amused, "Yeah, I'm not sure about that."

     Easton turns to him, sensing the unease. "Come on, man. This is our chance. Darwin's gone. We'll make the best of it here." He pauses, smirking as he adds, "Plus, I hear Cypress has its perks."

     Santino raises an eyebrow, but before he can respond, Easton's attention is caught by a figure in the distance. From the corner of his eye, he sees her—a girl, walking out from the side of the building, her stride confident, her posture poised. She's talking to someone, her voice carrying on the breeze, though the words are lost to him. Then she turns, smiling briefly as she says her goodbyes, and that smile strikes Easton like a bolt of electricity.

     Angel Eldridge. He recognizes her instantly. Her golden hair catches the light as she moves, and there's something about the way she carries herself that makes her seem untouchable, yet alluring. Easton's heart skips a beat. He almost forgot why Cypress is better than Darwin, but in that moment, he's reminded.

     "I want to go inside," Easton says abruptly, grabbing Santino's arm before he can protest. "Let's check out the place."

      Santino barely has time to react as Easton drags him toward the entrance, his mind still lingering on the girl he just saw. The grand doors of the institution loom ahead, and as they step inside, the world of Cypress envelops them, cold and indifferent.

     The hallway is lined with lockers, students moving in synchronized chaos as they hurry to their classes or loiter in groups. The atmosphere is charged with the unspoken rules of hierarchy, and Easton can feel the weight of it pressing down on him, though he refuses to show it.

     Angel stands at her locker, her back to them as she gathers her books. Easton makes a beeline for her, Santino trailing behind, unsure of what to expect.

    "Angel," he calls out to her, grabbing her attention. She pulls her head out of her locker and turns to them, taking in the sight of both boys.

The girl tilts her head slightly, studying him. Her expression is unreadable, but there is a subtle edge to her gaze, like she's sizing them up. After a brief pause, she closes her locker with a soft click and face them fully.

     "Easton," Angel says. Her gaze shifts to Santino, studying him for a moment before she speaks again. "And you must be Santino. You must be the new transfers," she says. Her voice is smooth, controlled, but Easton catches the trace of hesitation in her tone.

     Easton flashes a grin, though it doesn't quite reach his eyes. "Good to see you again, Angel," he says, his voice smooth, almost too smooth.

     Angel nods, her expression guarded. She knows she's supposed to welcome them, to play the part of the perfect hostess, but something about Easton makes her wary. She glances at Santino again, noting the way he stands slightly behind Easton, as if unsure of his place. There's something different about him—something she can't quite place, but it intrigues her.

     "I'm supposed to give you a tour," Angel says, her lips pursing slightly as she forces a smile. "I guess, now that you're here, we can get started."

      As she leads them down the hallway, the sound of hurried footsteps and laughter echo from behind. Angel turns just in time to see two girls rushing toward her, their excitement palpable. Lillian DuPont and Priscilla Flores.

"Angel, have you seen—" Lillian starts but stops short when she notices the boys. Her eyes flick from Angel to Easton and finally land on Santino. "Oh, you're on a tour. Didn't mean to interrupt."

Priscilla, always poised, stops beside Lillian, her smile polite but guarded as her eyes settle on Santino. There's a fleeting tension in the air—subtle but present. "A tour for the Darwin boys?" she asks, her voice smooth but with a trace of disapproval. "Didn't realize they needed that much hand-holding."

     Angel catches the undercurrent in Priscilla's tone toward them being from Darwin and she gives her a slight, knowing look. "It's their first day. Just making sure they don't get lost."

      Lillian's lips quirk in a smirk, her eyes dancing between Easton and Angel. "Easton? Lost? I thought you could find your way out of anything, Rhodes."

      Easton grins, but it doesn't quite reach his eyes. "I can. But I figure Angel's company makes it worth pretending."

       Lillian rolls her eyes, but there's a bite to her next words. "Good to know you're still as charming as ever."

      Priscilla's gaze flicks back to Santino, sizing him up before she offers a cool smile. "Santino, right? How are you finding Cypress? Quite a step up from Darwin, I imagine."

       Santino meets her gaze, his expression calm despite the veiled slight. "It's different. But I'm sure I'll get used to it."

     Priscilla raises an eyebrow, her smile tight. "I'm sure you will. Just remember, this isn't Darwin. Things work a bit differently here."

       Easton, sensing the shift in focus, grins at Lillian. "You know, Lillian, I'm starting to think you're more excited about me being here than you let on."

      Lillian rolls her eyes but can't hide the hint of amusement. "Please, Easton, as if I don't already have enough on my plate. You're just another complication." She glances at Angel with a teasing smile. "Or maybe you're Angel's problem now?"

      Angel gives Lillian a knowing look, her lips twitching in a barely suppressed smile. "Easton's always been his own problem. I'm just showing him the ropes."

       Priscilla chuckles softly before turning her attention back to Santino, sensing he's a bit more reserved. "So, Santino, any plans to join a club or a team? Or are you just here to shake things up?"

       Santino shrugs, his demeanor relaxed but thoughtful. "Maybe a bit of both. I'm keeping my options open. I used to play soccer, but I'm thinking of trying something new here."

      Lillian's eyes gleam with interest. "We could use some fresh talent on the field. But don't let Angel talk you into the debate club unless you like losing."

     "Shut up, I've won more debates than I've lost," Angel murmurs, nudging Lillian's shoulder. "But if you're more into sports, I'm sure Cypress has something that'll challenge you, Santino."

       Priscilla nods in agreement, her voice calm but encouraging. "Cypress is all about finding your niche. Whatever you decide, just make sure it's something you enjoy.
But new or not, he's got some catching up to do in actual classes. I hope you can keep up, guys."

Santino nods, his expression steady. "I'll manage. I'm used to challenges."

Priscilla's eyes linger on him for a moment longer before she gives a small nod of approval, though it's clear she's reserving judgment. "Good. Just make sure you don't bite off more than you can chew."

Easton, sensing the cold reception, gives Priscilla a measured look before flashing his usual confident smile. "Don't worry about us, Priscilla. We're quick learners."

Priscilla's smile doesn't waver, but there's no warmth in it. "We'll see."

       Easton, not one to be outdone, gives Santino a nudge. "Don't worry, man. We'll make our mark here, just like we did at Darwin."

       Angel senses the conversation dragging on and decides it's time to move forward. "Alright, enough socializing. We should finish the tour before these two decide to commandeer it."

Lillian laughs lightly, giving Easton a final teasing glance. "Try not to embarrass Angel too much, guys."

As they walk away, Lillian leans in to whisper something to Priscilla that makes both girls giggle. Angel watches them go, a small, fond smile tugging at her lips. For a moment, the tension eases, replaced by the familiar comfort of her friends' antics.

     Angel turns back to Easton and Santino, her expression smoothing into something more composed. "So, where were we? Right—the rest of the tour. Shall we?"

      She continues down the hall, the two following. As they pass by a groups of students near the science wing, Angel points it out. "That's the auditorium over there," she says, nodding toward a set of double doors. "We have assemblies once a month, though most of the time it's just a lot of boring speeches. But it's also where the drama club puts on their performances. They're surprisingly good, if you're into that sort of thing."

      Easton's attention, however, is divided as they move through the crowded halls. The students of Cypress Institution seem to be acutely aware of the new arrivals. He can feel their eyes on him and Santino—some curious, some indifferent, but a few with an unmistakable edge of hostility. The hallways are alive with murmurs and quick glances, and it's clear that every newcomer is subject to scrutiny.

      His gaze is drawn to a particular student leaning casually against a wall. Alex, with his wavy brown hair and dead blue eyes, exudes an aura of effortless coolness that borders on arrogance.

     His uniform is a deliberate deviation from the norm; the navy blue jacket with red lining is draped over his shoulder, held by a single finger that lets his jacket hang down his back, leaving his white polo shirt visible. The top button of his shirt is undone, the tie nowhere in sight. His posture is relaxed, almost dismissive, as he surveys the scene.

     Alex's gaze locks onto Easton and Santino, his expression shifting from casual disinterest to something darker. There's a flicker of something cold in his eyes, a silent judgment that seems to cut through the air.

      When Santino's gaze is drawn away from Angel, he notices more students nearby. One in particular, Miles, is engaged in animated conversation with a group of friends. His curly brown hair is neatly styled, and he wears glasses that catch the light every time he turns his head. Unlike Alex, Miles's uniform is pristine—his red tie perfectly knotted, his jacket buttoned up and worn with a sense of precision.

      His eyes flicker toward Easton and Santino intermittently. Though he's laughing and participating in the conversation, there's an unmistakable hint of condescension in his gaze. His well-groomed appearance and composed demeanor suggest a meticulous nature, one that aligns with his reputation as an overachiever who believes in the inherent superiority of those who meet his standards.

      As Easton and Santino walk past, Alex's eyes remain locked on them, his expression a mask of barely contained irritation. It's clear that he doesn't appreciate the intrusion of new students into his domain. He shifts slightly, the muscles in his jaw tensing, and his eyes narrow as if eyeing them up for some undisclosed reason. There's an almost tangible sense of menace that accompanies his stare, a warning that he's not someone to be trifled with.

        In contrast, Miles's gaze is more detached, though equally telling. He offers a brief, scrutinizing glance before returning to his friends, but the look he gives Easton and Santino is one of barely concealed disdain. It's as if he's already categorized them—probably as unworthy of his attention. His laughter, while genuine, carries an edge of superiority, a reminder of his belief in the hierarchies that he upholds so rigorously.

      Easton catches all this in a fleeting moment but doesn't let it show. Instead, he maintains his composure, though internally he's already formulating an impression of the two. He exchanges a quick look with Santino, a silent acknowledgment that they've just been sized up by some of Cypress's more influential students, it seems.

    "And here's the science wing," Angel continues, unaware of the duo's distraction. "If you're into biology or chemistry, you'll probably spend a lot of time here. Just watch out for Mr. Rogers. He's . . . particular about his lab rules."

     "Particular how?" Santino asks, finally speaking up.

     "Let's just say he's been known to kick students out for not wearing the proper goggles," Angel replies with a small grin. "He takes safety very seriously."

       As they continue down the hall, Easton can't shake the feeling that they're being watched. He glances back over his shoulder, catching sight of Alex and Miles still lingering by the lockers. They aren't staring directly at him, but he can feel their eyes on him, maybe even judging him.

      Angel leads them to a set of double doors. "And that's pretty much everything," she says, turning to face them. "If you need anything else, you know where to find me."

      Easton nods, his gaze lingering on her for a moment longer than necessary. "Thanks, Angel," he says, his voice low. "We'll be seeing you around."

      She grimaces. He needs to cut the whole thing he's doing. "Try to keep out of trouble," Angel says, her tone light but laced with warning. "Cypress isn't Darwin. People here have long memories."

      Easton notices the change in demeanor, and he nods, his eyes glinting with something unreadable. "I'll keep that in mind."

      With that, Angel turns on her heel and walks away, her posture as perfect as ever. Easton watches her go, his mind racing with thoughts he can't quite pin down. But one thing is clear—this is only the beginning.

      And beginnings, Easton and Santino know, can lead to anything.

AUTHORS NOTE ━━ the way i planned out the entire fic all last night so i have ideas about who im lowkey gna kill off. ik this wasnt in the application but sigh i lowkey need my sad amazing gorgeous characters who die (obviously dying a hero).

on a real note r u guys okay with me killing off ur character (AS A HERO PLEASE) + itll only happen toward the very end of the fic. + are u okay with being tied to the fire somehow (mainly ur parents)? im choosing certain individuals so not everyone is involved js so we can keep it real. lmk asap !! ill obvi add more alex n miles next chapter i swur

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