The morning sun spilled through the curtains, gentle and golden, but Blair didn't feel its warmth. She sat up in bed, fingers tangled in her thick curls, her heart thudding like a drum. First day of school. It didn't feel like a beginning—more like being thrown into the middle of something already spinning.
She stood and walked over to the mirror, brushing through her hair slowly, then choosing a simple outfit: dark jeans and a plain white top. She paired it with soft pink sneakers and a gray cardigan, and threw her books into a dark canvas bag. Before leaving her room, she bent down and kissed Poppy's fluffy head. The tiny dog gave a sleepy huff.
Downstairs, Lily and Victor were already in the kitchen. Lily looked up with a warm smile. "Good morning, sweetheart. Ready for your first day?"
Blair nodded. "Trying to be."
Victor looked over the top of his newspaper. "Cassie already left with Mary."
"Oh. Okay," Blair replied, trying not to sound too disappointed.
Lily served her a plate of eggs and toast. Blair nibbled, more out of politeness than hunger.
Victor checked his watch. "The driver's waiting outside."
Blair grabbed her bag and headed for the door, tossing a quick "Bye!" behind her.
The car ride was quiet except for the soft hum of the engine and the occasional turn of a city corner. Blair stared out the window, taking in the elegant buildings, the luxury boutiques, the polished life she was now a part of. Somewhere in the noise of her thoughts, she opened her phone. Her fingers hesitated before texting: Hi. To Amanda.
She watched the screen. A typing bubble appeared.
Then vanished.
She stared a little longer before lowering the phone and looking out again.
They pulled up to the school gates. It didn't look like a school—it looked like a palace. Tall stone walls covered in ivy, iron gates, and fountains. Everyone wore uniforms: navy jackets, pleated skirts or slacks, polished shoes. She stepped out slowly, painfully aware of how her casual outfit stood out.
Inside, she climbed the marble stairs, following the vague directions to the principal's office. Halfway up, a voice called out.
"Hey!"
She turned to see the girl from the gala—the one who'd approached her by the buffet. Maddie.
Maddie grinned. "I decided to wait for you. First day and all."
"Really?" Blair asked, surprised. "Thank you. I was so nervous. This place is... massive."
"You haven't seen anything yet," Maddie joked, and the two walked together toward the office.
—
Cassie's POV:
The classroom buzzed with energy as students debated something the literature teacher had said. Cassie leaned back in her chair, arms crossed, lips pursed in a familiar mix of boredom and disdain.
Then the door opened.
Blair walked in, now dressed in the school's uniform: navy blazer buttoned neatly over her crisp white shirt, skirt ironed to perfection, socks pulled up. Her curls had been loosely tied back with a dark ribbon.
Cassie blinked.
Blair looked... good. Like she belonged.
She followed Maddie to the front where two teachers stood.
"This is Blair Maybell," one of them said. "She's joining us from Canada."
Blair looked down at her paper, hesitant. "Hi. Um... I'm Blair. I just moved here. It's my first day. I'm... excited."
Cassie watched the way Blair's voice faltered, the subtle tremble in her hands. The teacher smiled, sensing her nerves.
"You can take a seat, Blair."
"Thank you," she mumbled, and slid into a seat two rows ahead.
After class, a group of girls surrounded her.
"You're Cassie's stepsister, right?" one asked.
"What's it like living in the Quest mansion? You must be so rich now."
Blair didn't answer. She just brushed past them, face unreadable.
Cassie frowned. "Back off. She's my step-sister, and that's all you need to know."
The girls went quiet.
Blair glanced back, surprised.
—
Later, at the lockers, Maddie caught up to her. "I didn't know you were Cassie's stepsister."
"Did I forget to mention that?" Blair asked, lightly.
Maddie snorted. "You don't even care. Most people would brag."
"Why?"
"The Quests—and the Coveys—they're like royalty around here."
Blair shrugged. "I just want to survive the first week."
"Come on," Maddie grinned. "Let's get lunch."
They walked to the cafeteria and grabbed trays, settling at a table by the window.
"So," Maddie said, leaning in dramatically. "Welcome to Westbridge Academy. Let me show you the lay of the land."
Blair laughed. "I'm ready."
Maddie pointed to the far corner. "There's the Almost Famous crew—wannabe influencers, TikTok edits, fake lashes by nine a.m."
Blair giggled.
"Those guys?" Maddie tilted her chin. "The Money Clique. Trust fund babies. Big energy, no personality."
"What about them?"
"The Academic Avengers," Maddie whispered. "They live in the library. One of them cried when he got a B+."
Blair covered her mouth, laughing.
Maddie pointed to a loud table. "The Gym Gods. Always in sports kits. Even on days they don't have practice."
Blair glanced sideways. "And Cassie?"
Maddie smirked. "That's a mystery. She's like... in her own league. The Elite? The Crown Clique? Haven't settled on a name yet."
Blair chuckled. "What about The Glamazons?"
Maddie burst out laughing. "Perfect."
Blair smiled as she watched the cafeteria come alive. The noise, the chaos, the normalcy of it all—it didn't feel so scary with Maddie beside her.
From Blair's POV, she studied her lunchmate for the first time. Maddie LaFontaine. Tall, about 5'9", with a soft caramel complexion that glowed under the afternoon light. Her thick auburn curls were pulled into a low bun, and gold hoops dangled from her ears. Her body was athletic but lean, posture proud in a tailored uniform jacket with her name stitched in gold: LaFontaine.
Everything about her looked effortless.
And yet, she felt... kind.
Maddie leaned in. "You'll be fine, Blair. You've already survived the Glamazons."
Blair smiled.
"Thank you."
The bell rang. Students gathered their trays.
But for the first time since arriving, Blair didn't feel like the new girl anymore.