Walking back to class, Winter noticed a commotion in the hallway. In the middle of the crowd, stood the boy with blazing red eyes. Layla groaned, "They're at it again." Winter studied him, "Who is he?" Mandy rolled her eyes, "That's Sam Tudor. The school's central axis." "As in, Blake and Katherine Tudor? The infamous author and movie star?" Layla grinned at Winter with a sidelong glance, "Always the same reaction." Mandy snaked her arm around Winter's shoulders, "Blake Tudor is Sam's older brother and Katherine Tudor is his mom." Winter's attention meandered back to the commotion, "What about his dad?" Mandy and Layla shared a look that Winter couldn't place. Mandy chimed in a hushed voice, "We don't know much about his dad, but there are rumors." Layla swayed her arms, "Some say his dad is the owner of C.J. Stars Group. Other people say he's the headmaster. No one knows for sure though, the family never talks about him."
When they arrived at the classroom Mandy and Layla huddled around Winter's desk, quietly continuing their conversation. The bell rang and Winter mindlessly twirled her thick, black hair between her fingers when the young looking female teacher that was watching her in the office entered the classroom. "Everyone open your English books to page two eighty seven," she said in a voice that was concurrently soft and assertive. "Yes Miss Terran," echoed throughout the classroom. She absentmindedly opened the book, noting how young Miss Terran looked, most likely mid twenties. Winter shifted in her seat while the woman studied her with an intensity she couldn't understand.
After school, Winter walked through the front door to be greeted with silence in a completely desolate house, "Home sweet home." She ripped off her uniform and tugged on her oversized comfort t-shirt before she flopped down on her bed, sighing loudly, "Well, that's finally over." She stared at the glow-in-the-dark star stickers on her ceiling, and an unwelcome tear rolled down her cheek as her brother crossed her mind. It had been six years since she'd last seen him.
Winter's melancholic mood was interrupted when heard a noise. She irritably swatted at the tear as knuckles tapped her door, "Sweetie?" "Come in Mom." Her mother settled next to her on the bed, "How was your first day?" She shrugged coolly, "Same as always." Her mother sighed, gently stroking Winter's hair, "What did you think of the school?" Winter's eyes shut, soaking in the comfort of the maternal gesture, "The campus was breathtaking. I ate the best salad I've ever had and the people are," Winter paused to recall everyone she came in contact with, "interesting." Her mother continued running her fingers through her hair, "You didn't get into any trouble?" "Nope. It was very quiet." Her mother softly tied up Winter's hair in the way that only she knew how. Winter twisted the ring on her finger, "How did I get into Golden Academy High anyway?" Her mother's hands stilled in her hair. When she didn't respond, Winter turned to face her, "I mean we're well off but not ridiculously wealthy or anything. So how did I get in?" Winter's mother finished tying her hair before she stood to leave, "You got in because you are very special my dear."