The first two days of class were fine. I was able to get situated thanks to the class teachers. Putting on my uniform and scent blocked before popping a pill in my mouth, I got ready for class, heading through the courtyard to find where the classes were. "Miyo!" turning, I found Andy walking towards me. "Hey, what's up?"
"Nah, nothing. I just thought walking towards class would be nice."
"Oh, okay." I checked my pocket for my student ID, feeling relieved I had it with me. "Wanna have lunch with me after class? I'll pay," I said, shaking my ID in his face. He grinned. "Inviting me for a date now?"
"Never mind then, looks like I'll have a lot more money," I said, putting my ID away and walking faster away from him.
"Hold up, hold up," he said, rushing towards me. "Don't be mean now."
I rolled my eyes. "Meet me after class in our dorm courtyard. Then we can head somewhere to find food."
I glanced at my schedule, my fingers trembling slightly. First-class: Advanced Literature. Great. I loved reading, but discussing it with a bunch of overachievers? That was a different story.
When I entered the classroom, I was greeted by the sight of students sitting in neat rows, their faces buried in thick novels. I took a seat in the back, hoping to go unnoticed. As the teacher, Ms. Enderson began discussing Shakespeare, I felt the weight of her gaze scanning the room. "Alright class, the new students, I hope you've familiarized yourselves with the rules. If not, inquire with a classmate."
Rules? I didn't get the rules that everyone else seemed to have. They appeared so confident, so prepared.
"Alright, flip to page 15. We will look at what happened in that particular scene." The discussions were intense, and I found myself engaged—something I didn't do often. I could sense the eyes of my classmates on me whenever I hesitated to share my thoughts. I managed to mutter a few comments about the themes of ambition in "Macbeth," but I could tell my voice lacked the conviction of the others. By the time the bell rang, I was relieved. I needed a break to gather my thoughts.
"Hey, Miyo, right?" A freckled boy approached me, a pleasant scent coming from him. An Omega. I hadn't interacted with anyone of the same sub-gender yet at this school.
"Yeah, it's Miyo," I replied, curious.
"Here," he handed me a pamphlet. "This has all the school rules and some more unspoken ones. I noticed in class you seemed a bit lost when Ms. Enderson mentioned the rules."
Oh, I didn't know it showed on my face. "Thanks. Anything else I should know?"
"Nope, just a welcome to AWS. Word of advice: stay invisible."
"Plan to," I said, frowning.
"Oh, and another thing: don't get marked."
Marked? Like a bite mark for mates, or is it something else? Should I ask? Nah, it didn't concern me.
"It's never gonna happen," I said, sounding confident.
The rest of my classes went similarly. Chemistry was probably my favorite class so far; it was a whirlwind of equations and new knowledge. I sound like a nerd now.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, it was time to meet up with Andy. I stepped out into the courtyard, the sun casting a warm glow on the vibrant flowers lining the pathways. I spotted Andy leaning against a tree, his brown uniform blending in with everyone else down here. He waved enthusiastically, and I felt a surge of relief.
"Dude! How was your first day?" he asked, grinning widely.
"It was... intense," I replied, chuckling nervously. "Everyone seems like a genius or something."
Andy laughed, his easygoing demeanor a comforting presence. "You'll get the hang of it. Trust me, it's not as crazy as it seems. Plus, I've got your back. This lunch that you're treating me to can be a first-day celebration!"
My stomach rumbled at the thought of food. "You're more excited about me surviving the first day than I am," I joked. "Where are we going? I don't have a place in mind."
"Found this awesome burger place just off campus. You're gonna love it!" he exclaimed, already heading toward the exit.
As we walked, the conversation flowed easily. Andy filled me in on his classes and the hilarious antics of his fellow dorm mates. I felt my worries slip away with each laugh. The burger place was a small, cozy joint that smelled of grilled patties and fried onions. The walls were covered in vintage posters, and the place was buzzing with a few students.
We settled into a booth and ordered a mountain of food: burgers piled high with toppings, crispy fries, and milkshakes that looked like they belonged in a dessert shop. As we dug into our meals, I felt a sense of comfort.
"You know," Andy said between bites, "everyone feels out of place at first. Just give it time, and you'll find your groove."
I nodded, grateful for his support. "Thanks, man. I needed this."
"I've been wondering—why do you wear scent blockers?"
I looked at him skeptically. "What do you mean?"
"I don't mean anything by it, but most Omegas at the school have no need for scent blockers because the pills they provide lessen the effects of your pheromones, so there haven't been any accidents with Alphas."
"The pill is good and all, but it's like second nature for me to wear my scent blocker that covers my gland. I'm not used to having it off."
"You think if we get closer, you'll—never mind."
I looked at him skeptically again. I didn't think I wanted to know what he was originally going to say.
We spent the rest of the evening joking and sharing stories, the worries of my first day fading into the background. Once we finished eating I headed to the library. The walk was long because the library was the only place that wasn't in a specific dorm it was in its own section of the school completely devoided of any classification.
Finally, I reached my destination: the library's entrance, a grand archway completely draped in ivy. Seriously, it looked like something out of a fantasy movie. The doors were massive, made of dark wood and intricately carved with swirling patterns that probably had some deep meaning I didn't care to figure out. I pushed them open, and my breath caught in my throat.
Inside? Wow. It was like stepping into another world. The ceilings soared way up high, adorned with ornate chandeliers that cast a warm glow over the whole place. Rows and rows of bookshelves stretched endlessly, filled with all kinds of books, their spines gleaming like treasures just waiting for someone to pick them up. The smell of old books mixed with fresh parchment wafted through the air—a scent I'd always found comforting, like a big literary hug.
I wandered deeper into the library, my eyes wide with wonder. Cozy reading nooks were tucked away in every corner, each one practically begging me to curl up with a book and never leave. There was even a spiral staircase winding up to a second floor that looked just as enchanting. I could already picture myself losing track of time in the pages of countless stories, diving into adventures, and learning a ton from the wealth of knowledge surrounding me.
As I explored, I noticed students scattered throughout the library—some hunched over desks, others sprawled out on plush sofas, all totally absorbed in their studies. The atmosphere was super chill, filled with the soft rustle of pages turning and the occasional whisper of conversation. I felt this wave of belonging wash over me. This place was way different from my classes; it felt like a sanctuary, a space where I could escape and really explore my thoughts.
After a few moments of just soaking it all in, I made my way to a nearby shelf and grabbed a book that caught my eye. The cover was worn and well-loved, but the title promised some serious adventure. I couldn't wait to dive into its pages later and see where it would take me. This library was definitely gonna be my new favorite spot on campus, but I headed to the spot I originally came here to find.