Days turned into weeks, and at last, the day of the mission arrived. Fiona hurried towards the nearest station, her heart pounding in rhythm with her footsteps. Boarding the train, she clutched the strap of her worn-out school bag tightly—a stark reminder of her change in identity; a taxi was out of the question.
It was her first time on a train, and the chaos was new. She found an empty seat and sank into it, trying to steady her breath. But her mind wandered. Her mother's warning echoed in her mind.
"If he finds out who you are," her voice sounded as cold as her personality. "He won't hesitate to get rid of you… neither would I."
Fiona shivered, goosebumps prickling her skin. The icy tone of her mother when she said those words had been enough to send shivers to the bone. She knew very well that it wasn't a threat; it was a promise.
She reminded herself not to let her identity slip, and to avoid making mistakes.
Arriving at the front of the enormous building, Fiona paused, taking a deep breath to calm herself. The school before her, its glass door reflecting her calm even though her heart was in turmoil. She straightened her blazer and pants, which helped her pass as "Jack, and stepped inside.
She made her way to the principal's office to collect her textbook. The receptionist barely looked at her before motioning her towards the door. Pushing it open, she stepped inside.
Seated behind the office desk was a fat bald man. Upon seeing her, the principal's lip curved into a friendly and cheerful smile. To others, the smile might seem out of place, but not to her.
"Ah, Jack," he said, his voice dripping with cheerfulness and slyness. He sounded so welcoming; others might feel flattered, but not her.
The principal was not just a harmless worker. He was one of the ice queen's most trusted minions, planted here to ensure Fiona's success in the mission. He wasn't just monitoring her; he was a reminder. His presence made it clear: "Failure wasn't an option."
"Welcome," he said, gesturing to her to sit. His tone was pleasant, but his eyes said otherwise. Fiona forced a polite nod, her mind already bracing for the days ahead.
"Your class is class B," the principal said, his voice calm but deliberate.
Just as he was about to continue, a knock at the door interrupted him. Fiona felt a great relief wash over her at the sudden interruption.
The door creaked open, revealing a young, agile man with a friendly demeanor.
"Principal, I heard we have a new transfer student in class B," the teacher said, stepping into the room.
"Yes, indeed." The principal gestured towards Fiona with his usual practiced smile.
The teacher's face lit up with a welcoming smile. "Welcome to Philly Elite School. My name is Robin," he said warmly, extending his hand." Fiona shook it, forcing out a polite smile.
The principal leaned back in his chair, folding his hands. "You can escort him to the class and handle the introduction," he said, his eyes locked with Fiona's. There was a pause—a subdued signal, one Fiona understood.
"Alright, let's go, Jack," Robin said, turning towards the door. Fiona stood up, adjusting her clothes as she followed him out of the office. Her steps were steady, but inside she was in turmoil.
As they entered the classroom, the chatter of students died down, and all eyes shifted towards Fiona, curiosity evident in their eyes. Robin stepped to the front of the room with his usual cheerful smile. "Let's all welcome our new student. Why don't you introduce yourself?" He gestured to her to speak.
Fiona stepped forward, her expression neutral. "Hi, my name is Jack Griffo," she said coldly, her tone devoid of enthusiasm. Her eyes scanned the room for her target.
It didn't take long to find him. He stood out effortlessly with striking blue eyes and short, wavy blonde hair. His presence was commanding attention even in a crowd.
As Fiona's gaze lingered on him, he seemed to sense it. His eyes shifted towards her, meeting hers with a cold stare. His expression was unreadable, but his gaze held an expression of curiosity and caution as he was silently questioning why the new student was watching him intently.
Fiona quickly averted her eyes, masking her thoughts behind her cold facade.
Time passed in a blur, and before Fiona realized it, the school day came to an end. Her emotions were a mix of relief and frustration, relief that she could leave but regret she hadn't made any progress on her mission.
As she exited the school gate, her eyes inadvertently caught sight of him; Adrian was stepping into his sleek black car. Fiona quickly turned her head, determined not to draw attention to him; her attempt failed.
Adrian's sharp instinct picked up her gaze. A glint of suspicion flickered in his eyes as he leaned back in his chair.
"Second master, is something wrong?" The driver asked worriedly, seeing his master's inattentiveness.
"Nothing," Adrian replied, his tone giving away nothing. "Let's go.".
"Understood, sir." The driver nodded, then zoomed off.
Fiona relaxed seeing the car driving off, unaware she had already caught his interest.
Fiona adjusted her bag and headed towards the train station, her step quick.
The station buzzed with activity, and when the train arrived, she squeezed herself inside; she was immediately greeted by the crowd. "Maybe it was rushing, hour," Fiona mused.
Spotting an empty seat, Fiona moved towards it, only to be shoved by an elderly woman who claimed the spot with arrogance and without acknowledgment.
Fiona's first instinct was to ignore it, but the woman's smug attitude ignited her anger.
Her mother had always told her, "Never back down', and Fiona wasn't one to yield."
"Ma, could you stand up? I was about to sit there," Fiona said, her tone polite but her smile sharp.
The old woman glanced up, intimidated by Fiona's cold gaze. She was about to stand up, but then as if recalling her status as an elder.
She straightened her back and scoffed.
"Do you have your name written on the seat, first come, first served?" she said loudly, her voice rising to gain the crowd's attention.
Fiona blinked, speechless at her shamelessness. Fiona didn't know what to say.
"The young boy was about to sit on the chair, but you rushed past him and took the seat without asking." A young lady from the crowd said.
The murmurs around them became louder as the crowd, combined with the woman's words, began to voice their agreement.
Though hesitant to openly confront an elder, they couldn't ignore the blatant unfairness.
The old woman's face was reddened with shame, but she remained seated because of her pride; Fiona, on the other hand,simply smirked inwardly, not wanting to waste her time on trivial matters.