The sun had barely risen over Blackthorn Academy when the school gates swung open to welcome the new day. The campus, quiet at first, gradually filled with the usual clamor of students rushing to classes, talking in hushed whispers, and hastily finishing homework assignments in the hallways. But today felt different. There was an undercurrent of excitement, a ripple that stirred through the air—a new student was about to enter the school.
Alice walked down the corridor, lost in her thoughts, the weight of everything that had happened over the past few days still hanging over her like a storm cloud. Between her grandmother's cryptic warnings, Lyanna's growing suspicions, and the confusing emotions she felt toward Michael, she hadn't been able to focus on much else. But that was until she heard a commotion near the entrance of the school.
A group of Amazon girls—Andrea and her loyal followers—stood in the center of the courtyard, their laughter ringing out like the sharp crack of a whip. Alice had seen them causing trouble countless times, but today, something felt different. They were surrounding a new girl, a fresh face at Blackthorn, and mocking her mercilessly.
Alice's stomach churned as she watched. The girl, clearly out of place and uncomfortable, was trying her best to hold her ground against the towering Amazon girls. She was thin and delicate-looking, with soft brown curls that framed her face and bright, wide eyes. She held her books tightly against her chest, but the trembling of her hands betrayed her unease.
"What's this?" Andrea's voice sliced through the air. "Did someone miss the memo about the dress code?"
The new girl, Aliyah, wore an oversized sweater, paired with dark jeans that didn't quite fit in with the more fashionable students of Blackthorn. Her mismatched outfit only seemed to fuel the laughter from the Amazon girls.
Alice could see where this was going. It was always the same—Andrea, the self-proclaimed queen of Blackthorn, picked on anyone who didn't fall in line with her vision of how students should look, act, and dress. But something about the way she was eyeing Aliyah today made Alice's blood boil. No one deserved to be treated like this, especially a new student who had just arrived.
Without thinking, Alice stepped forward, the bracelet on her wrist gleaming in the morning sun. The usual calmness in her step belied the fire that was starting to burn inside her.
"That's enough, Andrea," Alice said coolly, her voice steady, yet firm. The Amazon girls froze, their heads turning to face her, their expressions immediately hardening.
"Oh look," Andrea sneered. "If it isn't the witch, stepping up to defend the loser."
"I don't think anyone's a loser here," Alice said, her gaze narrowing. "But you're certainly acting like one."
Aliyah looked up at Alice, her eyes wide with a mix of surprise and gratitude. She had no idea who Alice was, but it was clear she wasn't about to back down from this confrontation.
Andrea sneered. "You think you can stop me? You're nothing but a freak."
Alice's lips curled into a tight smile. "I think I've had enough of your nonsense, Andrea."
Before Andrea could say another word, Alice moved swiftly, her body a blur as she slammed her palm into Andrea's chest, sending her stumbling backward. The Amazon leader's face twisted in shock before she quickly regained her balance. Alice wasn't done yet.
The other Amazon girls immediately lunged at Alice, their collective strength meant to overwhelm her. But Alice was no stranger to combat. She twisted and dodged, her movements sharp and precise as she took down one Amazon after another. The students who had gathered to watch the spectacle were silent now, their eyes wide in disbelief.
Andrea watched, her expression darkening with rage. "You think you're tough, don't you?" she hissed. "I'll show you what happens when you mess with me."
With a growl, Andrea charged at Alice, but Alice was already several steps ahead. She ducked and pivoted, her foot sweeping out to trip Andrea, sending her crashing to the ground. The Amazon leader's breath came in ragged gasps as she struggled to push herself up, but it was clear the fight had gone out of her.
The courtyard was eerily quiet as the other Amazons backed off, fear in their eyes. Andrea glared at Alice from the ground, her chest heaving in anger and exhaustion. "You'll regret this, witch."
Alice stood over her, her expression calm, though the adrenaline still buzzed through her veins. "Maybe you should leave now. Before I decide I'm not done."
The Amazons hesitated, exchanging uncertain glances. Andrea pushed herself up from the ground, dusting herself off, but the fight had clearly left her. "Fine," she spat, shooting Alice one last glare. "This isn't over."
With that, the Amazon girls retreated, leaving Alice and Aliyah standing alone in the center of the courtyard.
Aliyah exhaled a breath she didn't realize she had been holding. "That was… amazing," she said, her voice shaky but full of awe.
Alice shrugged, trying to brush off the attention. "It wasn't that big of a deal. They had it coming."
Aliyah gave her a grateful smile. "I don't know what I would have done without you. They were going to tear me apart."
Alice's lips curled into a slight grin. "No one messes with my schoolmates." She paused for a moment, her gaze softening as she regarded Aliyah. "Are you okay?"
Aliyah nodded, her brown curls bouncing as she did. "I am now. Thanks to you."
Alice's expression softened, and for the first time in a long while, she felt a sense of warmth stir inside her. The school could be cold, full of judgment and expectation, but in this moment, standing here with Aliyah, it felt like she had done something good. Something right.
Over the next few days, Aliyah and Alice spent more time together. Aliyah, a transfer student from a small town, had quickly found herself isolated after her arrival at Blackthorn, a place where cliques were tight and unwelcoming. But after the confrontation with the Amazons, Alice's reputation had shifted, and the rumors about her being a "witch" began to fade. People were more focused on the fact that Alice had stood up to the powerful Amazons and come out victorious.
And with that, Alice found herself with a new friend. Aliyah was kind, quick to laugh, and fiercely loyal, and the two girls quickly became inseparable. It was as though they had always been meant to find each other. Alice found herself enjoying her time at school for the first time in a long while, and she realized that, perhaps, she didn't mind being seen as "different." Aliyah didn't judge her for it, and neither did anyone else.
The rumors about Alice being a mermaid or hiding some dark secret were soon forgotten, lost among the growing whispers about the bond between the two girls.
But in the quiet corners of Alice's mind, the thought of her true identity still lingered. The truth of what she really was, hidden deep inside her, still haunted her dreams.
For now, though, she didn't care. She had a friend who understood her. And that, for the moment, was enough.
---