Serena's Pov:
The road stretched ahead, smooth and straight, while I tried to keep my mind from racing. Two hours of driving, and every minute felt longer than the last. Crescent Pines High School wasn't just a school. From what I'd seen online, it was the kind of place where designer bags weren't unusual and every hallway smelled faintly of money.
When we finally pulled up, I froze. The campus gleamed under the morning sun, spotless lawns, perfectly trimmed hedges, and students already wandering around like they owned every inch. Backpacks weren't just backpacks they were statements. Laptops, tablets, and phones peeked out of every bag, each device newer, shinier, and more expensive than anything I'd ever touched.
I clutched my own bag tighter, suddenly aware that my plain dress and simple shoes made me stick out like a sore thumb. Whispered voices floated past.
"Scholarship girl…"
"She doesn't even look like she belongs."
I swallowed hard, trying not to feel small.
And then… someone waved.
"Hi… roomie!"
I turned. A girl with bright eyes and a wide smile stepped toward me. She had a confident air, but not the kind that felt intimidating more like someone who owned this place but wanted to make sure I didn't drown in it.
"You're the scholarship girl, right?" she asked, eyes sparkling. "Wow… you're even cuter in person than on TV."
"Uh… thank you?" I said, taken aback. I didn't even know she knew who I was.
She waved her hand quickly. "My bad. I'm Sarah well, Sarah Rogers. Your roommate. And yes, I go here."
"Roommate?What are you talking about?" I repeated, surprised.
"Yes! Don't panic. I'm your roommate and you might be wondering how,the school authorities told me about your arrival. I'll help you settle in, show you around, and make sure you don't get lost in this… rich-kid jungle. Well that's what they see it as,I just want to learn you know" She laughed lightly. "Seriously, some of these kids think dorms are just for decoration and parties,they hold girls only parties in some dorms then others won't be able to sleep"
I felt a small grin tug at my lips. "Thanks… that helps. A lot, actually."
Sarah's grin widened. "Good! Can we… like, officially be friends please please please please?And please don't think I'm weird" Her eyes pleaded, and she bounced slightly on the balls of her feet.
I laughed. "Okay… yes! You seem nice and fun. I'd love to be your friend and I don't think you're weird at all sarah, trust me"
She threw her arms around me in a quick hug. "Yesss! Don't worry, you've got me. And honestly… the first week here can be brutal if you don't know anyone. Trust me."
I looked around nervously. The campus felt huge, full of confident kids who seemed to glide instead of walk. Some were whispering behind their hands, clearly sizing me up. My chest tightened.
"They're… judging me, aren't they?" I asked quietly.
"Maybe," Sarah said with a casual shrug. "Ignore them. Most of these kids will forget you exist by next week. Seriously. And besides… you have me here you don't have to worry ok."
Her confidence was contagious. I felt a little of my tension ease. "Thanks, Sarah. I… I didn't expect it to feel this intense and I didn't expect you to be so nice and funny"
"Yeah, I know. Crescent Pines can be overwhelming. Designer bags, perfect hair, perfect teeth… it's ridiculous. And you're welcome, that's just me…I'm free spirited."
I smiled at the idea of surviving with her help. "I guess that's a relief."
We started walking toward the dorms. Sarah pointed out small things where the library was, the café with the weirdly expensive smoothies, a quiet courtyard she said was the best place to hide from gossip.
"By the way," I said, "you really like it here, don't you? and you seem like an important person…everyone kept smiling at you"
"Well you can say that but it's all my parents though," she said, tilting her head. "I like the dorms, the campus… and I like making sure new people don't get eaten alive by all the rich-kid drama. Plus My…"
Before I could she could finish ,three cheerleaders strutted past us. Their heels clicking on the pavement like they were announcing their presence. One of them, tall with sharp eyes and a perfect ponytail, leaned slightly toward the others and whispered loud enough for me to catch.
"Who's the new girl? Did she seriously think she could wear that here?"
"She looks… normal," the shortest one sneered, wrinkling her nose. "Like, really plain. Totally a scholarship kid, right?"
I felt my stomach twist. Sarah glanced at me, her hand brushing gently against my arm. Her eyes were soft, calm, reassuring.
"Don't even worry about them," she said quietly. "They like to make a scene. It's what they do."
The tallest cheerleader flicked her hair and smirked. " Seraph, is that who you're with?"
Sarah's smile didn't falter. "My name is Sarah and yes. this is Serena, my roommate. She's new,you have a problem?."
The middle one raised an eyebrow, voice dripping with mock sweetness. "Roommate, huh? You sure she'll survive here?"
Sarah tilted her head, still gentle, but her voice had that soft firmness that left no room for me to feel attacked. "She's fine. You don't have to worry about her, it's none of your business"
The tallest girl laughed, a sharp, clipped sound. "Fine? Cute. We'll see about that."
"Yep, we'll see," Sarah said, soft but steady, her smile kind, not mean. Then she leaned slightly toward me, whispering so only I could hear:
"They think they run the school. They don't. You've got me, and that's all that matters."
I nodded, feeling a tiny spark of courage. Her calmness made the whispers and stares less terrifying, almost silly.
The shortest cheerleader glanced one last time, muttered something under her breath, and they moved on, heels clicking away like they'd never existed.
Sarah exhaled softly. "See? Not so bad. You're stronger than you look."
I blinked, surprised. "You… you don't care about their status? Don't you like them?And who are those?"
She smirked. "Not even a little. And that's Enid, Debra and Sofia.Don't worry about them. They think they're the queen bees of this place. They aren't. Trust me, dorm life is where the real fun is but still not as fun….I hate noise"
I laughed quietly, feeling a warmth in my chest. For the first time, this place didn't feel entirely hostile.
Suddenly, the main entrance doors burst open. Students flooded out, rushing toward the center lawn, laughing, shoving, yelling. My heart raced.
"What's… what's happening?" I asked.