JAMES STARK ARRIVED TO SCHOOL IN AN IRON-MAN SUIT AND HARRY OSBORNE ARRIVED IN A  JETRANGER HELICOPTER. That's the only thing anyone really paid attention to the morning of the first day. Despite the somber funeral weather and the muddy ground product of last night's rain, both boys were immediately surrounded by hordes of students as they came out of their eccentric vehicles, flashing pretty boy smiles. 

As a string of chauffeur-driven cars and bright yellow taxi's approached the prep school, Beatrix couldn't help but stare out the window of the one she was in. She'd forgotten just how big the school actually was. 

According to her father, Upstate's student hall had been built in the 19th century but you really wouldn't be able to tell. With the constant renovations and remodeling, the place practically looked like it had been finished yesterday. Every building of the preparatory school seemed to have more windows than walls and every sector was completely geometric—sharp edges and flat surfaces that might as well have been stolen straight off the cover of Architectural Digest.

Bev let her head fall against the cushion of the taxi, annoyed. "I can already feel the mid-schoolyear exhaustion coming. Is it too late to make a run for it and become full-time Twenty Øne Piløts groupie?"

"It was always too late for that," her father said. Their taxi finally made it out of the long line of other cars and he stepped out of the vehicle, pulling both girls out with him. "I've gotta get to work, guys."

Tapping at the window, Raymond told the driver to wait a moment. He stood back up straight, taking his phone out of his pocket. "I need to get a picture."

Bev covered her face in protest. "I don't wanna be photographed wearing this crappy uniform."

"Come on, mija, you're gonna want to remember your first day. Say cheeese," he pleaded, forcing her to smile just long enough for him to let the camera flash. "There, got one. Was that so hard?"

"Definitely way too hard," Bev said, putting her hand faintly on her head. "In fact, I'm feeling a bit worn out because of it. I should go home. So sad, I'll miss a day of school."

"Stop it." Raymond laughed. "Just—have a good day, alright?" Pulling both of his girls into a hug, he added, "We all deserve good first days after everything that's happened. Bev, you can show Beatrix around or—"

"The school already assigned someone to show me around."

"Yeah?" he asked, his voice going up an octave.

"Yeah, uh—" Beatrix took out her phone, opening the email she'd received that morning. "Gwendolyn Stacy. She's a sophomore. I'm supposed to meet her in the student hall at 7:40."

"That's like five minutes from now," Raymond noted. "Do you know where the student hall is?"

"Yeah." Beatrix nodded. It was the biggest building on the entire campus.

Raymond huffed. "Then I guess this is where we part ways."

It was the inevitable part of the first day they'd been dreading. A small part of her hoped her father might pull the breaks; that his separation anxiety or her's would get in the way and she'd get to avoid this whole thing. Raymond had done it when her mother tried to get her to sign up for the first year of middle school, they'd had a big fight about, him arguing if she doesn't wanna go, she doesn't wanna go Beth.  

Up until then, Beatrix figured there was a chance that might happen again, maybe he'd decide this was too much and push it off another year, then another, then another, until eventually Beatrix finished all the highschool credits she needed and started college. But apparently the universe was having way too much fun screwing her over to let that happen.

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        From the moment Beatrix met Gwen Stacy, she had been so obviously a paragon of all things academic. She'd been going to Upstate on a scholarship since her freshman year and in that time she'd become Sophomore student-body president, a top student-intern for Oscorp, and a 4.6 GPA holder. And somehow she still made to be a tour guide for new kids.

Like Beatrix had been told at orientation, Gwen explained, Upstate was multi-specialized with three different highly esteemed programs—STEM, Arts, and Athletic Achievement. All three of them were known to get students into acclaimed colleges; M.I.T, Julliard, and Empire State being the prominent ones. 

"So as you can read on the brochure: The Arts Specialization is an academic focus on visual, musical, theatrical, and/or liberal arts," Gwen said to her as they continued their tour, walking passed the Arts Establishment, a large building designated as colorful as the pride flag designated to all the creatives. Gwen looked over to Beatrix, saying, "Art specialties are the nicest people who go here, but they're also the most attention-hungry people you'll ever meet. No one cares though, 'cause we figure their shows would probably be really boring if they weren't at least somewhat annoying." 

"Do they stay in this building all the time?" Beatrix asked, quickly "My sister Bev's an art specialty. She does music. I just want to know if I'll have any classes with her?"

"Art specialties take common-core classes but you shouldn't count on having too many with them," Gwen said, "The only periods STEMs have with other specialties are P.E., History, and English."

Beatrix let out a huff, slightly disappointed. She'd been hoping she'd be able to shadow her older sister for the five months her father was forcing her to stay in this place — she already knew most of Bev's friends and, though they were annoying as hell, at least it was more bearable then meeting new people.

Before Beatrix could figure out what her other options were, they were moving on to the Physical Recreation Center. The building was enormous, a dome nearly as big as Student Hall, and definitely more modern.  According to Gwen, everyone found it was way too fancy for what was essentially just a bunch of gyms and sports courts stuck together. 

They were good athletes though, Beatrix knew that much. Even though it was her first day at the school, she'd seen them play before. Their soccer team had made it to the Youth Olympics a couple of years back and, regardless of Bev and her's passionate hatred of soccer, their father (being a proud alumnus and graduate of the team) had insisted everyone in the entire family watch.

Beatrix looked over to Gwen. "This building's for Athletic Specialties right?" 

"Also known as the Future Steroid Addicts of America Club, yeah," Gwen joked. "But we all take gym class here."

"Wait, I have to do gym class?" Beatrix asked. "Like for real?"

"Did you not do that in homeschool?"

"No." Beatrix shook her head. "I just biked around the neighborhood most of the time."

"Well, track days are gonna be a rude awakening for you then."

She wanted to ask Gwen what the hell track days were but before she had the chance to Gwen has already walked ahead of her, calling for her to follow, "Come on Beatrix, we don't have all day!"

It was only two or three minutes of walking before they got to their next stop. "Last but not least, we've got the STEM Specialization." Gwen did dramatic jazz hands in front of what looked like the most average building in the entire world which made Beatrix laugh. 

"We're a swell bunch but also definitely the most boring specialty of all three. 10/10 you'll fall asleep in a fifth of your classes. Oh, and fair warning—" Gwen tilted her head. "Most of your classmates are dudes. So be prepared to deal with a lot of teenage testosterone."

Suddenly Beatrix totally understood why her mother desperately wanted more chicks in STEM. If she had to deal with people like Oliver Jones five hours a day, five days a week for five months — she might actually die.

 "Most of your classes are gonna be in there," Gwen said pointing to the very average building that STEM specialties had as their own. "AP Biochemistry, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, AP Calculus—it's all taught there. You'll take regular classes like History and English in the Student Hall."

"Is that the end of our tour?"

"The only other important place on campus is Upstate Hall—it's just a place where students hang out and buy food. There's a couple dorms upstairs too, for people who live on-campus." Gwen looked over her shoulder, saying, "I'll show it to you during lunch period. Cool?"

Beatrix nodded her head. "Very cool."

"Okay, the last thing we need to touch on is your outfit," Gwen declared. She motioned to the Midtown hoodie the boy at the shop, Peter, had given her. "That's got to go." 

"Coffee spilled on shirt," Beatrix explained. "Someone borrowed me a hoodie."

Gwen reached into her bag to grab a black track jacket with the Upstate crest on it, handing it over to Beatrix. "Here. Don't want people thinking you're a traitor, do we?" Gwen shot her wink. Noticing Beatrix expression change with a twinge of worry quickly she clarified, "—I'm kidding, Beatrix. But you might get in trouble for not wearing the right uniform so take off the Midtown gear."

Beatrix took the jacket from her hands, setting it on her lap to put on later.

Gwen looked to the copy of Beatrix's schedule school faculty had given her. "So your first class is gonna be History in Student Hall. I'll lead you there, it'll be no biggie, okay?"

"Wait," Beatrix answered. "You know what, Gwen, I actually do have a question."

"Yeah?" Gwen turned back almost immediately. "What can I answer for you?"

"A student showed up in a helicopter, is that something that usually happens at this school?"

Gwen laughed, like was the craziest thing she'd ever heard. "Nah, just on first days. James and Harry have had like this ongoing bet since the fifth grade, 'who can have the coolest entrance.' The loser has to buy the winner lunch."

"Usually the school gets pissed at them," Gwen said. "I don't think anyone's willing to pile on Harry this year, not after everything he went through." 

Gwen didn't have to say what Harry went through for Beatrix to know what she meant. Really, there probably wasn't anyone in New York who didn't every detail about what had happened to him. She could still remember the headlines from two months ago ranging from CNN's 'Heir to Oscorp Will Be Spending Christmas in Rehab' to NOW magazine's bundle of catchy slogans, 'Harry Osborne: dope or on dope?'

Segments and articles on Harry's ecstasy overdose, hospitalization, and apparent involuntary stay at rehab made headlines for weeks before the Stark-related death of Beatrix's mother could wash Harry's addiction out of the news cycle.

"Who won the bet this year?" is what Beatrix found herself asking her tour guide. "James or Harry?"

"Don't know." Gwen shrugged. "We'll have to wait until lunch to find out."

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JUNE'S NOTES:

Did I create an elaborate school system where prodigal students are segregated by their talents, based on a system from one of my old schools? Yes. JK Rowling ain't got nothing on me 😤 (jk). 

On another note, I managed to make a shorter chapter (are we proud of me?) And I'm really excited for James and Harry's first appearance (their bromance is god tier, i can't wait).

I wanted to know what specialty, y'all think you'd be?

I think I'd be Art specialty considering I'm a theater kid, GrApHiC dEsIgN iS mY pAsSiOn, and writing/storytelling is a liberal art. But then again I literally took an ap tech class instead of theater / I've been in STEM programs since I was a kid. (But then again am i even talented enough to get into a school I create🤡.)