This is it. My first day at Pristine college. I went to bed last night feeling nervous as hell. Mom had assured me that everything would be just fine. I believed her but I do not know if I believe me. Either ways, I woke up quite early out of nervousness. Truth is... am a researcher. I already researched a bit, who am I kidding, as extensive as I could about Pristine and in all honesty, it did seem quite intimidating.

Most kids who go there are the 'enabled' and others who aren't come from quite reputable homes from across the nation. Then there is the Royals; its rumored some of their kids attend Pristine and its not unbelievable. Have you seen that school? Its like way too fancy to be a school. The grounds alone consist of several acres, its as wide as a small town, in fact what I used to imagine college grounds to be like. The entire school is exactly what its name is 'Pristine'. It honestly looks like a palace.

Pristine isn't just fancy, the school has quite a record. All of their students have upheld beautiful records that 'd make anyone turn green with envy. Their labs have state-of-the art materials and equipment and most of the students who took advantage of this have made mind-blowing breakthroughs in science. In the area of arts, they are exceptional in every way. Their meals are said to be heavenly and I am looking forward to it though they are quite expensive. Mom suggested I buy lunch for first week at school and take note of the time-table 'coz that way, she can make my lunch afterwards. I was thrilled at the idea.

Pris tine's study schedule seemed impeccable. They had advanced classes in every course. If you graduate from Pristine, college would most definitely be a piece of cake. There's a lot to talk about on Pris tine but let's just get to the school and see for ourselves.

After everyone wished me the best on my first day of school and gave me heart-warming hugs, Dad drove me to school. He had to, I was too out of it to walk to the bus station where Pristine would have a car waiting for me. Am serious. A week before I resumed since for some unknown reason, I was asked to resume a week later than others; I was sent in a package, two sets of uniform, yes Pristine adheres to the use of uniforms but the uniforms aren't what you'd imagine, they were fancy, as sth you 'd see in an Alice and Olivia fashion collection. There was sth like a notebook that was supposed to be my student guide but it looked like glass leaflets. With Dylan's aid, I discovered it was some new hi-tech tablet; Dylan was swooning over this thing, you should have seen how his eyes lit up in admiration

" Sis, I believe that school would be heaven..." he had said just because of one student notebook if I can even call it that. There were other materials in the package. When I eventually got the hang of how the tablet worked, I found a message and instructions on how to get to Pris tine everyday. I didn't have a driver and my dad couldn't always take me and so, all i had to do was contact the transportation department of the school, relay my address and have a posh vehicle waiting for me at the nearest bus stop to my house on the agreed time, as often as I asked them to.

Dad parked a distance from the school's grand gate and I was shaking. I stared ahead and watched as several flashy cars pulled up in front of the school gate and students stepped out before the cars drove away. I felt so inadequate despite dad's Mercedes m-class SUV we drove in. I knew dad was regarding me. I felt his eyes on me.

" You wouldn't know until you go in, dearie." dad said. I turned to him and managed a small smile. Sometimes, I simply cannot believe how handsome dad is. At 53, his honey brown hair still glows in the sun, his facial features are very chiseled and precise, Dad is a 6'3 and his job always demands he wears a suit. I love dad's eyes, his brown eyes always radiate warmth and so much love. Am grateful he is my dad. I leaned towards him and kissed him on the cheek before opening the door and stepping out. Cool breeze swept over me in an instant. I garnered courage in that moment. I waved dad as he gave me one last brave smile before driving away.

I briskly walked towards the gate and into the compound. My breath stopped short at the sight before my eyes. All the pictures I'd seen could not have prepared me for this sight. It was magnificent. Completely indescribable. Every feature seemed perfect to me. I got ahold of myself and went on in. The hallway was amazing. I couldn't helping twirling. The floor was made of intricate marbles and the hallway looked so wide, like a small ballroom without the chandelier. Am awestruck as I watched the students.

The girls wear a short straight cut but elastic gown that have a high neck and strapped sleeves underneath a red and white blazer with tailored sleeves. For footwear, some girls wear black see-through tights just like me with ankle high boots while others do not wear tights but thigh-high boots. This place is definitely preppy. The males wear black trousers, white button-down shirts with red ties underneath their black blazers and Italian footwear. Their hair were perfectly styled and they looked more like business men than students.  

I didn't notice I was in the middle of the hallway until someone brushed past me. I snapped back to the present and with the aid of 'my student guide', I found a map to my locker and then, my next class. Still looking down at my now navigator, I noticed someone tower over me, I raised my head up to see an incredibly handsome familiar face. He broke into a smile to die for and I awkwardly returned what I hope was a smile; on my part.

"hey," he started in that beautiful voice I so much remember, "Phoebe," and he remembered my name. I was pleased. This abercrombie model; not that he is, he could really pass for one, is someone I ran across by chance at a funfair. Despite his obvious attractiveness, he was polite and charming and did not mind my dorkiness. He was easy to talk to and so we talked and afterwards parted ways just like that. And here he was, looking as gorgeous as I remember and as polite. His uniform which really is a suit looked so perfect on him and the whole business-man demeanor was quite alluring. I shook my head to clear it a bit.

" You go to this school. Who would have thought that. What a small world." I said

" And you? If I recall, you said you just moved to Emperor city and would start at a new school." he stated smoothly. I was definitely having butterflies at that instant. He remembered my blabbing, at least most of it.

I smiled and nodded. "Correct. This is my first day here." I answered as collected as I could.

" That's wonderful. If you need any help..."

"I'll let you know." I interrupted. I didn't want to draw attention on my first day at school." I uh have my navigator. I'll be fine for now." I explained

"Oh. Let me have your notebook," he said and I gave it while watching him." I'll put in my contact information, so that you can call me whenever you need anything." he explained while typing on the tablet. When he was done, he returned it and I took it. " Please contact me. Am looking forward to it. And I wish you a very happy first day." he sincerely said

"Thank you." I couldn't help but smile, he was sooo gentlemanly. He smiled again before going on his way. I sighed and continued on my way.

I eventually found my locker and was able to partly settle in before heading to find my classroom. According to my schedule, I had four classes for the day and my first class was World History. I easily found my way to the class and took a seat somewhere in the second row. Our world History is slightly different and even more intriguing. The classroom was full by the time the teacher arrived which is something new going by the other schools that I have attended so far. Our topic that day was based on how abilities or rather "mutations" came about. Most of the lesson were things I already knew of but along the lesson, one thing captured my interest.

"... however, there is one who had an uncanny ability as reported in the books. She was Maria Von Braun and she had the ability to write fate. "the teacher paused for dramatic effect seeing that all were paying attention. Another thing I love about Pris tine Academy is that our teachers don't appear boring in any way. They all dress in well-tailored attires and designer wears and going by my research, most of them have impressive resumes. Our forty- something old History teacher was no exception.

"In truth, no one knows how she ended up. She just disappeared from the earth's surface, hers is a mystery which remain unsolved. Moving on, this... ability was a dangerous one, lets all imagine anyone in this room who can simply put down the course of our lives on paper and it comes to be, scary, isn't it? In all honesty, we are blessed to know that this ability has not been heard of ever since." He ended the class on that note but before leaving, gave us assignments and research references.

My next class was Literature. Am no drama queen but I love great literary works. From Shakespeare to Enid Blyton among others. I love documentaries, journals, anything with the feel of art that seeks to expose, inform and reform simply gets me. I enjoyed Literature class either ways. All students there were interested in what they came for and that simply warmed my heart and our teacher was just as amazing. He made two students play a scene from "Macbeth"to which they gave a sound performance.

   When it was time for lunch, I walked to my locker first to return my books and I had an uncanny feeling I was being watched which would be considered paranoid considering there were a lot of students in the hallway. I ignored and after fulfilling the purpose I came for, I shut my locker and almost jumped in fright. Next to my locker, was this 5'3; I think, Asian girl with a naturally dark straight long hair. She was quite slender and a looker. She wore a mischievous grin,

"I totally was going for that reaction so I won't apologize for that but I'll apologize that I will not apologize." She said and it did not make sense, at all.

"O- kay?" I tentatively replied

"Hi. Am Samantha. You can call me Sam though." she said eerily. "I was in your last two classes, observed you were new and here I am, trying to make your fine acquaintance." she explained.

"I see. Am Phoebe Abigail. You can me any short cute name you want to," Usually, I don't introduce myself this way but Sam seemed likable.

She squinted her eyes in thought for a while before brightening up again, "I know. I'll call you Gail."

My heart missed a beat as my face flushed. Sam seemed to notice my discomfort as she added quickly, "Or not. Lets just go with Phoebe. For now." she added. I definitely liked this girl. "Now, I don't know about you but am famished. Come eat lunch with me." she said as though it was the most natural thing. I fell in step beside her as we sauntered for the school cafeteria.

"And Phoebe?"

"Mmmh?"

"You have a little explaining to do" Her expression was still playful but her tone was more serious. Now, am sorta nervous. Just as I expected, the cafeteria was WOW! It was grand. It was what I'd imagine a grand dining area in a palace to be. The floors were covered in marbles while the rectangular tables were designed for four students per table. The tables wore intricate and delicate designs. They looked more like an art piece on display than where one should eat and the chairs were no exception. However, I managed to follow Sam to a table and tentatively sat down. Taking up her student tablet, she began to dial sth.

"What are you doing?" I asked her

''Ordering lunch." she answered without looking my way. Realizing I had no idea what I had to do, Sam simply asked me what I'd like and I replied her. In less than five minutes, a waiter in a an elegant uniform came with our order to the table. I salivated at the sight of my pork tenderloin sandwich. Immediately the waiter left, I said grace and started to munch on it. I almost choked and thank God that Sam had known better and gotten me a drink. I took little sips and felt better. I looked at Sam, thankfully she was focusing so hard on devouring her Kentucky Hot brown. I reached for a napkin and dabbed my mouth before glancing around. My eyes rested on a light natural blonde who I thought was gorgeous.

"That is Michaela Snedaker." Sam said. I glanced at her. Her meal wasn't finished but almost there.

"Snedaker? Sounds familiar" I replied

"It is. She is a Royal." Am sure my jaw dropped. I glanced at the blonde again. She was extremely slim with oceanic blue eyes and was chuckling at what one of her two friends with her said. Her two friends were beautiful too.

"You don't say. She is gorgeous."

"I know and super nice. Michaela has the ability to manipulate emotions but is limited by her empathy. " Sam said. I watched Michaela for a while before tearing my gaze away to look at Sam who was studying me intensely.

"What?" I asked

"You." she replied. "You are a mystery. Be honest with me now. What is your ability?

"None." I answered but she didn't seem to believe me. "Why do you think I have an ability and why does that seem to bother you?"

"Am an enabled, most of us here are. I answered one." she replied in a cavalier manner. "Now, am telepathic, and as far as am concerned, am good enough to even delve into mind shields set up by Royals without them knowing unless I want them to. How is it that I cannot read your mind?" she asked.

I blinked and blinked again. Seriously, this was the big issue? I shrugged. "I don't know. It could be anything. I have no idea how to set up a mind shield."

"If what you say is true, what makes you special then?" she asked.

"How would I know that. Am just a simple girl with normal abilities like reading and writing, swimming and doing my house chores. Nothing else." I said. Sam was no whacko job, that I could perceive but I liked this girl and I didn't want her to think the worst of me.

She propped her elbows onto the table and with her chin resting on her hands, studied me. I do not know for how long but I became acutely aware of the coolness generated by the air conditioner and the motions on the holographic like televisions in the room. I held my breath until Sam sighed.

"Whatever it is, we'll find out together. You are probably special." Sam told me with a smile and the eeriness I've come to know her with. Her psychologist, scrutinizing mode ebbed away and oh boy, how grateful I was. What she said rang in my ears again and I knew I had to ask.

"What do you mean by 'am special'. Is it bad?'' I asked

"Of course not. I know I creeped you out just now but ignore it. Its just me." she winked and I chuckled but I couldn't help feeling there was more.

Sam's eyes suddenly trailed behind me. I turned to see what got her so quiet and that was when I saw her.