"But his dreams were as gigantic as his surroundings were small."

--Jude the Obscure, Thomas Hardy.
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I leaned against the hood of my uncle's Lamborghini, gazing at what was now going to be my alma mater. It was grand. Plain and simple. Not that I had expected any less, but seeing it tower over me was a different scenario altogether.

"Intimidated?", Uncle Ron raised an eyebrow at my inspection of the magneficence in front of us.

"Not in the least.", I replied, taking a deep breath. The fact that I had made my way here on my own, and not my father's charity, was in itself, a big confidence boost.

Granted, I'd been on edge for a while now, but that's only to be expected, considering it had taken blood and toil and lord knows what not, to gain acceptance in this institute. Plus I was no stranger to the ways of the student body here. I'd done my research, and while I wasn't in the least impressed, that wasn't really my concern. Just a year, I reminded myself. Just a year.

"Now, now Ronnie, don't tell me you are going to get all melodramatic on this. It's not like I'm going to a war. Besides, I've been on my own for a while now. You don't have to worry about me.", I smiled lovingly at my uncle, who shook his head as his eyes became heavy with tears and pulled me in hug.

How I was going to miss him!

"Take care of yourself kid and remember I'm just a phone call away.", he said, while patting my head affectionately.

"Oh, be done with the formalities already. You know I'll come running to you at the first sight of trouble.", I swatted his hand playfully.

"That's the thing though darling. I know you wont.", he smiled sadly before quickly adding, " now off you go. Call me once you settle down, alright kid?" Leaving a goodbye kiss on my forehead, he retreated towards his car while I made my way to the school's reception. Despite my uncle's persistant efforts to help me to my dormitory, I had flat out rejected his offer. If it was up to him, he would drop me off to each of my classes and request for me, special attention from my teachers. Talk about humiliating, I cringed inwardly as the scene played in my head, and quickly pictured a better version of the scenario, to distract myself from the loneliness that filled my heart, with each step that I took away from him.

One look at the interior of the place and I was a goner. It was beyond lovely. An absolute archaic rarity, collaborated with the contemporary trend. How I would've loved to commend the architects behind it's creation! Reaching the reception, I spotted a beautiful young woman, gazing at the screen in front of her while typing furiously.

"Excuse me, could you help me with my schedule and point the way to the dorms?", I asked politely, to which she raised her lashes at me with a sickning sweet smile, only to drop it dramatically after giving me a once over. A frown marred her forehead as she returned back to the ferral assault of her keyboard, ignoring me as though she hadn't just inspected and declared me as a malodorous specimen of the worst accord. Still, I ignored her clear lack of respect and waited patiently for a while, giving her ample space to complete the task at hand. I don't usually go for anyone's throat, but when the inconsiderate dunderhead, leaned back in her chair, stretched her muscles, and took long sips of her tea, with eyes closed, seemingly having all the time in the world, my mind screamed murder.

Way to make a person feel welcomed.

"And isn't it like, your first step in this school?", my conscience muttered, thoroughly unimpressed.

"Miss Williams", I addressed, trying, but failing miserably to keep my temper in check. As my seething voice penetrated her eardrums, her stance changed from slothful to attentive in merely a fraction of a second. "Nothing. I repeat, nothing, would give me more pleasure than the sight of that badge being stripped off you. I don't have any idea as to who must grace the seat you seem to be mistaking for a throne, but it definitely isn't you. I think this school could do well with a person who has the decency to honour the job they've been given. Now I would appreciate if you could please lead the way to the principal's office. Your presence would help while we have a talk about you."

The receptionist practically spat the tea she was consuming and began flipping through the pages on her desk, franctically, realising much later that she didn't have my name. As she looked at me with wide, fearful eyes I helped her out of her misery by answering her slient question,

"Hera Harrington."

She nodded emphatically and came up with a page soon, which I realised was my schedule. Handing it over to me, she motioned someone over to her.

"Lead Miss Harrington to dorm 305 and have her settled. If she asks for assistance, it should be taken care of."
Then, she glanced at me, seeming as apologetic as she could muster and said,"I apologise for my behaviour earlier, I'm not usually like that but y-you were.."

I cut her off."A scholarship student?", I asked, knowing exactly what she'd assumed me to be. A good for nothing, piece of scum, admist jewels.

"If only she knew.", my conscience snorted, clearly reffering to my family's wealth, which I had proudly been abstaining from for a while . Family. I shook my head at the farce.

The woman in front of me blushed profoundly at my accusatory glare.

"How on Earth would you even know that I am one?", I couldn't help but ask.

"Oh they are easy to spot. They always are."

They. I am one of them now. The stereotyped faction of the underprivileged. Fucking wonderful! Create a hierarchy to feed their overpuffed egos, as if their size wasn't already equivalent to that of a bloated elephant.

"Forget about it", I said, turning to nudge the man she had asked to accompany me. As he lead the way, I followed, not before hearing the lady say under her breath, " And they always end up hurting themselves, and those around them."

A chill went down my spine at her words, but I knew I would survive. I always did. Whatever this place had in store for me, it couldn't possibly hurt any more than the scars that I already have.

I took a deep breath, calmed my racing heart, and pushed the door of my dorm room, only to have my breath hitch in my throat at the sight.

To those who've given my book a chance, I couldn't possibly thank you enough. If you could please vote and comment your opinion on my book, it would mean the world to me, and I'll make sure to make this journey worth your while. Thank you once again and please support.