Episode 4

Three days later at school and Winter still couldn't get what her mom had said out of her head. *What did she mean? Special?* "..ter. Winter. WINTER!" Winter's eyes focused on Mandy. "Hm?" "Are you ok? You've been zoning out a lot." "I'm fine. Just thinking about things." Layla stared at her nails. Mandy looked between the two of them with a worried expression, "If you say so Winter. But you know you can tell us if something's bothering you. We're your friends." Winter smiled, "I know. Thanks." *Okay so how did I get in to Golden Academy High? That's the question. I'm not rich. My mom doesn't have an immense influence. Did the headmaster make some sort of exception for me? Why would he do that? No no. No one knows anything about him, that's too much of a stretch. Then why?* Winter looked around the classroom, observing everyone bustling about.

"We have P.E. next period," Layla said. "Ugh no. Not P.E. with Coach Russo. She's the worst." Mandy sighed, tying her hair up in a braid. "It's a joint class today, because Mrs. Scrimen isn't here." Winter watched as Mandy looked at Layla. "A joint class? With who?" Layla yawned, "Class 8." Mandy shot up, slamming her hands on the desks and startling some of the students around them, "Class 8? You mean 'Star's potential' aka Sam's class." Winter tied her hair and stood up. "Sam's class?" Layla and Mandy started heading towards the gym with Winter in tow. "Yes. Sam’s class. Sam is the leader of whatever class he's placed in. The students in the class do whatever he says and most just suck up to him because of his influence," Mandy rambled. "The kids in 'Star's potential' are usually exceptionally smart and talented. If you're placed in that class it's like being given enormous opportunities and privilege." Winter tilted her head, "But just being able to attend Golden Academy High provides privileges and opportunities." Layla looked Winter over, "yeah well being in 'Star's potential' has like five times that." *So just by being in the same class as a Tudor you're in a different caste? Interesting.*

Winter, Mandy and Layla made it to the gym in time to hear coach Russo yelling, “okay ladies. Chop chop! Gather ‘round! Get to it.” Winter observed the classes huddling around to hear coach Russo’s instructions. Star’s potential didn’t mix in with class five’s students. Winter glanced over the class. Sam Tudor stood in the center yet still apart from the rest. Winter heard Mandy mutter something under her breath. Layla laughed. Coach Russo’s eyes flitted over to where Winter and her friends stood. “Scott. Nicholas. Something funny?” Both classes’ attention turned on them. Coach Russo’s eyes lingered on Winter’s as Mandy and Layla shook their heads. “Who’s this?” Mandy stifled her laughter, “um coach this is-“ Winter placed a gentle touch on Mandy’s arm. Winter walked a few steps forward, stood apart, raising her head “Hello ma’am. My name is Winter Knight. I am a new student at this Academy.” Coach Russo’s face sported an ugly grin, “a new student huh. Give me fifty .” Winter’s cold gaze did not falter as she watched the wheels turn in coach Russo’s head. “Fifty what?” Coach Russo’s eyebrows raise as she crosses her arms, “Fifty laps.” “Around what?” Winter felt all the attention on her, including striking red eyes. Coach Russo scoffed, “around the track. Outside.” A murmur filled the gym as Winter smiled sweetly, “sure thing coach.” The murmur leveled up, at Winter’s challenge to tumultuous racket.

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