Chapter 1. THE NEW GIRL
A teenage girl named Pearl stands awkwardly in the courtyard of a prestigious school for students with superpowers. She wears a dark hood that conceals her unusual white hair. Superpowered students run past her, one moving incredibly fast, another producing a small flame. Pearl looks nervous and unfamiliar with her surroundings. Beauty, a friendly teenage girl with curly dark hair and a school uniform, approaches her with a smile.
Beauty: "Hey! Are you new here? I can show you around."
Pearl looks at her quietly, then nods.Pearl: "Okay."
Beauty leads Pearl into a classroom filled with teenage students wearing school uniforms. Beauty claps her hands to get everyone's attention and introduces the newcomer. Pearl stands nervously in front of the class.
Beauty: "Hey, everyone! We have a new student. Introduce yourself!"
Pearl: "Hi, everyone. My name is Pearl. It's nice to be here."
Beauty notices Pearl's covered hair.
Beauty: "Why is your hair covered? Let me see!"
Before Pearl can respond, Beauty playfully pulls back the covering, revealing Pearl's striking white hair. The entire classroom gasps, then several students burst into laughter.
Classmate A: "How old are you, eighty?"
Classmate B: "Are you my great-grandmother from the eighties?"
Students laugh loudly. Pearl looks humiliated, her eyes filling with tears. She grabs her bag and runs out of the classroom. Pearl runs down a school corridor, wiping away tears. Beauty hurries after her and stops several feet away.
Beauty: "Pearl, wait!"
Pearl: "Leave me alone! This is all your fault!"
Beauty: "I meant no harm. I promise. Your hair is rare and beautiful."
Pearl turns toward Beauty with hurt and anger.
Pearl: "You did it on purpose. You wanted everyone to laugh at me!"
She turns and walks away.
Pearl, quietly: "You'll pay for this."
