Lorecroft Academy Vol.1

Welcome to Essence Bay, my home, wasn’t exactly a bustling metropolis. Overshadowed by those massive cities to the north and east, it still held its own charm, enough to pull in a decent flow of tourists and business. You might catch a glimpse of a blue jeep tearing down the main street, four idiots hanging out the windows, hollering like banshees. That’s me, Logan Moore, and my crew: Clutch, Viv, and Eli.

Why the ruckus? Simple. It’s the last summer before we’re shipped off to the crappy public high school. Every moment together is precious, every memory a desperate attempt to hold onto the carefree days before our parents pack us off to high school.

“Clutch, floor it!” I yelled over the wind whipping past my face. Clutch, behind the wheel, grinned maniacally and slammed his foot on the gas. The jeep roared, tires squealing as we tore down the main street, Viv and Eli were still shouting from the back.

Suddenly, red and blue lights flashed in the rearview mirror. “Oh, shit,” Clutch muttered, his grin fading. “Pull over, Clutch!” I shouted, my heart pounding. Clutch eased the jeep to the side of the road, the silence heavy as a police officer approached. “License and registration, please,” the officer said, his voice stern. Clutch gulped, his face paling. “Uh, officer about that…” “You don’t have a license, do you?” the officer’s voice hardened. “It’s… uh… complicated,” Clutch stammered, avoiding the officer’s gaze. “Step out of the vehicle, please,” the officer ordered. My stomach dropped. “Officer, we’re so sorry,” I pleaded, “We were just…” “Just heading to the beach, we were in a hurry.” Viv finished, her voice small. The officer sighed. “This stupidity could’ve gotten you all hurt, I’m taking you all to the station, you’ll each wait for your parents there.”

The air in the police station was tense. Clutch, Viv, Eli, and I sat on the hard plastic chairs, the silence punctuated only by the occasional cough or shuffle of feet. “This is all your fault, Clutch, if we had just gotten an Uber instead of you taking your uncle’s jeep without his permission we wouldn’t be in this mess.” Eli hissed, breaking the silence. “Hey, don’t put this all on me,” Clutch retorted, his voice defensive. “We all wanted to go to the beach, remember?” “Yeah, but not in a cop car,” Viv muttered, her arms crossed tightly. I sighed, running a hand through my dreads. “Guys, arguing isn’t going to help,” I said, my voice weary. “We might as well just prepare for our parents’ wrath.” “My Tío Toni is going to kill me,” Clutch groaned, his head in his hands. “Uh, my parents are going to make such a big deal about this.” Eli mumbled, his voice barely above a whisper. Viv let out a shaky laugh. “At least we’ll all be grounded together.” Then the door opened and in walked a man with stern expression and crossed arms. His tall, heavy set build and shaved head commanded attention, his dark eyes narrowed with disapproval. Behind him was a man shaking his head with disappointment, His salt and pepper hair and weary eyes reflected his exhaustion, his posture slightly stooped. Behind him a woman followed close by with a teen girl alongside her. The woman had warm brown eyes and a gentle smile, which exuded a calming presence despite the situation. The girl, a spitting image of me with her braids and mischievous grin, held back laughter, her eyes twinkling with amusement. “Oh shit.” I muttered. “EY SOBRINO! Come here now.” The heavy set man shouted as Clutch got up shaking as he walked towards him.

CLUTCH

“Tío, I…” I started with my voice caught in my throat. “Are you stupid? I’ve come all this way to help take care of abuela this summer and you pay me by stealing my car and getting in trouble with the police. Do you know how hurtful this is to la familia? What would Abuela think of this reckless behavior? What would your mamá and papá think of this?” Toni said, sternly. Toni’s words stung, especially the mentioning of my dead parents. My eyes started to well up, blurring my vision as I looked at Tío Toni with anger. “Don’t you dare bring them into this, I don’t even want to think about them right now. I’ll just go wait outside.” I said walking away with tears forming in my eyes.

VIV

My dad, a tall, weathered man with kind eyes that held a lifetime of grief, his voice a low rumble that echoed in the sterile room. “Viv,” he began, his voice thick with emotion, “I know you’re angry, but I need you to understand. I do everything I can to keep you safe, because you’re all I have left. Your mother was my everything, and when her cancer took her from me, I was left with nothing but you.” He paused, his eyes welling up with tears. “I can’t bear to lose you too. You’re my hope, my reason to keep going. I know you’re not perfect, but you’re my baby girl, and I’ll always love you.” He reached out and pulled me into a tight embrace, his arms strong and comforting. I leaned into him, my own tears streaming down my face. “I’m sorry, Dad,” I whispered. “I didn’t mean to hurt you. I just… I wanted to enjoy the last days of summer with my friends.” “I know,” he said, softly, stroking my braided hair. “But there are other ways to have fun. Ways that don’t involve reckless driving or putting yourself in danger.” I nodded, my heart was heavy with regret. Knowing that he was coming from a place of love. “I love you, Dad,” I said, pulling back from the hug. “I love you too, sweetheart,” he replied, his eyes filled with love and pride. “Come on, let’s go home.”

ELI

My phone vibrated in my pocket, displaying my dad’s contact name. My stomach churned as I answered, “H-hello?” “Elijah Welkson, what is this nonsense we’re hearing?” My dad’s voice, sharp and laced with disappointment, pierced through the phone. “Getting arrested?” Associating with those… delinquents? Is this your way of punishing us?” “Dad, it was just a misunderstanding,” I stammered, my voice barely above a whisper. “A misunderstanding?” My dad’s voice boomed, thick with disapproval. “We sent to Essence Bay to toughen you up, to make a man out of you. Not to make friends and be reckless, you’re embarrassing this family.” My heart sank. I knew my parents’ expectations were high, but they had never understood me. They saw my introverted nature as weakness, my love for books as a waste of time. “Dad, I…” “No excuses Eli,” my dad interrupted. “We’ve had enough. You’re coming back home. And we’ve enrolled you in Lorecroft Academy.” My breath hitched. Lorecroft Academy, a prestigious private school known for its wealthy students and rigorous academics, was my worst nightmare. “Lorecroft? But Dad, I…” “No buts, Eli,” his father’s voice was final. “Consider this a consequence of your actions. You’ll learn discipline, responsibility, and how to behave like a gentleman. And finally take over the family business just like the men that came before you.” The line went dead, leaving me staring blankly at the phone. My parents’ words echoed in my mind, a harsh reminder of their disappointment and my own perceived failures. Lorecroft Academy, a place that represented everything I despised, was now my inescapable reality.

LOGAN

Aliyah smirked, nudging me with her elbow. “Should’ve listened to me and taken an Uber,” she teased, her voice laced with a hint of smugness. I rolled my eyes, my expression a mix of annoyance and resignation. “Oh, shut up, Aliyah,” I muttered, crossing my arms defensively. “You’re enjoying this way too much, but we’ll see how long that smile lasts when I tell mom about Jordan.” Aliyah stifled a laugh, her eyes twinkling with amusement. “Oh yeah, well what if mom happened to find out that her son is…” Aliyah clears her throat, “Gay,” “Fuck off,” I said feeling defeated. “Can you blame me? This is classic Logan, always pushing the limits and getting into trouble.” Then our mom, her back to us as she spoke to the officer at the front desk, shot us a warning glance over her shoulder. “Aliyah, Logan, behave yourselves,” she scolded, her voice firm but laced with worry. Aliyah shrugged innocently, a mischievous grin still playing on her lips. “Just knocking some sense into him mom,” she replied, her voice light.

Our mom sighed, her shoulders slumping slightly as she turned to face me. “Logan, you’re lucky they’re letting you off with a warning. First-time offense they said,” she began, her voice laced with relief but also sternness. “But what were you thinking? You could’ve gotten yourselves killed!” I looked down, shame washing over me. “I know, Mom. I’m sorry.” Mom’s expression softened, and she pulled me into a hug. “Thank God you’re okay,” she murmured, squeezing me tight. I pulled back with a sheepish grin on my face. “Am I grounded?” Mom shook her head. “No, but you’re working the later shift at the cafe tonight.” Aliyah burst out laughing. “That’s karma,” Our mom shot Aliyah a pointed look. “Both of you are working the later shift.” Aliyah’s laughter died in her throat. “Wait, what? Why me?” Mom raised an eyebrow. “You knew about this and didn’t tell me. So you can suffer the consequences together.” Aliyah groaned. “Karma, huh?” I mumble under my breath with a smirk playing on my lips.

Later that day, Aliyah and I were closing up the cafe. Aliyah wiped down tables while I arranged pastries in the glass display case. Suddenly, a man in a trench coat and fedora, carrying a briefcase walked in. He approached me at the counter. “Can I help you, sir?” Are you going to order anything?” I asked, eyeing the man curiously. “A slice of strawberry cheesecake, please,” the man replied, his voice muffled slightly by the brim of his hat. I grabbed a slice of cheesecake from the display and rang him up. The man paid and I handed him the cheesecake. Then, the man opened his briefcase and pulled out a piece of paper. “I’m here to scout out kids from lower-class families to offer a free scholarship to Lorecroft Academy, one of the best schools in America.” the man explained, his voice taking on a more formal tone. My eyes widened. Lorecroft Academy was a prestigious private school, a world away from our small town. I had always dreamed of escaping Essence Bay and making something of myself. “Can I have four more of those for my friends?” I asked eagerly with a glimmer of hope in my eyes. The man nodded and handed me some more papers before turning and exiting the cafe, leaving me to stare at the papers in my hand, my heart pounding with a mix of excitement and anticipation.

Aliyah and I decided to meet up with everybody at my house to tell them the news, “So, it says that Lorecroft Academy is starting a new program that allows kids from lower-class communities in America, a chance to get a better education. Thanks to our new headmaster Jerald Johnson.” My voice wavered with both excitement and disbelief as I read from the paper in my hands. Clutch leaned forward, his eyebrows furrowing. “Lorecroft? That private school for rich, preppy, spoiled brats.” “Well, yeah, but it’s more than that. You gotta look at the bigger picture.” I said as my eyes scanned the page. “They’re giving us a chance to do something with our lives besides being stuck down here at the bottom.” Viv’s eyes widened. “A full scholarship? To Lorecroft?” Eli, who had been silently observing, spoke up. “Sounds too good to be true, besides do you really want to go to Lorecroft?” I shrugged. “Maybe it is, but it’s worth a shot, right?” Aliyah nodded enthusiastically. “Definitely? Imagine going to a school like that? It could change our whole lives, you know what. I’m going to text Jordan a picture of this and get him to apply.” “Okay, so here’s how to apply,” I continued, my voice taking on a more serious tone as I read from the paper. “You have to fill out an application form, send over your transcript, and write a small paragraph about yourself. Sounds easy.” I said with optimism. Thank god it’s not an essay.” Viv said with relief. “I don’t know guys, this just doesn’t sound like a good idea.” Eli said with skepticism.

“Why are you so against this, Eli? Don’t you want a better life?” I asked, eyeing Eli curiously. Eli shifted uncomfortably, his gaze dropping to the floor. “It’s not that simple,” he mumbled, his voice barely above a whisper. “What’s not simple about it? It’s a free scholarship for a better future,” I pressed, my tone insistent. Eli took a deep breath, his hands trembling slightly. Logan asked with concern. “You okay, Eli?” asked, her brow furrowed with concern. “You seem a little off, I mean, why’re you so adamant about us going to Lorecroft?.”

Eli shrugged, trying to appear nonchalant. “Nah, I’m fine. Just a little nervous about being so far from home for the first time, you know?”

He avoided their gazes, nervously fidgeting with his hands.

We all jumped in to comfort Eli, our words overflowing with warmth and support. “Eli, you know we’re always here for you, we’re like your second family.” Viv insisted, her voice firm. “You’re our friend, and that’s all that matters.” Clutch nodded, his usual bravado softened by concern. “Yeah, man,” he added, clapping Eli on the shoulder. “We’re glad you’re here, wouldn’t be the same without you.” My eyes met Eli’s, his expression earnest. “And hey,” I said, a hint of a smile playing on my lips, “if we’re all there together, it won’t be so bad. We’ll have each other’s backs, like always.” I explained. Eli looked at us, his expression a mix of gratitude and worry. “You’re all sure about this, right?” he asked, his voice hesitant. We all nodded as I continued. “Guys, there’s only a month left before orientation for freshman, according to the paper,” I announced, urgency in my voice. “We should all fill out the application info tonight.” Viv’s brow furrowed with concern. “But what about our parents? What are they going to say?” I waved a dismissive hand. “We’ll figure that out tomorrow,” I declared, determination etched on my face. “Tonight, we focus on getting in.” I said, sternly.

The next morning, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee and sizzling bacon filled the air as Aliyah and I worked our usual shift at the family cafe. “Hey Aliyah,” I called out, wiping my hands on my apron, “Can you take over the register for a bit? I need to talk to mom.” She shot me a knowing look, a smirk playing on her lips. “Ooh, someone’s in trouble,” she teased, but dutifully moved behind the counter. I took a deep breath and pushed through the swinging kitchen door, the clattering of dishes and the sizzle of the grill momentarily drowning out the chatter from the front of the cafe. Mom was at the stove, flipping pancakes with practiced ease. “Mom, can we talk?” I asked, my voice hesitant. She turned, spatula in hand, her expression a mix of curiosity and concern. “What is it, Logan?” “It’s about Lorecroft Academy,” I blurted out, the words tumbling out of my mouth faster than I could control them. “They’re offering scholarships to kids like us, and I think we should go, we’ve already sent in our applications.” Mom’s brow furrowed. “Lorecroft? That fancy private school?” “Yeah,” I replied, my voice filled with a mixture of hope and anxiety. “It’s a chance to get a good education, to make something of ourselves.” Mom’s expression hardened. “Logan, we can’t afford Lorecroft,” she said, her voice firm. “even with a scholarship, there are other expenses, uniforms, books…” “But Mom,” I interrupted, my voice rising, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!” “Logan,” Mom’s voice was gentle but unwavering, “I know you have big dreams, I raised you that way but we have to be realistic. We can’t afford it, and that’s the end of the discussion.” Disappointment washed over me like a cold wave. “So that’s it?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper. “You’re not even going to consider it?” Mom sighed, reaching out to touch my arm. “Logan, I love you, and I want what’s best for you. But Lorecroft is not for us. We need to focus on what we can achieve here, in Essence Bay.” I pulled away, my heart heavy with resentment. “You never believe in me,” I muttered, turning to leave. “Logan, that’s not true,” Mom called after me, but I didn’t turn back. The kitchen door swung shut behind me, the sound echoing my feeling of defeat.

CLUTCH

Later that evening, I found myself on the couch, watching a telenovela with my Aubela, her frail hand clutching mine as we followed the dramatic twists and turns of the plot. The familiar scent of her lavender perfume and the warmth of her presence were comforting, a stark contrast to the turmoil within me. Just then, Tío Toni walked in, his gym bag slung over his shoulder, his face glistening with sweat. “Hey mamá, sobrino.” he greeted me with a tired smile, ruffling my hair affectionately. “Tío, can we talk?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper, mindful of Abuela’s presence. He nodded, his brow furrowing with concern. “Of course, Jorge. What’s on your mind?” We moved to the kitchen, away from Abuela’s earshot. “It’s about the Lorecroft Academy, I got a scholarship,” I began, my heart pounding in my chest. “I sent in my application.” Tío Toni’s expression shifted from concern to surprise. “Lorecroft? That’s a big deal, Jorge! But…” his voice trailed off, his gaze shifting towards the living room where Abuela sat engrossed in her telenovela. “Who’s going to take care of your Abuela?” My heart sank. I knew this was coming. “I was hoping… maybe you could stay?” I suggested, my voice laced with desperation. “Or maybe we could make the at home nurse work full time?” Tío Toni sighed, running a hand through his salt-and-pepper hair. “Jorge, you know I can’t stay here forever. I have my own life, my own job back home.” “But Abuela needs you,” I insisted, my voice cracking. “And I don’t want to leave her.” “I know, sobrino,” Tío Toni’s voice was gentle but firm. “But you also have your own life to live. Lorecroft is a great opportunity, one you shouldn’t miss.” “But what about Abuela?” I repeated, tears welling up in my eyes. Tío Toni pulled me into a hug, his arms strong and comforting. “We’ll find a way to make it work. Abuela will always be our priority.” But his words offered little comfort. The reality of the situation weighed heavily on my heart. The opportunity of a lifetime was within reach, but it felt like it was slipping away, overshadowed by the responsibility I felt towards my abuela.

VIV

The salty breeze whipped through my braids as Dad and I strolled along the boardwalk, the rhythmic crash of the waves a soothing backdrop to our usual evening ice cream outing. I licked my melting cone, stealing glances at Dad’s peaceful expression as he gazed out at the endless horizon. A lump formed in my throat. It was now or never. “Dad,” I began, my voice barely above a whisper. He turned, his warm brown eyes meeting mine. “What is it, Viv?” I took a deep breath, the words tumbling out in a rush. “I got a scholarship offer… to Lorecroft Academy.” His brow furrowed, a flicker of concern crossing his features. “Lorecroft? That fancy private school?” I nodded, my heart pounding against my ribs. “Yeah. It’s a full scholarship. I’d get to go for free.” Dad’s grip on his ice cream cone tightened. “Viv, you know we can’t afford…” “I know, Dad,” I interrupted, my voice laced with both hope and trepidation. “That’s why it’s a scholarship. I wouldn’t have to cost you anything.” He sighed, his gaze softening. “Viv, I just… I don’t want you to leave.” A pang of guilt shot through me. “I know, Dad,” I murmured, my voice thick with emotion. “But it’s an amazing opportunity.” “I know it is,” he conceded, his voice heavy with resignation. “But you’re all I have left, Viv. I can’t lose you too.” Tears welled up in my eyes, blurring the vibrant hues of the setting sun. “I don’t want to leave you either , Dad,” I whispered, my voice trembling. “But… it’s a chance to make something of myself, to have a better future.” He cupped my face in his rough, calloused hands, his eyes filled with a love that both warmed and terrified me. “You already have a bright future, Viv,” he insisted, his voice thick with emotion. “Right here, with me.” I knew he was scared, and that broke my heart. He had lost so much, and I was all he had left. The thought of leaving him, even for something as incredible as Lorecroft, filled with a deep sense of conflict. I wanted to chase my dreams, but I didn’t want to break his heart in the process.

My bedroom walls were covered in my sketches and drawings. I was adding a new one to the mix; a rebel warrior with a sword and shield, I call her Alleria. “A Woman’s World” by India Wind was blasting through my headphones as I sketched. Dad poked his head through my door. “Hey, Viv,” he said, his voice laced with that soft, hesitant tone that always made my heart skip a beat. “Can I come in?” I nodded, pulling out one of my earbuds. “Yeah, Dad,” I replied, my voice barely above a whisper. He stepped inside, his gaze sweeping across my art-covered walls. A small smile played on his lips. “You’ve got quite the collection here,” he chuckled, his eyes twinkling with warmth. “Reminds me of your mom.” My heart ached at the mention of Mom. She had been an artist too, her painting filled with vibrant colors and bold strokes. Dad always said I had inherited her talent. “Viv,” he began, his voice laced with that familiar sadness, “about what happened on the boardwalk…” I braced myself, my grip tightening on my sketchbook. “Dad, I…” He raised a hand, silencing me gently. “I know, sweetheart,” he said, his voice soft but firm. “I know you want to go to Lorecroft.” I looked up, my eyes wide with surprise. I remained silent, his expression a mix of sadness and acceptance. “And I want you to be happy, Viv. If going to Lorecroft will make you happy, then I’ll support you, no matter what.” Tears welled up in my eyes, blurring my vision. “Really, Dad?” I asked, my voice trembling. He pulled me into a tight embrace, his arms strong and comforting. “Really, sweetheart,” he murmured, stroking my hair gently. “I love you, and I want you to chase your dreams.” I clung to him, my tears soaking his shirt. “Thank you, Dad,” I whispered, my voice muffled against his chest. “I love you too.” We stayed like that for a while, locked in a silent embrace that spoke volumes. In that moment, I knew that no matter where life took me, I would always have my dad’s love and support. And that was all that mattered.

LOGAN

Later that night, I found peace in a familiar strum of my guitar, my fingers dancing across the strings as I poured my emotions into a melancholic melody. The soft glow of my bedside lamp cast long shadows across my room, a visual representation of the turmoil within me. The gentle creak of my bedroom door broke the silence, and I looked up to see Mom standing there, her silhouette framed by the hallway light. “Can we talk, Logan?” she asked, her voice soft and hesitant. I nodded, setting my guitar aside, my heart pounding with a mix of anticipation and dread. She sat on the edge of my bed, her gaze gentle but searching. “I’m sorry for earlier,” she began, her voice thick with emotion. “I shouldn’t have dismissed your dreams so quickly.” I remained silent, my gaze fixed on my hands, my fingers nervously tracing the fabric of my jeans. “I know you miss your dad,” she continued, her voice barely above a whisper. “And I know he’d want you to chase your dreams, no matter how impossible they may seem.” My heart ached at the mention of Dad. He had always been my biggest supporter, the one who believed in me even when I didn’t believe in myself. “He used to say that you had a fire in your eyes,” Mom’s voice cracked slightly, “a hunger to make a difference in the world. And I realized that I can’t extinguish that fire, Logan. I can’t hold you back.” Tears welled up in my eyes, blurring my vision. “So… you’ll let me go?” I asked, my voice barely audible. Mom reached out, taking my hand in hers. “Yes, Logan,” she said, her voice firm but filled with love. “I’ll let you go. I’ll find a way to make it work.” Relief washed over me, a wave of warmth replacing the icy grip of disappointment. I threw my arms around her, burying my face in her shoulder. “Thank you, Mom,” I mumbled, my voice muffled. Just then, Aliyah burst into the room, her face beaming with excitement. “Great!” she exclaimed, her voice laced with triumph. “That means we both get to go!” I pulled back from Mom’s embrace, my eyebrows raised in surprise. “Wait, what?” Aliyah grinned, her eyes twinkling with excitement. “Oh yeah, Aliyah applied for the scholarship too.” I explained, “I heard everything,” she confessed, flopping down on the bed beside Mom. “Thanks mom!” She exclaimed, hugging her, overflowing with a newfound sense of hope and gratitude. Lorecroft Academy, here we come.

August thirty-first, the sun was starting to set, casting an orange glow over our childhood treehouse. It was the day before we’re all supposed to leave for Lorecroft Academy, a place that had been just a distant dream a few weeks ago. Clutch, Viv, and Eli were already there when I arrived. “Took you long enough,” Clutch teased, but there was a hint of nervousness in his eyes. “Had to help Mom with the cafe,” I explained, climbing up the rickety ladder. “So, did everyone get their acceptance letters?” They all nodded, their faces a mix of excitement and apprehension. Clutch, however, looked downcast. “I just feel bad, I’m gonna miss my abuela and Tío Toni.” he mumbled, kicking at a loose stone. “Don’t worry, Clutch,” Viv reassured him, her voice gentle. “They’re gonna be alright, just think about all the big things you can accomplish at Lorecroft, and plus you’ll be able to Facetime them anytime.” “Yeah,” Eli added. “And, when the school year is over you can see them again.” Clutch began to smile. “Yeah, maybe you’re right.” he said calmly. “So, what’s the plan for your abuela?” I asked, changing the subject. “Is your Tío Toni taking care of her?” “Yeah, he’s taking her to Arizona to live with him and his family,” he explained. “My Aunt Meg and my cousins Hector and Bruce can also help take care of her.” “That’s great, Clutch,” I said, relieved for him. “At least you won’t worry about her while you’re away.” Clutch nodded, a genuine smile finally spreading across his face. “Yeah,” he admitted. “I’m really grateful to Tío Toni.” We spent the rest of the evening reminiscing about old times, talking about the future, and making a pact to stick together no matter what Lorecroft throws at us. As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the familiar landscape of our childhood, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of both excitement and trepidation. Lorecroft was a whole new world, a world of possibilities and challenges. But as long as we had each other, I knew we could face anything together.

The day had finally arrived. Freshman orientation at Lorecroft Academy. I was zipping up my suitcase, checking it one last time. Clothes? Check. Notebooks? Check. Other supplies? Check. Guitar? Carefully nestled in its case. Check. With a deep breath, I hauled the suitcase down the stairs, the smell of Mom’s cooking wafting up to greet me. Aliyah was already at the table, her eyes glued to her phone, no doubt texting Jordan. I rolled my eyes. “Get a room, already,” I quipped, grabbing a plate. “Don’t be jealous,” she shot back with a smirk. “Whatever,” I muttered, digging into my breakfast. Soon, it was time to hit the road. We packed our bags into the car, the familiar streets of Essence Bay blurring past as we embarked on a journey. The future was uncertain, but one thing was for sure: I wasn’t facing it alone.

Finally we’d arrived after an hour long drive, the car rolled to a stop, and I looked up, taking in the sight of Lorecroft Academy for the first time. It was massive, with towering spires and sprawling lawns that screamed ‘money’. Students milled about everywhere, their chatter and laughter filling the air. A pang of nervousness hit me, but I pushed it down. “Good luck, you two,” Mom said, her voice laced with both pride and worry. “I’ll see you in June.” Aliyah and I stepped out of the car, taking a deep breath of the crisp autumn air. As we approached the imposing front doors, I spotted familiar figures lounging on the steps. “Clutch! Viv! Eli!” I called out, relief washing over me. They grinned and waved us over. We exchanged quick greetings, a mix of excitement and apprehension in our voices. Then, together, we turned to face the entrance. The doors loomed large, a portal to a new chapter in our lives.