Chapter 3: The Invitation

The sun was barely up when I rolled out of bed, still groggy from my late night. It had been nearly 2 AM by the time I finally crawled into bed, exhausted from The Howl. Despite the late hour, I had managed to shower and scrub away the remnants of sweet tea after Emma let me back into our room. The guy with blue eyes had pushed past me wearing a big grin and no shirt. I had to admit Emma had good taste, but I was pissed at her for making me wait, so I flicked her off on my way to grab my shower caddy, and she winked at me with her earbuds in.

In the morning, I walked to my first class, and the campus was buzzing with activity. Students in crisp uniforms hurried to their classes, laughter and conversation filling the air. Despite being tired, I felt ready for whatever the day would bring. The first few classes were a whirlwind of new faces and challenging material (English lit is so not my strong suit), but I managed to hold my own.

By the time lunch rolled around, I was exhausted. I made my way to the cafeteria, a grand hall with high ceilings and long tables. The room was filled with clusters of students, but I spotted Jordan sitting alone near the back. They waved me over with a grin.

"Hey, Cadence! How's the first day treating you?" they asked, sliding a tray towards me.

"Tough," I admitted, sinking into the seat. "The classes are legit."

Jordan laughed. "You'll be fine. Just give it some time. What do you have next?"

"AP Physics," I said, trying to keep my voice steady. "I'm the only sophomore in the class."

"Dr. Harper's class, right? She's awesome. Tough, but fair. You'll like her," Jordan reassured me.

Lunch passed quickly, and soon I was making my way to the science building. My heart pounded as I walked into the AP Physics classroom. The room was already half full, and I could feel the eyes of the juniors and seniors on me as I found a seat near the front.

Dr. Evelyn Harper, a tall woman with sharp features and kind eyes, began the class by diving into the complexities of wave-particle duality. I scribbled notes furiously, determined to absorb every detail. As we worked through the concept, I found myself captivated by the dual nature of light and its implications.

"Can anyone explain the significance of the double-slit experiment?" Dr. Harper asked, her gaze sweeping the room.

My hand shot up almost instinctively. "It demonstrates that light and matter can display characteristics of both waves and particles, depending on the experimental setup."

Dr. Harper's eyes sparkled with approval. "Exactly, Cadence. The experiment reveals that some things can behave differently when we observe them or when we leave them alone."

I couldn't help but smile, a sense of pride swelling within me.

After class, as the room emptied, I approached Dr. Harper's desk. "Dr. Harper, can I ask you something?"

"Of course, Cadence. What's on your mind?" she replied, her attention fully on me.

"Did you know Callie Weathers? The scholarship student who didn't come back this year?" I asked.

Dr. Harper nodded thoughtfully. "I knew of her, but she wasn't in any of my classes. From what I heard, she was a sweet girl."

"Do you know why she didn't return?" I pressed gently.

Dr. Harper sighed. "I believe it had something to do with her family moving."

"Thank you," I said, feeling a mix of relief and unease. I didn't know why it bothered me, but I found that I had to know why she didn't come back. Without her, I wouldn't be here.

As I left the classroom, I saw Jordan waiting for me outside. "Hey, how was it?"

"Challenging, but Dr. Harper is great. We went over wave-particle duality, and I actually understood it," I said, trying to hide my excitement.

"Told you she's awesome," Jordan grinned. "Wanna grab some coffee and study together?"

"That sounds perfect," I said, grateful for the company.

We walked to Just a Sip. The café was bustling with students, and the rich aroma of coffee filled the air. Jordan and I found a quiet corner and settled in with our drinks and notebooks.

"So, what do you think of Crownwood so far?" Jordan asked, taking a sip of their latte.

"Other than the gourmet meals, riding stables, and its own bespoke coffee shop?"

"Ha, yeah. I guess it's a little much, huh?" they said.

"Real answer? It's...intense," I said. "I'm afraid the classes are tough enough to keep me studying 24/7."

Jordan nodded. "It takes some getting used to, but you'll find your place. Just keep being you."

We spent the next hour going over our notes and discussing the day's classes. Jordan was easy to talk to, and I found myself relaxing for the first time all day. They shared tips on navigating the school's rigorous academic environment and even told me a bit about their own experiences as a junior.

Before I knew it, it was time to head to our next classes. As we walked back to campus, Jordan turned to me. "Hey, Cadence, if you ever need help or just want to hang out, you know where to find me."

"Thanks, Jordan. I appreciate it," I said, feeling a warmth spread through me. Maybe making friends here wouldn't be so hard after all.

Then, because I can never let a good thing be a good thing, I asked them one more question. "So, why are you being so nice to me?"

They rolled their eyes warmly. "You seemed cool, and I know what it's like to be the new kid and the odd one out," they said.

"Just my luck that I have to question the friendship of the only genuinely kind person I've met here so far," I said. "Sorry."

"No, it's okay," they answered. "And...you're right. There's another reason I found you at The Howl. I have an offer to make you. Have you heard about The Starbound?"