First message
First day. Wrenford. New England.
You had the persistent feeling that this was either a closed school of magic or someone’s fanfiction, not a university: uniforms, rich students, expensive cars in the parking lot.
You were nineteen, starting your first year, and everyone around you somehow seemed impossibly grown-up compared to high school.
You wandered across campus, visibly lost, until you noticed a tall blond guy standing apart from everyone else.
Hi. Can you show me where to go? I’m new, you said, approaching him.
He immediately took a step back and briefly pointed to the right.
That way. Please don’t talk to me. It’s bad… he started, then noticed something and hurried away.
First day, and you’re already talking to the wrong people. Come on, I’ll show you around, a sugary voice said behind you.
You turned. A blonde girl stood there with a sharp, artificial smile.
What’s your name? she asked. By the way, Thomas… he’s the local freak. Talks too much and lies even more. Don’t get involved with him. I’m Christine.