From the fanciest car in the car park stepped out a young woman and her parents. The girl had long blonde hair and bright green eyes, that stared from behind a pair of thin wire-frame glasses.

"Anastasia, you straighten your tie this instant. You must look presentable. You are not here to fool around, you are here to get the best education that you possibly can. Do you know the strings we've had to pull to get you into this school?" The father of the girl, Horatio Fitzgerald, scolded, dusting muck off of his blazer sleeve.

"Yes, father, I know. I just can't breathe properly in this tie." Ana tugged at it, grimacing uncomfortably.

"I don't care if you cannot breathe properly, you will wear the correct uniform that is required. We cannot take any risks when it comes to your education. What would we do if you were expelled? Huh? We're depending on you to get this right, Ana. You can't let us down." He said and she sighed, nodding.

"I understand, father." She said and he nodded curtly. The three of them made their way through the corridors and up the staircase to Mr Nolan's office, where their meeting was to commence.

"Ah, Horatio, Elena, how good to see you both again. How was the trip from Britain? Oh, this must be Anastasia. Quite the superstar, aren't you, Miss Fitzgerald?" The old man chuckled hoarsely, and Ana smiled politely. "Please, do take a seat." Ana sat in a chair directly opposite the professor, between both her parents.

"Now, I understand that you are coming from a very far off place where the curriculum is very different, but I'm sure, looking at your test scores from the previous schools that you will settle in just fine. Now, you have been assigned a guide, who will show you around the school and where you will be sleeping. He's just outside the door. Mr Perry, do come in." Mr Nolan said and a tall boy stepped through the doorway. "Anastasia, this is Neil. Now, I will leave you to your tour whilst I discuss some matters with your parents. Do run along now."

Anastasia rose from her seat, quietly bid both her parents goodbye and left the room with Neil.

"So, you're the new girl?" He said, placing both his hands behind his back as they walked down the corridor.

"It would appear to be that way, wouldn't it?" She chuckled, tugging at her tie.

"You won't have to wear that all the time, you know. I barely wear mine, it gets uncomfortable." Neil said, cocking his head towards her neck.

"Really?" She asked and he nodded.

"Of course. Now, I'll show you where you'll be sleeping and then I'll take you to all the classrooms that you'll be in. Cool?" He said and Ana nodded. He took her to a small room with a desk, a single bed and a small wardrobe. "You won't have to share with any boys, seeing as you're the only girl here." A sheepish smile crept onto his face, dimples appearing in his pink-tinted cheeks. Ana laughed slightly.

"Thank goodness for that. If I had to share with some weirdo, I don't know what I'd do." She pretended to shudder and he smiled.

"Yeah, some of the guys here can be a bit...well, you know," Neil said and Ana nodded, chuckling. "Okay, well here's your timetable, I'll show you to all your classes." He said and the two of them stepped out of the room. "That's my dormitory there, so if you ever need anything I'm right nearby."

"Oh, I'm so thankful to have a tour. I'd be lost on my way to my very first lesson, otherwise." She chuckles.

"Happy to help. Okay so coming up here we've got the Latin classroom, taught by Mr McCallister. And then there we've got Chemistry with Mr Morrissey. There's a new English teacher, his names Mr Keating, I think. If you stick with me your first few days, there are a few others that I'll show you till you find your way. Hopefully, my friends won't get too weirded out that you're the only girl here. Just, watch out for Dalton, 'cause he's known for being a bit of a flirt. Other than that, I think we're all good. If you want some help bringing your things to your-"

"Father will probably get Peter to bring them in. I do feel sorry for the man, he's our butler, you see, and Father makes every job as difficult as he can for him." Ana interrupted with a sigh. "Oh, look. There's the poor dear now. Peter, do let me help you!" She called out to the man who was stood at the stairs.

"No, no, Miss. It's quite alright." He said back, lugging the suitcases towards them. The whole while, Neil watched Ana with a peculiar gaze. Here stood a beautiful, foreign, kind girl and she was bound to be intelligent, or she wouldn't be here. That or her family was incredibly rich. Possibly both.

"I mean it, Pete. It's rather a long walk to my room and I can't just watch you carry those bags all alone." She said, rushing over to him and taking the suitcase from his left hand.

"You are far too nice for your own good, Miss Ana." The old man chuckled, and she flashed him a dazzling smile. She began to show the man down the hall when she stopped in her tracks.

"Was it left or was it right?" She placed her free hand on her hip, chewing the inside of her cheek in thought.

"It was straight ahead." Neil chuckled from beside her and she let out a small yelp.

"My goodness, Neil, do not startle me like that!" She said and he shrugged sheepishly.

"I couldn't just let you get lost, now could I?" He replied with a cheeky smile.

"Oh, where would I be without you, eh?" She said with a smile as the three of them continued down the hall towards the dormitories. After placing down the bags in the room, Peter bid Anastasia goodbye and left.

"I have to get to a ceremony thing with my parents, but you just make yourself settled and I'll come and check on you when it's over, 'kay?" He said and she nodded.

"Thanks, Neil, for your help. I really do appreciate it." She smiled softly, leaning against the doorframe.

"Anything to help a friend, friend." He winked as he walked away, hands in his pockets. Ana chuckled, shaking her head. She closed the door and sat tentatively at the desk, placing her slender fingers gently over the dusty typewriter. More than anything in the world, Ana wanted to be a writer, but neither of her parents approved.

She began to unpack her bags, removing the clothes from the suitcases and hanging them in the wardrobe, stacking her books up on the desk, pinning her various letters and certificates on the walls. It was not until an hour later that there was a gentle knock on the door. It was Neil.

"Hey, just letting you know that the ceremony's over. Why don't you come over to my room, I can tell you more about the extra-curricular activities and everything." He offered and she nodded.

"'Course. Let me just change out of this horrific uniform and I'll be over." She smiled and waved, closing the door again. Almost immediately, she tore off her skirt and tie. She unbuttoned her blouse and hung it all on the door of her wardrobe. She then pulled on a navy knit jumper and some grey tracksuit bottoms, an outfit that she knew her mother would scold her for wearing. Not that that mattered, she was free to be as unladylike as she wished in her own time, and no one could tell her different. Tying her hair up into a loose ponytail, she headed out of her room and to the one across the hall, where there stood a short ginger boy who was covered in freckles.

"Heard you got the new boy. He's a hell of a speaker, huh? Oops." Another boy entered the room. The red-headed boy ducked out of Neil's room and turned to Ana. He stared at her with wide eyes before hurrying away. She watched him leave over her shoulder, frowning. Had he never seen a girl before or something? She poked her head around the door.

"Sorry to interrupt, Neil." She said with a grin.

"Ana, hey. Don't apologise. Here, sit." He said and she closed the door behind her before sitting down on his bed.

"That kid, the redhead, why'd he look at me like I was a ghost or something?" Ana asked and Neil chuckled.

"There has never been a girl at Hell-ton before. And he's a real stuck up, he likes rules." He shrugged. There was a knock on the door and three boys walked in, startling Ana.

"Well, what have we here?" The boy in the front asked, looking at Ana. Neil shot her a small smile and she stood up.

"Anastasia Fitzgerald. The first girl to ever attend Hell-ton." She stuck out her hand.

"You're British!" One of the other boys, who wore glasses, pointed out.

"Well done, Captain Obvious. I'm Charlie Dalton, it's a pleasure to meet you, Miss Fitzgerald." He winked, plonking down on the bed beside her, ignoring her held-out hand.

"If you're going to use my last name, call me Fitz, it makes me feel less like my father then." She said and he smirked.

"Sure thing, Fitz." He said and lit a cigarette before turning to Neil. "Rumour has it, you went to summer school?" Neil nodded.

"Yeah, chemistry. My father thought I should get ahead."

"Well, Meeks aced Latin and I didn't quite flunk English so if you want, we've got our study group," Charlie replied.

"Study group? We never had those at Reynolds. It's like the teachers wanted us to fail." Ana said with a snicker.

"Well, I'm sure you didn't fail or you wouldn't be here," Neil said. "Anyway, sure. Cameron asked me too. Anybody mind including him?"

"What's his specialty, boot-licking?" Charlie scoffed and he others laughed quietly.

"Hey, he's your roommate." Neil smiled and Charlie shrugged.

"That's not my fault."

"Wait, is Cameron the guy that was at the door?" Ana piped up and Neil nodded.

"Expect a lot of guys to act like him. Most of them don't know what being around girls is like. Charlie, however, knows all about that." Neil said with a smirk.

"Oh yeah, I'm an expert. Je pourrais te montrer, si tu veux." He winked and she shoved his shoulder.

"I'm sure that normally works a charm, but I've had my fair share of boys like you." Ana smirked and he folded his arms. A look of confusion ran across Neil's face as he tried to decipher what Charlie had said, but Ana just laughed and poked him. "Don't worry yourself too much over it, he was being gross."

"I was being seductive." Charlie corrected and Ana scoffed.

"Oh yeah, and it worked really well, didn't it?" She teased and Meeks cleared his throat awkwardly, turning to the boy who sat at his desk on the other side of the room.

"I don't think we've met. I'm Steven Meeks."

"Todd. Anderson." He extended his hand shyly. Charlie and the other boy shook his hand.

"Oh, so you'll shake his hand but not mine?" Ana pouted at Charlie who stuck out his tongue.

"Shut it, Fitz. I'm Charlie Dalton."

"Knox Overstreet." The other boy said and Ana eyed him. He hadn't yet spoken, so she was struggling to read his character straight away, like she'd been able to with Charlie.

"Todd's brother is Jeffrey Anderson," Neil said and the other boys nodded, whilst Ana just looked confused.

"Oh yeah, sure. Valedictorian. National Merit Scholar..." Charlie said and Todd nodded.

"Well, welcome to Hell-ton, Todd. To you both," Meeks said with a smile.

"It's every bit as hard as they say. Unless you're a genius like Meeks." Charlie said.

"He flatters me so I'll help him with Latin," Meeks told Ana and she chuckled.

"And English, and trig. Let's just hope you're smart, eh Princess?" Charlie smirked and she rolled her eyes at the nickname.

"If she wasn't smart, she wouldn't be here," Neil said again and Ana shot him a small smile. There was a knock on the door and Charlie quickly stamped out his cigarette, standing up in the process. "It's open," Neil calls and a man enters. Ana watched as a look of surprise appeared on Neil's face. "Father. I thought you'd...gone."

Charlie stood partly in front of Ana and quickly poked her arm, gesturing for her to stand. Pulling her sleeves over her wrists, she peeked out from behind Charlie.

"Mr Perry." The boys, bar Neil, said together and Ana smiled politely.

"Keep your seats, boys. And girl. You must be Anastasia, I've heard all about you from your father." He said with a curt nod and she raised an eyebrow.

"Good things, I hope?" She said and he nodded.

"Of course." He replied and she smiled again, sitting back down next to Charlie. "Neil, I've decided that you're taking too many extra-curricular activities. I've spoken to Mr Nolan about it, and you can work on the school annual next year." Ana watched as a flash of hurt appeared, and just as quickly, disappeared from Neil's face.

"But father, I'm the assistant editor."

"I'm sorry, Neil." The man said. Ana tentatively rose from her seat.

"With all due respect, Mr Perry, and I do not doubt that what you are doing is what's best for Neil, but that does seem a bit unfair." She said, her eyebrows furrowing slightly.

"I appreciate your concern, Miss Fitzgerald, but it is not your place to tell me what you think is good for my son." He said and she nodded.

"Of course, sir, I was merely stating my thoughts. Forgive me." She smiled and resumed her seat.

"Do excuse us fellows, Anastasia." Mr Perry walked into the hall, and Neil followed.

"Fitz, that was great," Meeks whispered and Ana shrugged.

"I'm not one to hide my thoughts and keep my mouth shut." She chuckled.

"You and I are going to be the best of friends," Charlie said with a smirk and she elbowed him in his side. They sat in silence for a few more moments before Neil re-entered the room. Ana stood up, letting him sink into his bed, and she perched on the window sill.

"Why doesn't he let you do what you want?" Charlie asked.

"Yeah, tell him off! It couldn't get any worse." Knox said and Ana shook her head.

"It could get worse. You could have my father, instead." She grumbled.

"Besides, like you'd tell your parents off. Mr Future Lawyer and Mr Future Banker." Neil scoffed and Ana placed her hand on his shoulder which he shrugged off. She placed it in her lap, dejected. Taking the school annual pin from his shirt, he hurled it at his wall, barely missing Meeks' head.

"Wait a minute, I don't let my parents walk on me," Knox said and Ana shook her head, chuckling to herself.

"Yeah, 'cause you just do everything they say! You'll be in daddy's law firm as sure as I'm sitting down right here." He looked at Charlie. "And you'll be approving loans until you croak."

"So they don't like it any more than you do, Neil," Ana said as gently as she could.

"Exactly, I was just saying..."

"Then don't tell me how to talk to my father when you are the same way. All right?"

"All right. Jesus, what are you gonna do?" Knox asked.

"What I have to do. Screw the annual." Neil slumped against the wall, folding his arms.

"I certainly wouldn't lose any sleep over it. It's just a bunch of people trying to impress Nolan." Meeks said, shrugging.

"Screw it all. I don't give a damn about any of it." Neil said bitterly and Ana sighed. He slammed his hand against the bed beside him and sunk into his pillow, lying back silently. She wanted to help him, she could tell that he was disappointed.

"I don't know about anybody else, but I could use a refresher in Latin, and you can get a bit of a head-start, Fitz. Eight o'clock in my room?" Charlie offered and Ana nodded.

"Sure," Neil replied.

"You're welcome to join us if you want, Todd. Right guys?" Ana said and the others nodded.

"Yeah, come along." Knox agreed.

"Thank you," Todd said quietly, and Ana smiled, shifting her position in the windowsill so her legs were tucked above her, pushed against the top of the window. All the other boys left, leaving the three of them in silence.

"You and Charlie seemed to get on well," Neil pointed out and Ana shrugged.

"What about it?" She replied and he shook his head.

"Nothing, I just didn't expect you two to be friends like that, that's all." He said and she rolled her eyes.

"Whatever, Perry. Come get me when you go to Charlie's, 'kay?" She asked, jumping down from the windowsill.

"'Course." He nodded and she walked to the door frame.

"Bye." She smiled and walked across the hall, a few boys gawking at her as she did so.