Jericho Main Square
"We have some business to take care of in Jericho before heading to Nevermore. You can stay in the car or go for a walk," Catherine said gently as she got out of the car with Uriel, carrying a briefcase.
"Just a few deliveries, it'll be quick," Uriel replied.
"I'll go for a walk and find something to eat." (I suppose they'll meet up with someone while they're there.) William decided to stroll through the bustling market in the square. Dozens of people had set up various stalls selling organic products.
"How much for an apple?" he asked with a smile to a plump woman at a fruit stand.
"One dollar, young man," the woman replied, tossing him a particularly red one. Will caught it effortlessly.
"Hey freak, give me a dollar!" Before he could take a bite, a threatening voice interrupted him. A young Black man had bought apples from three other young men.
"Sure, I'll give you 100." William took 100 dollars from his wallet and threw them on the ground.
"Go ahead and pick them up, don't be ashamed to beg," he said indifferently.
"Ha, you think you're so funny?" the young man retorted angrily before attempting to throw a punch. Will easily caught his fist, pulled him close, and slammed his knee into his stomach.
"Arggguu"
The young man, Lucas Walker, the mayor's son, spat saliva before writhing on the ground like an insect sprayed with insecticide. His fat friend tried to hug him from behind, but was kicked to the ground.
(Maybe it was a little too harsh) That's all that crossed Will's mind as he watched the remaining boy run off into the distance. He threw the rest of his apple at the last one's head, sending him sprawling. Blood was dripping heavily from his broken nose.
With a slight smile, Will returned to the car after reading a message from his mother. They were ready to leave, but not before buying a peach—he'd lost his initial snack.
The Stone family's luxurious car traveled the road toward Nevermore Academy, surrounded by tall, leafy trees and shrouded in mist, exuding a somewhat unsettling air.
"Was there a problem, Will, honey?" his mother asked.
"Just a few flies. We're almost there."
As if to answer her question, the sweeping walls of Nevermore came into view, and the massive cast-iron gate opened by itself to welcome them.
"Welcome to Nevermore," Uriel said dramatically, his gaze fixed on the grand castle that loomed before them, ancient and Gothic, with dozens of different gargoyles adorning its rooftops.
"He's the one from the video..." "He's the cute guy...the one in white." "Who would have thought...what he's capable of." "He's amazing."
"He asked me if I'd have his number." "Stupid girl, he's going to hear you." "We'd better stay away from him..."
As William and his family made their way to Principal Weems' office, the new and returning students whispered amongst themselves, their eyes fixed on William. Most were girls dressed casually, whispering in groups of two or three. Some gave him discreet glances, while others brazenly flashed him smiles.
(He asked me what they were talking about...) (Will)
William ignored each and every one of them; none of them interested him. He simply followed his parents, who were clearly familiar with the building.
Headmistress Weems's Office
The headmistress's office was elegant, decorated in various shades of red. A carpet covered the floor, and chandeliers hung from the ceiling, illuminating the entire space. Her solid wood desk held a sculpture of a raven, a testament to her appreciation for Nevermore's finest student, Edgar Allan Poe.
And the most impressive thing about the room was that fireplace decorated like a majestic Medusa, its jaws wide open, fire blazing within, its snakes slithering up the walls.
Larissa stood right in front of the fireplace, waiting for her parents, old friends. She was a tall woman with platinum blonde hair and blue eyes.
"Catherine, you have no idea how happy I am to see you again," Larissa said.
"Me too, Rizza," Catherine replied, "but you've been too busy to see us more often."
After a hug, Larissa's attention turned to William.
"And this handsome young man must be your son, William, right? He inherited his mother's beauty." Larissa had a warm smile on her lips. William's 5'11" paled in comparison to Larissa's 6'3", allowing her to hold his cheeks with ease. William didn't mind; she was a stunning woman, both beautiful and poised. She had dedicated her life to maintaining and strengthening the relationships between Outcasts and Normies.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Miss Weems." (William)
"Please, I'm not so young anymore," Larissa said cheerfully, pinching Will's cheeks.
"Will, darling, you can go now and see the academy. You'll be sharing a room in the dormitories at Caliban Hall. Gart, the keyholder, should have finished taking your things in by now." Catherine was about to have a long talk with Larissa, while Uriel silently sipped his tea.
William wandered aimlessly around the school grounds, seeing students and their parents everywhere, from 13-year-olds to those over 17, before a pair caught his attention: a boy with no facial features and a girl wearing an unusually puffy hat; something was twisting underneath.
"They're a Gorgon and a Faceless One. It's the first time you've met one."
"That's right. I have to say, the guy makes me a little uncomfortable." (William)
"We're all uncomfortable at first, but you get used to it. They're not bad people."
"Wait, they can eat without mouths?" Will expressed his doubt. (In Wednesday, they were never given much importance; they were more of a background character.)
"You can do everything a normal person can. I haven't introduced myself, have I? Xavier Thorpe." The young man extended his hand, a tall, slender teenager with ash-blond hair and green eyes.
"William Stone, I'm new this year." Will shook his hand.
"I know. Principal Weems sent me to find you and show you the way to the dorm."
"Come on, we're almost there... William?" Xavier turned his head when he saw that Will wasn't following him; he was standing still, staring at a girl.
(She's much prettier in person, Enid Sinclair.) In the distance, the girl in question was arguing with her mother. She had blonde hair with pink and blue highlights and wore a colorful, fluffy blue sweatshirt.
"He's drooling," Xavier commented, amused by his new friend's reaction.
Will pulled out a handkerchief and dabbed the corner of his mouth, without looking away.
"Take a picture; they last longer," Xavier continued, suppressing a laugh at his actions. There was nothing to clean.
"Right," Will calmly pulled out his phone, preparing to take as many photos as his memory card could hold.
"Hey, that's a little weird," Xavier said, stepping in front of the camera. "You should ask her permission first. In fact, go talk to her."
"Isn't what we're doing a little strange?" Both boys were following the girl from a distance. "She's heading to Ophelia Hall, going to her dormitory. Thornhill won't let you near her." (Xavier)
Marilyn Thornhill, professor of botanical sciences at Nevermore and in charge of the dormitories at Ophelia Hall.
"I have a good friend who'll help me distract her." Right after saying that, Will stepped out from behind the pillar where they were hiding.
"Phew, it's good you have such a friend...wait, is that me?" (Xavier)
In front of Ophelia Hall Dormitories
"Do you need help?" Will asks gently, walking up behind Enid and watching her struggle with her suitcases, many colorful suitcases covered in stickers.
"It's not necessary, I...I would love to" (uwaaa he's handsome) At first I planned to refuse, I was a werewolf, I had enough strength to do the job, until I saw the boy, tall, handsome with blond hair, dressed in a white suit without the jacket, long-sleeved white shirt, black tie decorated with a silver clip in the shape of a bear.
"Sure, I'll take the biggest ones." Will effortlessly lifted the large suitcases, waiting for Enid to lead the way to his dorm.
Shared Dormitories at Ophelia Hall
"Tun" "Tun"
Will put the suitcases on the floor; it was a large room with two beds, two desks, and a window between them. Somewhat tired from climbing so many stairs, Will collapsed onto the left bed. There was nothing of Enid's on it, so he didn't have to worry. He closed his eyes to calm his heart.
(She's even more beautiful up close, her colorful eyeshadow, a few freckles on her cheeks, her blue eyes, and to top it all off, her sweet smile.) Before Will's heart could calm down, he felt the bed sink right next to him and their hips touch.
(Calm down Enid, he's handsome, cute and chivalrous but there's that video, maybe I should ask him?...) (Enid) Her heart was a little accelerated, it was the first time she was alone with a boy who was from her family.
"Are you the one in the video?" Enid asked gently.
"Hmm, what video?" Will tilted his head without opening his eyes