St. Nathan's Academy: a highly selective educational institution that only few get to experience. The tuition is high, the students endure high-level classes, and those that graduate from St. Nathan's Academy become the influencers of the world. Everything about the school and those that attend are held in only the highest regards and standards.

For Claire Hughes, St. Nathan's Academy was hell. She attended the school on a scholarship due to her excellence in track and field, as well as worked a part-time job to afford the apartment she needed to rent. Her family had passed long ago in a car accident and she was raised by her aunt in another town. While Claire was thankful for the sacrifices her aunt made, Claire ventured on her own in order to pursue the highest level of education she could possibly get.

Claire Hughes had dreams. In order to achieve those dreams, she had to work her ass off in her time at the Academy. Balancing school work, being student-body president, sports, and working part-time was the struggle she was willing to face in order to become the respectable, successful woman she knew her parents wanted her to become.

-x-x-x-x-

"Claire-bear, I need to borrow your notebook!" Ann Blackwood, a fiery redhead who Claire often referred to as a best friend, tugged on Claire's sleeve with a pout on her pink lips. Claire sighed, running a hand through her long blonde hair.

"Don't tell me you forgot yours again, Ann…" The redhead could only smile sheepishly, caught in her bad habits. Claire rolled her eyes, but pulled the notebook from her backpack anyways. "Give it back by the end of lunch, okay? That should be enough time for you to copy the notes you missed. And don't spill anything on it like last time!"

Ann nodded, grinning. "Thanks a bunch, Claire-bear! I owe you big time!" Ann headed back to her own seat across the classroom, then pulled out some lined paper to copy the notes. Claire stood by the door and gestured for the late students to hurry up.

"C'mon! Class is going to start soon." Several students made for the classroom, waving goodbye to their friends who hurried off to their own respective classes. The final bell rang and Claire took her seat, sitting up straight as the teacher entered the classroom. After a few minutes, the teacher signaled for the rowdy class to settle down and listen. He cleared his throat and fixed his glasses, peering down at a sheet of paper in his hands.

"Listen up, everyone. I've got some news for you all." He looked up at the class to gauge a reaction before continuing. "As some of you may have heard, we've got a new student coming tomorrow. Isn't that swell?" A couple of students snickered at the teacher's choice of words. "Now, I know how you all can get sometimes. Be nice to the new student, alright? Don't go being all nosy and whatnot…" There were some noises of protest from the class and the teacher chuckled, waving his hand dismissively. "Yes, yes, yes. You're all great kids. Now then, let's get on with roll…"

As the class's hour passed, Claire took notes diligently as always, though the thought of the new student piqued her curiosity. A part of her was hoping it would be another scholarship student like herself, but she figured that probably wasn't the case. Most students at the academy were attending on their parents' money. As student body president, Claire would be the one to show the new student around, so she just prayed that they were easy to get along with. It was hard to predict personalities with rich kids. Some were rude and stuck up, while others were more humbled and kind. It was a hit or miss type deal.

The school bell brought Claire out of her thoughts and she gathered up her things to head to her next class. No matter the period, Claire was always the first one in the room. That class passed, too, and the one after that as well without any problems. Lunch rolled around and Claire headed to the dining hall with the herd of other students. She took her seat at the usual table and waited patiently for her friends to arrive. They all came in one group, walking at a pace that was always much too slow for Claire's liking. They took their seats and conversation filled the air.

"Hey Claire, here's your notebook. Thanks again!" Ann slid the notebook across the table to Claire, who nodded in response. The person next to Claire let out an impressed whistle as he leaned closer to look at the notebook.

"Damn, Ann. You lose your notebook again? Did you leave it at home or something?" Claire looked up and laughed. Gray Blackwood, Ann's cousin, shot Ann a teasing look, one eyebrow raised incredulously. Ann pouted and rolled her eyes.

"N-No! I just didn't get the notes is all…"

"Now, now, lying will give you wrinkles, Ann!" Popuri Ross giggled, a dainty hand tucking her pink hair behind her ear. It would always go back to where it was, the natural curls never very obedient, but that didn't stop the girl from fretting over her hair constantly. Ann could only roll her eyes in response to the teasing.

"So," Kai Parata, the charming playboy of the group, rested his chin in his hand as he looked to Claire. "How was your weekend, Claire? Still working as a waitress, right? Doesn't that suck?"

Claire rolled her eyes and crossed her arms over her chest. "Well, sorry I wasn't born rich like you guys! Some people have to work for what they want, you know." She stuck her tongue out at him, a childish act that she hoped lessened the impact of the insult.

"Yeah, yeah, just remember you could always marry a rich dude like me and live the easy life!" Kai said, then laughed. Claire just rolled her eyes again and huffed.

"Yeah right! Like I'd ever marry someone like you, let alone someone who wouldn't let me work. That's just too degrading!"

"Aw, c'mon. I'm just joking! We all know you like to work. You must be a masochist or something, taking on all that hard work." Kai gave her a sleazy grin, making Claire's cheeks flare in embarrassment. She turned away from him, pouting.

"No way!" Flora Abraham, who sat at the corner of the table, interjected. "Claire's too innocent for that kind of stuff, Kai!"

"I agree." Ann said. "Claire's too cute for kinky stuff like that."

"G-Guys, can we not talk about my sexual preferences at the lunch table?" Claire was blushing madly, desperately wanting the topic to change.

"Are you saying we can talk about it somewhere else?" Popuri jabbed Kai in the ribs with her elbow after the statement, and he mumbled an apology. Claire just shook her head and smiled at her friends.

"Just eat your lunch, guys." Claire got out her bagged lunch from her backpack. The food in the dining hall was way too expensive for Claire's budget, so she made her own lunch at home and brought it to school. The rest of the group followed her lead, some of them getting up to go buy food. Claire felt a hand on her shoulder and she looked up at Gray.

"You want me to get you anything? Juice or something?" Gray asked, one eyebrow quirked up.

"No thanks. I'm good with this. Thanks, though!" Claire smiled and Gray nodded, giving her a pat on the shoulder before going on his way. Claire ate her sandwich, finishing it as everyone came back with their own meals. There was more conversation, the teasing aimed at various others throughout the lunch period and, once the bell rang, the group split up to head to their respective classes.

"Claire, slow down. You're going too fast." Gray spoke up from behind Claire, the two going to their shared class.

"Well, hurry up then! You know I'm always the first one there."

"Claire, we have five more minutes before the bell rings and the classroom is just ahead. Slow the hell down." He reached out and pulled on the collar of her sweatshirt, making her halt long enough for him to catch up. Claire huffed in annoyance, but slowed down so that they could walk alongside one another. "So," Gray started. "I was wondering-" Someone from the classroom called for Claire and the blonde smiled apologetically at Gray.

"Hold that thought. I gotta go see what they need." Claire jogged to the classroom and Gray just sighed and nodded, watching her as she went. She always managed to get busy with something before he had the chance to ask…

The school day continued and after the final bell, Claire met up with the group at the school's front gate. She approached Gray just before they all congregated together.

"Hey, Gray, what was it you wanted to talk about?" she asked, guiding them towards the coffee vendor.

"Hm? Oh- I was wondering if you wa-"

"CLAIRE!" Ann's yell could be heard from across the courtyard, the redhead running at them at an alarming pace. Claire just stood in shock at the oncoming scene.

"What's the matter? Why are you running?" Ann ran to Claire, immediately hiding behind the blonde in fear of what was coming. "Ann! Explain!"

"I accidentally told Kai about Popuri's crush on him! Now she's going to kill me!" Tears were beginning to form in Ann's eyes and Claire turned around to pat Ann on the head, smiling sweetly.

"Well, you get what you deserve. Learn to keep secrets better! I gotta go to work. Bye guys!" Claire pried Ann's hands off of her and waved, smiling at Gray before leaving.

"What?! No, Claire, don't leave me! I'm gonna die!" Ann yelled at Claire's retreating figure. The blonde only waved again as she left, not bothering to turn around. Ann turned to Gray. "You gotta help me!"

"Leave me out of it, Ann. This is your own fault and you messed up my chance again!" Gray groaned in frustration, rubbing the back of his neck.

"Ann, where are you?!" Popuri's angry voice could be heard just around the corner and Ann started to panic, clinging to Gray.

"Help!" Gray just shook his head and walked towards the others who were waiting by the gate. Just before Popuri could grab Ann, the redhead took off, Popuri hot on her trail. Kai, as well as two other boys, waved at Gray as he approached. Rock Ashworth put his arm around Gray's shoulders.

"So, did you ask her out? Spill the deets, man!"

"No." Gray grunted, obviously annoyed.

"Well, there's always tomorrow, right?" Cliff Dixon gave a supportive thumbs up, despite his quiet voice.

"I guess so…" Gray sighed and shoved his hands in his pockets, wondering if he'd ever get his chance.