Name: Serafina "Sera" Ashlynn Beaumont

Age: 15 ½

Hometown: London, England

Best School Subjects:

-Art (I have serious transformation skills)

-Math (Secretly)

Groups, Charities:

-West End Makeup Committee

-Queens Dance Studio

-Shop for a Cause

Extracurriculars:

-dance

-Shopping (If you don't think it's an extracurricular, you're doing it wrong)

-Fashion Design

What Makes You an Alpha: Trick question, what doesn't?

Why Would You Stand Out at Alpha Academy: I am an Alpha at heart and will rise above everyone, but still win the hearts of all who know me.

I watch in awe as my name appears on the banner after Fauna May's. There I am, doing Pirouettes and my makeup arts, all on the screen where everyone can see. I'm really here, I'm really doing this! I cannot believe it! I've always had an ambitious streak, but usually it got me to small accomplishment, like becoming the youngest makeup worker on the West End. But now I'm on the famous Bubble Train to the center of Alpha Island. Outside my car, the palm trees sway and I can see the other Alphas in the cars next to me, a girl, Fauna, with bushy brown curls in front and another with girl with light blonde hair and the tan of a surfer. The banner lights up with her name, Bliss Mirage, as mine fades away. This island is full of big shots, the actresses and athletes, to the dancers and artists. But, only one will get out and win worldwide fame. And I have to be the one to win that.

I glance at the hologram image of Shira sitting across from me, I had found out the hard way that she wasn't actually there, just a hologram. As we round a corner, she bursts out into a speech that probably every girl is hearing right now.

"We are passing the Pavilion. This is where you will have your meals with your houses, the whole island is inspired by Greek architecture, Acropolis to be exact. Also in the Pavilion will be lounges, the spa, the Salon, and of course, shops. Here, you have no need for money, instead you will have aBucks, which are determined by your grades. An A will earn you meals and plenty of credits for shopping. But, an F will leave you starving more than a model. Sort of like the real world," Shira chirps as I mentally swear to have the best grades, as I cannot go without shopping, even if the uniform is limited to only reflective clothing.

Next, the train goes by what I remember is the Zen Building, shaped like a cross legged Buddha. I chose Yoga as one of my classes so I make note of the location of the uniquely shaped building.

"As you may have noticed, the buildings on the Island are curved. There are no angles in our architecture here. Also, we run on entirely green energy, as Alphas don't need to damage the world around them in order to be tall," Shira drones on, as if she is even tired with herself. The Holo-Shira must have given this speech hundreds of times. "We are nearing the Residencies, where you will live with four other Alphas and a muse. Your houses will be your families. Check your aPod for your housing assignments and use your scan and read app to find information on your fellow Alphas and also others on the island. Good luck and may the best Alpha win," Shira says as her image flickers away, her smirk still present. Pulling my glittering sky blue aPod from my navy blue short skirt, I pull up my General Info App and read my housing assignment, Anne Hathaway. All of the houses at the island are named after powerful and influential women. As I pass through the neighborhood, I see houses like Jackie O, Oprah, Michele Obama, J.K. Rowling, and Beyoncé. Also, apparently they named three of the houses after the victors of last year, Skye Hamilton, Charlie Deery, and Allie Abbott.

As the train slows to a stop, I take a deep breath and step off the train and enter the Anne Hathaway house. Mentally preparing myself for the competition to begin, I push open the quaint door and take a look around my new home. Even though I had seen it on TV before, it all is so much different in person. The dome-shaped house is separated into three floors, connected by a sweeping spiral staircase. Towards the front is a fully stocked stainless steel kitchen and a home theatre complete with a stage and beanbag chairs sprawled out. In the corner is a lap pool leading to small courtyard behind the house. Climbing the stairs to the second floor, I find a study lounge complete with massage chairs and five mahogany desks with the latest Mac model on each. And, finally on the top floor is a series of five canopied beds arranged in a horseshoe pattern. The beds are queen size with fluffy white comforters on each one. They seem like those you'd find at a five star hotel, like they could just swallow you up. On the other side of the room is a large shining porcelain bathroom and five large walk in closets, stocked with an array of glittering reflective clothes, as sparkles are basically the uniform.

So far, it seems as I am the only person at the residence now, as everything is undisturbed. But, I hear footsteps behind me and whirl around to face the newcomer.

"Hello?" I say as I face the tall woman with long chocolate brown hair. She smiles sweetly and her grey eyes sparkle with kindness.

"A simple hello can lead to a million things," she states simply, "Hello, Serafina."

"Call me Sera," I say, reaching my hand out to her. She takes it timidly and lightly, and shakes it.

"I'm Christine, I'll be your house muse. You're the first to arrive, the others will be here later," she says softly, her smooth voice almost as a whisper, "Well, speaking of which, someone's here."

I hear quick footsteps and a gasp as another Alpha enters the house. I hear oohs and ahs as the girl inevitably passes the kitchen, theatre, study room, and finally the bedroom. As she reaches the top of the stairs to where Christine and I are waiting, I finally see her. The girl has chest length reddish brown hair in ringlet curls. Remembering what the Holo-Shira told me, I power on my aPod and scan her as a paragraph of info comes up.

Name: Cami Mulheim. Born in Elk Rapids, Michigan but spends most of her time performing on Broadway. Her signature roles are Young Cosette in an off Broadway Les Miserables, Leisel in Sound of Music, Molly in Annie, Christine Daaé in the all teen production of Phantom of the Opera. When in Michigan, she spends her time giving back to society by volunteering and performing for community theatre. She has just returned from a successful run as Maria in West Side Story. She has won multiple Tonys for Best Actress in a Musical and Best Supporting Actress in a Play. Other talents include playing the violin and singing opera.

I smile at Cami, who seems to be sweet, but with a whole past of performing. I have done a lot of dancing on stage, even for Phantom, along with being one of the most successful makeover prodigies. Well, I guess Cami and I have a love for Phantom of the Opera in common.

"Nice to meet you, um, Sera," she says to me. I see she knows how to use the Alpha ID scan. I wonder what mine says...

"Omigod, Crissie! I can't believe we're roommates!" another voice rings out and two girls come scampering up the stairs. One girl has golden blonde hair with a few streaks of a dirty darker blonde color. The other has short platinum blonde hair and the build of a dancer. I immediately recognize them as the only two Alphas from Wisconsin, Crissie and Aria. Great, another dancer. I guess I can deal with that, as I heard she does more tap while I stick with Lyrical and Ballet. More introductions go around, mostly repeats for me as we wait for our final girl to arrive.

"So what are your majors?" Aria asks, trying to strike up a conversation, "I'm doing a mix of Musical Theatre, Dance and Singing."

"Tap for me," Crissie chirps.

"Dance and Makeup," I chime in.

"Modern Opera and Musical Theatre," Cami smiles, showing off her pearly white teeth.

Finally, after a few moments of discussing our classes and other awkward small talk, I hear the slide of a door and another girl climbs up the stairs. Her blue eyes wide in awe, she smiles and waves hello.

"I'm Sierra, Musical Theatre major," she says pushing a strand of light brown hair from her face. Something about her seems familiar... I feel as if I've met her before.

"Hey, I'm Crissie", the blonde says.

"Wait, Sera, is that you?" Sierra asks, her face lit up.

"Um, yeah?" I say, still confused.

"Remember, you did my makeup for Sound of Music on the West End!" she says. Oh yeah! She was Leisel, and it was my first makeup job for a show ever.

"Omigod, I remember you! How's your career?" I ask her, giving her a hug.

"Everything's great! I've been signed for a new screen adoption of Wizard of Oz, which starts in the spring!"

"That's awesome!" Aria chips in.

Well, I guess this turned out better than I had hoped. I guess the Anne Hathaway house will really be like home with a family. However, I know that the fond feelings won't last forever, when the competition heats up.

A/N

And that was the Anne Hathaway house! Next up is the Skye Hamilton house!

What did you think of the train ride?

The Anne Hathaway house?

The group of Alphas?

Their friendships?

How do you think they will interact in the future?

Who is the weakest link?

Random: if you have any inspiring quotes you would like me to use in the story, please send them!

Also, review please, as your Alpha depends on you!

-Angelofmusic4ever