Once she got to the common room, suitcase in tow she found the sophomore area and looked for a good potential friend.

She spotted a girl sitting alone on a black leather couch she was dressed in a nude colored cargo pants, a plain white tank top, and dark brown combat boots. She was very, very tan with warm brown eyes to match her brown hair pulled up in a messy pony tail.

Cress sat down to the left of her, but not to close she kept an arms distance between them. She was going to speak , but her nerves got the best of so instead she looked through her E-mails on her phone. Even though she knew most were going to be spam.

After about five minute the girl turned to Cress examining her. Pretending not to notice Cress feigned interest in her phone.

Then the girl finally spoke, "Hi, I'm Cinder." The girl outstretched her hand.

Shaking her hand Cress replied, "I'm Cress." Grinning at the prospects of a new friend.

"Um, I'm afraid you're in the wrong section, this is the sophomore area freshman is over there," she said pointing to what Cress assumed was the freshman section.

Cress' smile wilted mentally cursing her small size. "Uh, I am a sophomore," she said forcing a grin.

Cinder suddenly looked as embarrassed as Cress had been. "Oh, sorry I'm such an idiot. Are you new?"

"Uh, yeah."

"Well you'll love it here, though it does take a while to get used to it at first, but you'll soon learn to adore this place. And there's ton of great peo-."

"There's my favorite sophomore!" a gorgeous guy announced cutting off Cinder, he stood off to the side behind her. He was quite tall though everyone was tall compared to Cress, but he looked at least a foot taller. He had amazing ocean blue eyes almost as stunning as her own, and a tan. He had perfect brown hair, that looked almost too perfect. Sporting a blue collared shirt with tan jeans and brown boots. He was the hottest guy Cress had ever seen.

"He is not one of those great people," Cinder said glowering at the handsome guy.

The guy put a hand over his heart acting hurt by Cinder's words. Seeming to notice Cress for the first time their eyes met and all of time seemed to stop. Finally he opened his mouth and said, "Aces, is that all your hair."

The fantasy quickly ended.

Cinder swiftly elbowed Thorne in the abdomen. He winced for a second then he plastered a smirk on his face kneeled down on one knee and said, "Where are my manners mademoiselle, I'm Thorne," he then placed a kiss on Cress' hand.

Cress turned her head away blushing furiously. "I'm Cress," she managed in the tiniest of voices.

"Thorne what did I tell you about using French for your cheesy pick-up lines, its offensive to the French language," said a voice with a slight French accent. A girl not much taller than Cress appeared next to Cinder, with fiery red curls that seemed to fly out in every direction ending in the middle of her back. Easy to spot against her pale skin, even if it does blend in well with her red sweatshirt that was accompanied with blue jeans and white low top converse. She was quite curvy which was a big contrast compared to Cinder or herself. Her brown eyes still glaring at Thorne.

"I was only saying hi," his smirk didn't waver not even once.

"Shouldn't you be in the Junior section?" Cinder asked.

"He probably got held back," Scarlet joked.

"You don't have to hide it," Thorne said still amused, "I know you want me."

Scarlet and Cinder simultaneously rolled their eyes.

"Eeek!" screeched Scarlet being bear hugged from behind by an unknown assailant. "Winter don't sneak up on me," she grumbled.

"Scarlet-friend a hug is a term of endearment," the insanely beautiful girl said in a way that made it seem her tongue was coated in honey. The girl had bright caramel colored eyes in great contradiction with her dark skin tone. She had unbelievably thick and long eyelashes, and naturally red lips. Her black hair went down just passed her shoulders in ringlets. Winter was dressed in a simple white sun dress with light brown booties. The outfit would have looked totally plain on anyone else.

Winter continued to embrace everyone greeting 'Cinder-friend', 'Thorne-friend', and even greeting Cress as 'Cress-maybe friend?'.

Thorne crossed to the left side of the couch to bear hug a guy Cress didn't even notice standing next to Scarlet. Thorne in a mocking tone said, "Hello, Jacin-best friend." Who she assumed was Jacin was a couple inches taller than Thorne, with light blonde hair that reached just below his ear. His ice blue eyes seemed unfazed by Thorne's antics. He was dressed similarly to Thorne, but keeping within school colors. His collared shirt was red, and his boots black, but his tan jeans were the same as Thorne's. Cress decided he was very hot too.

Winter pouted acting saddened, "I thought Jacin was my best friend?"

Before anyone could respond an ear splitting sound ricocheted throughout the common room. "Sorry, students," said the guy holding the microphone on top of the stage. Who she recognized as headmaster Torin, dressed in a classic black suit with a tie striped with the schools colors.

"I am your headmaster, Torin," he continued, "some of you may already know me." "First order of business I would like to welcome any new students and freshman," a clamor of cheers erupted from the freshman area. Torin raised his hand to silence the crowd.

"Please hold any cheers or commentary till the end. After a speech from our school's president all students will go to their dorms if they haven't already, and meet their roommates. After that everyone is expected to meet back here at noon for a series of announcements. Okay, now introducing our school president Kaito Prince," another cacophony of cheers followed.

"Just Kai please," he said flashing a dazzling smile, "hello students!"

More cheers.

Kai looked to be the same height as Thorne, maybe shorter. His hair was jet black and messy but in a cute way. He had sparkling brown eyes, that went well with his emerald green collared shirt. He were blue jeans and tan Sperry's. Looking quite dashing.

Kai went into a short speech about how great the school year was going to be and how honored he was to be the student body president. Cress was only half listening instead directing her attention to Thorne, getting lost in his eyes, his hair, and his soft, soft lips. She silently berated herself, she couldn't like the first guy she met at this school.

Once Kai's speech was over he made his way down the stage and toward the group.

Winter sat down in-between Cinder and Cress and whispered something into Cinder's ear that caused a mad blush to rise on her face.

When Kai finally reached the group Thorne immediately saluted him, "Hello Mr. President", he teased.

"Aww, President will be just fine," he mused.

"Hello Kaiiiiiii," said a whiny voice unnecessarily dragging out Kai's name. Cress turned to see her, she had medium length glossy brown hair and brown eyes. She was slender and pale with striking cheekbones. She was flawless but something about her gave Cress the feeling of fakeness. "Oh, and hello others," she glowered. She turned her attention to Cress and said, "Who's the runt?"

All eyes turned to Cress suddenly embarrassed she felt like crying.

Before she could say anything Scarlet spoke up, "The runt has a name Levana, unlike your fake minions Levana #1 and Levana #2."

For the first time Cress noticed the identical twins standing a few spaces behind Levana. They had short blond hair and brown eyes. Not very striking features, but not necessarily ugly.

"No need to get feisty Shirley Temple," Levana's minions cackled behind her, a little bit too loud and a bit too long. "See you later Kaiiiii," she said running a finger a along Kai's face.

Kai shuttered in return.

"I can't believe you ever liked that," Thorne said once Levana had exited, breaking the silence.

"It was freshman year I thought it would be cool to date a sophomore, and she wasn't as vicious back then," Kai said still reeling from Levana's touch.

"No she was she just did a better job at hiding it," Jacin said looking disgusted.

Thorne turned to Cress and said, "That's who really runs the school," gesturing to where Levana had left.

"No, Thorne I'm the president of the school," Kai said looking annoyed.

"You may be the president, but she's the Queen Bi-," .

"Thorne, that's my Cousin!" Winter exclaimed offended.

"Step-cousin," Jacin added.

"Kaito," Torin said appearing behind Kai demanding the attention be drawn to him. "I'm glad to have a fine young man like yourself as the student body president. Keep up the good work," he continued.

"Thank you, sir I will," he said flashing yet another dazzling grin.

"Wow, Kai I didn't know you were so tight with Mr. T, maybe you can get him to remove my strike," Thorne grinned hopeful.

"You got a strike on your first day, I didn't even think that was possible," Kai said seeming genuinely shocked.

"I guess they made a special exception for me," Thorne smirked impressed with himself.

"What'd you do?" Cinder asked not surprised.

"I just went on the roof."

"What did you do on the roof," Jacin probed.

"I was just welcoming the incoming freshman with some water balloons," Thorne said unable to suppress his grin.

The Winter and Scarlet rolled their eyes in unison.

"Get to your dorm room kids," called a teacher. Cress suddenly noticed just how empty the common room was.

"Yes, sorry Mrs. Nainsi, we'll be on our way," Kai called back.

"Suck up!" everyone mused, except Cress.

"Oh, whatever I'm going to get to my dorm, see you guys at noon," Kai said hurrying away.