Chapter 1: Introductions

Artemis gazed out of the window and let out a tired sigh. She took out her phone. On the screen were foster papers. The papers she was supposed to look through.

Name: Darcy Hamilton

Age: 16

Favorite Pastimes: Gardening, gift making, baking, and tinkering.

Story: Currently on the lookout for her parents, Ari-Jeong Ngyuen and Levi Ngyuen.

Fostering Parents: Sen Carrie and Timothe Carrie.

She sighs sitting back, plugging in her headphones and listening to some inspirational music, drawing and trying to form her new mask. Darcy's personality is a classic shy girl. She enjoys tennis as her favorite sport, baking and napping in her free time. She usually fades into the background but was literally born to stand out.

Like an actress rehearsing her script, she read and reread what she'd written, trying to come up with the perfect image in her mind.

When her plane finally landed, she'd already made up her mind on what she wanted her new persona to look like and act. So as so as she found the nearest bathroom, she transformed.

Her new look was perfect. She took her hair out of a bun and put it in a braid. It looked more docile that way. She hailed a cab, heaved in her luggage and sped off. During the ride she took in her surroundings. Morning doves, sparrows and pigeons alike flocked about the Eiffel Tower bathed in the morning sun.

But Artemis knew better. This glorious facade was only to cover up Paris's darker side. No outsider knew that Paris had been under attack from a magical terrorist for two and a half. Anyway, Artemis had been brought in for a different reason entirely. A more amateur case. One of many overlooked she would soon find. Because everything was more than it seemed at first glance in this fraudulent city.

The car came to a sudden stop, snapping her out of her thoughts. She took her luggage and paid the driver .As she turned to face the bakery, she whispered a prayer, and slipped into her new persona, Darci. She gently pushed open the door, to meet two smiling faces.

And that was exactly how it all started.

The Play Begins!!

'Brring bring' Darci groaned and rolled out of bed. She was about to smash the clock but remembered today was the most important day of her time in Paris. First impressions were extremely important. Especially if she was going to trick 30 people, including a very manipulative liar and actress. She went through her closet and found a nice outfit.

She tied her hair into one French braid and wove some white ribbon into it

She tied her hair into one French braid and wove some white ribbon into it. She opened up the courrier bag she made of thrifted denim and leather, and packed her phone, textbooks, envelopes and a deck of cards, her sketchbook, a pair of headphones (and earplugs, just in case) her pencil case and a few other things. Next to her bed something stirred. Then a small white cashmere lopp came towards her and nuzzled her hand. Darci (Artemis' new name) gently picked it up. "Well hello and good morning to you too, Beatrix''. 'She then carefully set the bunny down in a hidden pen/cage. Sen wouldn't find the creature if she tried to clean Darci's room.

She glanced at her watch. Almost time for school to start. And she wanted to be exactly five minutes late. She kissed Beatrix, grabbed a croissant, and dashed outside while waving to her parents. She turned on her special microphone earring. As she climbed the rather steep staircase entering the school, she sensed some commotion, and took to the shadows hoping to get closer to the noise without being seen.

Some students were gathered in the front of an empty classroom, where an auburn-haired girl, holding another girl with sandy colored hair, and presumably teary cactus-colored eyes, was yelling at a stoic blonde girl with a single strand of rose-colored hair. Ahmal: Why are you so jealous of Leila? If you feel some kind of way about her or her friendship with Adain, go to a therapist about it. Or come talk to us! But instead, you sit up there on your high horse, insisting that you're the victim in all this, when in reality, you're the one texting Leila to commit suicide, bullying her and calling her a liar! All because you can't accept that she's living her dreams, while you're miserable and lonely! All because of jealousy! I thought I knew you better. I tried to help you see this isn't the way. Maybe you'd come around. But now, it's like I can't even recognize you. So, as of today, you're not my friend anymore. Now a different voice spoke. Calm, but in a tired, broken way. It sounded so sad.

"We were never friends. If you can choose someone you've known for two and a half semesters over a childhood friend, then we were never friends. I've known you my entire life. Now... it's like I never knew you. You think Sayani wouldn't hurt a fly. You say I'm jealous. I'm a bully. A poor excuse for a human being. Spoiled. Useless. A good-for-nothing. Brat. A monster. You don't realize the real monster, is the person you call 'bestie'. An angel. So when your future careers end before they even start, and you try to blame me for your mistake, I'll point straight at you. Sayani is a liar, but it's your choice if you believe her. But, I'm just jealous, looney. I'm bully, what do I know? Leila: T-Tiffani, A-Ahmal. Please don't fight...b-because of...of m-m-me! Ahmal: Don't worry. Hopefully, she'll learn her lesson this time. Leila: T-thanks, A-ahmal. Ahmal: Don't mention it. She turned away and lead her new friend to a seat in the front row. The students whispered angrily. Ahmal looked pleased, thinking they were all bad-mouthing Tiffani.

However, the majority of the students there were in favor of Tiffani. By listening to what they were saying, Darci realized that Leila had been so focused on trying to solidify her influence in this class, she'd neglected her other schoolmates, making quite a few enemies for herself. Tiffani on the other hand had helped them all out multiple times. There was a shout and the observing students scurried out of the classroom in a frenzy. Miss Moulin was coming. Darci snuck in unnoticed and slid into the open space next to Tiffani.

Miss Moulin, the teacher got up from her desk, and stood beside Mireille. Miss Moulin: Class, settle down now. Today we have a new transfer student, Darci Monet all the way from Greece! Is there anything you would like to tell the class about yourself? Darci: W-well...um, I act-actually like...writing. Miss Moulin: Wonderful! Since it's your first day, Tiffani will be your guide. You may head back to your original seat.

Leila raised her hand. Leila: Can Darci sit next to me? She isn't safe next to Tiffani. Miss Moulin: Though I do have concerns about Tiffani's behavior lately, it's up to Darci. Darci: I'm fine. Thank you for the concern, Miss Leila and Miss Moulin! Miss Moulin: Well, if that is all, let's begin. Open your textbooks to page 128...Darci gently tapped Tiffany's shoulder, rousing her from dosing off. Darci: Sorry, I just f-f-forgot t-to get my notebook...to t-take notes. Could I borrow yours? I'll rip the p-pages out and g-give it b-back after. Tiffani: Huh...oh, um sure. Here. She handed Darci an empty notebook, before getting comfortable and dosing off.

Darci had done it. Everyone was talking about the "shy Greek shadow girl". And even better, her archrival knew nothing about her! She'd made some arrangements and given Tiffani her number, and a--gift. She neared her next class, when, out of the corner of her eye she spotted a familiar face. She pulled the girl into an empty classroom faster than the eye could blink. Mireille: Elle, where can I sign up for the Adventures of the Secret Coalition? Elloise: And a proper hello and good morning to you too, Arti. Darci rolled her eyes. "Give me an answer rather than lecturing me on my manners, Elle. Elloise: Well, the studio is on 15th Satine Avenue, Reverie Studios. I see Eunji was able to send the message through. Darci: I met Tiffani, and the play is just beginning. Elloise: Good. Meet me at lunch, the huge old elm tree. Darci: Deal.

Both girls dashed off to their classes. Darci back to History, Elloise to Poetry. The moment Darci entered, she realized Miss Moulin had already left, so the only people in the room were her and Tiffani. She walked to the back, next to Tiffany, and gently shock her awake. She stirred suddenly and sat upright. Darci: Was class really that boring? She giggled. Tiffani smiled at her. It was a sad smile. Tiffani: Well not more than usual. But I haven't gotten enough sleep recently so... Darci handed her an americano and her notebook back. Darci: If that's the case you must need this more than me. Especially if you want enough energy to put up with Leila and Ahmal. Tiffani rubbed her eyes in disbelief. Tiffani: Oh, I'm supposed to take you on that tour. Darci: No, no you head on to the next class. I'll take care of it. Tiffani: O-oh, um okay. See you in Mrs. Roubideaux's class, I guess. She thanked Darci and walked down the hallway. Darci smiled, hiding her inner anger.

I'll make her pay for what she did to you, I'll make them all pay. It's simply the calm before the storm, you'll see. Consider this warning.