The first day of fall brought with it a crisp wind that rustled the leaves of the trees surrounding Welton Academy. The grounds buzzed with the usual chaos of returning students, crisp uniforms, and well-worn traditions. Fathers carried trunks, mothers offered last-minute reminders, and Headmaster Nolan stood like a statue near the front steps, nodding at each passing family with practiced formality.

Inside the chapel, the opening ceremony unfolded just like it had every year. The polished wood pews filled with navy blazers and anxious eyes, all lined up beneath the soaring arches and stained glass. The familiar four pillars—Tradition, Honor, Discipline, and Excellence—loomed above the podium.

But this year, there was something in the air. Something different. A rumor.

By the time the boys had spilled out of the chapel and back into the open air, it was all anyone could talk about.

"Did you hear?""They actually let a girl in.""She's got her own dorm room.""No way that's true."

Back in their dorm room, Neil Perry stood at the window, watching the students move through the courtyard below. He turned as Todd Anderson quietly unpacked a stack of books onto his desk.

"You hear what they're saying?" Neil asked, a hint of a smile tugging at his lips.

Todd nodded hesitantly. "About... the girl?"

"Yeah. Can you imagine it?" Neil's eyes glimmered with curiosity. "A girl at Welton. Wonder what she's like."

Before Todd could answer, the door to their dorm swung open with the usual dramatic flair of Charlie Dalton.

"Well, well, gentlemen!" Charlie announced, hands spread like he was stepping onto a stage. "I come bearing very important news."

Knox Overstreet and Steven Meeks followed behind him, clearly already in the middle of a debate. Neil raised an eyebrow. "Let me guess. The girl?"

Charlie pointed at Neil. "Give this man a prize."

Knox crossed his arms. "It's true. I saw her name on the dorm registry. Room all by herself, east wing. Headmaster's signature right on the file."

"Still could be a mistake," Charlie insisted. "Or a temporary thing. There's no way Welton actually approved this."

"Wanna bet on it?" Knox challenged, holding up a five-dollar bill. Charlie smirked. "Gladly."

Just as the two moved to shake on it, a calm voice interrupted. "You're both wrong. It's not temporary." The group turned toward the door.

There you were, standing there effortlessly composed, a book tucked under your arm, a duffel slung over your shoulder, and your Welton blazer perfectly buttoned. You didn't look like a myth or a rumor—you looked real, and confident, and completely unimpressed by the crowd of stunned boys in front of you.

Charlie's eyes widened. Knox's jaw dropped. Meeks looked like he'd forgotten how to speak. You stepped forward, and they all instinctively moved aside to give you space.

"Excuse me," you said coolly, brushing past them, barely giving them a second glance.

As you disappeared down the hall toward your dorm, Neil let out a low whistle.

"Well," he said, grinning. "Looks like she's very real." Knox blinked and sighed, pulling out his wallet. He handed the five to Charlie with a groan.

"She talked, too," Charlie murmured, watching the corner you'd vanished around. "That counts as proof."

Todd stood frozen in place, processing what just happened. "She didn't even seem nervous," he mumbled.

"More confident than half the upperclassmen," Meeks added.

Neil turned back toward the window, his smile lingering. "This year just got a whole lot more interesting."