*Reborn in Shadows*

Chapter 11: A New World

The headmaster was kind and patient as he walked me through the school's curriculum, introducing me to the diverse range of subjects and courses available. The options were overwhelming, and I could feel the weight of the decision pressing on me. He noticed my anxiety and reassured me with a warm smile.

"Take your time, Cath. There's no rush. If you need to, you can sit in on a few classes to get a feel for what interests you. And if you'd like, Amelia here can show you around."

He gestured to a girl standing beside him. She had an elegant presence with curly hair tied into a loose bun, dark complexion, and a figure-hugging outfit that accentuated her hourglass shape. Her smile was warm and welcoming.

"Hi, I'm Amelia Blake," she said, extending her hand. "I'll be showing you around today."

I shook her hand, and she led me out of the office. As we walked through the school, Amelia began introducing me to the various facilities and departments.

"I'm studying law here," she said casually. "What about you? I heard your brother is in the same field."

I nodded. "Yes, Michael is studying law as well. It's nice to meet someone who knows him."

Her eyes widened in surprise. "Oh, you're his sister! That's interesting."she said with a smirk

Just then, a tall, athletic boy walked past us, wearing a soccer team jacket. He had an air of confidence about him and gave me a slow, deliberate once-over.

"Hey, Amelia," he called out with a smirk. "Who's this?"

"This is Cath," Amelia introduced. "She's new here."

The boy—Alex—turned his full attention to me, his eyes lingering with a mix of curiosity and admiration. "Well, hello there, Cath," he said in a voice that dripped with charm. "Looks like we've got a new face on campus. I'm Alex."

His gaze was intense, and his smile was teasing. "If you need any help finding your way around or just want someone to show you the ropes, I'm your guy." He leaned in slightly, his tone lowering to a suggestive whisper. "But I should warn you, I don't do anything halfway."

Before I could respond, his teammates called him over, breaking the spell. He flashed a final, flirtatious smile. "Catch you later, Cath."

Amelia chuckled as Alex walked away. "First day and already you're on the popular kids' list. He's quite the character, isn't he?"

I laughed, feeling a little flustered. "He certainly made an impression."

We continued our tour, with Amelia showing me the classrooms, library, and various facilities. When we reached the psychology department, I felt a spark of excitement. The subject resonated with me deeply, especially considering my past.

"I guess you've found one of your subjects," Amelia said with a knowing smile.

"Yeah," I replied, feeling a genuine eagerness. "I think I'd really enjoy studying psychology."

We laughed together as Amelia guided me through the rest of the school. When the tour was over, she gave me a warm hug. "It was really nice meeting you, Cath. I hope you come back tomorrow. I'll tell you more stories about this place and introduce you to everyone."

I smiled, feeling a sense of relief and excitement about the new beginning.
The moment I turned to look for Michael, I saw him in the corridor with another boy. I froze, my eyes widening in surprise as the boy leaned in and kissed Michael's lips softly. Michael's cheeks turned a deep shade of red as the boy bid him a quick goodbye. I quickly looked away, feeling a mix of shock and awkwardness yet I was happy for him ..

Michael noticed me and jogged over, his cheeks still flushed. "Hey, Cath, how was your day?" he asked, trying to sound casual despite his blush.

As we settled into the car, I recounted my day. "The school was incredible. Everything's so grand and luxurious. Amelia showed me around, and I even got to see the library and the soccer field. I'm really interested in psychology now. It feels like something I'd enjoy."

Michael's eyes lit up with genuine happiness. "That's great! It sounds like you had a good time. I'm glad to hear it."

He then chuckled, adding, "By the way, did you say Amelia . She once dropped juice on me during middle school, and I haven't spoken to her much since, though she's a good student."

I laughed, finding his story amusing. "I'll keep that in mind."

As we arrived home, I changed into more comfortable clothes. At the dining table, everybody was already gathered. Emily looked up from her meal. "How was your day, Cath?"

"It was really good," I said, sitting down. "I loved the school, especially the psychology classes. I met Amelia, and she was fantastic. I'll decide on my subjects tomorrow."

Derek grinned mischievously. "Did you meet any boys?"

I rolled my eyes with a hint of annoyance. "I met Alex, the soccer player. He was... interesting."I said like I didn't care much

Michael's eyebrows shot up. "Alex? He's the most popular guy at school. I didn't realize he'd make an impression." He smiled at me with a glimpse of acceptance like of me and him together  ..

Derek smirked, clearly amused by Michael's reaction. "Looks like Cath's made quite an entrance."

Ryan, who was busy shoving a slice of bread into his mouth, piped up, "I'm sure I'll ace my test tomorrow!" He looked around confidently, but everyone at the table exchanged knowing glances.

"Sure you will, Ryan," Derek teased. "Just don't forget to study this time."

James  chuckled and then reached into his pocket, pulling out a phone. "Here," he said, handing it to me. "This has all the contact numbers you might need: the house staff, the chauffeur,your Mom and me direct lines. Just in case you need anything."

"Thanks, James ," I said, taking the phone and feeling a bit more settled.

The evening continued with lighthearted conversation and laughter. As the family chatted and joked around the table, I couldn't help but feel a growing sense of belonging. Despite the overwhelming nature of the day, the warmth and camaraderie of the family made me look forward to what was to come.

The night ended with everyone in high spirits, and I found myself contemplating the future with a mix of excitement and curiosity. As I headed to bed, the events of the day swirled in my mind. I looked at my phone to see the time but was distracted by a sharp pain following the image of the boy and that rope again .. though I felt uneasy I forced myself to sleep as I had to wake up early in the morning ...