My Twisted Heart

Chapter Seven

It was just after seven PM when we returned to the dorms. Despite my attempts to walk back alone, Violet had insisted on accompanying me. According to her, it was the neighborly thing to do.

As we stood in the foyer, waiting for the elevator to arrive, Violet turned to me with a smile. "So, did you enjoy your day today?"

I paused for a moment, reflecting on the events of the day. Despite feeling out of place at times, there were moments I found surprisingly enjoyable. Being around people my age, listening to their conversations, and observing their interactions was a new experience for me. One I hoped to experience again.

"Yeah, I had fun," I admitted.

Violet's smile widened. "I'm glad to hear that... What did you think of my friends? I hope they weren't too bad."

I considered her question for a moment before responding.

"Your friends seem nice."

It was true; despite my initial apprehension, her friends had been welcoming and polite throughout the day—especially Chloe and Vanessa.

Violet nodded in agreement. "Though they can be a handful at times, they're a pretty decent group."

DING!

The elevator doors slid open and the two of us stepped inside. As the doors closed behind us, I seized the opportunity to ask something that had been on my mind since we left the mall.

"Hey, Violet. How long have you been friends with everyone in your group?"

Violet glanced at me, a thoughtful expression crossing her features. "Well, Nicole and I graduated from the same elementary school. We've been friends for a very long time."

Nicole and Violet's long-standing friendship didn't come as much of a surprise to me. From the moment I met them, it was evident they'd known one another for quite some time. They were like sisters.

"What about the others?" I asked. "How long have you known them?"

"Well, I've known Alex, Simon, Chloe, and Vanessa for about a month now," she replied. "We all met shortly before starting at Crestwood."

Just one month?!

Her response took me by surprise. From what I remembered, the familiarity I'd witnessed between them felt remarkably deep, almost as if they had been friends for years. The fact that they had only met in August was unexpected. It was astonishing...

How could so many people become friends in such a short amount of time?

"Do you mind if I ask you another question?"

Violet shook her head. "Ask away."

"When we were hanging out earlier, I couldn't help but notice how you and the others seem to know a lot about this school. How do you all know so much?"

Although it was subtle, I'd caught on to the fact that Violet and her friends seemed to have a solid understanding of the school, despite being just freshmen. They didn't even bother to conceal it. At one point, her friend Alex even admitted to skipping the entrance ceremony because he believed he already understood how things worked.

Crestwood Academy was notorious for its secrecy, guarding its programs and curriculum like precious treasures. Which made all of this even more intriguing. How did they manage to get their hands on such sensitive information?

Violet's brows furrowed slightly before she spoke. "Have you ever heard of the Summer Transition Program?"

I shook my head. I had no idea what she was talking about.