BloodMoon Academy

Ivy sat on a small chair, her back straight and hands resting tightly in her lap. Across from her sat Mrs. Harrington, the orphanage director, and Mr. Doyle, the head of the orphanage. Several other sub-heads sat around the room, their eyes were focused on her.

A letter had come.

She had been awarded a scholarship to Bloodmoon Academy, one of the most prestigious schools in the country. Even inside the grey walls of the orphanage, the name was always on everyone's lips. It was a place no one from here dared to dream about. A place meant for the rich... not for orphans like Ivy.

"Ivy, you must remember, you are not going as a normal student," Mrs. Harrington said sharply, adjusting the thin glasses on her nose. Ivy had never liked those glasses. Nor the woman wearing them.

"They have given you a full scholarship, which is a really big opportunity, and a privilege for someone like you. Don't waste it. I hope you understand what I mean."

Someone like you.

Ivy grimaced at the phrase.

She didn't need to say the words. Ivy heard them anyway. An orphan. A nobody.

Ivy stared at the floor, avoiding eye contact. She didn't want to meet the coldness in Mrs. Harrington's eyes. She gripped the hem of her dress and nodded quickly.

"Yes, ma'am," she said, remembering how much Mrs. Harrington liked vocal responses.

Mr. Doyle cleared his throat. "Bloodmoon Academy is for the refined, the wealthy, the well-educated. You must blend in, Ivy. Be invisible."

Be invisible.

It sounded more like an order than an advice.

"Don't draw attention to yourself. Only speak when spoken to," added an old woman with pale skin and a voice like dust. Ivy had never seen her before and didn't know her job at the orphanage. But she nodded anyway.

"You've been doing that for years, so don't stop now. Don't complain. No one is going to care about your suggestions, so keep them to yourself."

"Yes, ma'am," Ivy replied again. That was all she was expected to say anyway.

Mr. Doyle cleared his throat. "Follow the rules, Ivy. If you lose this scholarship..." His voice trailed off, but the warning was clear.

"I understand," she whispered.

He sighed, his tone softening a little. "We're not trying to make you feel undeserving. This is a big deal for both the orphanage and you. If you do well, you'll have a future. A real one. Not cleaning up after the rich, but standing on your own feet. This scholarship will help us too. Don't screw this up."

A real future.

Hope fluttered in her chest, but Ivy kept her face calm. She had never allowed herself to dream too big. Kids like her weren't meant to dream.

"I'll try my best, Mr. Doyle."

"A car will come to pick you up tomorrow. Be ready early."

As Ivy walked back to her room, she could feel the eyes of the other children on her which meant that the news had already spread. She walked quickly to her room, trying to avoid the stares.

When she reached her room, she saw someone sitting on the floor. The orphanage couldn't provide beds or chairs for everyone. Ivy had grown used to sleeping on a mat.

"Leo," she whispered.

He tossed an apple to her, and she caught it.

"So... you're leaving," he said.

She nodded and walked closer. They had always been inseparable, two peas in a pod. Leo had been her protector for as long as she could remember. He stole food for her when she was punished and he went without meals himself just to make sure she ate. When she was sick, he snuck medicine from the infirmary. Once, his mistake had nearly killed her. He had snuck out the usual medicine he had seen the nurses use on patients but it made her illness escalate and she collapsed. Leo screamed for help, not caring that he would be beaten for stealing drugs. She was unconscious for two days. When she woke up, Leo was bruised all over, crying and apologizing. That day, he promised to study medicine, so he'd never make the same mistake again.

"When are you leaving?" he asked, closing the space between them.

"Tomorrow," she said softly. She was fighting the tears that welled in her eyes.

"It's okay." He pulled her into a hug. That was all it took. Her resistance broke, and the tears began to fall. She clung to him tightly.

"You'll come back. There'll be breaks. I'll see you soon."

"I'm sorry," she cried. "I'm really sorry for leaving you behind."

"You don't have to be. And you're not leaving me behind. We'll talk all the time."

She pulled back. "What do you mean?"

Leo smiled and reached for a small bag she hadn't noticed before. He pulled out a phone.

Ivy's eyes widened. She looked around, her voice a whisper. "Where did you get this? And how?"

He grinned that usual mischievous grin, the one that always meant trouble. "Dr. Fredrick gave it to me. Said I've been a good student. I want you to have it."

"If you give it to me, what will you tell him when he asks?"

Leo reached forward and gently wiped her cheeks. "Don't worry about that. I'll figure it out."

She pushed him lightly. "No. It's too valuable. Hide it before someone sees."

"If you don't take it, I'll make sure to find a way to come see you. Doesn't matter how i'm going to do it"

"You wouldn't..."

"I would. You know I would. I need to make sure you're okay."

Ivy looked at him. He meant it. He always meant what he said.

"Fine," she sighed. "Put it inside that bag." She pointed to a small worn out bag he had once gifted her, back when he'd first started training under Dr. Fredrick, one of the most renowned doctors in town.

"The bag's too old and you're still using it. I should get you a new one," Leo muttered, placing the phone inside.

Just as he finished, the door creaked open startling Ivy.