Chapter 4 Meeting Sophie

Ivy's bodily alarm woke her up by six in the morning. She blinked up at the unfamiliar ceiling, feeling disoriented and confused for a moment before sitting up and glancing around the room.

Right...BloodMoon Academy.

Her roommate's side was untouched, still neatly made, luggage absent. Whoever she was hadn't arrived yet.

With a sigh, Ivy dragged herself into the bathroom. It was too fancy and It took her nearly a full minute to figure out the shower controls.When she finally got it working, warm water ran down her back, making her relax.

After bathing and drying herself, she dressed in something simple then laid down on her bed staring at the ceiling hoping time would pass quickly until the orientation started.

But her stomach growled loudly in protest. Her last meal had been... what, yesterday morning? No, even longer. She had arrived at noon the day before but hadn't eaten a thing since. She hadn't left her room since she arrived, she was too afraid of getting lost and too nervous to ask about food so she had stayed holed up in her room.

Hunger wasn't new to her. At the orphanage, going to bed hungry was normal. There was never enough food for everyone. You are either lucky or starving.

But back then, at least she had Leo and Aurora. They would find ways to sneak her food or share theirs, no matter how little it was. The thought of them made her mood turn sour. Her stomach growled again, more insistent this time.

"Okay, okay." She muttered, pushing herself off the bed.

The hallway was eerily quiet. Maybe the others were still asleep, or maybe they weren't starving like she was.

Just as she was closing her door, another door down the hall opened. A girl emerged, looking about Ivy's age. Ivy knew she was new when she glanced around with uncertainty like she did yesterday.

When she spotted Ivy, she smiled warmly. "Hi," she said. "I heard your door open and figured I wasn't the only one awake."

Ivy gave a small nod. "I was too hungry to stay in bed. Do you... do you know where we can get breakfast?"

The girl nodded. "I asked one of the staff last night. The cafeteria is downstairs. During orientation, they'll give us student cards to access meals, but for now, they're still serving us."

Relief flooded Ivy's expression. "Thank God. I was starving."

The girl laughed. "I'm Sophie, by the way."

"Ivy."

"Well, Ivy," Sophie smiled brightly. "Let's go eat before the orientation starts."

Ivy followed her through the halls and down the stairs until they stepped into the cafeteria. The scent of freshly baked bread and sizzling spices hit her like a wave. Her mouth watered immediately.

The space was elegant, with long wooden tables and matching chairs lined up in rows. A chandelier above gave off a soft golden glow that made everything look warm and inviting. A few early students were already eating quietly, casting brief glances at the newcomers before returning to their meals.

Sophie led Ivy to the serving area. The workers behind the counter wore black aprons that looked almost too luxurious for kitchen staff. One woman handed Ivy a tray filled with scrambled eggs, toast, and a slice of what looked like spicy sausage.

"Thank you," Ivy said with a polite smile before following Sophie to a quiet table.

They sat near the corner, away from the center tables. As soon as they sat, Ivy didn't wait, she bit into the toast, and her whole face softened.

"Oh my God," she whispered. "This is amazing."

Sophie laughed softly. "Hungry much?"

Ivy nodded, mouth full. She wasn't trying to be polite anymore. This was the best food she'd ever had. The eggs were fluffy, the bread was soft unlike the ones she had at the orphanage.

Soon, students started trooping in. Most of them wore casual outfits like Ivy and Sophie since they haven't received their uniforms yet.

"Looks like everyone's finally waking up," Sophie said, glancing around.

"At least now we know where to eat," Ivy replied, mouth half-full of toast. "One problem solved."

Sophie chuckled softly, and Ivy focused on her food. Every bite tasted like something out of a dream. The bread was soft, the eggs perfectly seasoned, and the sausage melted on her tongue. This wasn't just the best meal she'd had in years. This was the best meal she had ever tasted. If anything could keep her at this school, it would be the food.

She paused when she noticed Sophie watching her.

"What? Is there something on my face?" Ivy asked, suddenly self-conscious.

Sophie laughed lightly. "No, you just look like someone who's never had toast before."

Ivy froze, her hand mid-air, toast still in her fingers. Her smile faltered for a second.

She knew Sophie didn't mean anything by it, but it was a reminder that this was a school for the elite. For Sophie, this meal was probably ordinary. For Ivy, it was heaven.

She forced a smile and stood quickly, startling Sophie.

"I should go get ready for the orientation," she mumbled. "It's almost time."

"Oh, you're right. Let's go," Sophie said, standing with her tray.

Ivy nodded, trying not to show how tightly her stomach clenched when she saw the food Sophie was about to throw away. She watched with a dull ache in her chest as her new friend dumped the untouched portion into the trash.

Oh, how she wanted to snatch the remaining food and keep them in her room for later.

"You okay?" Sophie asked, noticing the look on Ivy's face.

"I'm fine," Ivy replied quickly.

They parted ways upstairs. Once Ivy was alone in her room, she let out a quiet scream, muffling it into her pillow. Then she stood in front of the mirror, checking her appearance. The tear in her top wasn't visible, thankfully. She clipped the dagger-shaped hairpin Aurora had given her into her hair.

Let's just survive today," she whispered to her reflection. "One day at a time."

Outside, students were already gathering, she followed the crowd to the courtyard.

They all stood around for several minutes, unsure of what exactly they were waiting for. Small groups had already begun to form, friends whispering and exchanging theories about what the orientation might be like. Ivy looked for Sophie but didn't spot her in the growing crowd.

Then, the sound of firm footsteps echoed across the courtyard. The chatter died instantly.

From the main building, two students walked out. A boy and a girl. They didn't speak, but the way they moved made people stop and stare.

The boy was tall, sharp-featured, and striking. His dark blue trousers and fitted white dress shirt were topped with a sleeveless navy cardigan that bore a silver crest over his heart. A dark blue tie lay flat under his vest, and his black shoes shone like polished mirrors. Not a single strand of hair seemed out of place.

Beside him, the girl was just as composed. Her dark blue pleated skirt reached just above her knees, and her white shirt was tucked in with care. She too wore the silver-crested cardigan, and her matching blue ribbon was tied neatly at her collar. Her long white hair was pulled into a sleek ponytail.

They didn't say a word, but their presence alone commanded attention.

Ivy's breath caught in her throat. She couldn't look away. It was just a uniform, but somehow they made it feel like royalty.