A knock on the door
jolted Auriella awake, her heart racing.
For a moment, she didn't know where she was. Then the familiar sight of her room came into focus.
The knock came again.
"Auri! It's time!" Penny's voice .
Auriella sat up quickly, her head spinning. She glanced at the clock.
1:50 p.m.
The assembly.
"Coming!" she called, scrambling out of bed.
She smoothed down her dress, ran her fingers through her hair, and checked if she was okay in the mirror,she opened the door.
Penny stood there, looking nervous but determined.
"Ready?" Penny asked.
"No," Auriella said honestly.
"Me neither." Penny gave her a weak smile. "But let's go anyway."
The Grand Hall was packed.
Not just first-years this time. Everyone.
Upper-year students, faculty, staff—the entire university population crammed into the massive space. The rows of wooden benches were filled to capacity.
Auriella's breath caught. She'd never seen this many people in one place before.
"How does this place fit everyone?" Penny whispered as they sat on a spot near the middle.
"I don't know," Auriella murmured. "It's like they built this hall knowing exactly how many students would be here."
They sat down, and Auriella scanned the crowd.no sign of Celeste.
Near the front, she spotted Lincoln. He sat in the first row, posture perfect, hands folded in his lap. The model student.
Adrian sat next to him, leaning back casually, looking far less concerned.
As if sensing her gaze, Adrian turned his head.
He caught her eye and smiled, raising his hand in a small wave.
Auriella waved back, managing a tight smile.
Then the hall fell silent.
Professor Onim stepped onto the platform at the front, his expression cold and severe.
"Good afternoon," he said, his voice carrying effortlessly through the space. "Thank you all for attending on such short notice."
The tension in the room was palpable.
"As many of you have heard by now, there was an incident last night. A gathering—a party—was held in an unauthorized location on campus. This is a direct violation of university policy."
Murmurs rippled through the crowd.
Professor Onim's gaze swept across the students like a blade.
"Let me be perfectly clear. Blackthorn University has rules for a reason. These rules are not suggestions. They are not negotiable. And they apply to everyone—first-years, upper-years, legacy students. Wealth and family name will not protect you from the consequences of your actions."
Auriella's hands clenched in her lap.
"The students involved in last night's incident have been identified," Professor Onim continued. "And as of this morning, they have been expelled."
The hall erupted.
Gasps. Whispers. Shouts of disbelief.
"SILENCE!" Professor Onim's voice cracked like a whip.
The room went deathly quiet.
"I will now read the names of the expelled students," he said, pulling a sheet of paper from his jacket.
Auriella's heart stopped.
Beside her, Penny grabbed her hand, squeezing tight.
Auriella couldn't breathe. Her entire body was rigid with fear.
Please not Celeste. Please not Celeste. Please not Celeste.
Professor Onim adjusted his glasses and began to read.
"The following students have been expelled, effective immediately..."
Auriella held her breath.
Penny's hand tightened around hers.
The hall was so silent you could hear a pin drop.
And then Professor Onim began listing the names.