(Here I am— nearly two weeks late, but here nonetheless. My starter is rubbish, but… I'm rushing.)
Merritt—
Congratulations, Merritt Malcolm! You have been accepted into Phoenix Reid Academy.
The letter was slightly crumpled from the time it had spent shoved in Merritt's pocket, but to him it still held every bit of dignity that it had when he'd first received it last week. The awe he felt while staring at the opening line was equally as powerful, even now. Though it went on to say more— explaining to him that he was to use the plane and bus tickets provided in the envelope with the letter and the other information provided in order to arrive at the school within the next seven days— his eyes remained glued to those first words.
Phoenix Reid Academy. He, Merritt Malcolm, the poor nobody from nowhere, had actually been accepted into one of the most prestigious schools in the country. Named for its founder, the late scientist James Phoenix Reid, it was known for pumping out some of the smartest kids in the world. There were only a handful of schools that rivaled it. And here Merritt was, the boy who had no hope of finishing his high-school anytime in the near future at even the most laughable school, now sitting on a bus that ran from the airport to the school. And the whole trip hadn't costed him or his family a single penny.
He drew in a long breath, carefully folding the letter and shoving it back into his pocket. He leaned back against the cushioned seat and peered through the crystal clear glass window, out at the massive city beyond. This was nothing like his hometown, with the dingy, rusty old buses and the dilapidated brick buildings and the scrawny stray dogs tearing up trashbags. Here, everything seemed clean and bright and alive.
It was a different world.
He stifled a weak yawn. If he hadn't been so anxious about his arrival, he might've been able to nap on the plane ride earlier— but his incessantly racing heartbeat kept him from dozing off at any point. Besides, it was far too late for sleep now; the bus turned onto the road that led up to the school.
The school was much larger than any picture had ever given it credit for. Merritt gaped at the massive, elegant structure— an entire campus surrounded by a tall, barred fence with a pair of grand gates (which were currently wide open) at the front of it, overlaid with gold. Merritt had no way of knowing whether it was real gold or merely decorative, but either way, it was spectacular.
It took him a moment to collect his things. He hadn't brought much; only two small suitcases with his most important belongings. Keepsakes, really, to remind him of home, and his best clothes. He nearly tripped stepping off of the bus, which had notably higher steps than any of the clunky buses back in his hometown. But the people here didn't seem quite as friendly, for the bus driver never spoke a word, not so much as a "How do ya do?" and began to speed off again before Merritt had hardly stepped off.
No matter. Merritt could not let the bus driver's attitude affect his own.
He stopped a moment to admire the school— his new temporary home. Was that fear or excitement stirring up deep within him? His mouth was dry again, his heart racing as fast as it ever had.
Because this was it.
This was the beginning of the rest of his life.
He approached the school slowly, though even he wasn't sure if his hesitation was out reverence or wariness. He was out of place here, in this foreign land. He didn't belong. But— still. Going back was not an option, and if it were, he still wouldn't.
He neared the door, tugging on an elegant golden handle to pull open the massive wooden door. Inside was a high-rising ceiling, decorated with magnificent artwork. There was a large rug in the middle of the room, with expensive, cushioned chairs positioned in a circle, and a large window overlooking the other buildings on campus. This looked more like a lobby to the world's fanciest hotel, in Merritt's opinion, than the entrance to a school.
"Hello."
A woman's voice startled him, and he flinched; his gaze snapped to the left to meet that of a middle-aged woman sitting behind an expensive wooden desk. Mahogany? Or something.
"Hello," he said, unable to hide his general uneasiness.
A beat of uncomfortable silence passed, before the woman continued. "Can I help you?"
"Um— yes. I'm Merritt Malcolm." He dared to approach the woman's desk, pulling the note— along with his own personal ID and a bus ticket receipt— from his pocket and laying them out for her to see. "I won the lottery thing." The lottery thing was likely a bad first impression, but he would have to roll with it.
The woman eyed his belongings and offered a curt nod. "I see." She gestured to the long hallway off to the left. "Down the hall a little ways, it opens up into a large lounge room. They're gathering all of the lottery kids there. Someone will meet with you there with further instruction."
Though she wasn't rude, there was nothing friendly about her tone, either. Still Merritt nodded a bit and put all of his papers back into his pockets before grabbing his bags. "Thank you."
(You can make your starter posts as vague or detailed as you like; all of the lottery kids are going to meet here, be given a quick introduction by the school's Principal, and then they'll be given a tour of the place— maybe by Sage's character so that there's interaction right off the bat. Feel free to offer up any of your own ideas or suggestions as well.)