At Hastings Academy, the results of the placement exams had been revealed, determining the ranking of the students for the new school year:

RANK 1- Serena Alexandra Sutherland
RANK 2-  Selena Andrea Oxford
RANK 3- Charlotte Cornelia Vanderbilt
RANK 8- Cato Edward Alderbrandt
RANK 72-  Alice Freya Gray

Serena, Charlie, Selena, and Cato found themselves among the top 30 students, earning a spot in the special class. Today marked their first homeroom class, with Mr. Andrew Hastings, the advisor of the Special Class, leading the session.

"So students, you are in junior year, I expect you to do better this year so next year, you won't have any problem applying to top universities in the country, alright?" Mr. Hastings said.

"Yes, teacher!" The class said in unison.

"Now, this school year, we will go camping at Mt. Freely, and I will assign each of you by twos!" Mr. Hastings announced.

'A camping trip? Sounds fun...' Charlie thought, eagerly awaiting her partner assignment.

"Now, all your names are in this bowl, I'm going to pick by twos and let's see who's paired up with who..." Mr. Hastings continued.

The tension in the room mounted as Mr. Hastings drew names from the bowl, pairing up students one by one. Charlie's heart raced as her name was called.

"Here we go, the next one is Charlie Vanderbilt... and the partner would be..." Mr. Hastings paused, drawing another name from the bowl.

"Selena Oxford!" he announced.

"What?!" Both Charlie and Selena exclaimed simultaneously, their voices echoing in the classroom.

"Mr. Hastings, if we can... can you choose my partner again? Or if it's better, I can be alone!" Charlie requested, her tone pleading.

"Hey Vanderbilt, how dare you think I'm not good as a partner?! It should be me saying that!" Selena retorted, her voice laced with offense.

Charlie: >.<

Selena: >.<

Mr. Hastings: ^__^

"Now, now, this is interesting! But there's no choosing of partners! You get what the bowl picked for you! I'm gonna pick the next partners now!" Mr. Hastings said, his laughter filling the room as he observed the interaction between Charlie and Selena.

Serena exchanged looks with both Charlie and Selena, sensing the tension in the air.

'I don't feel comfortable with this...' Serena thought, her brow furrowing slightly.

"Okay, next... Serena Sutherland is paired with.... Cato Alderbrandt," Mr. Hastings announced.

Charlie felt a surge of discomfort wash over her, prompting her to rise from her chair, drawing the attention of the entire class.

"Teacher, shouldn't an Alpha and Omega be on the same team, especially a guy and a girl?" Charlie questioned, her concern evident in her voice.

Mr. Hastings chuckled at Charlie's inquiry. "It's okay, you guys wouldn't be sharing tents anyway... You'll just have to pair up for the activities," he reassured.

Charlie hesitated, her mind racing with conflicting thoughts. Charlie realized that the camping could be a good opportunity for Cato and Serena to get to know each other more and thus, helping the plot take it original course.

"Okay, teacher..." Charlie relented, her voice tinged with resignation.

Serena glanced at Charlie, noting the hint of worry in her expression.

'Could she be jealous? But it's only her that I like,' Serena pondered.

After class, Selena approached Charlie's desk, her expression unreadable as she extended her phone towards Charlie.

"What am I supposed to do with this?" Charlie inquired, her brows furrowing in confusion.

"Put your number down, idiot!" Selena retorted, her tone laced with exasperation.

"Why? Are you trying to flirt with me or something?" Charlie shot back, her skepticism evident in her voice.

"Wow! I didn't peg you to be a narcissist!" Selena smirked, a playful glint in her eyes.

Charlie let out a weary sigh, feeling the exhaustion of their ongoing banter weighing on her.

Selena caught the sigh and rolled her eyes in response. "I just need your number for the pairing," she clarified, her tone softer now.

"Fine," Charlie relented, her fingers swiftly typing her number into Selena's phone.

"Here," Charlie said, handing the phone back to Selena.

After retrieving her phone, Selena glanced at Charlie with unreadable expression.

"I hate you!" she declared before turning and walking away.

Confusion clouded Charlie's thoughts as she watched Selena leave. 'What was that about?' she wondered, unable to shake the feeling of intrigue that lingered in the air.

After Selena walked out, Serena approached Charlie's desk, her expression somewhat troubled.

"Charlie," Serena called softly.

"Why are you here? Shouldn't you be talking to your partner?" Charlie replied, her tone tinged with a hint of defensiveness.

Serena let out a sigh, her shoulders sagging slightly. "I already told him to meet me after class," she explained.

Charlie felt a pang of something familiar stir within her—a mix of longing and unease. She let out a bitter laugh, masking her inner turmoil. 'Why the hell am I feeling jealous? I'm the one pushing her away..' Charlie thought, her thoughts spinning in confusion.

"Then... why are you here?" Charlie asked, trying to maintain a casual demeanor despite the turmoil in her mind.

"Can you wait for me after I talk to Cato after class?" Serena smiled, her expression hopeful yet tinged with uncertainty.

Despite Charlie's persistent efforts to distance herself, Serena couldn't ignore the telltale signs of jealousy brewing beneath Charlie's stoic exterior. It was a familiar sensation, one she had grown accustomed to during their time together. The way Charlie had stood up abruptly upon hearing she was paired with Cato sent ripples of conflicting emotions through Serena. On one hand, she felt a surge of elation that Charlie still harbored such strong feelings, but on the other, it was accompanied by a pang of sadness at the realization that Charlie's jealousy was directed elsewhere. Serena didn't want Charlie to misinterpret her intentions or doubt the depth of her feelings.

"Okay... I'll wait," Charlie's voice carried a mixture of resignation and underlying concern, revealing the inner turmoil she was experiencing.

As Serena prepared to leave, Charlie reached out, her hand gently clasping Serena's in a silent gesture of solidarity. "Are you going to eat alone?"

Serena managed a strained smile, though Charlie could easily discern the hint of discomfort in her expression. "Y-yeah..."