---

Interviewer: "Oh, one of the great Hawthorne's... I'm... I just... what's it like?"

Hayden Hawthorne: "What? What's what like?"

IN: "Being a Hawthorne."

HH: "Uh... I mean... it's a name? I've lived a pretty normal life compared to my siblings."

IN: "But, you're still a Hawthorne."

HH: "That's not what makes me who I am though."

IN: "Such wise words..."

HH:"What? I don't think I—"

IN: "You're gorgeous."

HH: "Wh-what?"

IN: "I mean... onto the survey. We shuffled a bunch of names. If you don't know any of them, no need to comment, but we'd like your view on Caelbury's students and faculty. We want to know if this prestigious school seems like what everyone's making it up to be. All the surveys are the same and range in class, race, intellect, et cetera. They were as random as we could make them."

---

Acacia Hawthorne:

"Acacia is my sister. I'll repeat that: Acacia is my sister. I mean, there's nothing I wouldn't do for her, but don't take that as me being nepotistic. In an academic environment, if Acacia didn't flourish as she is currently, then I wouldn't force something onto her that she is clearly not ready for. I think she has a solid understanding of that and she isn't a problem for anyone; in fact, I get more good comments about her than I do about misbehaving teenagers. She's the perfect student..."

"Ah... what's that look?"

"Oh, I just... there's something wrong, clearly. I can't talk about that; it would be overstepping a boundary as both a brother and a teacher. Hawthorne's have a lot of pressure put on them, my littlest sister especially."

Lili Lafontaine:

"She didn't do well in Physics, but she's a sweet gal, so I can't hold that against her. However, I couldn't really pass her if she didn't get her grades up, which was the only incentive for her coming to class. It was difficult, and I had to cut a few corners, but I got her through with a solid C. It's a required course and not a very difficult one, but science definitely isn't her strong point and there's nothing I can really do about that. I have, however, seen a few of her doodles and some of her art walking throughout the school; she's gifted in those regards and I hope she follows her dreams."

Jacob Rockwell:

"So, when I told my class that I work, and still work, for NASA, this kid in the back nearly jumped out of his seat. When I first saw him, he was really reserved, taken back and didn't talk much. But, at that moment, I figured why not talk to him after class? The subject seemed to excite him. I honestly felt I wasn't doing the kid any justice. Physics is my job and he kinda—if I can do any good for this kid, it's getting him into some job like NASA doing some crazy shit out in space. I don't need to recommend him, though, if he wants to go, he'll go and he'll excel and succeed at the job miles ahead of anyone I know there. That's not saying that none of my coworkers do good work, but for Jacob... it's like his life revolves around anything physics and space based. I can see him working with minds like Michio Kaku and Neil Degrasse Tyson; he's that good at this and I can tell that people are going to see the potential in him right away.

"I do my absolute best to challenge him, but I feel like I'm not doing quite enough. He's driven and this is his everything, so it's hard for me when I can't teach him anymore than what I actually know. But, I'm a Vice Principal now and I just hope that the new guy in place can do him more justice than I could have done. But, hey, if not, he still has the Aeronautics and Space Club to vent and do whatever he needs to do. I didn't tell him this, but I actually kinda talk very highly of him when I go off to work in the summer and I gave the dean and president of MIT a few of his equations. They were impressed and it's kind of a big feat impressing those guys."

Roman Zelenka:

"He doesn't apply himself. I didn't have him for a student in any of my classes, but I've seen his work so far and it could definitely be better. I can't judge him, since I don't know what his life is like outside of school, but I feel that the kid has a lot of potential that he just doesn't want to apply."

Vladimir Kalkovich:

"Nice kid. I heard him play one day and it was... just the total opposite of what he presents. It's not Screamo, Goth, but it's pretty heavy stuff. I don't know what to think about it. He's exceptionally well with anything mathematics oriented, but I can kind of tell it's not necessarily his passion. The kid likes music and I hope he follows whatever he thinks will make him the happiest. In the end, I guess that's what I really want for all of the students that come through here, even if it's a very faulty utilitarian way to think."

Rayne McCutcheon:

"That's an interesting choice. You insist this was randomized? No, I'm kidding.

"I had her when I was teaching Physics and it wasn't the easy one. It was a Calculus based Physics course. She didn't show up to my class except for tests, which was when she turned in her homework, or picked it up. It was odd, at first, but I got used to it, especially since she aced every test I handed her. I realized that, even if she didn't show up to class, she worked her ass off and docking her points for doing work outside of class would have been... to put it bluntly, asinine of me. I don't think she responds well to authority, or people to that matter, but I've dealt with much, much worse in my family. Being the Eldest and being exposed to ten plus hormonal teenagers in just a few years span was the equivalent to basic training in the military. I really can't compare those, but it was bad. I know what a rebel is like and I know how people feel when against authority, so I know how to deal with it. She wasn't doing anything necessarily bad, though truancy is against school policy, but she was the only person to have gotten above a 90% in her class and a 5 on the AP Exam, which she didn't even need to take, since the class was already a collegiate in itself. But, if there's anyone I'd like to crack more than her, that wasn't my sister, I'm pretty sure they'd have to be more than just a closet case."

James McNamara:

"He reminds me a lot of one of my brothers, Damian, but uh... a little more musically gifted. They both don't understands what their actions can do to themselves and others and that can get a little sticky, but I have an infinite amount of patience for teenagers, especially teenagers like them.

"Unless, of course, he touches my sister. I can't talk about those consequences officially 'cause they're illegal... I think everywhere."

Nathan "Nate" Dixon:

"Oh, a future programmer. That's an extremely useful skill to have at this day and age. I didn't get the chance to entertain the idea of engineering to him 'cause he came into the school just as I became the Vice Principal. But, I think I can convince him to join the Robotics Club 'cause it seems like something of his calibre. I do see him roaming around the halls a bit and he often is quite the helpful lad, even if doing someone's homework is technically cheating. I really feel like people do what they can to take advantage of him, so I've got my eyes on him, make sure he's not in too deep, ya' know?"

Julie Scott:

"A very diligent worker and quite the fluent language speaker. It's impressive. I see her a few times and I admire her hard work, but... I think she tries too hard to fit in, like she's holding back just a tad bit of herself—an important part, albeit a small one. I think she just needs to realize it for herself, though, as it doesn't seem to being doing much harm, yet. The only reason I don't talk to her about it is probably because I don't want to make an ass out of myself for just assuming something. I mean, why else would she hang around the more high-class of the Academy?"

Cole Grimoire:

"One of the lottery kids. This is a big thing for him, but I just... I really didn't notice him much, to be frank. It's not because he isn't exceptionally talented or doesn't have a lot of money, it's just that it's hard to notice him. Regardless, I hope someone makes an impact in his life during these school years 'cause it'd be nice to know he left with something other than that most of the elite, wealthy kids are... a bit different."

August Marco:

"He thought it smart to smart mouth me about my credentials. I gave him a stellar hydrodynamic equation to solve in front of me. In response, he told me to solve it. I did and gave him a new one. Suffice to say, that shut him up. I keep track of most of the kid's grades, especially those who are supposedly, 'struggling,' and August is one of those kids. I think he knows, but I've discussed with his coach that he needs to keep a 2.0 GPA to stay in the swim team. Being a Hawthorne, the coach didn't once question me; it doesn't matter how damn good he is at swimming, if he isn't applying himself academically, then he isn't doing shit. I don't take those rules lightheartedly, especially not when someone decides to slack off in class just 'cause it's not his, 'thing.'"

Max Wallenberg:

"Hey, another guy who could possibly break my sister's heart in two. I mean, as long as he's not an abusive jackass, then I won't do much... much harm, that is."

Brenden Aldrin:

"..."

"Um... Mr. Hawthorne?"

"Huh?"

"Brenden Aldrin, Caelbury's Principal and your superior... I asked what you thought of him."

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry... I... uh. I um—he's... well, I... uh. I think he'll be a great addition to Caelbury Academy's administration office. I'm honored to be serving under him—serving for him—being employed at the same time as he is working as a Principal.

Hayden Hawthorne:

"That guy's an asshole. No further comments. Dick face..."

Flynn Zimmerman:

"He's... odd. Being a child prodigy is no joke, though, so I have a lot of respect for what Flynn does, especially if he could be somewhere other than a measly private school doing who knows what. He's one of the best teachers we've got and all of the teachers here don't take their jobs lightly. I was actually the one who insisted that he be allowed to keep his cat in class, even if he doesn't quite know that there were a lot of issues with some of the teachers and higher-ups. Being a Hawthorne, I technically had the final say in matters pertaining to practically anything that goes on in the school, though I really don't like knowing I have that kind of sway over people's opinions. I really want this new principal to work out... ahem. 'Cause... 'cause he... I think... he'll do the school a lot of good and it's not at all for any personal reasons pertaining to us in any way, shape, or form.

"Uh.. .are we done?"

---

Acacia Hawthorne: "Smart. Really smart. She has an IQ of like, 200 or something, doesn't she? Pretty cute, too. Not gonna lie. Though she's more like a little sister to me than anything. Which is kinda weird because she's the same age as me and a grade higher. But yeah, she's a really nice girl."

Lili Lafontaine: "Oh, Lili? We've hung out a few times. Pretty cool. And she's not bad at art, either. I've seen some of her artwork and stuff. She's pretty loaded but she doesn't seem to like hanging out with the other rich kids though. Which is something that's completely understandable. A good handful are a bunch of prissy little snobs, but she's definitely not one of them."

Jacob Rockwell: "Bit of a tosser, really. I don't mean to sound like a complete dick but it's true. I mean, all the guy does is go on and on about how I'm systematically bending-slash-breaking every one of the school rules in chronological order, which granted, I have actually been doing but that's besides the point. The point is; he needs to chill out just a tad, might make him a little more tolerable to be around."

Roman Zelenka: "Cool as a cucumber. Wait, does anyone even use that expression anymore? Cucumbers aren't even cool. Nevermind, back on topic. So, Roman... He knows like, four languages and that's insane, in my books. Plus, he got in on the lottery? That doesn't even make any sense. You never really know what's on his mind. Oh! And he plays guitar, too. I think. I've never really seen him play."

Vladimir Kalkovich: "Vlad, Vlad, Vlad. We've played together a couple times. Our guitars, I mean. What were you thinking? Get your mind out of the gutter. Anyway, he's good. Not as good as me, of course. But still good. His crazy math skills more than makes up for it, I think. He's pretty chill, funny too, but y'know how they say music is the window to the soul? His music sounds a little... angry sometimes, maybe? I don't know if it's just me, but - definitely something to look into."

Rayne McCutcheon: "Christ. She's a firecracker, that one. Brutally honest, too. If it's on her mind, it's out of her mouth. But I can respect that. We get along pretty well... most of the time, at least. She can get real pissed real quick and it's not pretty. She's kinda like me, I guess."

James McNamara: "Yours truly. What can I say, well fit and bloody talented. ...I'm joking. Honestly, I could go on on some 'the meaning of life' bullshit right now but I'll spare you the talk."

Nathan "Nate" Dixon: "That's the one with the computers, isn't it? He's nice enough, I suppose. Really helpful. Don't really know him that well, though. Always seems like he's busy tinkering with his... robots? Machines? God knows what."

Julie Scott: "12 languages. This girl can speak 12 languages. Forget what I said about Roman. Sorry, Roman. This is insane. She aces about every single one of her tests, too. And, uh, she's not bad looking, either. But, yeah! We used to hang out but not so much now, and she's really nice. A little awkward, but not too awkward. Though she can get a little uptight about things."

Cole Grimoire: "Mm, don't really know him. He's the sort of guy that keeps to himself. I've only ever seen him hanging around other... "commoners", like him. God, I felt like an arse just saying that word. Anyway, next!"

August Marco: "Now, there's a guy with a sense of humour. That one time where he set the sprinklers off? Priceless. I've seen him in detention a couple of times, but that's pretty much it."

Max Wallenberg: "He might seem a little intimidating at first - his height and stoicism only adds to that. But he's actually really fun to hang out and talk with. Just takes awhile for him to open up, that's all."

Brenden Aldrin: "A bit young to be a principal, don't you think? Honestly, for this kind of school you'd expect the principal to be a ninety year-old man who still wears a cravat. Not that I'm complaining, of course."

Hayden Hawthorne: "Hawthorne... Isn't Acacia's last name Hawthorne, too? So I guess he's her brother or something? I don't know, I've never really heard her bring him up much. All I know is that he's the vice-principal and that runs a bunch of the clubs in school. With the power the Hawthorne family has, I'm surprised he's not off running some mega corporation. But to each their own, I guess."

Flynn Zimmerman: "I've been in some of his classes. He's an good teacher. Though I'm not the expert here, you tell me. I mean, he does his best help his students so I guess that counts for something. Most of the time I see him outside of class, he's pretty quiet, a bit of a wallflower, actually."