Chapter 1

Wren Carter

I dashed through the sea of students in the lobby, accidentally bumping shoulders and murmuring quick apologies, but I couldn't stop. I was already late for my first class of the year, and it was evident that luck was not on my side today. I transferred mid-semester so this was already going to be very chaotic and to add a cherry on top, I was a scholarship student.

The moment I entered the hallways, the only sounds I heard were my footsteps and my heartbeat. The floor was empty. 

Shit! I'm so late!

My footsteps pounded on the linoleum floor as I rushed through the long corridors. I didn’t understand why we had such a ridiculously long hallway that only led to classes at the very end of the whole campus. My heart was beating in my ears at that point. Maybe it was my nerves or the fact that I haven't had a good run in a long time or that I didn’t have a good enough diet to fuel my stamina. Either way, I wasn’t about to stop now.

I’ve heard stories and rumors about how scholarship students were treated at that elite university; however, I was open to anything after everything I’ve been through. I struggled all my life; what's a few more years? If they thought I would break that easily, they were going to be very disappointed.

I shook all the invading thoughts from my mind as I turned corners, passed through multiple classrooms, and climbed a stairwell because I did not have enough time to spare for the elevators. By the time I reached my destined floor, I was completely out of breath. I decided to lean on the wall to catch my breath and slow my pace for the rest of the way because now the classroom was in my field of vision. However, it was obstructed by a group of four rowdy boys.

All of them looked like gym freaks with their huge builds, but what stood out was the fact that they were carefree and made a scene by laughing and pushing each other around as if they owned the place.

I decided to lower my head and maneuver past them to avoid any interaction. I mentally cursed myself for lowering my head because I crashed into a wall. I lost my balance and fell on my back.

I looked up, more so glared up, to see the guy mid-sentence with his hands in the air, looking down on me as if I were an alien. He had an easy smile on his face as if he were born with it; it slowly played on his lips as he locked eyes with me. 

“You’ve gotta be kidding me.” I muttered under my breath as I got up and dusted myself angrily.

I felt my face heat up, not because of his gaze but because of pure irritation. All four of them had dropped their subject and decided to loom over me as if I was some kind of spectacle. I pushed myself up and mentally decided to just walk away but before I could divert my eyes, I saw his smile widen and a small chuckle escaped.

Before I could stop myself, I blurted with anger, “Can’t you watch it?”

The only response I got was more laughter and them feigning surprise. The main blond guy shrugged and looked around. “I wasn't the one blindly walking.”

“Yeah, and I wasn't the one flaying my arms around like an idiot.” I grit my teeth before using all my strength to shove him out of the way.

But before I could take another step, someone had hooked their hand on my elbow and yanked me back. “Hold on, you can’t just talk to us like that.” 

It was the same dirty blond-haired guy. 

“Oh well, I apologize. I didn’t realize I was in the presence of a king.” I said with fake enthusiasm before dropping my face. They all seemed stunned. 

“Who do you think you are?” One of the large guys nudged me. 

“A student in a college?” I stated as a matter of fact. The smiley guy looked more amused. The others? Not so much. 

They all surrounded me as if I committed a felony. I rolled my eyes as the time was ticking by and I was already late. 

“Look, we can continue this stupid interaction some other day. Right now I need to be in that class. Good bye.”

I hope I don’t have to see you all again. 

I didn't wait to see his reaction as I slipped between them and hastened my pace towards the class. I only heard more chuckles and murmurs behind me that I didn’t care enough to listen to. But I was curious so I glanced back to see the smiley guy stopping the big guy from following me and muttering something. I mentally shrugged and continued onwards. I had bigger things to worry about.

I stood before the door to my classroom and took a deep breath before I let myself in. As soon as I stepped in, the professor paused mid-lecture, the light chatter died down and all eyes were on me suddenly. I was used to being stared at, but this felt different. I could practically feel everyone passing judgement.

Oh great.

I looked at my professor, Sir Alden Wright, who was scowling at me.

“Well hello there, miss. Do you have any idea what the time is right now?” He said with fake enthusiasm, I heard some hushed whispers among the class.

“Yes, I am well aware and I apologize for this.” I said firmly.

He seemed to be exaggerating for me being only twenty minutes late but the fault was mine and I accepted it; however, I was not going to act like a rookie nervous student and fall to my knees begging for forgiveness. I stood firm, which seemed to provoke another wave of hushed whispers. The professor saw the class getting off track, so he cleared his throat and pointed towards an empty seat.

“Get to your seat,” he ordered and added under his breath, “Mid-transfers, always the headache.”

I nodded and stopped the urge to roll my eyes. I kept my head high as I maneuvered through the rows in order to get to my seat with steady steps. I heard snickers and more whispers but refused to acknowledge them. I didn't let the intimidation get to me because they already decided who I was before I even opened my mouth.

A scholarship student, poor and weak. I almost scoffed at the thought. I was determined to show them that while I may not be up to their standards, I am not replaceable and easy to break. I already have enough on my plate to not worry about such superficial problems. I sat, picked out my notebook and focused on the board.

The first subject of the day, behavioral sciences.

As the lecture dragged on for another half an hour, the door suddenly burst open, and in came the very same group of guys I had an interaction with. They came in with such audacity; I looked over to the professor to reprimand them as he did with me but the scene before me was something I should have expected.

Mr. Wright was smiling and rubbing his palms as he greeted the boys with genuine enthusiasm.

I noticed the environment in the class seemed to shift as well. Everyone seemed angled towards them. More specifically towards the guy I bumped with. He seemed to be their leader as he took the lead and walked with such confidence as if he owned the place.

My eyes narrowed slightly as I sighed inwardly at the way the "leader" guy smirked at me. I knew this was going to be a long year.