My head pulses. My alarm makes the most terrible noise known to man as I lift my head up. My eyes blur before I take the glasses off my nightstand and put them on.
I yawn once more, not ready for this day. I opened my walk-in closet door, noticing that Helen had prepared my uniform.
Walking into the bathroom, I take a short shower, then brush my teeth, before doing my make-up and hair.
Everyone at college was informed that the uniform was mandatory, which it was. But to the students, it means to find your version of it. You can use the fabrics of the uniforms and make them your own.
I enjoyed my style, always chic, classy, and of course expensive designer.
Our university practically ran on its student’s wealth. The professors were strict and intelligent, but the students were creative and very smart on their own.
But by having money, many lacked responsibilities or empathy for others.
I walk downstairs, to my house being empty. I should’ve figured it out.
My father was probably working. No.
He is working.
I walk over to the counter to some freshly bought grapes, I pop one in my mouth, take a bottle of water, and leave for college.
My driver always dropped me off, the university was already full of first-year students who don’t know how to make a simple left or right turn.
It was a short drive, but we made it. I looked out, seeing my friends rally at the front, sitting at the reserved tables.
I smiled at Julius thanking him for the ride before he let me out of the car. I took a deep breath. My eyes fall on my short skirt and my designer stockings, I hide my left thigh bruise, that Brooks left for me before opening the door to walk closer to them.
“Well, there you are!” A voice from the abyss caught my attention as my head turned to my friends, sitting profoundly and comfortably in their reserved lounge outside of the university.
I turned my head back, looking around, seeing the limo had left.
“Well, here I am.” I gave a soft smile as I sashayed my way to my group of friends.
Verina sat, with her legs crossed, her eyes set on me walking closer, while Juliette sat with a smile, her eyes scanning the words that filled books and books of many. Is Margo getting her shoes cleaned by one of the first- year students?
They followed us around like tamed dogs, followed every order, and command, and they wanted nothing more than to be us.
Of course, no one would blame them, we are great, and there was no doubt about it.
We’ve shared the rule, but of course, it doesn’t take a fool to understand that I was in charge, and to be honest, they didn’t mind because I knew how to rule a monarchy, I was fit to rule , to lead , and no one second-guessed it.
“Amara, what the hell are you wearing?” I glared at her as she stood up, wiping the chair for me to sit on. Her eyes held over me as I smirked.
Her body stammered as she only backed away, and my eyes narrowed as she finally spoke.
“Boots, Anna.” She had no courage to look into my darkened eyes, even for a second, she sews her mouth shut. I sat up, crossing my legs as the girl looked at her heels.
The girl was practically shaking, God forbid.
If she couldn’t stand up to the queen of Hawthorne, then she is nothing but a joke.
I know I seem morbid.
But I take everything in academics seriously. I can’t afford to be less than what I was known for. I know I sound cruel, but I didn’t care because
they let it happen.
The moment that they stand up to me is the moment I respect them. My jaw clenched as Verina placed her hand on top of mine.
She smiled as I look away, “Come on A, loosen up, the girl got here on a scholarship. It’s explanatory why she chose what she chose.” Verina had said nonchalantly, yawning.
No one was here to tell you that my group was the nicest. We were
pretentious , spoiled, and, of course, intelligent.
They envied the power, and all the attention made us the way we were. Though we were feared, people loved to hate us. The people loved to be ruled. The people loved to follow us.
I was domineering, manipulative, and loyal. I was born to have it all, yet I thrive even more. I am an obsessive overachiever with a tenuous moral character, and I go to significant measures to take what I deserve.
“ I—apologize, Anna… It won’t happen again.” God, she might as well pee in front of me.
I only turned my head; my eyes left the girl’s as she gave a forced smile of exhaustion. The whole section was quiet as I tilted my head, twirled my hair, in between my fingers then crossed my arms.
“ Only my friends call me Anna. Take your hideous shoes and get out of my sight.”
That wasn’t a question. The girl ran.
Sprinted.
I turned to roll my eyes as everyone finally let go of the breath, they were keeping in during the duration of the confrontation.
Verina’s eyes staggered as Juliette finally closed her book shut, making a noise as everyone shuddered. The tension rose as I looked over at her. Her glare was enough to know what she wanted to say.
“Come on J, don’t give me that look.” I leaned back.
She turned her figure, facing my body, I released a breath, “I get the shoes were ugly, but don’t you think that that was a bit excessive?”
I turned over to Verina giving the same face, “Even for you, Anna.
She’ll never show her face here, after that again.”
Margo stood up, placing her hands on Verina and Juliette’s shoulders, breathing out loudly as I take an irritated sigh.
“You too Margo?” I scoffed.
“Well, it’s not like I can turn back time.” I defend my own actions.
Verina and Juliette smiled at each other as Margo took a step back, glazing her light eyes to mine as I shrugged my shoulders, “You know, you guys should turn over a new leaf this year.”
Margo quickly ran over next to my side, her eyes shooting out to them as I laughed.
“You guys?” Margo questioned as the two girls in front of them stood by their comments.
Margo crossed her arms together as I leaned in closer. The sun rained down on them as Juliette smirked.
She leaned back, almost satisfied with herself.
“I am a lot nicer than Mrs. Flawless over here.” Margo snarled as my mouth dropped, sarcastically, though I did feel as though my whole heart was annoyed.
“I’m nice.”
The girls went silent as I tossed my shoulders back and let my hair fall nicely. The air was tight as everyone laughed.
“No, but apparently you’re funny.”
I reached out, snatching my beverage from the sanitized surface, as my cold eyes never left theirs. I brought the lip of the cup to my full lips, taking a sip so naturally and beautifully, then lowered the cup.
My lips formed a smirk, while my eyes conveyed a twinkle, “I’m nice to you guys.”
“On a good day.” Verina smiled as I gave a nonchalant eye roll.
My eyes narrowed as my brow furrowed, “The luck you have considering I actually love you is astounding.” I made sure my sentence was acknowledged by my peers as I stood tall, letting my skirt ride down my thigh.
Juliette and Verina followed as Margo threw her belongings to three ladies that followed our group around.
My eyes snapped on the building as she walked gracefully, my eyes scanning the crowd as I caught hers .
“Don’t look, Anna.” I heard Verina whisper into her ear as her hands formed tight fists.
“Margo, you went to her party, right?” I stood taller, setting my gaze on my enemy as I continued her journey.
I made sure my stride was powerful, that it didn’t falter, and that I hadn’t let my eyes fall away, “Yes.” One girl that carried Verina’s books answered for her as I threw a look of ignorance.
“Did any of you spot Maya with Brooks last night?” I asked politely as they all died down in volume.
“I thought you said the ship had sailed?” Juliette asked as I practically felt my body jolt.
I had left my love life confidential to my friends, or family, it was the one thing I wasn’t envious of sharing. It made me seem like a prude, of course, everyone in the city knew that I was a virgin, and it was branded on me.
Not that it branded me a loser, but the worst is that it made me a target to any alpha male in the fucking state.
“I just wanted to know.” I scowled as she wrinkled her eyebrows.
“I’ve just heard from a source that he was seeing Maya.” I stammer, hitting something big and muscular.
I turned to see blonde hair, his grey eyes, and his jaw so tight it could cut me.
“Keeping us a secret from your band, Dove ?” He flashed his famous godly smirk as I swallowed my annoyance down. His whole posse was behind him, Liam, Neil, Chris, and a couple of his other friends.
I could feel the hate boiling inside of me as he ran his hand through his hair. God, he was repulsive, but my body seemed to disagree as his head tilted, almost in a mocking way.
My heart stopped.
“The only secret that I would keep about you is that you haven’t gotten laid in over three months,” I smirked as he rolled his tongue in his mouth.
“Can’t get a girl Prince?”
“I like to call it being selective in my choice of woman I like on my bed, Cassian. Maybe against the wall? On the counter?” He winked, turning to Neil as they all pushed him around smiling.
They thought they were so cool. “Selective?” I smiled.
His eyes narrowed, “Where’s the hidden gold cross on your neck, Cassian? Thought you never leave your house without it on you?” He leaned his weight on the lockers as I let my lips curve into a smile.
“Wouldn’t you like to know?”
“I thought you liked to listen to what your parents tell you. Like a good little girl.” He stood taller.
“Care to test that theory?”
He laughs softly, and I pull away, “Mhmm.”
“Hey, Liam…” Margo pulls me away before smiling at him. “I’ve been texting you like crazy.”
“I’m sorry, who are you?” Liam smiles.
I glared up at him, Margo’s hands tightened as I looked back at Grayson.
“Asshole.” Verina snapped back as Liam only faked being hurt.
“I’m wounded.” He exaggerated placing his hand on top of his chest like he was heartbroken by the insult, I only looked at Margo to see her eyes turn away.
Oh hell no.
Never in my life have I seen Margo be upset because of a male. I watched her as her eyes closed for a moment, her hand letting go of mine, I felt a sting in my heart just to watch her heartbreak.
Because of Liam Brookshire, a guy she hooked up with for just one night?
“Nice one.” Chris grinned, patting Liam on the back before his eyes met mine, then Margo’s, whose gaze was fixed on the floor.
His smile faded, disappearing when he noticed the change in Margo’s expression. It was almost as if he actually cared about her. His smile turned into a frown, and Margo avoided looking up, knowing it would be too obvious that he affected her. So, she kept her eyes down.
Verina scowled, “Come on, Anna.” She started pulling me away as I turned, “Come on, Margo.”
As we began to leave, a group of freshmen practically drooled over us, and some of the football players checked us out. I turned to see Jackson Gollum approaching, his face bruised and his cheeks flushed.
“Hey, Margo…” He greeted her, and she looked up, her eyes searching for Liam’s.
Why Liam?
“Hey, Jack,” she replied flatly.
“I was wondering if you’d like to go out with me sometime,” he asked politely, and Margo turned to look at me before glancing at Liam.
“Really?” She forced a smile, and I knew she only did it to make Liam Brookshire jealous.
“Yes, of course…” Jackson sounded excited; I almost felt bad. I knew she was about to play him, just because of Liam. But I never interfered in my friends’ love lives.
“Hey, Cassian,” he greeted with a smile.
“Congrats on last night with Brooks. He mentioned you were going out again tonight.” Jackson winked, and the girls behind me practically exploded with excitement.
They all squealed so loudly that my ears rang.
Congrats on what? And I’m going where?
All I managed to say was, “Yeah. Thanks.”
I turned to Grayson, whose face was twisted with hate and annoyance, while Liam’s expression was filled with jealousy as Margo smiled at Jackson.
My gaze landed on Brooks, strutting down the hallway as he always did, walking straight toward me.
He slept with Maya.
Wait, why am I believing Grayson?
“Hey, babe.” Brooks tried to kiss me. I smiled, hesitated, and turned my face so his lips landed on my cheek.
“And suddenly it reeks of shit.” We both turned to see Grayson sneering.
Grayson stood at least five inches taller than Brooks, with a godlike presence that none of the other guys at college had.
“Prince.” Brooks extended his hand for a shake, but Grayson just scoffed in his face.
He never learned to make new friends. It was just him and his henchmen.
“Come on, Gollum, we have class.” Grayson pulled Jackson away after kissing my forehead, “I’ll see you tonight?”
He hurried off.
What the hell? Did he experience a completely different night than I did on Saturday?
I caught Grayson’s gaze before he looked away, “And apparently, you aren’t too picky with your men,” he sneered. Before I could respond, he and his friends were gone.
