“There’s been a mistake. We don’t need any mattress in here.”
My hands dig into the door frame so hard that it blanches the skin around my knuckles. I’m barely containing the rage I feel at this sudden change in circumstance. My father doesn’t care what I want. He never has. He only cares about the prestige that my talents can bring him.
The maintenance worker’s face looks crestfallen. “Are you sure, they said-.”
“Yep. I’m sure. Sorry for the trouble.”
I close the door before he can respond and feel my lips curl in satisfaction.
“What was that?” James asks, headphones hanging around his neck.
“Just a mix-up,” I grunt.
He shrugs and goes back to his game.
If my father wants her to be here inmyroom, atmyschool. Fine. But she’ll be running from here if I have any say in the matter. I’m sure that little princess will break within a week of being caged up with me. Especially with no bed of her own. I smirk at the thought of her stomping off to return to wherever she came from.
Yeah, she can eat shit for all I care. This is my domain.
2
MELODY
Getting to this school has been nothing short of a nightmare. After two missed flights and a frightening Uber that took me deep into the woods of Vermont while they tested the limits of my sanity— I’ve finally made it. Weary and worse for the wear, but I’m here in one piece, despite the efforts of that Uber driver who probably shouldn’t have a license. I tug on my luggage, intent on finding my room as quickly as possible. The only problem is that I’m supposed to meet someone I only have a vague notion of where to find. My new stepdad gave me my stepbrother’s name and dorm building, and that’s all. He hung up on me before I could ask anything further. Too busy enjoying that spontaneous honeymoon with my money hungry mother. It’s the first and only time I’ve even talked to the guy, and so far his impression is memorable, in the worst way.
It’s fine. It’ll be fine. I’m an adult and can find my way around a college campus. Even if it is big and I only briefly studied the map on the way here. I’ve been too preoccupied by feeling utterly shell shocked at the prospect of coming here. Just last week I was wiping down dirty tables in a bar trying to convince the owner to let me on stage, and now I’m about to attend one of the world’s best schools. Talk about whiplash.
My mom worked her charm on her new husband, and quicker than their surprise wedding, I found myself with bags packed and an acceptance from a school that over a month ago I couldn’t have ever imagined attending. My life has changed in the blink of an eye. And it’s even more apparent now as I stood outside the imposing brick building that looms in front of me. My new uniform clings to my curves like a second skin, doing nothing to shield me from the cold. I’d changed in the airport bathroom, trying my best to smooth away the rumpled look that all the travel gifted me with.
Langford School of the Arts is world renowned. Reserved for the most talented and rich amongst the population, it specializes in theater, music, and art. They’ve built a reputation that is as snobby and pretentious as their patrons. I guess that includes me now, though.
I steel my nerves and face this new opportunity head on no matter how badly my stomach churns at the thought of it. I make myself move forward, luggage in tow. The wheels rumble over the cobblestone pulling focus of the students milling about the quad. I can feel their eyes on me. Assessing. Judging. Wondering what the hell I’m doing here. There’s a group of them huddled together singing Billie Eilish in acapella while several others look on at their impromptu performance.
School’s been in session for an entire semester already and is a few weeks past the second semester’s start date. Joining late like I am puts me at a huge disadvantage. I’ll have to work twice as hard, but I’m not afraid of hard work. I’m more than capable of paying my dues, even if my new stepdad is footing the bill for me to be here, I know that I deserve this chance. And I plan to make the best of it.
“Can I help you?” A blonde girl with bangs framing her face asks while twirling a manicured nail around her flawless curls. Looking at how put together she seems—I can’t help but feel out of place. I pull at the end of my skirt, hyperaware of my frazzled looking appearance.
“Yeah, do you happen to know where I could find Chase Milford? I’m supposed to meet him.”
I don’t miss the way her green eyes widen in surprise before fixing me with a chilling glare.
“Why do you need to meet him?” Her helpful demeanor completely melts away, and I’m feeling like she has some history with this Chase. Perfect.
“Uh- he’s supposed to show me to my new room.”
I shift uncomfortably on my feet feeling the intensity of her glare quadruple. Leave it to me to make an enemy on day fucking one.
“Carla, can you show this lost student to Chase’s room? You remember where that’s at right?” The blonde says in a sugary sweet tone to another girl who’s just stopped mid-step. There’s an undertone of maliciousness that I’m all too familiar with, having grown up with my mother.
It’s clear I’ve unwittingly stepped into something here. The second girl’s shoulders tense and she flicks her dark eyes over me as her long black hair swooshes with the subtle movement.
“Why don’t you take her yourself. You’ve been there enough times, Jenna.”
My eyes bounce from girl to girl feeling the crackling energy between the two of them. It’s almost comical that they’re this bent out of shape over a guy. There are literally millions of them in the world, and none that I’ve met have been worth treating another woman like shit for.
I start to back up arms raised in surrender trying to extract myself from the awkward encounter, when I bump into a wall of muscle.
Strong hands grip around my arms to stop me from toppling over and a wave of embarrassment hits me square in the chest, as red splotches climb up my face. Clearly, I’m off to a spectacular start at my new school.
