Chapter 3

KAIA

Blackwood Academy is exactly as it appears in the brochure—a massive gray-brick building. Daniel parks in the lot, where many families have already gathered, unloading large suitcases from their trunks. When we get out of the car, my gaze drifts to the car next to ours. A tall blonde girl, who looks about our age, hugs her parents before heading toward the entrance, dragging her two suitcases behind her. Daniel sets my suitcase down next to me before pulling out Deborah’s four suitcases.

“How am I supposed to carry all this?” she asks. “Dad, you have to come with me.”

“I can’t. The rules are clear—we have to leave you here.” 

She grumbles before a young man with closely cropped black hair approaches her. “Need a hand? I’m Arthur Campbell, from the Moonlight Pack—I’m a sophomore.”

Debbie’s cheeks flush, and I roll my eyes. “Sure, I’d love that… thanks.” 

“Shall we each take two?” he asks, smiling and revealing his dimples. Okay, I’ll admit he’s cute. 

She nods.

 

“Problem solved. Girls, call us if you have any trouble at all,” Caroline tells us before hugging each of us in turn. Daniel hugs me, too, before getting into the car. 

Debbie and Arthur are already walking side by side toward the entrance when I turn my head. I take a deep breath before following them.

ASHER

A damn paper map—they could’ve given us a mobile app; we’re not in the Middle Ages anymore, as far as I know. 

The beta dorms are on the third floor; I walk down the hallway and look at the names on the doors. I find mine—three names are written on the door: A. Atwood, C. Thomas, and V. Martino.

The door across from my room catches my eye because there’s only one name on it: K. Mercer. That bastard has a room all to himself. 

“Hey, man! How’s it going?”

I turn around and see a tall guy holding a suitcase. “Asher Atwood.” I hold out my hand, and he shakes it firmly.

“Vincenzo Martino, but everyone calls me Vinnie,” he says, turning to look at the door. “There are three of us here, while that guy’s all by himself. The bastard must be well-connected. K. as in Kenneth or Kendall…”

“Like Kaia.” A woman’s voice interrupts Vinnie, and we both turn around. I look the brunette with the ponytail up and down. She looks pretty hot in her baggy jeans and long-sleeved T-shirt.

“Vincenzo, bella, but you can call me Vinnie.” I roll my eyes, and when I look back at Kaia, I notice she’s rolled hers too. I feel like laughing. Our Italian’s charm offensive doesn’t seem to be working on her. This is going to be fun.

“Okay… Vinnie. You and…”

“Asher,” I reply.

“You and Asher—could you let me through so I can drop off my stuff before the first day meeting?”

“No problem, sweetheart, just ask.” Vinnie steps aside, motioning for her to go ahead. 

She walks past me, and I catch a faint scent of apples—it smells just like the kitchen does when my mom makes her apple pie. She closes the door behind her, and I hear the lock click.

 

We exchange a glance before entering our room. It’s pretty basic but big enough for the three of us.

Vinnie tosses his backpack onto the bed next to the door, while I set mine down on the bed across from it. There’s a desk next to each bed and an attached bathroom. As I look around the room, the door opens and a tall, long-haired guy with brown hair walks in. 

“Chris Thomas—is this bed free?”

We introduce ourselves in turn before putting our things away in the closets ahead of the meeting. We step out of the room, and Kaia opens her door at the same time. She’s wearing the same clothes as before, and I notice that Chris has his eyes on her, too. He introduces himself to her, and the four of us walk toward the lobby.