Chapter 1

~ Sarah's POV ~

"What do you mean I can’t use it?!"

My voice echoed sharply through the quiet library, thick with a desperation I couldn't hide. I gripped the edge of the front desk, staring at the library assistant who was casually leaning back in her chair, looking at me like I was nothing more than an annoying interruption.

"I said you could have it for the semester, Sarah, but things change," she replied, her tone dripping with indifference. "Saxton requested it. I had to log him in."

"But I requested for it weeks ago! You literally promised to give me the keys today!"

"I know I did, but I already changed my mind." she said, rolling her eyes at me, as she returned to her stupid computer.

I was beyond frustrated.

"You changed your mind just because he asked for it?" I hissed, leaning over the desk to force her to look at me. "That study room is meant for education. Do you have any idea what he turns it into? A lounge. He's ignoring the library rules. Are you just going to turn a blind eye to this because he's Saxon Vance?" I asked, angrily.

She paused her typing and finally looked up, her expression hardening. "You're right. He’s Saxton Vance. He’s the star of this university, so no, he doesn't have to play by the same rules as everyone else. The hockey team wanted the room, so I gave it to them. It’s not a big deal."

"Not a big deal?" A bitter, hollow laugh escaped my lips. "He doesn't even need it! I do! I am drowning under a Pre-Med course load, and I need a quiet place to maintain the 4.0 GPA required to keep my scholarship!"

"You can always read in the dorm."she muttered, completely unfazed.

"I already told you, my scholarship doesn't cover room and board! I don't live on campus," I said, the humiliating truth burning my cheeks. "I live in a cramped, noisy apartment off-campus. It’s impossible to concentrate there. I spent weeks helping you re-shelve books and log inventory for free just so you would secure this room for me. You can't just betray me like this."

"This isn't about betrayal, Sarah Collins," she said, her voice dropping all pretense of politeness. She looked at my faded hoodie and my cheap reading glasses with pure judgment. "It’s about value. You're just a charity-case scholarship student the university took pity on. If you want everything to go your way, try bringing in the kind of revenue and reputation Saxton brings to this school. Until then, step aside."

The words felt like a physical slap to my face. Remorse? She didn't have a single drop of it.

I clenched my fists so tightly my fingernails bit into my palms, using the sharp sting of pain to keep myself from crying. I refused to let her see me break. Turning on my heel, I stormed away from the desk, pure fury hot-wiring my veins.

Saxton Vance was taking up too much space on this campus. Just because he was a hockey prodigy didn't give him the right to colonize my sanctuary.

I knew exactly who he was—it was impossible not to. Every girl at Ride University whispered his name like he was a god, trailing after him in hopes of catching his eye. I had made a silent vow the day I arrived on campus to give him a wide berth.

I didn't care about his games, his status, or his dangerous charm.

He didn't know I existed. But today, he was going to find out.

I marched up the stairs toward the Honors Study Room, the place I had dreamed of utilizing ever since I received my acceptance letter.

I had bled for this semester, balancing hospital visits with my dad and helping out in the library, only for a spoiled athlete to take what was mine simply because he was used to getting whatever he wanted.

If someone doesn't stop him, he won't stop.

As I approached the glass door, the muffled sound of rowdy laughter and bass-heavy music vibrated through the frame. It was supposed to be a quiet zone, a place of intense focus, but he was turning it into a playground.

Angrily, I gripped the handle, pushed the door open, and stepped inside.

The laughter cut off instantly.

The heat in the room was suffocating, thick with the scent of expensive cologne and alcohol. My stomach turned as my eyes adjusted to the scene.

The study table was covered in red cups and half-empty liquor bottles, set up for a game of truth or dare. But worst of all, right in the center of the room, Saxton Vance was deeply, aggressively kissing a girl curled up on his lap.

He pulled away slowly at the sound of the door slamming, his grey eyes heavy with interrupted lust as they tracked over to me.

"Who the fuck are you?" Saxton asked. He slid the girl off his lap and rose to his full height, towering over the room like an untouchable king.

I briskly walked up to me, with my eyes cold just so he could see how angry I was.

"I'm the girl you stole this study room from!" I spat.

One of his hockey friends chuckled from the couch. "Hey, Sax... you know this chick?"

The girls in the room whispered to each other, staring at me like I was a alien.

Saxton didn't answer right away. He slowly looked me up and down, his grey, piercing eyes lingering on my oversized hoodie, my messy bun, and finally locking onto my face. A slow, infuriatingly arrogant smirk spread across his lips.

"Why would I know someone like her?" he snickered.

His friends laughed, including the girls.The humiliation burned, but it only fueled the fire in my chest.

"I'm not here so you can know me, Saxton." I stated, stepping even closer, refusing to let his massive, athletic frame intimidate me. "I'm not one of those girls who are crazy over you. I want this room you turned into a mini-club back."

"And why should I do that?" he asked.

"Because I set my eyes on it first. I worked really hard for it. You can't just show up at of nowhere and claim it." I hissed.

Saxton smirked.

"Hey Four Eyes" he lowered his head to me.

My brows knitted. Did he just call me four eyes simply because I wear glasses?

"Just because you set your eyes on something or just because you work hard for it, doesn't mean it can be yours. Life’s a little harsher than that. But nice try. Don't use this pathetic angry-nerd routine just to get my attention. You're really not my type."

I scoffed angrily.

"I'm not trying to get your attention! Who the hell are you for you to think I will stoop so low for!" I snarled.

"I'm Saxton Vance," he said softly, as if that name explained the universe. "And trust me, girls come up with all kinds of creative excuses just to get me to notice them. You tried, it failed. Why don't you run along and go focus on your little textbooks? That’s what people like you are good for, right?"

Another round of snickers echoed from his friends.

"Listen to me, Saxton, or whatever you call yourself," I snarled, my voice trembling with a terrifying amount of rage. "You might think you're a god because you can chase a piece of rubber on ice, but you don't mean a damn thing to me. I'm not one of your fans. You don't need this room. Leave now, while I'm still being nice."

Saxton stared at me for a few seconds, before bursting into a loud, mocking laugh. His friends and the girls immediately joined.

When his laughter subsided, his expression shifted into something darker and meaner. He stepped forward, raising his hand, and brought his index finger down against my shoulder, pushing me back.

"And what are you going to do if I don't leave?" he challenged, his finger jabbing into my shoulder again, forcing me to take a step back. "What is a little girl who needs glasses just to see straight going to do to a hockey player, huh?"

He pushed me again, testing my limits, enjoying the power play. "Tell me. What are you going to do?"

He wanted to see what a girl with glasses could do?

He raised his hand to poke my shoulder one more time. But before his finger could touch me, my anger boiled over and my reflexes took control.

I grabbed his wrist tightly and pulled with all my strength. With a quick twist of my hips, I threw his heavy body right over my shoulder.

Saxton landed hard on the ground, making his friends and the girls gasp loudly as they stared at me in shock.