A NEW WORLD

I replayed the scene countless times in my head. I lost my breath and didn't know when I rushed to hug my dad.

Taylor had stormed out of the dining room angered, but obviously there was nothing she could do.

Tyler had stared, and Lillian's eyes had shown fire, contrasting greatly with her smile.

“Excuse me,” she politely said and stood up. She tried to maintain her calm, but it showed variation with the veins trying so hard to bulge out of her neck as her fingers fidgeted.

She walked out with killer eyes like she could shoot me.

Dad simply sighed, and we stared at each other. His eyes suddenly looked distant.

“Your dream came true, Pumpkin.

"Congratulations." He hugged me and left silently.

Tears threatened to fall out of my eyes.

Tears of both joy and grief, but Tyler was still seated.

“Satisfied, Pumpkin??” She asked with a cheeky smile.

“Yes, satisfied," I scoffed and turned.

“Remember, Jordan, you're stepping into the lion's den." She smiled mischievously and walked away.

I lay on my bed staring at the ceiling when I heard a knock. Opening the door, I came face to face with Lillian.

Without asking, she strolled into my room, unwanted.

“What do you want now?” I sighed, still standing at the doorframe.

“Just came to give a goodbye. Can't I give a little advice?” She smirked.

“Well… obviously it's up to no good. The air already reeks of sin,” I said with a raised brow.

“Don’t act all pumped up, Elizabeth,” she snarled.

“Don’t you fucking call me that name, Lillian. You don't deserve to,” I whispered as I moved closer to her.

“Or what? You'll beat me?" she stated again, this time her chin tilted upwards.

My eyes dilated and my hands curled into a fist.

“Just so you know, little one, you should be careful there,” she whispered softly. “Girls like you… don’t last long among wolves.”

I swallowed hard.

“Good thing I learned to survive among snakes,” I replied.

Her smile twitched.

Before she could respond, Dad entered the hallway.

“Out now!" I whispered.

She scoffed.

“Oh darling, looking for me? I went to bid Jordan goodbye. So sad,” I heard her saying.

Their voices faded in the hallways as they proceeded.

I fell on my bed as I cried myself to sleep with a mixture of joy and sorrow. The name Elizabeth echoed in my head.

Ω Ω Ω January 20th Ω Ω Ω

Last night I couldn't sleep. I kept thinking about how I was going to behave… classy or casual. Mr. James had come yesterday, and the joy I had in telling him about the letter plus his shocked face was indescribable.

I stood near the window, my fingers gripping the curtain as I peeked outside for the hundredth time. The time read 7:58 a.m.

My heart wouldn’t slow down. It felt like it was trying to escape my chest.

What if they changed their minds?

What if Lillian convinced Dad?

What if—

A deep horn cut through my thoughts.

I froze.

This was it. There was no going back.

I rushed downstairs and almost collided into my father.

“Hold it there, youngster." He smiled.

“Dad,” I laughed, my breath hitching.

He smiled and held my fingers. He had become emotional over the past few days.

I knew we didn't share a strong bond or anything, but he was my father.

He slipped a pendant into my hands. I looked at it, and the memories flooded.

It was my mother's, and I knew Lillian wanted this so bad.

“Dad…”

“Shhh… take it, Jordan, and always remember her,” he whispered.

I nodded.

“Look, she's in so much of a hurry to leave,” Taylor smirked, glaring at me.

“Oh honey, I wish you good luck in all aspects,” Lillian said as she hugged me.

“Especially survival,” she whispered in my ear.

I scoffed and walked past her.

I smiled and walked down to the car. My butt hit the soft seat as its scent of fresh leather and mint hit me.

I took one last look at our house. Lillian and her cohorts standing at the front created an image I wouldn't ever forget.

The engine purred and zoomed away.

∆ ∆ ∆ ∆ ∆ ∆ ∆ ∆ ∆ ∆ ∆

ALEXANDER’S POV

The engine roared beneath me as the jet cut through the clouds. I leaned back in my seat, loosening the knot of my tie. I hated flying commercial flights—thankfully, this wasn’t.

My father insisted I return.

“We’ll be landing shortly, Mr. Santiago.”

Finally,

I stared out the window. My jaw tightened. The last time I was here, things ended badly.

I was home again… after two months of freedom.

I slicked my hair back as I stepped down from the plane. The cool air scattered it.

“Hello there, handsome,” I heard a voice say, and I turned. A girl in a white crop shirt and shorts.

Another lost kitty.

I wasn't in the mood for this, so I ignored her.

“Damn, he's hot.”

I smirked. Girls and gossips.

I entered the car, breathing in the scent of cinnamon and mint.

My phone buzzed.

Damien:

You better get here fast. School’s already buzzing. New semester, new prey.

He was always in a hurry to catch a prey, and he always fell for the wrong one.

“Head straight to school and not the house. Dad could come see me if he wants,” I said to the driver.

“Yes, young master.”

“It’s ‘Yes, sir,'" I snarled.

“Yes, sir,” he replied quickly.

As the gates of the academy came into view, something strange settled in my chest.

Anticipation.

I didn’t know why.

But something told me this year was going to be different.

And I never liked surprises.

JORDAN'S POV

The huge gates came into view, an eagle inscribed on it with their logo.

The car drove into the neatly swept compound after the driver collected his gate pass.

So organized.

I looked around. The luxury cars arranged like that cost only a few bucks to buy. And they were for the students!

The place was crowded with students in luxurious blazers, pencil heels, and the top-notch $10,000 handbags.

And the buildings… goddamn high and what a beauty. Their structure and height? They probably hired one of the top architects in the country to do this.

This didn't feel like a school anymore.

The driver had brought out my luggage and tapped me out of my thoughts.

I came down. Walking down the pavement… The stares began.

Silent talks about who the girl with big brown eyes is, the girl on a discount bought a hoodie and pants and old leather sneakers.

Yet a driver brought her in, and she was walking with shaky yet bold steps.

Almost immediately the stares diverted. A classy Rolls-Royce Phantom rolled in, and the gasps started.

“He bought a new car??” One guy shrieked.

Girls rushed forward, some standing in positions that said, “I'm available.”

“He’s back, my baby is baackkk,” a girl yelled.

Some scoffed while some glared.

I was eager to see this guy everyone was whispering about, and then he came down.

Dark hair tinted red at the tip, very tall with a body that looked sinfully too good to be his.

I gulped.

His face looked like it was perfectly carved, and those lips….

The driver again tapped my shoulder and nodded towards the principal's office.

We entered, but I still turned to stare. One last look.

I had signed my forms and collected my student badge and stuff.

It felt too good to be true. I was a student of LEA. So this was the feeling Taylor and Tyler got.

My next aim was to find Rachel. She had been my childhood friend since we were young, and I hadn't heard from her for long. Even I don't know what happened.

I walked quickly so I could find my dorm and fill in on things when I collided into a strong body.

I looked up, and it was the guy from earlier. Up close he was even more annoyingly handsome.

I waited for him to apologize, but he only stared.

“Can’t you watch where you're going?” I asked with a raised brow.

He kept quiet.

“You walked straight into me… hello," I said. Is he this rude??

He shook his head and walked away.

I turned back with wide eyes.

“What the hell?” I whispered. Who does he think he is?

“Hey, arrogant, next time you try that…

I didn't complete my word before he turned back and started walking toward me. His face didn't look nice.

He came straight to my face, and that was when students flooded the hallways trying to get a glimpse of him; it immediately became quiet, but I couldn't lose my courage, so I stared back into his deep blue eyes, intoxicating yet beautiful.

He smirked and turned to the crowd; they wanted a reaction.

But surprisingly, he just turned and left.

The stares of the girls were getting really angry.

“And she's new; she's got guts." A boy said

“That will fade sooner or later,” another giggled.

I heard their whispers. I thought the elites’ kids were responsible and everyone behaved maturely, but I was wrong.

I walked away; I would look for Rachel later. Right now I need to find my dorm.

|~| |~| |~| |~| |~| |~| |~| |~| |~| |~| |~|

I walked all the way down to room 500; it was the last room in the dorm, as the rest were all occupied.

I swung my door open, sighing in relief and admiring the room, only to land my eyes on a well-sculpted body and again…those blue eyes.

“You again!? What the fuck are you doing here?... Do you have a death wish?" he yelled.

“This is my room; get the fuck out and stop stalking," I yelled back.

He furrowed his brows in confusion.

“What are you saying? This is my usual spot," his voice getting low in a growl.

We both raised our room key at the same time, and the number 500 was boldly printed on it.

From that moment, I knew this was doom.