Gravemont Jerks

REINA

For a split second, the whole world froze. My heart was hammering like a freaking drum set in my chest.

My hands shaking as I turned around slowly, expecting to see cameras aimed at me, ready to capture the “Fallen Cole Girl returns from the dead” headline all over again.

But instead, the cameras were pointed somewhere else. To my right. Toward Ivy.

She stood there, blinking through the after-flash like this kind of thing happened to her every other Tuesday. Which, maybe it did. A few students with phones hovered nearby, snapping pictures like their lives depended on it.

“Oh my God, Ivy, pose!” a brunette squealed, angling her camera. “You look insane right now, like actual model-level insane.”

“Of course I do,” Ivy said, tossing her hair back like a diva who was born under her own spotlight. Then she noticed me frozen beside her, still pale and shaking, and her expression changed immediately. She rolled her eyes, turned to the girls, and snapped, “Delete those or I’ll ruin your social life before lunch.”

The girls gasped. “We just—”

“Now.” Ivy’s voice was so cold I actually flinched. “Or I swear I’ll tell Beccs you both had a three way with her boyfriend after the party last summer.”

The girl's mouth fell open. “You wouldn’t—”

“Try me.”

Phones dropped instantly and they immediately scurried off. Ivy turned back to me with a face full of sunshine, like she hadn’t just threatened someone’s existence a whole three seconds ago. “Sorry about that. Paparazzi. Fans. Peasants. Whatever they call themselves these days.”

“They were... taking pictures of you,” I said, half to her, half to myself. The panic still hadn’t faded. “Not me.”

“Well, duh,” she said, laughing. “Who else?” Then she noticed the look still plastered on my face and suddenly had a worried expression on. “Hey, are you okay? I'm sorry I shouldn't have threatened them with you watching.”

“It’s nothing. Just got startled.”

“Yeah, Gravemont has that effect on people,” she said lightly, then added with a grin, “Want me to come with you to the headmistress’s office? Or are you good on your own?”

I hesitated, still a bit dizzy from the whole flash thing. But then I straightened. I’d already looked like a lost puppy once today. I wasn’t doing it again. “I got this.”

Ivy’s smile widened like she’d expected that answer all along. “That’s the spirit.” Then, like she was casually handing me a slice of heaven, she shoved her phone into my hand. The thing was a latest edition, I couldn’t even dream of affording now. A gold case with her name Ivy J. embossed in silver cursive.

“Here,” she said, “put your digits in there. I’ll add you to our group chat, and if anyone so much as looks at you wrong, text me immediately. This bee stings.” She winked, actually winked.

I couldn’t help it and smiled. “Thanks.”

“Don’t thank me yet. Wait until you survive your first Gravemont lunch period. It’s hell with better lighting.”

I typed my number before handing her back the phone. She beamed, clutching it like a sacred object. “Yay! You’re officially one of us now. Don’t ditch me at lunch.”

“Promise,” I said, waving as she turned to leave with her friends, her hair swishing like she had her own personal wind machine.

When they disappeared around the corner, I suddenly felt self aware again. Everything felt… surreal. Like I’d been sucked into someone else’s movie.

I turned back to the office door and knocked. “Come in,” a warm voice called from inside.

The principal’s area was exactly what I’d imagined it to be. Grand, intimidating, and smelling faintly of old paper. A woman sat behind a large mahogany desk, head bent over a stack of files. When she looked up, her whole face lit up in recognition.

“Reina,” she said softly, like the name carried a thousand old memories. “My goodness. You look just like your mother.”

“Mrs. Knox?”

She smiled, standing up and walking around the desk. Her blonde short curls were pinned neatly, her glasses low on her nose, but the kindness in her eyes was unmistakable.

“It’s Headmistress Knox now, but please, call me Eloise. I’ve known your mother since college. We were practically inseparable. We got matching tattoos, for heaven’s sake.”

Mum has a tattoo? Cool.

“My mom never mentioned that.”

“She’s probably embarrassed. I was the bad influence,” she said with a chuckle, then gestured to a chair. “Sit, dear. You’ve had quite a morning, I imagine.”

“You could say that.”

Eloise sat too, folding her hands. “Your mother told me everything, Reina. About the… circumstances. I want you to know that I personally made sure your name would stay private. No one here knows who you really are, and I intend to keep it that way.”

Relief bloomed in my chest, but only slightly. “Thank you. I really just want to keep my head down.”

“I understand. But Gravemont is… intense,” she said, a knowing smile tugging her lips. “The classes are fast-paced and the competition, ruthless. You’ve been out of school for two years, so to help you settle in, I’ve arranged for a tutor.”

“A tutor?”

“Yes. He’s one of our top students. Julian Carter. He’ll help you catch up with the coursework until you’re fully integrated.”

“Is that… necessary?” I tried to sound polite, but it came out almost defensive. “I can handle things myself. I’m a fast learner.”

“Of that I have no doubt,” she said gently, “but Julian is very capable. You’ll learn a lot from him. I’ve already asked him to come by for an introduction.”

Before I could protest, the door opened and in walked the boy himself.

He wasn’t what I expected. For someone labeled top student, I imagined stiff posture, polished manners, nerdy vibes.

But no, Julian Carter walked in like he didn’t care about the rules of gravity. Honey-blond curls that looked permanently tousled, a half-buttoned uniform shirt, tie hanging loose around his neck. His eyes, a deep set blue landed on me briefly, then straight to the headmistress.

“You called?” His tone was flat.

“Yes, Julian. This is Reina Moore. She’ll be joining us this term and I want you to serve as her tutor.”

He looked at me again and in that look, I saw all the boredom in the world. The way he stood, hands shoved in his pockets, slouched against the doorframe told me everything I needed to know. He didn’t want to be here. He didn’t care to be here. And I don't want him here.

“With respect,” he said, “I don’t do tutoring anymore.”

Eloise’s brows shot up. “Excuse me?”

Julian shrugged. “Last time I agreed to it, the girl cried when she realized I wasn’t going to spoon-feed her homework. I’ve got better things to do.”

My mouth opened. “Wow,” I muttered before I could stop myself. His eyes slid back to me. “What?”

“Nothing,” I said quickly, though my tone dripped with sarcasm.

“Julian,” Eloise said firmly, “this isn’t up for debate. You’ll help Miss Moore adjust, and that’s final.” He sighed, pushing off the wall like the world had just placed a ten-ton weight on his shoulders.

Then he turned to me with eyes that were utterly emotionless. “No offense, but I don’t have time to babysit.”

I bit down hard on my tongue to stop myself from saying something I’d regret. “Good,” I said, forcing a fake smile. “Because I don’t need a baby sitter.”

He tilted his head slightly, studying me, then gave a single nod like he was filing away that piece of information for later. Without another word, he turned and walked out.

Eloise sighed, rubbing the bridge of her nose. “He’s… difficult. But brilliant. I’m sure he’ll come around.”

I snorted. “Yeah, I’m sure he will. Right after pigs fly.” Her lips twitched like she was fighting a laugh. “Give it time. He’s been through his own challenges. You might be surprised.”

“I doubt it.” I pushed my hair behind my ear, already irritated by the entire interaction. “Honestly, I don’t need him. I’m not some lost cause. I used to be top of my class before everything happened. I can handle Gravemont.”

Eloise looked at me with doubt. “I believe you can. But if you can't that'll affect your scholarship.”

“I know,” I muttered.

She smiled, standing. “Good. Your dorm assignment’s already in the system. You were supposed to have a roommate who's also a scholarship student but we'll she cancelled so... Now you get your own personal space.”

“Thank you Eloise.”

“Hope you fit in well and make friends too.” she added.

“I already met Ivy Johnson,” I said, standing too. “She’s… interesting.” Eloise laughed quietly. “That’s one word for her. Her father funds most of our extracurriculars, so yes, interesting indeed.”

I picked up my bag and gave her a polite nod before walking out. Just as I reached the hallway my phone buzzed and I checked to find a new message. From an unknown number.

Unknown: Lunch at 12. Don’t ditch me loser.

I smiled a little despite myself, slipping the phone into my pocket. Maybe things wouldn’t be so bad. Maybe I could actually pull this off.

But then my mind replayed Julian Carter’s bored face, his cold tone, his arrogant little half-smile that screamed I’m better than you.

Nope. He was officially joining Adrian Vale on my “men to avoid” list. Besides I didn't need a tutor. I'm the tutor.

How hard could Gravemont Academy be?