Last Days at Bennington College

Natalie's pov

FINAL YEAR

The beginning of the end.

As I stepped into the hallway of Bennington college, I grinded my jaw, the sharp pain that rose soothed me strangely.

Students gathered in clusters, talking over each other. The chaos felt new, even when it was the same as always, at the start of a new semester.

“Hey bitch!”

Someone bumped into me, shoving me with her elbow. I turned, trying to steady myself.

“Allison, I genuinely am not in the mood for this!” I groaned. She only scoffed and held my shoulders, steadying me.

“You are never in the mood for anything fun.” Her eyes glowed with a poorly subdued excitement, “this is our last year in college, Natalie! You've got to live a little!”

I squinted my eyes at Allison, my best friend since sophomore year.

“What difference would it make?”

“See, this is what I'm talking about. You always go on and on, talking about some doom and gloom. Not anymore! You're coming with me to the party tonight!”

I sighed, as we walked towards our lockers.

“Allie, I'm really not in the mood for parties.”

“You never are, Natt. Come on! This is our final year! After this, we are practically strangers,” she bounced slightly, grabbing onto my hand, her eccentrics making me chuckle, beside myself.

“Allie, we are not going to be strangers after school. You'll go ahead to become a hot shot reporter and get yourself your ‘Clark Kent’ and live happily ever after.” I rolled my eyes, smiling as I could see her paint the image in her head.

“Yes but still!! We have to live life to the…” she trailed off then, looking around her.

“Hey, do you think people are staring at us?”

I noticed it then.

The halls were so much quieter, and we were indeed getting stared at.

“Why are they all looking at us?” She whispered.

I scratched my nose in thought, a habit I had yet to stop. There was a small gathering in front of my locker. A small wave of panic rose in my chest.

“What's going on?” Allison's chirpy voice was gone, replaced by a quiet wondering.

“Wait here.” I dropped her hand, and walked towards the crowd. The sea of students parted, revealing an older man standing in front of my open locker.

I looked at his suit, his graying hair and his expensive watch and decided he was someone important.

“What's going on? Why...” I asked. Panic was now a bitter taste in my mouth. The man looked at me, his eyes analysing, then he looked back at the locker.

“Are you the owner of this locker?” He asked me, lifting his right-hand up. It was then I noticed a small bag.

I tried to swallow, it was a pitiful attempt.

“Yes, why?”

“And are you Miss Natalie Mayers?”

I nodded again, the lump in my throat made it impossible for me to speak without sounding like a child.

He looked at me, turning his body to face me fully.

“I am the associate Dean of this faculty, Miss Mayers. This boy here gave us a little tip that you were harbouring controlled drugs in your locker.”

Controlled drugs?

My eyes shifted to the man standing beside him.

He looked like a jock, tall, blonde and stupid. He had a lazy smirk on his face but I could see through it. He was scared.

“Are you listening to me, Ms Mayers? You've been called to the board for questioning. Please come with a doctor's prescription to defend yourself. Note that while these aren't illegal, they shouldn't be circulated within the school.”

I nodded, though I didn't hear all he said. The bitter taste was gone. In its place was the irresistible urge to smack that smile off the boy's face.

My fists clenched by my side.

I looked at the boy, his fake confidence drained till it was just fear shining in his eyes.

“Do you understand me?” The Dean spoke again. I only nodded again, not certain I could speak without hurling myself at the man.

“Good. Your hearing would be at the end of the month. Goodluck.” And then he was gone.

The whispers of students were now getting to me. They were becoming more audible.

I looked at the blonde boy that was trying to walk away and I couldn't hold back anymore.

I lunged in his direction, shoving him to the lockers. The crowd erupted, then quietened, waiting for the next move.

“Whoa, easy, tiger!” He exclaimed, his voice breaking a little, the only sign of his fear.

“Who are you, and what the hell did you plant in my locker!?”

I pressed my knee up against his nether regions, twisting my legs till he let out a painful groan.

“Please I'm sorry, I was just following orders from my boss!” He let out the pained whisper, through his gritted teeth.

“Boss??” I echoed, blood pounding in my ears.

“I'm just a freshman, please! He told me to plant the drugs in a random locker! I didn't know who you are, it's nothing personal, I promise! It was a task to join his frat house, please!”

I looked at him, watching his face turn red in pain and then, I twisted my legs again. He almost doubled over, a tiny sob escaping his mouth.

“Who is this ‘boss’ of yours?”

He leaned back against the locker, his eyes scanning the hallways.

“I can't tell!"

"He said nothing would happen to you. It's just a panel probe. You won't get expelled!” He pleaded again.

I twisted my legs.

“Who. Is . Your. Boss?”

He paused, then let out a whine.

“Kian… his name is Kian Lawley.”

I finally lifted my legs, watching him drop to the ground.

Kian Lawley.

I knew that name.

My eyes scanned the hallway, shifting from one unknown face to the other. I saw Allison, rushing to me from where she was at, but my eyes kept looking.

Then, at the far end of the hall, leaning against the wall, surrounded by laughing jocks and preening girls, I saw him.

Kian Lawley.

The literal King of this school.

His eyes were already on me, a lazy and relaxed smirk on his face.

My legs froze in place.

He stared at me, not flinching. His dark hair flicked in every direction, like he just rolled out from bed.

Just when my legs decided to work again, he winked, turned and vanished into the crowd.