THE COFFEE STAINES

WILLOW'S POV 

Honestly, it doesn't feel right standing in front of Ridgeway Academy.  After everything I've heard about this school, I don't think I'm fit to be here. 

I mean, look at how huge the buildings are. I feel like I shouldn't even be looking at it. But of course, I'm a scholarship kid here. 

I could've rejected this school. But Mom was so happy about it. She knew that this was an opportunity for her because she couldn't afford to pay my f*e with all the bills she needed to pay.

I couldn't hurt her by saying I didn't want to. Even if she works for Blackwood, I know she has responsibility. She has been my only one after Dad's death since I was six. 

That's why I chose it, Ridgeway Academy. Even if I was so scared at this moment,  I'll face it. Standing with the white button-up, navy blue sweater and blazer, a tie, and a skirt that was way too short for me. I took a deep breath before walking into the gate. 

Two guards slowly opened the gate for me to pass. I walked in and greeted them before heading towards the entrance. I stared at the beautiful interior of the school. The owner must be really rich. 

I walked into the building. There's a long hallway with marble tiles on the ground. A beautiful lady stood in front of a door. She stared at me and smiled. 

"You must be Willow Fletcher," she uttered. She quickly walked up to me. "I've been expecting you," she said. "You can call me Miss Hudson," she said. I nodded, fiddling with my fingers. I do that when I'm nervous. 

She looked around, noticing a student walking in. She smiled at him. 

"Good. Raven is here. Please show Willow here around," she said. He looked down at me. He's really tall.

He looked back at the teacher and smiled. "Yes, ma'am," he replied. She walked away, leaving me and the guy. "Willow, right?" He asked. I looked up at him. I nodded my head. "Shall we?" He asked. 

Raven explained and took me to a different part of the school. I couldn't believe I was looking at a school like this. 

I nonchalantly looked around while he watched in amazement. "This is so cool," I said. 

The school has so many facilities. Science lab, huge library, field, basketball court, cafeteria, ballet class, and swimming class. He also showed me a garden filled with tulip flowers. 

We headed back to the hall. I still felt like there was more in this school than he'd shown me. We got coffee from the cafeteria before coming back. This school is like those elite schools we see in movies.  

"How are you seeing the school?" He asked. I smiled at him. 

"I still need time to adjust, I guess. But so far, I like it," I replied. He nodded with a smile. For some reason, students were hanging around as we headed to the lockers. 

The weirdest part is that they kept staring at me. They looked at me in the most disgusted way. I looked at myself from head to toe to see if there was anything wrong, but there was nothing. 

Two girls stood close to the window, giggling as they looked at me. "Look at her shoes so cheap," one of them said. 

"Why is she even here?"

"Her skirt is so short," 

"She's nothing like us," 

"She should go back to the streets. I don't even know why the school bothered," 

I looked at my skirt. I had to wear black thigh-high stockings because of that. I pulled on my skirt. 

"Ignore them," Raven said. I looked up at him timidly. "They're not worth it," he smiled. I nodded. He showed me to my locker. "Just insert the card, and it'll open. Make sure not to lose it," he said. 

"Thank you, Raven," I said. He winked before walking off. I inserted the card, and the locker opened. I saw a tablet. Just a tablet.  I guess this is the only thing they use for learning. 

This is so different from what my old public school was. I placed the tablet whose back was engraved 'RA' for Ridgeway Academy in my bag. I closed the locker and turned around only to bump into a wall, causing my coffee to spill. 

I gasped and slowly looked up, but it wasn't a wall. I looked up at the guy in front of me. 

Wow… he was breathtaking. His sun-kissed skin glowed against the light, highlighting a sharp jawline that looked like it could slice through steel. Towering at around 6'2, his presence felt commanding, almost intimidating. Broad shoulders stretched beneath his shirt, perfectly sculpted. His skin looked smooth, flawless, like polished glass. Yet, despite all that striking beauty, his expression remained unreadable, calm, distant, and strangely captivating.

I looked down at his chest, coffee all over his white button-up shirt. I gasped with worry. "Oh my goodness, are you okay?" I panicked. 

I slowly started to unbutton his shirt. That must be so hot. He stared down at me without any reaction as I helped him. He grabbed my wrist. I gaped lightly and looked at him, still panicking.  

"I'm so sorry," I said. He raised a brow. He pulled me closer to him. I was so confused right now. He used his right hand and tugged some strands of my hair behind my ear. 

I followed his movements. "What's your name?" He asked. Goodness, his voice was so deep and husky.  From close, he kinda looks mixed-race. I stared deep into his eyes, his beautiful grey eyes that were shielded with glasses. Why is he putting on glasses? 

I pulled away instantly when I realised the position we were in. I looked back at his shirt. I gulped. Because of the shirt, he won't let me go. "What can I do for the shirt?" I asked him. He raised a brow.

I fiddled with my fingers as I stared down at the floor. I looked up, but he was looking at me from head to toe. He hissed and quickly took off his shirt, handing it to me. 

I collected it without even understanding why he was giving me. "Get it cleaned by tomorrow," he said before walking off. He had a white shirt that had some coffee on it. 

I sighed in relief. At least I'm out of danger now. I don't really want to get in anyone's business. I put the shirt in my bag and started my journey towards the hallway where Raven told me that was the way to the classes. 

I sighed as soon as I found my class. Before I could get in, the bell rang, and the class doors opened. A pack of students is rushing out. I wonder where they were heading. 

I curiously followed them because they were all moving in the same direction. An open double door, I walked in along with them all. 

Wow.....could this school get any better? I stared at the huge hall filled with chairs. Students are taking their seats. I've never seen a place as beautiful as this. 

I was so nervous, but I think I needed to take a seat. I walked up to a random seat. I sat down. "Hi," I looked to my right to see a beautiful girl my age smiling at me. "You must be the scholarship student. I'm Kimberly, but you can call me Kim," she said.  

I smiled back at her. "Hi, I'm Willow," I replied.  She grinned. "It's nice to meet you too," I said. 

"Good morning, student!" We looked up at the stage. The lady I met at first stood towering over the mic.

"Good morning, Miss Hudson," everyone replied. I looked around. Honestly, I was checking for that guy earlier. I hope the coffee didn't burn.  

Something else caught my attention. The silence. I looked up at the lady. She didn't say anything.  That's when the entrance door opened. A group of good-looking guys walked in. Raven was one of them. I smiled at him. But then, he walked in. The guy from earlier. 

He was operating on his phone as he walked in confidently. Honestly, he looks so attractive. He paid no attention to what was happening.  As soon as he reached his seat, he turned off his phone and sat down. 

"Let's continue...." she said.  Wait, we're they waiting for him? Who is he?

"That's my big brother," I looked to my right. Kim replied to my thoughts. "Don't let his looks get to you. He's not as innocent as he looks." She said. 

What does she mean by that? "Why?" I asked innocently. She looked at me. 

"What I'm saying is that he's dangerous," she added.  Dangerous? I'm really confused. She noticed the confusion on my face. She chuckled. "How innocent are you?" She asked. I fiddled with my fingers. 

"We have a scholarship student with us here. Willow Fletcher," As soon as I heard my name, I looked up at the lady. 

"I think she wants you to go up there," Kim said. I gulped. I looked at everyone, contemplating whether I should go up there. 

I took a deep breath and got on my feet. I slowly and timidly walked towards the stage. People stared at me. I heard laughter and whispers, which clearly made me feel insecure about myself. I felt like the ground should just open up and swallow me whole.  

Everything was so slow. I finally reached the top. She smiled at me. I looked at her tag. 'The principal'. Is she the principal? I gulped.  

"Please introduce yourself," she said to me. I faced the mic. My eyes passed through every mocking eye till they landed on his. He was looking at me. I looked away instantly. 

"Good day, everyone. My name is Willow Fletcher. It's nice to meet you all," I smiled. No reaction. My smile slowly falls. I was about to turn away till I heard a clap. 

I hesitantly looked back at the single hand clapping for me. It's him. He stared at me as he clapped. Everyone's attention moved from me to him. They all followed along to clap for me. It's just like saying if he doesn't clap, neither will they. I was shocked.

I quickly got out of the stage. I don't like the attention I was getting. I headed back to my seat. Another girl was sitting next to Kim. They chatted. She looked at me and smiled.  

"Willow, this is my bestie, Jenny. Jenny, this is Willow," Kim said. I took a deep breath and sighed. I smiled at her. 

"Hi," she said. She's really pretty.  

"Hi, it's nice to meet you," I said. I was still shaking. "I'll step out first......I need some fresh air." I said. They nodded.  

I walked out of the hall and sat on the bench close to the door. That was something. My heart beats so fast and I feel somewhat nauseous.  

I looked up when I heard footsteps. That group of guys along with him..... walked past me. They smiled at me, except for him though. He stood in front of me. I stood up and looked at the ground, fiddling with my fingers. 

I bit on my lips as I stared at the ground. Another habit I have. "About my shirt....." He stepped closer to me. 

His scent, tulips and fresh, aquatic, or citrus notes with warm, woody, or spicy undertones. So sweet. 

He leaned down to my ear. His lips touch the lobe. I shiver. "I'll need it tonight. Bring it to the school gate tonight by seven thirty." His voice is low, dangerous. Why does he have to whisper that? Isn't it too late to be out by that time? Is it the type of danger Kimberly was talking about?

He moved back and walked away with his friends. I released a breath I didn't know I was holding. Goodness.