3.

ALORA

Dilora stood there staring at me awkwardly, not knowing what to say, and I didn’t either, so I walked into the class.

The class was already filled, so I decided to scan the hall to find somewhere appropriate to sit that wouldn’t draw too much attention to me. This was one place I didn’t need it.

“Dilora!” Someone yelled from the top of the hall, and I looked up to see a beautiful Asian girl waving at us with a big grin on her face. Why was she so happy to see Dilora?

I turned to Dilora as well, and I was surprised to see her with a genuine smile on her face as she waved back. Had she really changed?

The Dilora I knew back in high school always had a smirk on her face as she eyed her opponent like they were less than dirt.

The smile on her face turned cautious when she turned to me. “Do you want to sit with us?” she asked in a small voice. “I promise they are different from my… friends in high school. They are nice."

 I turned back to the Asian girl who still had a smile on her face. She didn’t look bad from here. “Okay,” I shrugged, because most of the available seats were at the front, and I didn’t want to sit there.

I think I should be able to defend myself against them if they tried to bully me. I was stronger now.

 I followed her to the top of the hallway, where there were two empty seats, and three people were looking at me with curiosity in their eyes.

“Who’s your friend, Di?” The girl who waved at us asked first as we sat down.

“This is Alora. We went to high school together. Alora, this is Harvey, Theodora, and Hani,” she introduced.

“Dora,” Theodora corrected with a glare at Dilora, “She always forgets that.”

Dora was Nigerian. I could tell from her accent because my mama had a Nigerian friend, Aunty Tola. She was always so honest and blunt in the nicest way, and I loved her a lot.

Harvey was a cross-dresser with long blonde hair and blue eyes. He was stunning with his light makeup and long lashes. Hani, the Asian girl who waved at us, was also pretty. She had warm brown hair and eyes and a full smile.

“It’s nice to meet you,” I tell them with an uncertain smile. I really hoped that Dilora was telling the truth when she said they were nice people.

“Baby girl, first of all, you are gorgeous. You have the entire class in a chokehold. Chocolate and caramel oou wee,” Dora smirked, singing the last part from what I assumed were lyrics to a song.

I hadn’t noticed it until she said it, and when I turned, half of the class had their eyes turned, staring at me.

I felt goosebumps creep up my arms. “It’s because it’s the first day of school. They’ll get bored soon." I hated how insecure I felt at that moment and how much I wanted the words to be lies, but I knew that was what would happen.

Dilora opened her mouth to say something, but she got cut off as the class became chaotic. My brows arched, and I tried to find the cause of the sudden commotion.

There in front of the class, making their way up the stairs, were three boys who looked like they would rather be anywhere else than here. They strode up the hall, oozing confidence that would never come naturally to anyone else.

They wore power that was frightening, and even though I had never seen them before, I just knew they had to be among the top 1% of society, and they were aware of the reactions they caused wherever they went.

My eyes found that of the one in the middle. He had striking grey eyes that looked like winter on a dull day. He carried himself like a king who owned the world.

I wanted to look away, but I couldn’t. He didn’t look away either. He looked rugged and dangerous at the same time, with his half-buttoned top and the lip ring.

Something screamed at me to look away, that he was dangerous and I needed to avoid him, but I couldn’t. It was almost like I was trapped under his gaze.

“Shit,” Hani pulled at my arms, forcing me to break eye contact first.

“What?” I asked, a little bit irritated, and my reaction startled me. Why was I acting like this?

“You want to avoid those ones,” Dora answered instead. “They are bad news."

I looked at all of them, and they had the same expression. Fear. It made me uncomfortable. “Why?” I asked nervously.

“They are the Bastons. At least the ones in the middle and left, but even Mason Richards is just as dangerous. Rumors say he is a psychopath. A real one." Hani’s voice dropped to a whisper as she ducked her head to explain.

So, rumors said they were dangerous?

“But they are rumors?" Or was it the name?

My eyes strayed to the back subconsciously, but Dilora grabbed my hand and forced me to face her.

If it was about the name, I recognized it. Baston Conglomerates basically controlled the country, but that was the only thing I knew about them.

“They are dangerous, Alora. There are rumors that they are tied to the mafia and the underworld. You shouldn’t get involved with them." Harvey finally provided an adequate answer, but there was an edge to his voice, and I also caught him as he took a glance towards them. It was subtle, so the others didn’t catch it.

But, hold up. “Wait. Why are you telling me this? I don’t remember saying I wanted to get involved with them,” I pointed out.

“You were practically looking at Kian with fuck-me eyes,” Dora deadpanned, and I flamed up.

“That…that’s not true,” I sputtered, my eyes growing a fraction. Where did they get that from?

“Lie that you weren’t staring at Kian,” Dilora challenged.

“Kian,” I tested the name on my lips instead of answering her question, and I almost moaned at how good it sounded.

“He’s got her addicted,” Harvey chuckled, and that made me pull myself together as I realized how ridiculous I was acting over a stranger.

“No, I'm not addicted to anyone, and I wasn’t looking at him with fuck-me eyes,” I huffed, avoiding their eyes.

“Yes, you were,” they replied together.

“Just avoid him, okay? He’s trouble,” Dilora pleaded, but her eyes were hard; she was serious.

“I’ll try,” I said because that was the only answer I could give as the desperation to get a second glance at him was clawing at me.

I wanted more.