His Dark Secret

ELENA“Don’t come crying to me when they throw you out.”My aunt didn’t even look away from the television when she said it.The room smelled like burnt oil and stale smoke. Empty medicine bottles sat on the table beside a cold cup of tea she clearly forgot about hours ago. The curtains were faded brown, letting in weak morning light that made everything look worse than it already was.I tightened my grip on my bag strap.“I’m not going to get thrown out,” I said.She finally snorted. “Oh please. Girls like you don’t survive in places like Blackthorn.”Girls like me.She said it like it was a fact, like I was already meant to fail. Everyone looked at me like I didn’t belong there.I swallowed and reached for my coat near the door.My aunt’s eyes finally moved to me, slow and sharp, dragging over my uniform like she was judging something she already hated. The blazer was second-hand. The sleeve had a faint stitch I did myself two nights ago. My shirt was clean, but the collar was starti

ADRIANI almost killed someone this morning. That was what happened when I skipped feeding.After surviving the meeting my mother forced me to sit through earlier and Marcus irritating me for most of the afternoon. I needed blood.By the time night settled over campus, the thirst crawling through my body had already become unbearable. My control felt thinner than usual, stretched to the edge in ways I hated.That was why I came to West Hall.Nobody used this side of campus anymore. It was quiet, empty, and far away from people. Perfect place to regain control before I accidentally ripped someone apart for looking at me too long. I pushed open the old room door and exhaled slowly.Dark room, cold air, peace. I loosened the collar of my black shirt slightly, irritation already sitting heavily in my chest. I pulled my shirt over my head, trying to cool the burning under my skin.This was getting worse. Usually I could control it. Usually, but ever since that girl…Footsteps echoed outsid

ELENAI had never hated a clock more in my life.Every second that passed inside the administrative waiting room made my anxiety worse.11:52 AM.Eight more minutes until my disciplinary hearing.Eight more minutes until Blackthorn University possibly decided I wasn’t worth keeping anymore.My hands tightened around the folder sitting on my lap.Across from me, Elizabeth looked ready to start a riot.“This school is actually ridiculous,” she muttered for the fifth time in ten minutes.“Please don’t punch anyone.”“No promises.”Despite everything, I smiled weakly.The waiting room was painfully quiet except for the ticking clock above us and the occasional sound of footsteps passing outside.Students walked past the glass doors every few minutes, glancing inside curiously.They knew why I was here.Elizabeth leaned closer suddenly.“Okay, hypothetically speaking,” she whispered, “if we had to fake your death and move countries, where would you wanna go?”I blinked.“What?”“I’m being s

ELENA On second thought, I should have stayed glued to my bed. I mean, the worst that could happen is my aunt tearing down the entire neighborhood with her shouting. The moment I walked through Blackthorn University's front gates the next morning, I knew that wasn't an option anymore.People were staring. The kind of stare that made conversations stop halfway, the curious ones. I kept my eyes ahead and tightened my grip on my backpack.“You can do this, Elena,” I murmured under my breath.Ignore it. Just get to class. "You know that's her, right?" One of the cheerleaders said while giggling with her friends."I heard Adrian Laurent confessed in front of the disciplinary board.""They've apparently been dating for weeks.""Weeks? I heard months."I almost laughed. People really did make up stories faster than they breathed."Elena!"Elizabeth jogged toward me, coffee in one hand and a paper bag in the other. Finally, just what I needed, an angel."You survived.""Barely."She handed

ELENABy Friday morning, I had become one of Blackthorn University's favourite topics.As Elizabeth so kindly put it, I had gone from "scholarship girl" to "scholarship girl dating the campus king.""I still think that title needs work," she said as we crossed the courtyard."I'd rather not have a title at all.""Too late." She bumped my shoulder lightly. "You're famous.""Infamous."She grinned. "Same thing."I rolled my eyes. "No, it isn't."Before she could argue, a loud chime echoed across the campus. Students immediately slowed down, some even stopped walking."What's that?" I asked.Elizabeth's eyes lit up. "Oh!""I don't like that reaction.""You will."She grabbed my wrist and practically dragged me toward the large notice board outside the administration building. A crowd had already gathered. People were whispering excitedly as they read the announcement pinned to the centre. Elizabeth pushed through until we reached the front, then I looked up.BLACKTHORN UNIVERSITYANNUAL F