Choose Peace, Raeliana 

Raeliana’s POV

I was staring up at the imposing building of Pembroke University, my hands clenched into tight fists at my sides. 

“So I lost after all,” I muttered through gritted teeth. “Damn you.” 

No matter how many times my mother had tried to convince me that this was a fresh start, I knew deep down that I didn't belong here.

My phone vibrated in my hand. I looked at the screen and saw my mother’s name flashing back at me. 

I swiped to answer and pressed the phone to my ear as I walked through the entrance.

"Raeliana, sweetie!" my mother gushed, her voice buzzing with excitement. "Are you there yet? Tell me, how does it feel to be at the most prestigious university in the country.” 

Before I could answer, another voice chimed in through the speaker. "Tell her we’re so proud of her, honey."

My stomach turned and I clenched my teeth together. It was my father.

Just a few years ago, he had walked out on us, leaving my mother and me buried under a mountain of debt. 

Then, out of nowhere, he showed up again last month with pockets full of cash. As if that was not enough, he immediately packed us up and moved us straight to New York City. 

I had to leave my old school, my friends, and my spot in the big end-of-year dance showcase. 

So pardon if I was furious with him. I hadn't spoken a single word directly to him since he came back.

"I just got inside, Mom," I said, ignoring my father completely. "I have to get to class. I’ll call you later."

I hung up before she could say anything else and slid the phone into my back pocket.

The interior of Pembroke University looked like a museum. The hallways were lined with expensive artwork and fancy chandeliers sparkled from the high-rise ceiling. 

Everyone walking past me looked like they stepped out of a fashion show. I adjusted the strap of my backpack, feeling out of place in my simple jeans and oversized sweater.

I checked the slip of paper in my hand, trying to navigate the corridors to find my first class. Just as I spotted the room number and reached for the door handle, a solid wall of muscle slammed right into my shoulder.

The impact knocked me sideways. I stumbled against the doorframe, dropping my binder.

"Watch where you're going," a deep voice drawled.

I looked up, ready to snap, but froze for a second. The guy standing in front of me was ridiculously handsome. 

He had messy sandy blonde hair, sharp cheekbones, and striking icy blue eyes. He was huge, easily over six feet tall, and wore a bright hockey jersey. 

A group of four other guys, all wearing matching hockey uniforms, hovered behind him like a pack of loyal dogs.

I instantly felt a wave of disgust. I already hated hockey players back at my old school, and these guys looked even worse.

The blonde guy looked down at me, scanning my body with a smirking face. "Looks like you need to watch your step, big girl. Or maybe just lay off the snacks so you can see where you're walking."

Oh no… this dude did not just make fun of my body. 

His friends burst into loud laughter, high fiving each other like the jerk in front of me had said something smart. 

He smirked, satisfied with his pathetic joke, and turned his back to walk away.

There was no way in hell I would let him walk away after humiliating me like that. Especially if he was the one at fault. 

Before I could stop myself, I lunged forward and grabbed a massive handful of his sandy blonde hair. Then, I yanked down with all my strength.

"Ow! What the hell?!" he yelled, his head snapping backward. “Let me go, you bitch.”

"Listen to me, you little shit." I barked, twisting my grip tighter as I yelled right into his face. "You don't talk to me like that! Who raised you, a pack of wild animals?"

"Get off me!" he shrieked as he tried to claw at my wrist but I only tugged harder.

His hockey buddies cursed and rushed toward me at once but I scrambled back, giving them my best no-nonsense look. 

"Hey! Let him go, crazy lady!" one of them yelled, reaching for my arm.

"Touch me and you're next!" I barked, yanked the blonde guy's hair even harder, making him double over backward.

"Bro, help me. Get her off.” the blonde guy yelled, swatting at the air like a flipped turtle. 

Every time he tried to push me away, I just tightened my grip on his scalp and yanked his head down further. 

"She's got a death grip on me, shit.” Blonde cursed, helplessly writing in my grip. “She's gonna pull my scalp off!"

A crowd of students quickly gathered around us in the hallway, already pulling out their phones to record us but I didn’t care. 

“Apologize to me.” I snapped, yanking his hair back, “say you’re sorry and-“

“Fucking let me go!” He growled and shoved me harshly. 

The force broke my grip, and sent me flying backward. My sneakers lost footing on the slippery floor.

I skidded out of control and slammed right into the side of a yellow mop bucket.

The plastic cracked loudly under my weight and the bucket tipped over, spilling gallons of mop water directly all over me. 

I landed flat on my back on the wet tile, soaked from head to toe. My hair was drenched, and dirty water pooled around my sweater.

Silence fell over the hallway for a brief second before the entire crowd erupted into laughter. 

People in the classroom leaned out the door, while others were holding up their phones to capture my humiliation.

The blonde guy straightened his jersey and smoothed down his messy hair, though a few stray strands were still sticking straight up from where I had yanked them. 

He stepped closer to me, looking down with a cruel smirk.

"That's what a fatso gets for messing with Elias Lockhart," he sneered, making sure the crowd heard every word.

I sat there in the dirty water and my cheeks burned with deep humiliation. My therapist's voice echoed in the back of my mind.

‘Raeliana, remember to breathe. Count to ten and always choose peace.’

I took a deep breath and counted to one. But Elias cocky face was still in front of me, laughing at my distress. 

To hell with peace.

"Fuck you!" I yelled.

Then I pushed myself up off the floor, drew my fist back as far as it would go, and slammed it straight into Elias Lockhart’s handsome face