CHAPTER 2

“Keira, are you alright?”, Martina asked as soon as we’d shut the door to our room.

I pressed my back against the door hoping, what felt like I was keeping out whatever seeing energy I had picked up outside. The hot tears I’d held back poured down my cheeks, and the next moment I had face in my hands, a sobbing mess. Martina taken aback, which seemed to be all she’d be getting all morning, hugged me.

I was surprised, I didn’t think she had grasped who I was from that encounter. I hoped she didn’t, because she wouldn’t be this considerate of me.

As soon as Adrian walked away, I had stumbled away with burning glassy eyes to the dorm with Marti, following closely and quietly behind, I figured the encounter must have been surprising to her. And even now I knew i would not be able to speak to her about it. It was risky.

When I had pulled myself together, she didn’t ask me anymore questions, I was relieved.

The orientation week went by fast and with lots of settling in to do. I’d gathered from Marti who was who, the famous and respected people on campus, names to watch out for and avoid.

 Of course Adrian was one of those names. His reputation preceded him. Marti had said nothing about the encounter that took place two days back with Adrian. At intervals he however asked how I was doing, I tried my best to brush it off as something small, but she never looked liked she believed it. She’d only nod and change the topic.

I’d been shaken running into Adrian, least to say. It wasn’t too surprising that he would be at the best University in this country, it still didn’t prepare me enough to run into him. “You won’t walk away untouched” His voice had given me worrisome nights, but I’d spent hours convincing myself that confrontation was just a warning, and not a threat.

I had every intention of going about my business here, and keeping away from him. I’d stay out of his path and maybe we’d keep both our mouths shut. He wasn’t what I came here for. Hopefully he’d ignore me, what relevance was I to him even? I didn’t know if two years was long enough for hate to dwindle, but I was betting on my luck, not that I had a favourable one to begin with. But by all means I was going to survive here. I had to.

Classes begun immediately the very next week. Adrian still remained a stagnant thought in my mind. It didn’t help that everywhere one stepped there were murmurs of him around. I had picked up on a crazy amount of rumors, some which sounded like something he’d do and some just first hand unbelievable, with Adrien one couldn’t be too surprised.

“He skipped half of sophomore year to attend board meetings,” I had heard someone behind me whisper. Everyone knew the Voss name of Voss&Pierre Inc. The family who owned half the corps and biggest industries in the country. Power like that didn’t need introduction.

None could beat or fake the control and mysterious air that Adrien moved around with, he commanded respect. He had pull, and yet people knew to operate at a safe distance. Mention a slight affiliation to Adrien Voss and you’d have people scrambling and straightening up.

To me, it was sickening how much people were ready to please him or gain his favour. He was just supposed to be another human, another wealthy nepo child. But deeply I  knew Adrien wasn’t ‘just’ that. He had control, he had influence, he had the power and intellect to have it all in order and maybe that’s why it scared me a bit what he could do to me if he chose to. My hopes were on him ignoring me.

Blackthorn was huge, I’d consider it an entire village but with better architecture. So getting from some buildings to others could end up being a stroll or journey. It was easier for the students with cars, which practically everyone did, except the few select like myself. I’d caught a ride with Martina this morning who rode a Porsche.

At our first class together, I noticed similar rings on the fingers of a number of a student’s. It was a silver ring with an emblem of a curved cat with dark jewels for eyes. There was something familiar about it. In our next class, I saw the same symbol on Professor Pint’s cane, a brooding man who didn’t seem to find much funny. When he clutched the cane, my eyes were drawn to his finger bearing one of the same rings.

“Marti, what’s with the ring?” I whispered leaning slightly. Professor Pints eyes flew sharply to mine. Marti didn’t dare respond and I froze. He studied my face for a moment before taking his eyes away. I stayed quiet for the rest of the class.

“Oh my gawwd!” Marti exhaled as we both stepped outside the hall. “You nearly got us in trouble with Pint!” She continued.

“I’m sorry.” I muttered. “I genuinely didn’t think he’d hear.” I trailed like a naughty kid beside her.

“Professor Pint hears everything. Even your thoughts, I swear!” She said dramatically. “This one time in freshman year he’d called out a boy sitting at the very last sit for talking about his weekend. Except of course he didn’t just caution him, he finished off the sentence this boy was about to utter.” She narrated like she was telling a ghost story. “You don’t want Pint to latch on to your secrets. By the way, what was so important you had to ask?” Marti faces me. I gulped and checked the time on my phone.

“How about we speak about it in the room later. I need to get to my next lecture” I said to her.

Marti nodded and said  to meet at the cafeteria off Beaver’s lane, while she went to her car. Since we only took 3 classes together this semester, there wasn’t much concerning movement in my favour.

I arrived a couple of minutes earlier and plopped down in one of the very comfy chairs in the lecture hall. The sun outside could cook egg. I’d quickly shuffled from my other lecture hall down here. I exhaled, the blast of cool air was a welcome relief.

The other sits on either sides of me were empty which I didn’t mind. I got a couple of uncomfortable looks, but I brushed them off, I wasn’t going to hang shame or fear around my neck.

The sweet scent of male aftershave and woody scent wafted around me before I  saw who wore it. He casually sat beside me..

“You’re Keira, right?” Too smooth, I stiffen and swivel to face the handsome guy beside me. He had a clean crew cut, diamond studs on both ears, and deep set- ice blue eyes. There was a slight trail of beards on his face, the same blond colour as the hair in his head, brow and lashes. He wore short sleeved polo shirt with a deep V neck.

“Relax, I don’t bite.” He smiled, exposing a clean row to teeth, and extending his hands. I shook it. My hand touched something cool. I quickly glanced down when he released my hand, his eyes followed mine. It was the same silver ring I hand seen in other students.

“You caused quite the reaction on the lawn the other morning.” A cold shiver ran down my spine. How did he know? I didn’t think anyone else overheard my exchange with Adrian that day except Martina. Did Marti tell someone else, she wouldn’t. Was I  too trusting?

“Who are you and how do you know that?” I glared now.

“Not too many people can get Adrian walking towards them on a crisp morning for a heated confrontation” he’s says leaning in, I pull back and he smirks.

The doors to the the lecture hall swung open, Adrian walked in with another buff looking guy. The air in the almost filled hall stilled, all eyes on him. A strikingly beautiful girl strut to him and gave him a peck on the cheek. For some reason that hitched my breath. He mumbled something short and she smiled, wrapping herself around his arm. He glanced over at the audience ogling them and everyone hurriedly looked away and got back to whatever activity they were carrying out before he came in, but still watching subtly as he and the duo, strolled down the aisle to find seats.

Almost approaching my row, which still only contained myself, and the sly guy who still hadn’t introduced himself. I tried to quickly slouch down my seat to avoid being noticed,  but that movement caught Adrian’s observant eyes. Those eyes locked coolly with mine and I could hear the guy beside me chuckling. Adrian scanned us both, his duo pausing with him. His jaw tightened almost imperceptibly, I stared back. He cocked his head slightly and those lush locks of his tilted in compliance, today they were finely combed out.

“Sebastian,” Adrian called without breaking eye contact with me.

The name rings a moment in my head, I must have heard that name somewhere. I almost ask who that was, until the guy beside me responded. So that was his name.

My eyes snap away from Adrian to Sebastian. They knew themselves?

“Adrian,” Sebastian drawled, “collecting accessories again?” gesturing to the girl still hanging onto Adrian’s arm, she didn’t seem to care, she smiled and shimmied even closer. Adrian only looked on coolly. I hate that my throat tightened. Sebastian grinned and threw his hands across my sit relaxing back.

“See you around.” Adrian said moving along with his doll and the buff guy who I assumed was a friend. They settled in two rows behind us.

I had a bitter taste in my mouth. Sebastian faced me looking amused, “well that went well” he grinned. I directed a stink eye at him.

I was cautious of him sitting there, but I didn’t say, he remained till the professor walked in and class begun. All through, I could feel eyes burning through the back of my head, I dared not turn. My feet were itching to get away from that hall but I sat through that lecture.

As soon as the lecture ended, I turned to my side, “You talk too much for someone who hasn’t introduced himself.”, I whispered. He let out a chortle, and tapped my nose. “Hey!” I swatted at his finger. He immediately clasped my hand. I froze. His blue eyes glistened, challenging, “Welcome to Blackthorn Keira”, he muttered with a knowing smile. I pulled my hand away from his.

“Careful who you sit next to,” he murmured. “Some of us bite.” He leaned back smiling.

I grabbed all my things, getting up to leave.

“You can call me Seb.” He called after me. I didn’t glance back.