Dangerous Invitations

My heart was still racing when I stepped into the English and Literary Studies classroom, trying to steady my breathing after that encounter with Damon. Focus, Zara. New life. Stay invisible.

“Zara?”

I froze. That voice… familiar. Soft. Impossible. I turned sharply and my eyes widened. “Elias?” I breathed. For a second, everything else disappeared. He smiled, slow and warm, the kind of smile that made something in my chest loosen instantly. “I can’t believe it,” he said. “We’re in the same department? Here? At Blackthorn?”

A small laugh escaped me. “I didn’t expect this at all.” And just like that, relief settled in. Like I had found a piece of home in a place I didn’t belong. We stood there for a moment, smiling like nothing had changed, like we were still those kids who used to talk about everything and nothing. Safe. Elias made me feel safe.

Then someone walked past. “Elias Thorne, can you help me with this problem?”

I froze. Thorne. He didn’t hesitate. “Sure, give me a second.” My stomach dropped. I stared at him. “Wait… Damon Thorne is your brother?”

The warmth in his expression shifted, not gone, just guarded. “Yes,” he said quietly. “People don’t usually know. That’s the point.”

My mind spun. Damon and Elias? It didn’t make sense. “They’re completely different,” I murmured. Elias gave a small, almost sad smile. “Yeah. Completely.”

The silence that followed said more than words. Damon felt like danger. Elias felt like peace. And somehow, I was already caught between both.

The professor called the class to order. “Good morning, everyone. Let’s introduce ourselves.” One by one, students stood. My turn came too quickly. I stood, smoothing my hands against my jeans. “Zara Corven. English and Literary Studies. And… I’m just excited to be here.” Polite nods followed. No whispers. No judgment. Just normal. I sat down, exhaling quietly, and Elias gave me an encouraging nod.

Then the professor added casually, “Kai Ryder is also in this department, though he’s away for a competition this week. A strong student, keep an eye out for him.” The name lingered in my mind longer than it should have.

By the time classes ended, my thoughts felt heavier than my bag. Damon. Elias. Blackthorn. Too much already.

When I got to my dorm, the door was open. A girl lay sprawled across one of the beds, scrolling through her phone like she owned the place. She looked up. “You must be Zara. I’m Avery Davins, your roommate.” Her grin was bold and unapologetic.

“Hi,” I said, smiling slightly.

She sat up, studying me. “You look way too calm for your first day here.”

“I try to blend in.”

“Scholarship kid, right?”

I blinked. “How did you..”

She waved it off. “No offense. Just wondering which elite family you belonged to.”

I laughed softly. “None. I worked part time before I got the scholarship.”

That caught her attention. “Really? That’s actually impressive.” She tilted her head. “I like you already.”

I relaxed a little. “Thanks.”

“And why aren’t you settled in yet?” she asked, already reaching for my bag.

“I just got here...”

Too late. She was already digging through it. “Don’t worry, I’ve got this.”

“What are you doing?”

“You’re coming with me.” She held up a sparkly top. “House party tonight. No excuses.”

I froze. A party? On my first day? Exactly what I was supposed to avoid.

“I don’t think...”

“Nope,” she cut in. “You’re coming.”

“…Tonight?”

“Yes,” she grinned. “Trust me...you need this.”

And somehow, despite everything, a small spark lit inside me. Excitement. Danger. Something I hadn’t felt in a long time. I looked out the window at the campus stretching endlessly. I was supposed to stay invisible. But for the first time… I wasn’t sure I wanted to.