CHAPTER 4

Tamara

So, yeah, it's finally Monday. My first day at Palmridge College.

Yay, I'm so excited.

I'm being sarcastic. I'm terrified as heck.

New people, new scenery, new experiences. Phew! It's all a bit overwhelming and slightly terrifying.

My whole plan after high school was to get accepted to an Ivy League which never came to pass, and I believe it was due to my dad's scandal.

Mom wanted to bribe her way into getting me into one, but I told her not to bother. Palmridge College had already accepted me and I wouldn't have her going through the trouble.

Thank God Sue convinced me to apply here. She has always been so excited for us to do things together, and I applied only to make her happy.

But who would have thought I would be going here after all?

Life does have a way of surprising you.

The door burst open, startling me a little. I sharply turned. Sue stood in the doorway, already dressed in a slightly provocative dress, a wide smile plastered on her face, "Hey! Who's excited for their first day in college?"

"That'd probably be you, of course." I said, turning around to continue combing my hair. Ugh, I'm not sure I'll get used to seeing my face with black hair. God, I miss my blonde hair.

"I mean, yeah, I am. Duh!" She said with a little roll of her eyes, a faint smile tugging at her lips, "I mean, it's college, girl. Who wouldn't? I finally get to sit and chat with all these hot college boys..."

"Really? Wait, that's why you're so excited about college?"

"Not quite." She shook her head, "The boys are just eye candy. The ones I'm interested in are the professors!" She squeaked excitedly, her cheeks turning a little red, "Trust me, there are so many hot professors in Palmridge! Just staring at them and listening to their voice will make your panties drop. Oh! I can immerse myself in a hot professor-student romance."

"Oh, please, Sue, come out of your fantasy world." I said disdainfully, "I blame it on those online novels you read. They make you so delusional. In what world do you think a professor would..."

"In my world, Tam. You'll see." She said confidently.

I made a face. "Dream on."

"Alright, let's bet on it." She challenged, "If I start a romantic relationship with a hot professor, you'll pay me a hundred bucks."

"Two hundred." I said.

"Huh?" She blurted out in surprise.

"What? Not so confident?" I mocked.

She regained her composure, "How about three hundred?"

"Five hundred." I raised it higher, thinking it would deter her confidence like the first time but it didn't. "You have till the end of the semester."

"Deal."

I was done with dressing, so I stood up. "I'm done. Let's go."

She swept in my appearance, her mouth wide open, then she scoffed, shaking her head. "Oh, please don't tell me you're wearing that to campus."

The emphasis on the "that" made me feel as though I was literally wearing a rag.

"Um, is something wrong with it?"

"Everything is wrong with it. Tsk tsk tsk." She shook her head again in disappointment and walked over to my closet, scavenging through my clothes. "What's all this? I thought all rich girls dress nicely."

"I dress nicely."

"I mean... hotly." She clarified, "No offense, but Tam, all these clothes make you look like a nerd."

I frowned, not knowing whether to take offense at that statement. What's wrong with being a nerd?

"Tam, if you want to be a college baddie, you're gonna need to change your closet."

"Who said I wanted to be a college baddie?"

"I'm gonna lend you one of my dresses for today," She totally ignored my question, "And after lectures, I'm taking you to the mall. Come on."

She grabbed my hand and half-dragged me to her room. And before I could protest, she was taking off my clothes and putting on one of her dresses on me.

Did I ever mention that Sue was flawfully presumptive and painfully overbearing? Well, I'm mentioning it now. She means well, but she always oversteps and makes your decisions for you.

She gasped, eyes sparkling in admiration as she regarded me, then squealed, "Tam, you look adorbs, cuz! That dress has never looked that good on me. You can keep it. All eyes will be on you today."

I'm not so sure that's what I want. It was an off-the-shoulder, skimpy dress that stopped just on my thighs, revealing my cleavage. Sure, I looked surprisingly good in it but I don't think it's appropriate.

"Don't you think it's a little too much?" I asked.

"It's college, no one cares! And nothing is too much. Come on, let's go."

"Let me get my stuff." I returned to my room and picked up my bag, then joined Sue downstairs.

"Where are your parents?" I asked, noticing no one was around.

"They left for work very early." She answered, pulling me to the door. "Like they usually do."

"And Andy?"

"Left to pick up his girlfriend." Sue answered as she locked the door. When she was done, we got into her car. "Palmridge, here we come!"

Palmridge College was nothing like I'd expected. It makes total sense that its name has "palm" in it, because there were thousands of palm trees on the campus grounds.

Nonetheless, it was beautiful, felt cozy and welcoming.

Students walked in groups, some by themselves, while others rode in a vehicle or motorcycle.

Sue finally found an empty spot in the parking lot to park. While glancing around the place, taking in the environment, I locked eyes with a familiar pair of scary-looking eyes.

I quickly ducked, my heart skipping a thousand beats. But I was already too late, she had seen me.

I was so hoping that I wouldn't come into another encounter with that pink-haired girl who yelled at me on the plane, but what, she's here? Sheesh! What in the world is she doing here? Does she go here? And why does Sue's car have to be a convertible? She wouldn't have seen me if it weren't.

"Tam, what's wrong?" Sue asked in confusion. "Why are you hiding, and who are you hiding from?"

"Who's that girl?" I whispered, and she glanced over in the direction I pointed. "She goes here?"

"Oh! Her." The contempt in her voice was unmistakable. Thank God we both hate her. "That's Trixie."

"Trixie?"

Wow! Even the name sounds fabulous.

"Yes, Beatrice Jensen. She likes to call herself the queen bee of Palmridge." She answered, "She's a sophomore. Why do you ask? Do you know her?"

"Yeah, she yelled at me on the plane."

"I'm not surprised. She's a bitch. Just stay out of her way, and you'll be fine. She's gone, come on, let's go."

Sue led me to the registrar's office, where she and I got enrolled and other stuff. It took a while because of the crowd, and by the time we were done, I was already starving.

I told Sue I was hungry and she led me to the campus cafe. "I'll give you a tour later."

We found Andy sitting at a table with a brunette, who I guess was his girlfriend. He saw us enter and waved us over.

"I thought you hated eating here." Sue said to Andy.

"I still do." Andy replied, "Renee dragged me here."

"Hey, Renee."

"Hey, Sue." Renee replied, "So, you're finally a college student. Sweet."

Sue giggled, sitting down beside Renee, "I know, right? I'm so excited. There are so many hot..." She trailed off mid-sentence as soon as Andy gave her that unapproving older brother gazes.

"Renee, this is my cousin sister, Tamara." Andy introduced. "Tamara, this is my girlfriend, Renee."

"Hi," I said shyly, sitting down beside Andy.

"Hello, you're so pretty." Renee complimented, "I love your dress."

"Aw, thanks."

Andy turned to have a look at my dress, then turned to Sue, who quickly glanced away.

"I know Sue's handiwork when I see it."

"Oh, please! You and your nagging." Sue rolled her eyes, "I was simply just helping my cousin sister become a college sensation. Do you know how many guys have turned to look at her more than twice since this morning? She looks hot."

Yeah, well, truth is, I'm not so sure if I'm supposed to feel excited from the glances or anxious.

"Did she tell you she needed your help?"

"Oh, come on, you have a girlfriend for fucks sake. Stop being a dick."

My eyes unconsciously wandered to the exit.

Andy grunted. "You..."

I sharply caught my breath in my stomach the moment I saw him.

There he was, in all his glory, with his entourage of friends surrounding him, which only did nothing but amplified his powerful aura.

I swallowed.

Devin Sinclair.