Chapter 3

Wren Carter

I made my way out of the class as I heard chatter increase behind me. Such childish acts did not concern me. I was here to study and build a future for myself, not entertain some wannabe bully with a complex. He could amuse himself all he wanted, but I had better things to do than become part of his daily entertainment.

As I walked into the hallway, my thoughts scattered when I saw how crowded it was. Students filled the corridors, either idling around or rushing toward their next classes. Designer bags hung from shoulders, branded shoes clicked across the floors. I looked down at my oversized sweatshirt that I had recently bought from a thrift shop and my old jeans. My shoes had been given to me by my workplace.

For a moment I stared at them. Then I shrugged it off. Clothes didn’t get you degrees.

I walked toward the notice board and scanned the schedules pinned across it. Pulling out my own timetable, I began matching the classes when I sensed someone standing beside me.

I turned my head to see a brunette girl next to me. She was chewing gum while staring passively at the board. Her tracksuit looked like it had been pulled straight out of a fashion magazine. Just as I was about to turn away, she glanced at me.

“You’re brave for that,” she said casually. I felt like this comment could have been hostile but her tone was the exact opposite. In fact, she seemed amused. “But if that were me, I would've thrown that book at his face.”

My jaw dropped slightly at that. She laughed at my reaction before extending a hand. “Name’s Genevieve Lin. But most people call me Gen.”

I looked at her extended hand like it was some rare object. I hadn’t expected to make friends here. Honestly, I hadn’t expected half the things that had already happened today. Still, I reached out and shook her hand.

“I’m Wren Carter,” I said, my tone cautious. Even though I didn’t sense hostility from her, trusting people wasn’t exactly my specialty. Yet the way she looked at me wasn’t judgmental. It was more like amusement and admiration. Which somehow made it even more suspicious.

I noticed her manicured nails and the rings covering most of her fingers. Bracelets decorated her wrists, and even her “natural” makeup screamed expensive.

I didn’t want to wonder why a rich girl like her would take interest in someone like me. Maybe it was just another rich-people hobby, collecting strays for entertainment.

I gave her a tight-lipped smile and started to turn away. From the moment I stepped into this college, my priorities had been clear: focus on my studies and stay away from unnecessary distractions. However, before I could take two steps, an arm suddenly wrapped around my shoulders.

I stiffened. Then I heard Gen’s bright laughter. “Where are you running away to?” she asked cheerfully as she dragged me in the opposite direction. “Come on, I’ll give you a tour.”

“Uh, sorry, but I actually have a class to get to,” I said, trying to gently pry her arm off.

“Oh relax,” Gen said dismissively. “Missing one class won’t end the world.” She was unbelievably persistent. And stubborn. Probably used to getting her way.

I tried standing my ground, but she was surprisingly strong for someone who looked like she lived off green smoothies and yoga classes. Eventually I sighed and gave in.

Maybe this tour wouldn’t be a complete waste of time. I needed to learn the layout of the campus and find shortcuts. Anything that would help me avoid being late again. And avoid running into that group of guys. The thought made me shiver slightly. That interaction earlier had been odd and very uncomfortable. 

 I decided to tune them out of my mind as I listened in to what Gen was talking about. 

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“And this is the library. I personally love their history section.” Gen talked as she walked with me from one building to another. She did not seem the type to study at all but considering how her eyes glowed when she spoke about the library, I would assume she was a great student. 

“The rest is all basically the same thing." She spoke as she pointed to the other buildings and departments. “Now, let me tell you something very important.” 

I turned my attention to her. All her cheerful persona seemed to vanish as she asked, “Do you see them?” 

She pointed towards the parking lot. I followed her line of vision to see a familiar set of guys I bumped into this morning. A scowl formed on my face unconsciously. 

“Yeah, I bumped into them this morning.” I said as I rolled my eyes and turned my attention back to Gen. 

“Oh God, twice already?” She asked with a horrified expression.

“Twice what?” I asked. 

“You had two interactions with them!” 

“I guess?” I shrugged. “Is that bad?”

“It’s very bad!” She shrieked. She then took a deep breath in and slowly exhaled to calm herself down. I noticed she was very animated in all her actions. “Okay, listen up. You are to stay as far away from them as possible, got it?”

My eyebrows furrowed as I asked, "but why?”

“But wh- because they're the bad guys!” she replied as if it was common knowledge. 

I was getting annoyed as my feet started tapping on the ground rapidly. I felt like I was wasting my time here. 

“Bad guys?” I asked as I raised a brow. 

“Look at him." She pointed to one standing the furthest with a girl latched to his bicep. “That’s Lucas Hale. He is the biggest douchebag in this entire world. I dated him once only to find out what a cheater he was.” 

I raised my eyebrow at her as she rolled her eyes. He had blond hair and a charming smile. However, it seemed so fake. Not that I would know what his genuine smile would look like but the one he was giving to the girl was straight out of some textbook picture.  

“Now him,” she said, pointing towards the bulkiest of them all. He was one head taller and broader than everyone else. “That’s Ryan Wolfe. He literally has no brain, only muscles. His parents had to pull some strings to get him into this college.”

“See that one?” A black-haired guy standing with his headphones on with a bored expression. “Ethan Cross, he’s probably the only booksmart guy in their group and the only reason he is in their group.” 

“And that one, the deadliest of them all.” She did not need to point this time because the only one left was the guy I bumped into that morning. “Cyrus Blackwood.”

I snapped my head at her as she said his name, “Blackwood as in…”

“Yes, this entire college and its franchise is owned by his family. He is the worst of them all. He’s also the captain of their football team. He acts like the golden chosen child but one wrong move with him and your life will be hell.” 

I turned to observe Cyrus. He had dirty blond hair with specks of orange in it. His face, as I noticed before, had a permanent smile on it. He looked so cunning yet genuine at the same time, like the wolf in sheep’s clothing. 

“The reason I told you to stay away from them is because they are always in search of prey.” She explained. “As soon as they find a prey, they latch onto them and make their life so hell that it becomes unbearable for them to live…”

She trailed off as her eyes dimmed as if she remembered something. “I saw it happen once. I can't let it happen again.” 

“But you said you dated one of them before. How come this doesn't apply to you?” I asked. 

"Well, first of all, that was very unpleasant and second of all, I can't really tell you everything right away now, can I?” she replied as she began walking. Her mood instantly took a 180 as we turned away from the group. “Now, where were we?” 

I observed her as I fell into step with her, not listening because my mind was busy forming a hypothesis as to why she was excluded from this. Something must have happened when she was dating one of them. 

I shrugged all my thoughts away, as it was not my place to inquire about other people’s business. I needed to focus on my goal. However, as much as I have trust issues, I felt like Genevive was genuine. If that was safe to say. 

As we were walking, I suddenly felt a small feeling of intimidation as if I was being watched. The hair on the back of my neck rose. I turned only to lock eyes with Cyrus from afar. 

He smiled and his eyes crinkled before he gave a small wave. I held his gaze for a second. Then I rolled my eyes and turned away.

If he thought I was going to entertain whatever game he had in mind, he was going to be disappointed. I continued walking a bit faster to catch up with Genevive. 

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