Chapter 6

Wren Carter

Loud alarms pierced the air, waking me up instantaneously. It felt like being spat out from the sea as if I was drowning. I looked at the time and it was 7 am. I had almost two hours to get ready until my class started so I got up immediately. I worked two jobs to make ends meet, starting before sunrise and again at noon. After adjusting my hours for college, I survived on three hours of sleep. Even with a scholarship, I couldn’t afford to slack off.

With my father being absent throughout my life, my mother was all I had, and she was always sick. Most of my free time was spent sitting beside her in the hospital. I did not stop by Mom's last night because I had tired myself out at the gas station last night, my other job. Some kids thought it would be funny to go around messing with the slushy machine, which caused it to break down and leak continuously. 

I stretched and yawned, rubbing my eyes as I slept for two hours only. I was tired beyond limit and my body was in pain but I had to push through another day. I boiled an egg and grabbed a stale piece of bread before wearing a worn out sweater and my cargo capri that I bagged from the thrift store. I saw how everyone dressed at the university the day before however that could not stop me from having to idolize them. I knew my limit and what I could afford. 

I walked a block to reach the bus stop. I rocked on my heels as I waited and took in the pleasant weather. I was glad to be early to the stop, however, due to traffic and maintenance issues, it took an hour to get to my campus. 

This time I had plenty of minutes before my class started so I could go over yesterday’s notes. I hoped I would not have to face those guys from yesterday. They surprisingly were also not around when I reached the hallways. I made a beeline to my locker. 

As soon as I unlocked my locker the first uncanny thing that happened was the smell. 

The most rancid smell hit my nose before a heavy bag fell out from the locker and onto the ground before my feet. I flinched back as I held my nose. The moment I registered what the bag contained, more so what the bag was, I gasped and fell back on back. I felt my world tilt as my body went numb.

It was not a bag. It was a dead animal, specifically a racoon. 

The blood was pooling around it as it laid cold and still. 

I heard gasps and shrieks from around me as people started to gather around. The world around me felt distant as I felt my own breath pace faster. I was hyperventilating as my mind went blank. I got flashbacks of a certain small furry friend I had in my childhood that I held dearest to me until he was killed. 

I felt my vision slowly go dark before I heard my name being called faintly from afar then a hard hand shook my shoulder. It jolted me back to consciousness. It was Gen. Her features were twisted into worry as she shook me and held a water bottle in front of me. 

Behind Gen was a furious woman with her arms crossed. She was talking but I could not hear her as my mind was focused on the dead animal in front of me. 

I shook my head to force myself into consciousness. I mentally cursed myself for reacting this way and consoled myself that it must be because I was too tired. 

“Wren!” Gen called out again and this time I looked at her, “Are you okay? Are you hurt?” 

She rained me with questions to which I just nodded but before I could recover, a loud shrill voice objected, “What the hell is all of this?”

It was the student coordinator. She looked overwhelmed. I looked up and tried to defend myself. “This wasn't me! I don’t know how this happened!”

"Well, I don’t care how this happened. I want you in my office after classes!” With that, she marched off while barking orders to the janitorial team. 

“Oh God! I am so sorry this happened.” Gen said as she helped me get up. She looked disoriented, as the smell was unbearable as well as the sight. 

“It’s alright,” I responded.

To me, this should not have the effect like it did. I thought I had gotten over my pet’s death. I decided to close the lid to my emotions by labeling it exhaustion. I felt my blood boil as I thought about who could have been the culprit. 

Definitely the prince and his goons. 

When I tuned back in, Gen was rambling about how horrible this was and how I did not deserve this. I simply smiled at her and assured her that I was fine. 

“It’s alright, really.” I dusted off my pants and adjusted my sweater. “I’ll go clean up and meet you in class.”

Before she could object I turned away and walked down to the washroom. I stood before the washroom and stared at my reflection. A short girl, with short dark hair and light brown eyes along with high cheekbones, stared back at me. I looked at my pathetic self and wondered how far I had fallen. And how far can I go before I break? 

I broke eye contact and washed my hands even though there was nothing to wash. I scrubbed my hand vigorously as if I could peel my skin off but the stench of the dead meat was not going away. It might be that I was imagining it too much or the exhaustion had gotten to my mind but it was not the kind of start I would have imagined for my day. 

I gripped the counter as I pondered over everything, even my response to them for playing this prank. I was seething as I thought about Cyrus and his stupid smile. One day I would be the one to wipe it clean off his face. 

By the time I recovered from my daydreams, I had lost track of time and was late to class. 

Amazing! Just the cherry on the top!

I thought sarcastically. I grabbed my bag and dashed through the hallways towards my class. As soon as I entered the class haphazardly the professor paused and gave me a glare. I did not need to look at the student to know their reaction but it was nothing kind. 

“Ms. Carter.” Professor Wright started as he set down the marker on the table. “I want you out of my class this instant. If you cannot respect the timings then don’t bother showing up!” 

His voice raised with every syllable. Before I could utter an apology, the prince had raised his hand bringing all attention to him, even the professor’s. 

“I think it would be fine to let Ms. Carter go this once.” Cyrus said with such a melodic voice that everyone around him was swooning. I rolled my eyes as his smile deepened. 

“Mr. Blackwood, the time…” Professor Wright was flustered as he trailed off. 

“It would be alright.” Cyrus stated, which made the professor give me a nod towards my seat, allowing me to attend. 

I clenched my jaw as I met Cyrus’ eyes, my fists tightening to the point they turned white. I marched off to my seat.