One: Bullies.

CHAPTER ONE:

Saphielle's POV:

“RUN!! NOW!!”

And I did, as fast as I could.

Mistress Annika and Mistress Rosita would double my punishment if I didn't obey. They’ve once burnt a girl’s skin with a hair curler for disobeying and then locked her up in the toilet for days.

My lungs burned. My eyes watered. But I dare not stop running.

“You had better touch that fence in five seconds!” Annika's voice boomed into the megaphone speaker.

Goddess. Fuck my life.

That was not possible! The fence in question was too far away!

“Five!”

My heart lurched violently as her countdown began.

“Goddess, please…” I panted heavily. “Please, please, help me.”

“Four!”

Her voice sent my heart galloping frantically. “Don't mess with me, Saphielle!”

I increased my pace ignoring the protest from my legs and lungs.

I'm not going to make it. I realized much to my horror.

It was a setup. They knew I couldn't do it. As usual, it was a way to mess with me and punish me even harder.

I should stop knowing I was going to lose in the end but I knew that would only put me in bigger trouble.

“You're so slow, you fat bitch!” It was Rosita's voice that echoed this time.

“Two!”

As I pushed past my limit, a sharp pain shot through my leg muscles. I wasn't an athlete—never been athletic all my life, mom wouldn't let me.

“Oh, you're in so much trouble, Saphielle!” Annika's laughter rang out.

“One!!!”

My stomach dropped.

Hot tears wet my cheeks and I bit hard into my lower lip to keep the sob threatening to break free.

I'm fucked.

I'm so fucked.

I came to a stop, falling on my hands and knees, the rough, hard concrete bruising my flesh in the process.

My heartbeat was erratic. My lungs struggled to contain the gulps of air I took in.

Rosita yelled almost immediately, “Don't keep us waiting or you'll be sorry.”

I didn't have to be told twice, I was already on my feet, racing back to the two seniors who had sworn to make my life in Velmorne Academy a living hell.

I was panting like a wild bull by the time I dropped to my knees before them, my head hanging low.

But just as they were about to pounce on me, the school's siren went off.

That happening on a Saturday morning meant it was important and all students had to be present at the Grand Hall….

“Listen up, slut,” Annika snapped as she grabbed my chin painfully, her nails digging painfully into my flesh. “This is not over. You'll report back to my room at 12 midnight for your punishment.”

“Y-yes, Mistress Annika.”

Satisfied, they shoved me and walked away.

I picked myself off from the floor, wiping my tears. My face felt hot and sticky with sweat. My body ached.

I just want to go home.

This wasn't how I pictured my freedom and life as a college student.

Hell, this wasn't how I pictured the ‘great’ Velmorne Academy. A school for the elites.

It wasn't like the normal colleges or universities common people attended. It wasn't even like the Ivy league schools humans—and some supernaturals—attended. It was so much more but it was hell.

A year ago, I was over the moon when I was awarded the scholarship to study here.

My biggest mistake was accepting it.

Who knew these rich kids were mean, brutal and cold?

How could I have known that I'd be picked on for no reason and I couldn't fight back?

And the rules? They were ridiculous!

“Seniors should be addressed as Masters and Mistresses.”

“Don't talk back to those above you.”

“You're to obey seniors.”

“Never question their authority.”

“You're to serve them.”

God.

The hierarchy system in this school was terrifying and unfair.

Seniors and the privileged kids ruled the school like they were gods. Even most professors were at their mercy.

And I just so happened to have offended the two most cruelest bitches in Velmorne.

Annika and Rosita.

Annika was the Grand Master's niece. Rosita wasn't just the great-granddaughter of one of the founding fathers, she was betrothed to the Alpha Prince, Azrael.

So yeah, the only way to escape them was leaving this school but I can't.

I couldn't disappoint my parents and where would they get the money to enroll me in some other school?

~ ~ ~

The hall was packed with students. Their voices bounced off the walls as they chattered away.

I dropped into the free seat I could find, letting out an exhausted sigh. I still felt sore from earlier, my eyes stung a little with dried tears.

Thank goodness the Grand Master called for this meeting.

Sure, I knew a greater punishment awaited me later but a little break was nice.

“Hey babes!” My best friend, Leanne, dropped into the seat beside me.

I forced a smile. “Hey, Annie.”

“Have any idea what this random meeting is about?” She asked absent-mindedly, unwrapping a lollipop.

I shrugged. “I guess we'll have to wait to find out.”

Seconds later, the Grand Master, Lord Draegor —a middle-aged dude, mostly bald—climbed the stage.

“Good day students!” He smiled, which was a first—that man rarely smiled. He wasn't just powerful, he was scary.

“I want this meeting to be brief, so I'll go straight to the point,” he voice echoed through the mic. “I'm happy to announce today that Alpha Prince Azrael will be joining us this year.”

The hall exploded.

They were happy screams, wild cheers, clapping, whistling.

Leanne’s screams made my ears bleed.

I don't get it.

Sure, he was the second most important person in the country but was this necessary?

Okay, maybe it's different for them. They've seen him, probably shared a space with him but I haven't.

Last year when I got admitted here, that was when he took a one year break off school which was why I didn't even know what he looked like.

The Alpha Prince, Azrael was a strange one. He had no pictures on the internet. Those who weren't close to the royal family and those outside this school's building couldn't tell what he looked like because he, unlike his siblings, had been locked away in the Palace his whole life until he was eighteen and came to study at Velmorne.

I've seen the second prince, Izar and their little sister, Draya, but not Azrael.

“Alright, that's enough!” The GrandMaster voice cut through the maddening noise. “Now, you all know what to do. Be on your best behavior. Don't make his stay here uncomfortable…”

Grandmaster went on and on about the Dos and Don'ts.

When he announced that the meeting was over, a sense of dread settled like a lead in my stomach.

I couldn't go back to my dorm just yet. I wanted to escape Annika and Rosita long enough.

I stifled a groan as I raised my eyes. “Goddess, please.”

She doesn't answer though. She never answers my cry for help.

The crowd dispersed after the Grand Master's announcement. I walked out of the hall with Leanne by my side.

My legs felt heavy but my heart was heavier knowing I'd have to return back to my dorm.

“Hey,” She nudged me. “Are you okay?”

I turned, meeting her worried gaze.

She doesn't stay in the same dorm as me, she doesn't know most of the things I go through. She didn't have to anyway.

“I'm fine,” I lied.

She could tell but decided to not call me out on it.

“Did you bring Kasper's gift?” She asked, changing the topic.

At her words, I came to a screeching stop, my eyes growing to the size of saucers.

Oh no… Oh fuck no.

How could I have forgotten such an important thing?

“I’m so stupid,” I groaned. “I left it in my dorm room.”

Her eyes widened. “You did not.”

With a resigned sigh. “I did.”

Today was my one year anniversary with my first ever boyfriend and I was so foolish to forget the gift I got him.

Yes, I had a boyfriend.

I guess, luck could still shine on someone as unfortunate as me.

In our second week as freshmen, Kasper and I first met in a class we shared together and we clicked. He was sweet, caring and kind.

He was from a rich family too and like Leanne, he never treated me differently.

He always made me smile. He gets me cute little gifts.

He even cried when I cried.

How cute is that?

Not that I'd admit this out loud but he was part of the reasons why I was enduring the bullying and staying in this school.

All I had to do was get through until we were seniors ourselves.

“...I can't believe you forgot,” Leanne huffed. “You were so excited, you didn't shut up about it for weeks.”

Another groan escaped me. “Kasper's gonna think I don't care about him.”

“You're so screwed,” she muttered, looking nervously over my shoulder. “Speak of the devil.”

My breath hitched. I whirled around.

Despite the gnawing worry in my gut, my heart fluttered as I met Kasper's dark eyes.

“Hey, babe,” I smiled nervously as he approached us.

His blank expression told me something was off but I played it cool.

I grinned widely. “Happy Anniversary, babe!”

I wrapped my arms around him.

Anxiety coiled in my stomach when he didn't hug me back.

I pulled back, smiling, “I'm so sorry, babe. I'm sorry I forgot your gift but I swear—”

“I'm breaking up with you.”