Chapter 1

~ Aria's POV ~

“How could you have done that to a reputable student of this college?!” the old lady with gray hair barked at me, but I sat on the chair, completely unbothered.

“I’m sure she didn’t mean to,” my mom said, trying to defend me as always.

“Didn’t mean to?” she scoffed in disbelief. “The innocent boy is currently in the ER, and you dare say she didn’t mean to?!” she snapped at my mom. “What exactly are you going to do about this?”

“We’re not going to do anything. That fool is exactly where he deserves to be,” I said flatly, without a single bit of remorse in my eyes.

The gray-haired woman looked at me with surprise. I don’t know why she was shocked by my words—she should know exactly who I am by now.

“You should be apologizing, not adding fuel to the fire,” my mom nudged me gently.

“Why should I apologize?” I asked, glancing between her and the gray-haired woman. “Come to think of it, I’m the victim here. He tried to rape me,” I said.

“And was stabbing him with your pen the best way to solve the issue?” she asked.

I scoffed and folded my arms across my chest.

“And what other way should I have defended myself? He tried to touch me without my permission. He should be thankful he’s in the ER and not the morgue,” I rolled my eyes just so she could see how unapologetic I was.

If I had the chance, I would’ve stabbed him to my heart’s satisfaction. How dare he try to rape me?

The gray-haired woman let out a frustrated sigh, while my mom stayed calm—she already knew who I was. I’m someone who never tolerates bullshit from anyone.

“This isn’t the first time you’ve caused trouble in this college, Ms. Nightshade. Three months ago, you nearly broke a guy’s tooth. Two weeks ago, you brought snakes to scare a classmate. And now this?” she questioned.

“I didn’t intentionally do any of that. None of those things would’ve happened if they had just left me alone. I’m not the kind of girl who allows herself to be bullied,” I said firmly.

She banged her palms angrily on the desk, but I didn’t flinch—I was expecting that.

“I won’t tolerate any more nonsense from you. This was your last chance to prove you deserved to be a student at this college, but you blew it. You’ve been expelled, Ms. Nightshade!” she announced loudly.

“Give her another chance. She’s a good kid. She just hates being bullied,” my mom pleaded, but I got up from the chair, ready to leave.

“You don’t have to beg her, Mom. I don’t want to be here anyway,” I said and walked out of the office, leaving the gray-haired woman speechless.

I’m sure she expected me to apologize and beg not to be expelled, but I’m not the type to apologize unless I’ve done something wrong. And this time, I didn't. I was only defending myself from a scumbag.

My name is Aria Nightshade. I’m nineteen years old—a girl who has been kicked out of too many colleges in just two year. Spring-Crest College was the last school willing to take me in. And now, that’s over too.

Maybe it’s for the best. At least I won’t have classmates constantly trying to get on my nerves.

“Are you happy now? Spring-Crest College was the last school willing to accept you, and now you’ve been expelled!” my mom scolded as she entered the car and saw me with my feet on the dashboard, headphones on, completely unbothered.

“Are you even listening to me?!” she snapped when I didn’t respond.

I took off my headphones and smiled brightly at her.

“Seriously, Aria. Is this really the time to smile?!” she scolded again.

“Why, Mom? Would you have preferred if I let that creep rape me?” I asked.

“That’s not the issue here!” she snapped, then sighed. “Speaking of the creep… he got what he deserved,” she added in a calmer tone.

I chuckled. That’s my mom—she always has my back. But we’re completely different. She’s calm, and I’m the opposite. Sometimes I wonder where I got my fire from. Maybe from my dad, though I’ve never met him. Not even once. And whenever I ask, Mom always finds a way to change the topic until I eventually stop asking.

“But you’ve been expelled, Aria. You can’t go to college anymore,” she said, worries, lacing her voice.

“It’s nothing to worry about. College isn’t for me,” I said, resting my head against the headrest.

“Don’t think I’ll let you sit at home and do nothing. I’ll find a school for you—one that suits you perfectly,” she said, her eyes fixed on me like she already had a plan.

“Whatever, Mom,” I sighed, closing my eyes while she turned on the engine and drove us home.

A few days later, I was in my room lying on the bed with my headphones on and my feet against the wall when my mom rushed in, excitement all over her face.

“Aria!” she called loudly.

I took off my headphones when I saw her smile. “What’s with the excitement? Did you get a promotion at work?” I asked.

“No, I didn’t,” she answered with a grin, her smile growing wider.

“So… what’s got you smiling like that?”

“Pack up your things. I found a school that’s willing to accept you!” she squealed, clasping her hands together in excitement.

“But I thought no school is willing to accept me?” I asked, surprised.

“Well, it’s not in our town. It’s in a town called Velmora,” she replied.

“Velmora? What kind of town is that?” I asked, frowning in confusion.

“You don’t need to ask questions, Aria. Just pack your things. You’ll figure everything out once you get there,” she said with a mysterious smile.

“You mean right now? I should pack right now?” I asked, raising a brow.

“Yes. We’ll hit the road once you’re done packing.”

“What’s with the rush, Mom? I can go tomorrow… or the day after. Or even next month,” I said, pouting.

“Do you want to see me angry?” she asked, straight-faced.

I groaned and began packing, and just like she said, we hit the road as soon as I was ready.

“You’re going to love Eclipse Academy. It’s a great school—so is Velmora,” she said, smiling as she drove.

“You sound way too excited about this. You’re sending me to some random boarding school without warning. How do you expect me to adjust there?” I asked, clearly annoyed.

“You’re a strong girl, Aria. You can fit in anywhere. And once you become part of Eclipse Academy, you might figure out who you really are,” she said softly, brushing her fingers through my silver-white hair—it’s been like that since I was born.

I stared at her as she drove to this mysterious place called Velmora. I couldn’t understand what she meant by "figuring out who I really am." What is there to figure out about myself?