All Chapters of Black Ridge Academy : Chapter 1 - Chapter 6

The gates of Blackridge Academy were taller than I expected.They loomed above me like something out of a story I wasn’t ready to be part of, all iron bars and sharp edges, cold and unwelcoming. Beyond them, the school was built on a dark part of an isolated boundary. Even the sky above it looked dull, like the place had drained the color out of everything.I tightened my grip on the strap of my bag and exhaled slowly.“Okay,” I muttered under my breath. “You’ve got this, Zara.”Except I didn’t feel like I did.A sleek black car pulled away behind me, leaving me alone at the entrance. No turning back now. My parents had already made that clear when they decided this school was my “fresh start.”Because nothing says fresh start like transferring to a school you’ve never heard of, filled with students who looked like they walked straight out of a magazine.I stepped forward, the gravel touching softly under my shoes as I passed through the gates. The moment I did, something shifted. I c

The bell rang again, sharper this time.Chairs scraped against the floor as students stood almost in unison, conversations picking up in low, controlled tones. It was nothing like the chaos I was used to. No shouting or rushing. Just quiet movement that somehow felt more intense.I stayed seated for a second longer, staring at the paper in front of me.Zara Ibrahim and Adrian Cole partnered.I exhaled slowly. “Meet after class.”His words replayed in my head, calm and certain like everything else about him.I glanced sideways. He was already standing.Of course he was.He picked up his bag in one smooth motion, not looking at me, not waiting, not hesitating. Just moving like everything around him would adjust accordingly.Students shifted slightly as he walked past them, creating space without making it obvious. No one stopped him. No one tried to talk to him.I watched him leave before I could stop myself. Then I stood up too. Ooh my gosh this is a bad idea.“Wow.” The voice came fr

By the time we left the library, the sun had shifted.Light shined through the tall windows in long slanted beams, stretching across the hallway floors like lines drawn on purpose. It made everything look sharper. More defined.Adrian didn’t say anything as we walked out. He didn’t even check if I was following. He just moved forward like he already knew I would. It was so annoying appnd somehow… accurate.I matched his pace anyway, adjusting my bag on my shoulder. Students passed us in small groups, their voices low. A few glanced our way.I exhaled slowly. “Do people here have anything better to do than stare?”“No,” Adrian said without looking at me.I blinked. “You’re serious?”“They’re observant.”“That’s one way to put it.”“They’re careful,” he added. That word lingered.I glanced at him. “Careful of you?”He didn’t answer immediately. Then, “Careful of consequences.”That was not better. “What consequences?” I pressed.He didn't answer but instead, he looked at me and sighed.