Chapter 1
THE NEW GIRL
Emma stood in front of the mirror, adjusting the strap of her bag over her shoulder.
Today was her first day at Crescent Heights College.
New city.
New college.
New people.
A completely new beginning.
She took one last look at herself in the mirror. Her long blonde hair fell naturally around her shoulders, framing her soft features. Her bright blue eyes gave her an innocent, almost gentle appearance, and there was something calm about her presence that made her seem approachable.
She wasn't trying to stand out.
In fact, Emma had no intention of standing out at all.
She simply wanted to finish college, earn her degree, get a good job, and build a quiet life.
That was all.
"Emma?" her mother called from downstairs. "Are you ready?"
"Coming!"
Emma grabbed her bag and hurried downstairs.
Her parents were waiting in the living room.
Her father looked at her with a small smile.
"First day at Crescent Heights."
Emma smiled nervously. "Yeah."
Her mother walked over and straightened the collar of Emma's shirt.
"Just remember what we talked about."
Emma sighed playfully. "Mom..."
"I'm serious."
Her father chuckled.
Her mother continued, "We've just moved here because of your father's transfer. Everything is new for all of us. We don't know many people yet."
Emma nodded.
"We're hoping this city will give us some peace," her father added. "Your mother and I have work to focus on, and you have college."
"I know."
"Stay focused on your studies," her mother said. "Make good friends. Stay away from unnecessary drama."
Emma smiled.
"Don't worry. I'm not looking for drama."
Her father raised an eyebrow.
"Good. Because our goal is simple. You finish your degree, get a good job, and start building your own life."
Emma smiled warmly.
"That's exactly what I want."
And she meant it.
Because after transferring from her previous college, Emma had worked hard to make sure her credits counted toward her new program. Thanks to the credits she had earned, she wouldn't have to start over as a freshman.
She would officially enter Crescent Heights College as a sophomore.
A fresh start.
A second year.
A chance to move forward.
Emma hugged her parents.
"I'll be fine."
Her mother smiled.
"Call us when you get there."
"I will."
Emma walked outside.
She had no idea that her quiet little plan was about to become impossible.
Crescent Heights College
The moment Emma stepped onto campus, she stopped.
The college was enormous.
Beautiful buildings surrounded a wide courtyard filled with students. Groups of friends stood around talking, laughing, and rushing between classes.
Emma tightened her grip on her bag.
"Okay, Emma. You can do this."
She took a deep breath and started walking.
She had barely made it across the courtyard when—
BUMP!
"Oh!"
Emma stumbled backward.
"I'm so sorry!"
A girl with curly brown hair and enormous glasses quickly grabbed Emma's arm.
"Are you okay?"
Emma nodded.
"Yeah. I'm fine."
The girl smiled.
"Good. Because I nearly killed you on your first day."
Emma laughed.
"I'm Emma."
"Stacy."
They shook hands.
"Transfer student?" Stacy asked.
Emma nodded. "Sophomore."
Stacy's eyes widened.
"Oh! Then you definitely need a tour."
"A tour?"
"Absolutely. This place is huge. If you don't know where you're going, you'll spend your entire first week wandering around like a lost tourist."
Emma laughed.
"Okay. I'll take the tour."
"Perfect. Come on."
Stacy immediately began walking.
"And that's the student center. Over there is the library. That's the cafeteria, and—"
Emma listened carefully as Stacy pointed out different buildings.
Then suddenly, Stacy stopped.
Emma nearly walked into her.
"What?"
Stacy stared toward the opposite side of the courtyard.
Emma followed her gaze.
A group of guys were walking across campus.
They were laughing and talking among themselves, but one of them immediately caught Emma's attention.
A tall young man with dark hair walked confidently among his friends.
Emma stared.
There was something about him.
She didn't know what it was.
Maybe it was the way people seemed to notice him as he passed.
Maybe it was the confidence in his walk.
Or maybe it was simply because he seemed completely comfortable being the center of attention.
Emma didn't even realize she was staring until Stacy spoke.
"That's Ethan."
Emma blinked.
"Ethan?"
Stacy nodded.
"He's a junior."
"Junior?"
"Third year."
"Oh."
Stacy lowered her voice dramatically.
"And he's probably the most popular guy on campus."
Emma glanced at him again.
"Really?"
"Really."
Stacy started counting on her fingers.
"Smart. Rich. Handsome. Popular. His family is ridiculously wealthy. And apparently half the girls here have a crush on him."
Emma smiled awkwardly.
"I see."
"You'll see."
Before Emma could respond, another guy walked past them.
Stacy immediately pointed.
"And that's Jace".
Emma looked at him.
"Another popular guy?"
"Yep."
Stacy grinned.
"Those two are basically the male celebrities of this college."
Emma laughed.
"Male celebrities?"
"Don't laugh. I'm serious."
Stacy leaned closer.
"But Jace has something even more interesting."
"What?"
Stacy's expression suddenly became dramatic.
"He's Kylie's brother."
Emma frowned.
"Kylie?"
Stacy didn't answer.
Because at that exact moment, the courtyard seemed to change.
A group of students turned their heads.
Whispers began spreading.
Emma looked toward the entrance.
A girl was walking across the courtyard.
Her hair moved gently with every step as she walked confidently beside another girl.
She didn't hurry.
She didn't need to.
People moved out of her way.
Her posture was confident, her expression almost effortlessly arrogant, and she carried herself like she already knew that everyone was watching.
Beside her walked Raina.
Stacy sighed.
"And there she is."
Emma looked at her.
"Who?"
Stacy gave her a look.
"Kylie."
Emma watched as Kylie walked past.
Stacy lowered her voice.
"She's the most popular girl in Crescent Heights."
Emma looked back at Kylie.
"She seems... confident."
"That's one word for it."
Stacy adjusted her glasses.
"She's spoiled. Sassy. Mean. And her family is insanely rich."
Emma frowned slightly.
"How rich?"
Stacy gave her a look.
"Rich enough that she acts like she owns the college."
Emma glanced at Kylie again.
"Does she?"
"No."
Stacy paused.
"At least, technically."
Emma laughed.
Stacy continued.
"But everyone knows not to get on her bad side."
"Why?"
"Because she doesn't forget people who cross her."
Emma looked thoughtful.
Stacy pointed toward Kylie.
"Just stay away from her."
Emma smiled.
"I wasn't planning on getting involved with anyone."
"Good."
Stacy nodded approvingly.
"Keep it that way."
Emma watched Kylie disappear into the building with Raina.
Then she looked around the campus.
She had come here wanting one thing.
A quiet life.
Good grades.
A degree.
A job.
No drama.
No trouble.
No complicated relationships.
Emma smiled to herself.
"How hard could that be?"
She had absolutely no idea.
Because she had just entered Crescent Heights College.
And without knowing it...
She had just stepped into Kylie's world.
