Chapter 1
Being pushed out of the car the door closes and I scream at back of the car leaving me, “Fuck you too!” Thankfully I landed on my half filled duffle. I was in the middle of nowhere. I’d run my mouth a few too many times and my uncle was done with me. Whatever, the abusive drunk man could go run off a cliff for all I cared.
Leggings shredded at the knees I stood shakily and brushed of my mini skirt. So much for trying to arrive decent, so much for first impressions.
I trugged about half a mile before I came to the collage. He couldn’t have waited two entire minutes to push me out? Growling at the gates ahead I realized they were so much bigger than I thought it’d be. I was tired, hungry and wobbling. I took my time finding the intercom and waved at the camera.
“Hello, Nim Jinnings.” The gate creaked open, it was almost dark now but there were a few students I could see walking around on the paths. They seemed normal, or what society deemed it to be.
A few jock types opened the giant doors for me to the main great hall building I was required to report to. “After you.” The taller one winked at me as if he didn’t see the blood dripping down my knee. I shook my head and my hair that i’m sure was all knotted up fall into my face. Long hair was a nuisance most of the time. But it was a part of me and something I had left from my mom.
The other jock elbowed his friend and they followed behind me. The building was huge so it didn’t surprise me that the entryway and hall inside were too.
I heard lots of voices ahead and apparently i’d interrupted dinner, it went quiet. The jock who’d winked now snickered at me and I rolled my eyes. Everyone turned towards me, the mingling crowd seemed amused. “I know I look like I just got off the runway, sue me.” The cheerleader bitches sneered or clutched their pearls. Some of the guys looked me over too well. I saw a sign for the office and stomped my boots towards it. Out of site the voices got louder.
‘Did you see her?!’ ‘Trash thinking they can come in here.’ ‘Someone call security.’ Said the voices. Whatever.
I knocked on the office door, no one was in of course. It was too late, but the lady i’d talked to said she’d hide my info packet under some chair. It took me two seconds to find it and to turn around. The party was in full swing again and I walked past ignoring them.
On the stairs back outside leaned against a column a guy fiddled with something and then looked up at me. I blinked a few times before I nodded to him and walked to the other side to look for a map in the packet. I tried to avoid looking at him because he was one of the most gorgeous men i’d ever seen.
Shuffling through the papers I found the map and studied it. He hadn’t moved. I tried to run my finger through my hair and tie it in a knot at least temporality. I needed my hair out of my face. It was no use and I groaned before dropping my hands back down.
I glanced over to the railing next to my stack of papers because a hair tie had appeared. What the… I stared at it for a moment before taping it once to see if I imagined it’s existence. I heard a slight snicker and looked up.
The gorgeous man watched me so I used the hair tie to pull my hair up and breathed deeply. “Thanks.” He nodded and went back to his task.
Noting the porch more thoroughly in the lamplight it was so peaceful out here. Opposite to the inside, I needed to get out of here. I hoisted my duffle back over my shoulder and stepped towards the stairs. Pausing at the top I glanced over to the man. “Nim.” I said to him. “Grayson.” He said I wasn’t sure if I even heard right.
He was trouble and it was of several kinds. Not everyone would be into a long scar across the face but it completed his entire look. He looked like old money, simple attire, brushed back gelled hair, long coat with cargo pants. Nothing flashy. The boots though, him with combat boots got to me. His eyes were icy blue, seemed to see right through me. Who was this guy?
I walked slower than I had in a long time, more like wobbled down the path. “Good thing no one is around to see this.” I grumbled. Ahead was the supposid dorms I wasn’t sure how it would go down since I was late. I didn’t usually make friends very fast.
“A building, fourth floor.” I repeated to myself. Finding it I realized the elevator didn’t work. This was about to be hell for me. “Nooo.” I leaned against the wall. I heard a door slam above me and started the slow climb.
Making it to the top there was literal cobwebs and dust bunnies everywhere. I’m basically in the attic! “Fuck this shit.” I pushed the door open and dropped my bag. There was a literal blanket on the floor next to a busted microwave.
“Better than my uncles place I guess...”
The hot water worked in the tiny shower that didn’t keep the water inside at all. I bet water dripped downstairs. Clean finally, I had to air dry and then finally got to lay down when I put my last clean clothes on. A giant t-shirt and shorts. I set my boot in front of the door and a pen on the window seal. At least i’d hear a thump if someone tried to ‘talk’ to me.
Cowboy style I used my duffle as a pillow and passed out.
Slamming doors woke me, I sat up quick and groaned. “Why…” The paperwork had said something about a tour today. I still wasn’t recharged enough to tromp around all day without wobbling. They’d have to accept my disappearance at some point in the day.
