Chapter 1
Norah’s P.O.V
“Where is the key… wh–where is it…?”
My hands tremble as I search frantically.
Sweat gathers in my palms.
Oh my God…
I have to do this.
My breathing grows heavier with every second.
“I should lock it… I should…”
Or else—
Suddenly, I feel something touch my shoulder.
“Nori…”
A distant voice.
“Nori… wake up.”
My eyelids feel too heavy to open.
Slowly, I blink.
The room begins to come into focus.
My ceiling.
My bed.
My blanket.
It was just a dream.
But sometimes… it feels far too real.
“It’s your first day, sweetie. Don’t be late.”
Mom’s voice echoes from the hallway.
Right.
Today is my first day of college.
A fresh start.
At least… that’s what I keep telling myself.
And I really shouldn’t mess it up.
Just as I sit up on my bed, Mom calls again.
“And if you’re willing to spare some time—”
“No, Mom!” I interrupt quickly. “I’m already late. I don’t think I can be any more helpful right now.”
“Okay then,” she replies casually. “I’ll just open your parcel.”
Parcel?
I have a parcel?!
“It’s okay! I can open it!” I shout, jumping out of bed and rushing toward the hall.
Mom raises an eyebrow as I reach her.
“Come to think of it… I can manage,” I say quickly, giving her an awkward smile while taking the parcel from her hands.
Mom simply shakes her head, clearly amused.
And just like that…
My mysterious morning parcel is finally in my hands.
Inside is a small folded note.
I open it slowly.
Hey annoying chip,
So now you’re a college girl, huh? Congrats on your scholarship.
Soon I’ll come there and catch you.
Before that, find me a cute chubby girl… and also beautiful. Not like you.
A small gift for your big day.
Yours dashingly handsome,
Darren.
A small laugh escapes me.
Darren.
My closest buddy.
Also a family friend.
He’s basically the fuel behind most of my stupid decisions.
It’s been a long time since we last met, though we still text.
Inside the parcel is a brown off-shoulder lace-up lantern sleeve blouse.
And a black mid-thigh skirt.
The skirt is a little too short for my comfort, so I grab a pair of beige tights.
White Converse.
Perfect.
Darren and I actually have the same taste. We’re basically partners in crime.
I grab the clothes and head for a quick shower.
After a few minutes, I change into my outfit.
Perfect fit.
I leave my hair down, letting it fall freely over my shoulders.
Tying it up always feels like a waste of time.
A little eyeliner.
Some lip gloss.
Finished.
Just as I’m putting on my Converse—
“HEY YOU…!”
Eva’s voice echoes from outside, followed by the honk of her car.
I grab my bag and rush out.
“Mom, I’m leaving! Bye!”
“Nori… you haven’t had your breakfast!” Mom shouts.
“It’s okay, Mom! I’ll grab something from the canteen or somewhere. Don’t worry!”
Eva is my closest friend.
It’s been only two years since we met.
But the day I met her…
was not a good day.
Two Years Ago
It was already dark, and the streets were almost empty.
I was walking home after my part-time shift when I heard shouting from the alley near the road.
At first, I tried to ignore it.
But the voices sounded wrong.
Angry.
Cruel.
When I looked closer, I saw a girl trapped between two men.
She looked terrified.
Her bag had fallen to the ground, and one of them was trying to grab her arm.
“Relax, princess,” one of them sneered.
“Your rich daddy isn’t here to save you.”
For a second, fear froze me.
But when I looked at that girl…
I saw myself.
And I promised myself something that day.
I would never let another girl walk through the hell I once walked through.
“HEY!”
My voice echoed through the alley.
All three of them turned toward me.
“What’s going on here?” I demanded, trying to sound braver than I felt.
One of the men laughed.
“None of your business.”
“Actually,” I said, pulling out my phone,
“it is. Because the police might find it interesting.”
I held the phone up like I was already recording.
They hesitated.
Then one of them cursed under his breath.
“Forget it. Let’s go.”
Within seconds, they disappeared into the darkness.
The alley fell silent.
The girl was still shaking.
Her expensive coat was slightly torn, and tears were running down her face.
Slowly, I picked up her bag and handed it to her.
“Are you okay?”
She nodded weakly.
“My driver… he left,” she whispered.
Her hands were trembling so badly she couldn’t even unlock her phone.
So I stayed with her.
I called her driver.
And I waited beside her until the car arrived.
Before getting in, she looked at me for a long moment.
“You saved me tonight.”
I shook my head.
“I just scared them a little.”
She smiled through her tears.
“I’m Eva.”
“Norah.”
She nodded slowly.
And somehow…
that terrible night became the beginning of our friendship.
“NORAH BLAKE… you look… uh…”
Eva narrows her eyes.
“That outfit is actually chic. Who are you trying to impress?”
“Ugh… maybe some of the hot guys in your college.”
Yep.
I’m going to Eva’s college.
I’m joining late because my scholarship just came through.
“Good luck with that,” she says, already knowing I’m not interested in that stuff.
“Grab tight, girl… here we go.”
And just like that…
we enter Ashford University.
Eva’s car slowly passes through the tall iron gates.
I lean toward the window, my eyes wandering across the campus.
The place is enormous.
Much bigger than I imagined.
Tall buildings stand proudly on both sides, their glass windows reflecting the soft morning sunlight.
Students are scattered across the pathways, walking in groups, laughing and talking like they completely belong here.
The gardens are perfectly maintained, with long rows of trees lining the road that leads deeper into the campus.
Everything looks…
polished.
Elegant.
Almost intimidating.
My fingers tighten slightly around my bag as I continue staring outside.
This doesn’t feel like a normal university.
It feels like stepping into a completely different world.
And somehow…
I have just entered it.
“Stop staring like that,” Eva suddenly says.
“You’ll scare the rich kids.”
I roll my eyes, but my gaze drifts back to the massive building ahead.
So this is it.
The place where my new life begins.
And I have no idea…
that somewhere in this university—
is the boy everyone warned me about.
