A Fresh Start & Jocks
Liviana
That morning…
Leaning my head back against the headrest of my designated seat on the bus, I look out the window as it slowly drives through a small town in Colorado. Everything is white from last night’s snowfall, making the stores and trees look almost fake under the sunlight. Being sent away for my “inappropriate behavior” along with attending this university, is a fucking nightmare. All because I got caught having sex at an old abandoned church that we were partying in. Was I spiraling down a dark road filled with a toxic boyfriend and drugs? Yes, I was, but they didn’t need to send me across the damn country to this place. How they even found out I was there, is what I don’t understand. My mother won’t give me any answers and my father is just happy to be rid of me.
Sighing, I look out the window and take a deep breath, thinking how beautiful this place is and I need to stop being a whiney bitch. This is my fresh start. Maybe I’ll make some friends that aren’t fake cunts. As the bus drives up the winding hill, the Gothic style wooden gates of my new home come into view and a smile spreads across my face. I stare out with wide eyes as I take in the building hiding behind the gates. It’s breathtaking.
“Last stop is here!” The driver yells. I grab my backpack and head off the bus. The driver unlocks the door for the suitcases and I take mine and head for the gates. Walking along the sidewalk, I spot a guy in his car looking like he’s in distress. His eyes shoot open and collide with mine. Goosebumps litter my skin, under my black hoodie as we take each other in. There’s this electric pull and I can’t seem to look away from his blue eyes. I’ve never had this reaction to a guy, let alone just by a look. His eyes are so piercing, it’s almost frightening yet, more alluring than anything. He raises his brow just as some chick raises her head from his lap. Well, there goes the electricity, yet I still can’t look away. Even as he shoves her head down again, his eyes never leave mine, and seconds later, she comes up for air as she wipes her lips. I give him a look of disgust and take off for the wooden doors surrounded by what looks like the hockey team. Great, fucking hockey players. They whistle as I pass and one opens the door for me. I say thanks and keep it moving; to find where I can drop my stuff off, before heading for my first class in an hour. This place is expansive and so old looking. It’s borderline giving me the creeps with how different the air is up here beyond the gates. It’s so dense and cold, almost like I’ve walked into a whole different world.
Looking up at the tall castle-like building, I smash into someone, totally not paying attention as I walk.
“Excuse the fuck out of me.” Says a stunning tall blonde girl with the lightest blue eyes I’ve ever seen. Fuck.
“My bad.” I grunt, but she doesn’t even pay me any mind and keeps it moving. I gather my thoughts and try to figure out where the headmaster’s office is, so I can get the info to put my shit in the dorm room. A tap on my shoulder has me jumping. I don’t like people touching me, but I also need to get my shit together. No one knows me here. They don’t know the things I’ve done or love to do. Not even my parents. I spin and come face to face with another gorgeous girl with long black hair and deep blue eyes. Jesus, are all the girls here hot as fuck? She clears her throat, fixing her black and red skirt. Ugh, uniforms. Fuck my life.
“Hey, are you Liviana Jericho?” she asks, putting a hand on her hip.
“I am, you must be my tour guide?” I ask, and she nods.
“I’m Sydney Jacobs. I’ll show you to your dorm and give you the tea on this place,” she says, spinning and walking towards the building. Stepping inside, everything is decked out in red and white for Valentine’s Day. It literally looks like cupid threw up in this place.
“You guys must really like Valentine’s Day.” I say, rolling my eyes and she smirks, doing the same.
“St. Valentine’s University takes pride in celebrating this month. I personally can’t stand it. The jocks go out of their way to have numerous parties that make me want to hurl. The frats and sororities, which I’m a part of, throw parties as well, but it’s much different from the ones the hockey team does. But really, I think this month is a front for the dark shit that happens here. You will see soon enough. I’ve been here for a year already and last February a few students died and then some others went missing. So much shit happened, but we don’t speak about it. Just use your eyes and ears and keep that pretty mouth shut.” She says as she points out some of the lecture rooms as we walk past them. This school is absolutely breathtaking.
“You flirting with me, Syd?” I laugh and she shakes her head in embarrassment.
“Just stating facts babe.” She laughs as we make it to the cafeteria.
“If you are awake early enough, you can sit with me and my sorority sisters for breakfast.” She offers as a girl comes out. She looks me up and down before looking at Syd.
“Liviana, this is my sorority sister, Kendall. Kendall, this is the new girl Liviana.” She says with a smile and Kendall grabs me, pulling me into a hug.
“Hey there, Darlin. How do you like it so far?” She asks, still holding onto my hand.
“Umm, it’s okay so far.” I say just as the bell rings.
“You’ll get used to it. Stick with us though. These other bitches ain’t shit.” She giggles then takes off down the hallway blowing us a kiss.
“Sorry, she’s a—I guess you can say bubbly.” She laughs and I nod, smiling back. “Let’s take you to your dorm, so you can get settled and changed for class. If you are seen with street clothes on, or any alterations to your uniform, it’s an infraction. Some are worth it, but most are not.” She informs me as I take it all in. I need a fucking nap already.
“Umm, do you have my schedule by any chance?” I ask as my cell vibrates in my jeans. I roll my eyes because it could only be one person. My mother.
“I do, and your room key. If you ever want to pledge for Xi Phi Delta, there’s openings next week and we have a shit ton of rooms there.” She informs me while handing over my keys and schedule along with a map.
“I’ll keep that in mind. Thank you.” I say as we continue through the school. She takes me to my dorm and stands outside my door, waiting for me to change into my uniform so she can show me to my first class. Here goes nothing.
Getting into my dorm hours later, I plop on my bed and take a minute to catch my breath. I’ve never been to a school like this before and I wonder how much I could actually get away with here, especially with the run-in I had with that one guy. Why does he intrigue me so much? A yawn escapes my mouth. I think it’s time for a nap before I meet up with Syd for dinner.
Turning my alarms on, I place my phone on the nightstand and roll over. Closing my eyes, I think of Hayes and the look on his face when I called him Henry.
