"You want to fight it, but every part of you is screaming for me."
At Ravenstone University, Charlotte Collins, an average student, struggles to keep up with the intense academic demands while grappling with the dark mysteries of the institution. Wi...
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Charlotte was late. It was her first class, and she was late. Panic surged through her as she frantically searched for her missing socks, cursing under her breath. Her stomach growled in protest-those pancakes Shera had given her the night before were tasteless, and she had thrown them away in frustration. Now, there was no time to grab even a bite, let alone take a bath. Grabbing her bag and slipping on her old, worn sneakers, she bolted out of the door, racing toward the main building where the chemistry department was housed.
As she sprinted across the silent campus, it struck her as strange how quiet everything was. On a Monday morning, every school and college Charlotte had ever attended buzzed with activity, yet Ravenstone was eerily still, as if the day had yet to begin. But it was already 5:15, and she was late. Her heart pounded in her chest as she finally found the classroom, panting heavily and shivering from a mix of nerves and the chilly morning air.
When she stepped inside, her breath caught in her throat. The classroom was filled with students who all turned to look at her, their faces impassive. At the front of the room stood a tall man, speaking to the class from the podium. Charlotte's stomach dropped as she realized this was Mr. Anderson, the chemistry teacher. She braced herself, expecting to be reprimanded in front of everyone, imagining the humiliation of being made to stand on the benches, balancing on one leg.
But instead, Mr. Anderson did something unexpected-he smiled. A genuine, warm smile. "Good morning, Charlotte," he said kindly. "Class, let's welcome our new student."
Charlotte stood there, stunned. The last thing she had expected was kindness. Mr. Anderson continued, "No one at Ravenstone is ever late to their classes, but as it's your first day, you're excused."
Relief washed over her, but it was quickly replaced by self-consciousness. She was still in her messy clothes, her hair in disarray, and those old sneakers that seemed out of place in the polished surroundings. As she scanned the room, she saw Shera sitting in the middle, smiling at her. But the class was packed, and the only available seat was next to Cillian.
Cillian was the most handsome guy in Ravenstone. He was perfect in everything-athletic, intelligent, and effortlessly charismatic. He was also the mayor's son, which only added to his almost mythic status among the students. Everyone at Ravenstone seemed to worship him, yet Cillian was a mystery. He never smiled or seemed friendly, always keeping a cold, distant demeanor.
With trembling feet, Charlotte made her way to the empty seat next to him. As she walked past, Lizzie, a girl known for her mischievous ways, stretched out her leg to trip her. But Charlotte, having experienced this countless times in her previous school, deftly avoided the trap. She smiled to herself, feeling a brief moment of triumph-only to immediately trip over her own feet and fall straight into Cillian's arms.
Her face flushed crimson with embarrassment. She quickly apologized, but Cillian's reaction was as cold as ever. He gave her a deadly, disgusted look, making Charlotte wish she could disappear. No one laughed, which somehow made the situation even worse. She hurried to her seat, feeling utterly humiliated.
