blossoms

chapter 4 unexpected encounters

The next morning, the golden rays of the sun bathed Sterling Academy in a warm glow, casting long shadows across the manicured lawns and ivy-clad stone walls. For most students, it was another ordinary day, but for Victoria Cross, the academy’s most admired student, it felt anything but. As she stepped through the iron gates, her mind buzzed with a cacophony of thoughts and emotions that she could barely keep in check.

Victoria had always prided herself on her composure. Her flawless appearance, with her perfectly pressed uniform and immaculate golden hair, made her the epitome of grace and poise. But today, something was different. Beneath her polished exterior, she felt a gnawing unease, a sense that her well-ordered world was about to tilt off its axis.

As she walked across the courtyard, her eyes scanned the familiar scene—the grand clock tower rising majestically in the distance, the clusters of students chatting and laughing, the whispers that seemed to follow her wherever she went. But today, her focus was on one person alone.

Jackson Reed.

He was impossible to miss, leaning casually against the stone wall that bordered the campus. His posture was relaxed, almost lazy, as if he had all the time in the world. His uniform was, as always, a study in disarray—his tie askew, the collar of his shirt slightly crumpled, and his blazer draped carelessly over one shoulder. His dark hair fell into his eyes in a way that would have driven most teachers to reprimand him, but somehow, Jackson managed to avoid any serious consequences. It was as if the rules bent around him, just like everything else at Sterling Academy.

As she approached him, Victoria could feel the weight of the other students' gazes. They were used to seeing her glide through the hallways with a regal air, her head held high, barely acknowledging anyone she deemed unworthy of her attention. But today was different. Today, she was walking directly toward Jackson, and everyone knew it.

The whispers started almost immediately, a soft murmur that rippled through the crowd like a gust of wind. Heads turned, and conversations faltered as people began to speculate on what could possibly bring the school’s golden girl and its notorious bad boy together.

Jackson noticed her approach, and his expression shifted from one of casual indifference to mild amusement. His eyes, a piercing shade of blue, locked onto hers, and Victoria felt a flicker of something she couldn’t quite place—irritation, perhaps, or maybe curiosity. He pushed off the wall and stood up straighter, though the smirk on his face remained.

“Well, well, if it isn’t Princess herself,” Jackson drawled, his voice dripping with sarcasm. “To what do I owe the honor? Decided to slum it with the commoners for a change?”

Victoria didn’t flinch, though her heart was pounding in her chest. She crossed her arms, adopting the stance she used whenever she needed to project authority. “We need to talk about the project,” she said, her tone as cool and steady as she could manage. “Meet me after school.”

Jackson’s smirk widened, and he tilted his head slightly, as if considering her words. “A project, huh? And here I thought you just couldn’t resist my charm,” he teased, his voice laced with mockery.

Victoria felt a flare of irritation but kept her composure. “Let’s make one thing clear, Jackson,” she said, her eyes narrowing. “I’m only working with you because I have to. This isn’t by choice.”

Jackson chuckled softly, the sound low and almost sinister. “Relax, Princess. I get it. You’re not exactly my first choice of company either. But if we’re stuck together, might as well make the most of it. Who knows? Maybe you’ll learn something.”

Victoria rolled her eyes, already regretting the conversation. “In your dreams, Jackson,” she muttered, turning on her heel before he could respond.