The Girl With The Scholarship

The Invitation

Lena stood in the lobby of West Wing Hall, feeling the smooth fabric of her dress beneath her fingers as she tried to keep her nerves in check. The evening air was cooler than she expected, slipping through the open door and sending a shiver up her spine. She was early, and the quietness of the lobby made the wait all the more unsettling.

She glanced at her reflection in the glass of the entrance door, checking her appearance one last time. Her dark hair framed her face perfectly, the waves catching the light in a way that made her emerald eyes stand out even more. The dress she had chosen—simple yet flattering—hugged her figure in a way that felt both elegant and daring. It wasn't overdone, but it was enough to make her feel confident, even in the face of uncertainty.

The sound of footsteps on the marble floor caught her attention, and she turned to see Emma approaching, her usual entourage in tow. Emma's blonde hair was styled in loose curls, and she wore a dress that looked like it came straight off a runway. Sabrina and Claire were equally glamorous, their laughter echoing softly in the empty space.

"Lena, you look amazing," Emma said as she reached her, her voice smooth but lacking genuine warmth. "Doesn't she, girls?"

"Stunning," Sabrina added, though her smile didn't quite reach her eyes.

"Definitely," Claire agreed, her gaze flicking over Lena's dress with a mixture of approval and something else—something almost predatory.

Lena forced a smile, unsure how to respond. "Thanks. You all look great, too."

Emma nodded, her eyes glinting with something Lena couldn't quite place. "Ready to go? Alex's place isn't far. We'll walk."

"Sure," Lena replied, falling into step beside them as they headed out into the cool evening.

The walk to Alex Kensington's place was filled with idle chatter, mostly between Emma, Sabrina, and Claire, who seemed to effortlessly switch from one shallow topic to the next—fashion, upcoming parties, and the latest gossip about their classmates. Lena tried to contribute when she could, but mostly, she listened, trying to pick up on the unspoken rules of their world.

The streets of Manhattan buzzed with life, the city's energy vibrating in the air around them. But as they moved away from the main roads, the noise faded, replaced by the quieter hum of more exclusive neighborhoods. The buildings here were older, stately, with iron gates and manicured gardens that spoke of old money and generations of wealth.

When they arrived at Alex's townhouse, Lena couldn't help but be impressed. The building was tall and imposing, with a façade of dark brick and large windows that hinted at the luxury within. Emma didn't hesitate as she pushed open the wrought-iron gate and led them up the steps to the massive front door.

She rang the bell, and almost immediately, the door swung open to reveal a tall, broad-shouldered boy with tousled dark hair and strikingly sharp features. His blue eyes gleamed with a mixture of arrogance and something darker as he looked them over, lingering on Lena for just a moment longer than the others.

"Emma," he greeted her with a crooked smile, his voice smooth as silk. "And the gang. Glad you could make it."

"Wouldn't miss it," Emma replied, her tone flirtatious as she stepped inside.

The others followed, but Lena hesitated on the threshold. There was something about Alex that set off alarm bells in her mind. His smile was too easy, his eyes too cold. But before she could dwell on it, Alex's gaze locked onto hers, and his smile widened.

"You must be Lena," he said, his voice dropping slightly as he held out a hand to her.

"Yeah," she replied, shaking his hand, though his grip was firmer than she expected, almost as if he was testing her. "Nice to meet you, Alex."