Unholy Desire

Ch:3. Outsider

The University interior reeked of luxury just as impressive as the exterior. Marble floors, high ceilings, and elegant chandeliers created an atmosphere of old-world appeal and modern extravagance. Jade felt underdressed as girls wore more luxurious attire and Jade chose bleached jeans and a black blouse for the occasion. She noted as much as she could as people mingled around, and she moved through corridors.

Jade made her way to the main office to get her schedule and find her first class. As she navigated the labyrinth of hallways, she was relieved to see a familiar face. Alexander Harrington, a friend from her high school days, was walking toward her with a bright smile.

"Jade! I didn't expect to see you here," Alexander said, his eyes lighting up with genuine surprise and warmth.

Jade's face brightened at the sight of him. "Alex! I'm so glad to see you. This place is a bit overwhelming."

Alex chuckled. "Yeah, it can be a lot to take in. Let me show you around and introduce you to some people. You're going to need a guide."

They walked through the corridors, and Alexander's friendly demeanor helped ease Jade's nerves. He introduced her to a few of his friends, who welcomed her with polite smiles and friendly chatter.

As they approached the cafeteria, Alex paused and gestured toward a group of students. "That's my usual lunch table. Feel free to join us later if you want. And if you need anything else, just let me know."

Jade felt grateful for the offer and gave him a relieved smile. "Thanks, Alex. I'll definitely take you up on that." The contrast between Alex and Elias was clear in her mind.

Just as she was about to head to class, she caught a glimpse of Elias across the hallway, surrounded by his friends, laughing and joking. He looked completely at ease, in stark contrast to Jade's own discomfort. The sight made her feel even more isolated, but she took a deep breath and headed toward her first class.

Jade entered her first class, a modern, sunlit classroom with large windows and high-tech amenities. As she took her seat, she tried to focus on the lesson, but her mind kept wandering. The new environment and her unsettling interactions with Elias left her feeling disoriented.

The teacher, Ms. Collins, was introducing the day's topic when a girl with a sleek blond ponytail and a designer outfit walked in late, followed by a few giggling friends. Jade recognized her as one of Elias's crowd from the morning. The girl glanced around, her eyes landing on Jade she seemed full of curiosity.

"Who's the new girl?" the girl whispered loudly to her friends, making sure Jade could hear. "Does she even know how to fit in here?"

Jade's face flushed, and she tried to focus on Ms. Collins, but the whispers continued. The girl, whose name Jade later learned was Veronica, was clearly popular and had a commanding presence. Her comments made Jade feel even more like an outsider.

The rest of the class felt like a blur. Jade struggled to keep up with the discussion and found herself retreating into her notes. The bell rang, signaling the end of the period, and Jade quickly gathered her things, eager to escape the judgmental stares.

In the hallway, Alex was waiting for her with a friendly smile. "How was your first class?"

"It was intense," Jade admitted, glancing around nervously. "Some of the students seemed a bit, well, unwelcoming, but I'm glad I have at least you." Her green eyes locked with his warm brown eyes.

Alex nodded sympathetically, lowering his gaze to the floor. "Yeah, it can be like that at first. But don't worry. It takes time to get used to the social scene here. Let me show you to your next class."