Our different worlds

Real Kingsford Experience

Inside the dorms, I was still adjusting to everything-the smells, the people, the sense of mystery about this whole place-when Julia and Maeve nudged me toward the door with this look of excitement.

"Come on," Julia grinned, "time to see something special."

They led me outside, through the trees, and into a part of campus that looked like no one else even knew it existed. After weaving through a small forested area, we finally arrived at an enormous oak tree, with a wooden staircase spiraling up its trunk. High in the branches, I could just make out a massive treehouse. And by massive, I mean a full-on wooden mansion in the sky.

"Are you serious?" I asked, my mouth open. This wasn't just a place kids threw together with a hammer and some nails. The woodwork was intricate, and I could see glass windows reflecting the sunlight. "Who built this?"

"Friends with resources," Maeve said with a wink. "Welcome to our hideout."

Inside, the space was unbelievable. Low, plush couches filled the main room, and off to one side was a mini kitchen with a small fridge and stovetop. A balcony extended from one end, complete with a grill, and a bed was tucked into one corner, piled high with blankets and pillows. It was like a retreat-somewhere to escape the prying eyes of Kingsford.

"Whoa," I breathed, feeling like I'd just stepped into some kind of secret club. I could already tell this place held a lot of stories.

Dan chuckled from one of the couches. "Guessing you're impressed? We practically live here sometimes."

Just as I settled in, the door creaked open, and in walked a girl with a soft, almost hesitant presence. She had dark hair, and she seemed to shrink into herself as she entered, casting her gaze downward.

"Amelia!" Thomas waved her over, flashing a grin. "Come meet Evelyn. She's new."

I smiled, stepping forward. "Hey, Amelia. Nice to meet you."

Amelia's face lit up a little, and she offered a shy smile back. "Hi, Evelyn. Welcome," she said softly, her voice almost lost in the room's warm buzz. There was something incredibly sweet and genuine about her, a softness that made me instantly want to make her feel comfortable.

But then the door flung open again, and the energy in the room changed. A guy strolled in, loud and confident, with an easy grin. Dan's face lit up as he called out, "Look who finally decided to join us-James!"

James was tall, self-assured, and had this air of cockiness that immediately made him stand out. He caught sight of me almost instantly, and his eyes swept over me in a way that felt both thrilling and slightly unnerving. His gaze was intense, and for a second, I wasn't sure if I should look away or hold my ground. I took a half-step back, and he smirked, clearly amused.

"And who do we have here?" he asked, still eyeing me with a hint of mischief.

"Evelyn, meet James," Dan said with a smirk of his own. "Our resident football star and self-proclaimed heartthrob."

James grinned, giving me a nod. "Pleasure to meet you, Evelyn."

Before I could respond, the door creaked again, and in walked a blonde girl dressed head-to-toe in pink-a fitted jacket, matching skirt, the whole polished, high-fashion look. She barely glanced at anyone before sinking onto the couch with an air of complete ownership, crossing her legs and adjusting her skirt with a dramatic sigh.

It clicked. This was the golden girl I'd seen at the ceremony.

"Charlotte," Maeve said, crossing her arms, "you could at least say hi. We haven't seen you in two months."