Sins of the Past

Chapter 6

Diana.

On Monday, Chiara Berardi finally showed up at college.

Over the course of the next week, she managed to find herself some friends who kept dragging her around with them. It's strange, considering she used to always walk alone with her sketchbook, paying no attention to friends or boys.

She's like the Snow Queen, her heart colder than the icebergs in Antarctica.

I'm on my way to the garden when I spot her blonde hair. I wave, greeting her. She nods emotionlessly but still raises her hand to mimic my gesture. Then, without a word, she turns and walks toward the bench where three other girls are sitting. One of them is Anita Berardi, her younger sister. The other two are her best friends, or so Silvia told me. Silvia also said she hates them just as much as she hates half the college. Honestly, I can't figure out why she so openly despises everyone, especially those who adore her. The ones who practically fall to their knees for her.

Yesterday was different, though. A girl Seth was with slapped her across the face. It was brutal, and almost no one was around to take a picture. Honestly, I would've saved that scene on my phone. I love Sil, but most of the time, she's a total bitch.

Two huge hands drop onto my shoulders, and my view is blocked by Mikael. He twists his arms in some strange gesture, greeting me. I turn my head, craning my neck, already knowing it's the most playful guy I've ever met—and one of the ten most mischievous people in this elite college.

"Good afternoon, my dear Diana."

I smile, unable to resist his radiant face. I've noticed Mikael only talks to Isaac, and that's probably because they've known each other since school. Matthias is almost identical to Leon. If I'm lucky, I only see the two of them during the 45-minute lunch break.

"Our king wants to see you."

"Does he know you call him that?"

"He doesn't need to know to love us."

Mikael snorts, almost choking on his spit.

"I don't consider him a king, so I don't know what you're talking about. Check your messages and reply to me, please," he says, stroking the faint beard he's been growing. If we were closer, I'd tell him he doesn't suit a beard and looks better with smooth, pale skin.

"Isaac, tell your king that if he wants to talk, he can come here himself."

"The king wants to speak with you in person," he says, brushing imaginary dirt off his clothes and winking at me. "Honestly, I'd rather not watch him screw someone."

My cheeks flush at his words, shocked at how casually he says such things. It's like a joke or game to him. If Isaac treats his future girlfriend as indifferently, I'll feel sorry for her.

"Where is he?"

"In the art room. He goes there just to avoid all this chaos."

"I didn't ask why he goes there."

"But you're curious."

Chiara signed up for the art room so she could visit it whenever she wanted.

A few days ago, I saw her going in there, and Leon followed shortly after.

I don't think there could be anything between them. Chiara despises men after what her ex-boyfriend did to her. Nobody knows the full story, but everyone knows he died after they broke up. Or maybe she broke up with him...

"Not curious. Just tell him I have a phone, and he can text me."

"I don't think you should anger him."