Stained

Chapter 1

I stand here, before my new college, trying and failing to feel the happiness everyone has expressed for me ever since I told them I got accepted.

Nocturn Garme sixth form college. The highest-ranked college in all of UK. I had applied in my final year of high school. When I attended the interview they reassured me they would consider my circumstances and accept me.

They lied.

To be honest, the only reason I even applied — whilst studying in my first year of a mediocre college that accepted practically everyone — before the new academic year was because I knew I would get in. I just wanted to feel the pleasure of them accepting me and then denying them as they had done me.

It was petty. I know. And pointless. Not to mention, ridiculous. My rejection wouldn't harm them. They wouldn't spare me a second thought. Unless I was valedictorian — but that policy doesn't exist in the UK.

Even then, I highly doubt they would have cared.

I didn't either, until I held the acceptance letter between trembling fingers and realised how crucial the college would be in me getting into my dream university.

So now, here I stand, across the road from the huge, beautiful historic building, willing the happiness to seep in, preferably before my high school friend — soon-to-be college friend, arrives.

Or perhaps, it's my nerves. I mean, once again I'm going to have to figure my way around. Get to know new teachers. Familiarise them with my struggles. Figure out my schedule. Best places to eat. Who to hang around with? And so much more my mind hasn't comprehended yet.

I will get lost, often.

New people.

Though a few of my friends from high school already attend the college, so that's nice.

I will have a new timetable. New lunch staff. New—

I'm so lost in my thoughts, that I don't see Kenzie standing before me until she is tugging out my headphones from my ears and pulling me in for a hug.

"Hiya gorgeous, I missed you," she squeals in my ear before pulling me back by my shoulders, a big smile plastered on her slender, glossy lips as she looks me over.

I return her smile with a slight tilt to my head. "I missed you too, beautiful."

All of a sudden, a loud car honk pierces through the air, startling me. Instinctively, my eyes fly toward the source. In a black, slightly beat-up Corsa, two guys are staring at us.

Oh wow. Guys have the energy at eight in the morning to annoy girls here? I'm ashamed to admit I'm surprised. This never happened at my old college.

Kenzie rolls her eyes and shouts over her shoulder, "I'm coming!"

My eyebrows jump on my forehead. Does she know them?

"My brother and his friend agreed to take us to that new drink spot drive-thru called Flavourville to get a drink before college..." she nervously trails off. "Please come."

Another ear-splitting honk rips through the air and I startle once again.

I'm already nervous and panicky as it is, the loud noises are making it worse.

Kenzie cups her hands over her mouth and screams, "One minute Kyron!"

Turning back to me, she tightens her grip on my shoulders and pleads in a cute little voice, "Please!"