Rise of the Witch Queen

Freshman Orientation

Sometimes dreams feel like real life, and sometimes real life can feel like a dream. What feels like reality is convoluted at best. I learned that the hard way.

I'd always felt different, but when you're adopted, it's unavoidable. It wasn't as if my adoptive parents were terrible people, but they made sure that I knew I was their foster daughter and their biological daughter. Then a couple of months ago, they died, leaving me truly and utterly alone in this world. I had just turned eighteen, so I didn't have to go into foster care, but what little money my adoptive parents had left me would only last for so long. 

The only good thing about the last couple of months was the scholarship I received to study dance at Columbia University. I had been accepted to the program ages ago but was going to have to withdraw after the death of my adoptive parents when I received word that I had been awarded a full-ride scholarship, including room and board.

To be honest, Columbia hadn't been my number one choice, but this scholarship was the only way I could afford college and continue to dance. I knew it wasn't what my parents had wanted for me, but now that they were gone, I didn't see any other choice.

Struggling under the weight of my bags as I looked down at my map of the campus, trying to figure out exactly where I was supposed to be heading when I bumped headfirst into something tall and muscular. Grunting, I fell to the ground cursing under my breath.

"Oh, shit, my bad," A tall blonde god-like figure said, reaching down to help me up. At first, I couldn't quite make out his features with the sun in my eyes. I squinted to get a better look because there was no way he was as gorgeous as he had initially seemed.

"Thanks," I said, gratefully taking his hand and realizing that my initial impression of his perfection had been spot on. The moment our skin touched every nerve ending of mine lit up. My toes curled in my shoes, and my skin buzzed with electricity. Standing up quickly, I took my hand back, embarrassed. I had to fight the urge to wipe my hands on my jeans in an attempt to get rid of the extra energy his meer brief touch had caused. "Sorry," I mumbled, "Must be all the humidity." I forced myself to believe what I was telling him. It was the humidity that had caused this pulsing electricity between us.

He cocked his head, looking down at me as if really seeing me now "It's all good. Can I take one of those for you?" he grinned crookedly, and I felt my heart skip a beat. His hair was golden and tousled just enough to make him look slightly rugged, his features looked sharp enough to cut yourself on, and his eyes were so blue you could get lost at sea just looking into them.

"Umm, no, I think I'm alright, but if you could just point me in the direction of Freshman Orientation, that would be great" I blushed feeling completely flustered. This guy was not only the hottest thing since the big bang, but from the way he dressed to the way he carried himself, everything about him oozed old money.

"I insist," He said, taking both of my bags from me, leaving me with just my backpack and my stuffed bear in my arms. "Besides, I like helping out a fair damsel in distress," he winked.

"Whatever feeds your ego," I shrugged. Despite the instant attraction, I knew his type, and I wasn't interested. I hadn't clawed my way here to get distracted by a pretty boy who thought he was owed something. He probably thought that if he helped a pathetic freshman out with her bag, she would be at his beck and call ready to cater to his every whim for the rest of the year.

"So does this fair maiden have a name?" He asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Charlotte," I said stiffly. "Although my friends call me Charlie."

"Well, Charlie, my name is Luke. I'm a senior here at Columbia, so you lucked out. I'm the Alpha Delta Psi president and the captain of the lacrosse team, which means that not only can I buy you beer, but I am your ticket to the hottest parties around," He said as we arrived at what was clearly the freshman orientation check-in.