1. Zovalee
Chapter one
Zovalee
T hree Months Later...
I still can’t shake the feeling that my time here is limited, along with an overwhelming feeling of being watched, especially over the last six weeks. As much as I miss being home, I refuse to follow through on the bullshit that faces me there. I almost went back, then I met Ezran. Speaking of which, I roll over and pick up my phone, checking the time before getting up and heading to shower.
Standing in my mirror, I straighten out my uniform. I run my hands down the red and black plaid skirt and make sure my crisp white button-up shirt is tucked into my waistband. Throwing on the black vest, and matching red and black plaid tie, I pair them with knee high white stockings and all red and white Converse. At the time I applied, the mandatory uniform was the least of my worries. Grabbing my cell, over-the-shoulder bag, and blazer, I head out of my room for the stairs. Let’s see what breakfast will be today.
Leaving from the sorority, I take a moment before walking across the bridge. I can’t help but shiver. Even though the cold winter weather is still an adjustment for me, this place still causes my anxiety to flare. Many students have told a few different stories about it.
They say a group of rich and powerful men killed their wives so that they didn’t have to share any of their money with them. That the ghosts of those wives haunt these very grounds. Many have heard their screams while crossing the bridge. It really freaked me out the first few times, too.
The school was eerily quiet as I entered the building, walking down the overly decorated hallway. This school really loves Valentine’s Day. Not paying any attention, I bump into Syd. She’s one of my sorority sisters and one of the only people I trust here, well, trust enough while I bide my time attending this weird place.
“Liviana, this is my roomate, Zovalee. Zova, this is the new girl Liv,” she says with a smile. I look her up and down before landing on her eyes. A smokey gray color. Hmmm, interesting.There’s pain behind them. Taking off, I head into the cafe, grab a breakfast burrito and apple juice before turning to the empty table by the doors.
Sitting down, I take off my bag, unzip it and pull out my Grand-mère’s spicy sauce. Unwrapping my burrito, I uncap the bottle and smother it before taking a bite. I’m almost finished when my phone chimes, alerting me of a text.
E: Morning Babe
Me: Morning! I missed you last night.
E: You know I’m sorry, babe. Let me make it up to you tonight.
Me: Absolutely! What did you have in mind?
E: I’ll surprise you
Me: Okay. Congratulations on the win!
E: Thanks Babe. See you tonight.
Hearting the message, I sit my phone back down and finish eating. After I’ve finished, I gather everything up, walking over to the trash before heading out of the cafeteria to my first class of the day.
Just as I reach the law building, the hair on my arms stands. I feel the presence of eyes on me, watching me. I turn my head looking around, but not seeing anything that stands out. Shaking it off, I pull open the building door and walk in.
Walking into Ms. Thorne’s class, I wonder what kind of crazy shit we’ll be learning today. I swear some of the professors are fucking their students. I noticed a few of them paying extra close attention to a couple of the students.
My first week here, there was a rumor going around about a professor and his student. Nothing ever came of it and eventually people stopped mentioning it.
Heading to my seat, I watch as all the students begin filling the chairs before the professor walks in. She goes over what we are expected to work on. Today, she is giving a lecture on culture and crime.
Sitting in the back of the class, I can’t help but roll my eyes at her attempts to discuss it. I mean, how can you really teach a class like this if you’ve never even experienced a culture where crime plays a significant part?
Leaving class, I walk down the hall and head back toward the cafeteria. I can’t help but admire the school's decorations. They weren’t kidding when they said February is the month of celebration here. There are red, white, and pink streamers, banners, hearts, flyers, and more lining the walls, windows, and halls.
It’s honestly the most color I've seen around here since I arrived on campus. This place usually looks so grim and dull. It's nice to see a change, even if it's only temporary. It's been a crazy day so far and I have just a couple more classes to go.
Finally classes are over and I can head back to the house. Walking into my room, I set my bag down, remove my blazer and head over towards my bed. I immediately stop when I notice a purple box sitting in the middle of my bed. What the fuck is this shit? Who put this here?
Picking up the box, I slide the ribbon off, and open it to reveal a beautiful diamond fleur-de-lis necklace. Hm, that’s weird. I don’t remember telling anyone anything about home. Guess this is all a part of Ezran’s surprise he said he had planned. Maybe it's a coincidence. Clasping the necklace in place, I take a picture and send it to E.
Me: Thanks babe. I love it!
E: Uh, you're welcome?
Me: Was it not a part of your surprise?
E: Yeah babe. Of course it is. Glad you love it.
Me: What time should I be ready tonight?
E: Oh shit babe. I’m sorry. Raincheck?
Me: Again?
E: Yeah hockey shit came up.
Me: Okay, sure we can reschedule…
E: Thanks babe. I owe you.
Tossing my phone down and flopping on the bed, my emotions battle each other. He makes me so mad sometimes. I swear he loves that damn hockey team more than me. He wasn’t like this when I met him over the summer. We spent every day with each other. I lay there for a while before deciding on grabbing a snack from the kitchen and heading over to the library. Might as well get some work done.