Chapter 1
Sydney
Present Day…
Sitting in the cafeteria with my headphones on, I begin to close my eyes as I listen to the music, when the sudden feeling of someone pushing my headphones off causes me to jump. Turning quickly, I look to see Liv and Zova behind me.
“Hey babes, sorry about that. I never saw you guys walk up.” I say with a small laugh.
“Yeah no shit, you were zoned out with those on your ears and your music probably on full blast.” She points to my headphones and rolls her eyes while Zova just laughs. Pulling out my phone, I pause my music and look back at them before shoving my headphones into my bag.
“Obviously, something has to drown out the noise in here.” I shoot back. Looking specifically at the hockey table, all the guys are always loud and rambunctious. My eyes catch Parker meeting my stare and I quickly turn away. This fucking guy.
“I don’t think they know the meaning of the word quiet.” Liv replies, rolling her eyes. Zova is just giving fucking heart eyes to Ezran, but they are pretty cute together so whatever makes her happy.
The sorority girls normally always sit at the same table for lunch. We try and keep each other filled in on the latest bullshit happening around the school. There are ghost stories I’ve heard about since day one of being here. You’ll catch the light flickering or some weird shit like that, they say it’s the spirits of a bunch of murdered wives haunting the grounds. It’s intriguing, really. Spooky too.
Finishing up my food, I tell the girls bye as I get up and walk to dump my trash. Before I can walk out of the cafeteria doors, a strong hand grabs my arm and spins me around. Looking up and seeing Parker standing in front of me, I let out a frustrated sigh and try to pull out of his grip. By the shit eating grin he’s wearing, I can see it does no good. It only eggs him on as his tattooed hand just tightens around my arm.
“Can I help you?” I roll my eyes and look up at him, hoping the look on my face shows how uninterested I am.
“Actually yeah. Ever since the maze party last night, you’ve done everything in your power to avoid me. You're done ignoring me Sydney!” He says, his face all serious now with those deep emerald eyes boring into mine.
“I’m not sure what you want me to say. I was drunk. We hooked up. End of story. Fun times. Now let me go, Mr. Vega doesn’t like when we’re late.” I rip free from his grip and turn my back to him. He laughs, but not a casual laugh, it was one of those crazy laughs, you know? Looking over my shoulder at him, a sinister smile plays on his lips. The kind of smile that sent a shiver down my spine.
“I’ll see you in class, Syd.” He says, almost in a taunting way. Then just turns and walks back towards his table and teammates.
Walking into the classroom, I sit in my normal seat in the middle of the room. After a few minutes, the rest of the class starts piling in. Parker walks into the room and comes up to the seat next to mine. He sits on top of the desk and looks over at me. Did he not get the hint?
“Like I said, I’m not going anywhere.” He says, that same sinister grin playing at his lips right as Mr. Vega walks in and pins him with a glare.
“Get off my desk. There’s a chair there for a reason, Vance. Use it.” Mr. Vega spits out.
Holding in my laughter, I look down at the desk while Mr. Vega goes on about the class. As I sit here trying to listen to everything he’s saying, Parker won’t stop clearing his throat next to me, trying to get my attention. Pinning him with a stare, he raises a brow at me and I turn back to the front. I am not getting infractions because of him.
Once class is finally over, I walk out of the room and on to my next class. Walking through the halls, I cringe as they’re lined with all the Valentine's Day crap. Red, pink and white hearts cover the walls, streamers hanging from the ceiling. They go all out. I literally cannot with all this lovey shit. They celebrate Valentines all month long here and something always goes down at this school during the month of February. I just mind my business and do what my adopted parents want me to do. Mom always says the same shit when I ask her about what goes on at the school on a deeper level.
“Just keep your head down Sydney and don’t worry about what happens in the halls or other places at that school. You won’t like anything you find.”
That obviously only piqued my interest more. Call it curiosity or just wanting all the facts, but I needed to know. Before my parents adopted me, I went through some dark shit. And there’s definitely some dark energy lingering in this school.
Going through my next few classes should be a breeze. I just need to get through my nursing classes. I know what I’m doing when I leave here and these will just help me get exactly where I need to be. I’ve only been here a year but I’m not a big ‘people person’. The only friends I have are the girls at Xi Phi Delta, the sorority I’m in, if you even want to call them friends. It’s mainly a big house of women where we’re forced to be friendly, but not really friends. Liv and Zova are my best friends. The main reason I’m even in this sorority is because my parents are like royalty at this school. They are part of that ‘old money’ that funds the university. The worst part about the sorority is that most of the girls here are seeing guys on the hockey team, which means Parker tags along with them, probably just to annoy me.
Finishing up my classes for the day, I head towards the sorority house. Ready to get this stupid uniform skirt off. I’ll never understand uniforms but if we get caught in street clothes at school, we get an infraction. Always some dumb rule. Walking up to my room and gathering my things for a shower, my phone buzzes. Pulling it from my bag and looking at the screen, I see it’s from the one person that never fails to keep in touch with me.
Raven: Hey babe, how’s school? Still liking it there?
Me: Meh, can’t complain. This is where the parents wanted me to go. So just doing my part until I can leave. How’s everyone there?
Raven: We’re good. Same old job, different day. Me and Eddie were talking about you today and I just wanted to check in.
Me: All good. Tell the old man hi for me.
Raven: Will do, kiddo. Text me anytime. Remember, when you’re ready to come back, there will always be a place for you here.
Me: I know, thanks Raven! Give the guys hell babe.
Raven: Always do lmfao.
Laughing and closing the thread, I put my phone on the charger, grab some clothes and go into my bathroom. The sorority oozes wealth, a clear reflection of the deep pockets of the families here. Me and Zova are the only ones that have our own room with a huge en suite bathroom. The rest of the girls wanted a roommate. With as many girls that live here and their guy friends in and out, I’m definitely glad I have my own room and bathroom. Fuck sharing, and I’ll be damned if I listen to someone have sex beside me. After having to deal with people throughout the day at school, I just want to be in my own space when I can.