Sinister Valentine (St. Valentine)

2. A Fresh Start & Jocks

A Fresh Start & Jocks

Liviana

Leaning my head back against the headrest of my designated seat on the bus, I look out the window as it slowly drives through a small town in Colorado. Everything is white from last night’s snowfall making the stores and trees look almost fake under the sunlight.

Being sent away for my “inappropriate behavior” wasn’t easy. I ran for two weeks until my father brought me back kicking and screaming. Being forced to attend this academy is a fucking nightmare, all because I got caught having sex at an old abandoned church that we were partying in. Was I spiraling down a dark road filled with a toxic boyfriend and drugs? Yes, I was, but they didn’t need to send me across the damn country to this place. Being in the mountains with all this snow is breathtaking as the bus drives up the winding hill to the gothic style wooden gates of my new home.

“Last stop is here!” The driver yells. I grab my backpack and head off the bus. The driver unlocks the door for the suitcases and I take mine and head for the gates. Walking along the sidewalk, I spot a guy in his car looking like he’s in distress. His eyes shoot open and collide with mine. Goosebumps litter my skin under my black hoodie as we take each other in. There’s this electric pull and I can’t seem to look away from his blue eyes. I’ve never had this reaction to a guy, let alone just by a look. His eyes are so piercing it’s almost frightening yet more alluring than anything.

He raises his brow just as some chick raises her head from his lap. Well, there goes the electricity, yet I still can’t look away. Even as he shoves her head down again, his eyes never leave mine, and seconds later, she comes up for air as she wipes her lips. I give him a look of disgust and take off for the wooden doors surrounded by what looks like the hockey team. Great, fucking hockey players.

They whistle as I pass and one opens the door for me. I say thanks and keep it moving to find where I can drop my stuff off before heading for my first class in an hour. This place is expansive and so old looking. It's borderline giving me the creeps with how different the air is up here beyond the gates. It’s so dense and cold, almost like I’ve walked into a whole different world.

Looking up at the tall castle-like building, I smash into someone, totally not paying attention as I walk.

“Excuse the fuck out of me.” Says a stunning tall blonde girl with the lightest blue eyes I’ve ever seen. Fuck.

“My bad.” I grunt, but she doesn't even pay me any mind and keeps it moving. I gather my thoughts and try to figure out where the headmaster's office is so I can get the info to put my shit in the dorm room. A tap on my shoulder has me jumping. I don’t like people touching me, but I also need to get my shit together. No one knows me here. They don’t know the things I’ve done or love to do. Not even my parents. I spin and come face to face with another gorgeous girl with long black hair and deep blue eyes. Jesus, are all the girls here hot as fuck? She clears her throat, fixing her black and red skirt. Ugh, uniforms. Fuck my life.

“Hey, are you Liviana Jericho?” she asks, putting a hand on her hip.

“I am, you must be my tour guide?” I ask, and she nods.

“I’m Sydney Jacobs. I’ll show you to your dorm and give you the tea on this place,” she says, spinning and walking towards the building. Stepping inside, everything is decked out in red and white for Valentine’s Day. It literally looks like cupid threw up in this place.

“You guys must really like Valentine’s Day.” I say, rolling my eyes and she smirks, doing the same.

“St. Valentines takes pride in celebrating this month. I personally can’t stand it. The jocks go out of their way to have numerous parties that make me want to hurl. The frats and sororities, which I’m a part of, throw parties as well, but it's much different from the ones the hockey team does. But really, I think this month is a front for the dark shit that happens here. You will see soon enough. I’ve been here for a year already and last February a few students died and then some others went missing. So much shit happened, but we don’t speak about it. Just use your eyes and ears. Keep that pretty mouth shut.” She says as she points out some of the lecture rooms as we walk past them. This school is huge and absolutely breathtaking. It's like a fucking castle.

“You flirting with me, Syd?” I laugh and she shakes her head in embarrassment.

“Just stating facts babe.” She laughs as we make it to the cafeteria.

“If you are awake early enough, you can sit with me and my sorority sisters for breakfast.” She offers as a girl comes out. She looks me up and down before looking at Syd.

“Liviana, this is my roommate, Zovalee. Zova, this is the new girl Liviana.” She says with a smile. I can’t help but stare into her eyes. One ishoney brown and the other islight green.

“Hey.” I say just as the bell rings, signaling Zova to take off down the hall.

“Sorry, she’s a little quiet. She will warm up to you." She reassures me and I nod.

“Let's take you to your dorm so you can get settled and changed for class. If you are seen with street clothes on, or any alterations to your uniform, it's an infraction. Some are worth it, but most are not.” She informs me as I take it all in. I need a fucking nap already.

“Umm, do you have my schedule by any chance?” I ask as my cell vibrates in my jeans. I roll my eyes because it could only be one person. My mother.

“I do, and your room key. If you ever want to pledge for Xi Phi Delta, there’s openings next week and we have a shit ton of rooms there.” She informs me while handing over my keys and schedule along with a map.

“I’ll keep that in mind. Thank you.” I say as we continue through the school. She takes me to my dorm and stands outside my door, waiting for me to change into my uniform so she can show me to my first class. Here goes nothing.

Getting into my dorm hours later, I plop on my bed and take a minute to catch my breath. I’ve never been to a school like this before and I wonder how much I could actually get away with here, especially with the run-in I had with that one guy. Why does he intrigue me so much? A yawn escapes my mouth. I think it's time for a nap before I meet up with Syd for dinner.

Turning my alarms on, I place my phone on the nightstand and roll over. Closing my eyes, I think of Hayes and the look on his face when I called him Henry.