Chapter 2
Chapter Two
Ella
Empty - Chase Atlantic
F irst day of junior year. For some, it would be another year closer to the reality of the outside world.
For us? The real world doesn’t exist. There’s rich. There’s richer…and then there’s us. The Stoneview kids.
We’re raised in our billionaire district where no one cares how much your family earns because you wouldn’t even be able to approach if your bank account didn’t match ours. We are trust fund babies born with silver spoons in our mouths and diamonds around our necks. We grow up together, in our tightly knit circle of invincible peers. We attend Stoneview Prep from pre-school to senior year, and graduate with a special kind of honor: nepotism.
And then we move into the penthouses our parents arrange for us in Silver Falls—a decent-size city just over half an hour drive away from Stoneview—and that’s where the real fun begins. Silver Falls University.
Don’t get this wrong. We go to a more accessible city, where middle-class families can afford to live if they work hard. Where people from the nearby town can come to the mall and enjoy a day by the river. But SFU? It belongs to us.
Your average citizen can’t study here. Not everyone has access. This is our luxurious estate away from home. Sometimes it’s a good thing, and sometimes it makes you claustrophobic. Especially when everyone knows who you are.
“Ella! Wait!”
Point proven.
I slow down on my walk to the library. My friends are waiting for me there, but I’m not joining them to study, though, just picking them up. Studying is for the people who didn’t make it to the top of the food chain or those who like it. There’s no higher power than me among the SFU undergrad, and I’m too dumb to achieve anything with my brains—my father’s words—so the library isn’t exactly my go-to spot.
I tilt my head to the side as a tall girl with blonde pixie hair approaches me with flyers in her hands.
Marie… Mandy… M.M…
“Mindy!” I finally say with a bright smile on my face. “How are you? How’s GLC?”
She blushes when stopping in front of me, putting a strand of hair behind her ear. “You remember my name.”
“Of course I remember your name, silly.” I tap her shoulder playfully. “What’s up?”
“Well, GLC is organizing a huge back-to-school life-size game of Clue, and I was wondering if maybe you could attend?”
She hands me a flyer.
Gameboard Lovers Club invites you to solve a crime!
I rack my brain to find a valid excuse not to attend when I spot the date. I’ve got nothing against Mindy and her club. I just would rather be with my friends. The mask has to come off at some point, and I can’t exhaust myself being the queen bee every single moment of every day.
“Aw, Mindy. I’m sorry. I’m going to the Save Lives Today fundraiser that evening. They’re doing a night of first aid training.”
Her shoulders depleting makes guilt pinch my stomach, and my hand comes to scratch my upper right thigh through the material of my skirt.
“I’m really sorry. I can’t be everywhere at once. But here, let me help.” I pull my phone out of my bag, stand closer to her, and put the flyers next to both our heads.
“Smile!” I say cheerily.
Snapping a picture of us, I put it on my social media story.
Come solve a murder with @SFU_GameboardLC this Thursday night! *lips emoji*
“There you go.”
She looks down at me from her tall height to my short one. “Oh my god, Ella. Thank you so much. You’re the best.”
“No worries. I gotta go. Love you.”
I don’t even wait for her answer before striding through the hallway that leads to the library. The heels of my knee-high boots click against the marble floor as I enter, earning me a death stare from Mrs. Davis. As I walk past her counter, I send her a wink. That woman is too young to be so salty.
I know where my girls are sitting because no one would dare take the table we’ve declared as ours. Or theirs, I guess.
Jogging to them, I slap my hand on Alex’s book as I whisper excitedly, “I fucked Professor Reeves.”
Two pairs of eyes widen, both with shock, but one with proud mischief burning in her emerald gaze.
“Hell yes. He’s so hot,” Peach says, fanning her face dramatically.
“Oh my god, Ella.” The chastising comes from Alex, my shyer, more of a rule-follower friend. “You could get in so much trouble for this.”
“I know?—”
“Wait.” Peach puts her hand on mine. “Did you fuck him…or did he fuck you?”
“Peach,” Alex huffs. “Seriously?” She rubs her blonde hairline with the pad of her index finger a little too hard, bringing a pink tinge to her forehead. “This is so bad. Even for you, Ella. If this gets out…your popularity won’t save you. Reputation… poof .” She opens her hand in front of her face, mocking an explosion.
I roll my eyes, feigning nonchalance even though the only thing that makes me me is my popularity.
Tapping her fingers impatiently on the back of my hand, Peach insists. “Did you? Or did he?”
“If anyone finds out, he’ll get fired. You’ll get expelled. Imagine what your dad would say.”
My dad is the reason I ended up sleeping with my criminal justice professor for a grade that would save my spot in his class in my third year. If he hadn’t forced me to change my major from my passion to something I’ve never wanted to do in my life, I might not be in this situation right now. My dream was to get into Juilliard. I worked my ass off for it, attended Stoneview’s tough dance school, and put every single ounce of energy and passion I had into it. But I didn’t get in, and while my dad let me take dance for the first year at SFU, he deemed my dream too useless to keep going. Mid-year last year, he forced me to change major to something more useful . Goodbye dance, hello law.
“I know your little kinks,” Peach says with an eyebrow wiggle. “I know the kind of sex you like to have. I bet he fucked you, and you ate up whatever praise he dished out. That man must have hit the spot for your daddy issues.”
“ Peach .” Alex’s low hiss cuts through our friend’s elation as I’m about to burst out laughing. “This is serious.”
Peach pulls her hand back, tightens the high ponytail in which she gathered her deep red hair this morning, and tilts her head to the side.
“Was it hot? Was it good? Did he make you?—”
A narrowed stare from Alex makes Peach pinch her lips, but her delight in my naughty venture is still very much present.
It wasn’t the best sex of my life, but it was great. It felt better than asking my dad for a favor to keep me in the class he forced me to be in. Because not being in it isn’t an option anymore if I don’t want to suffer the consequences.
So, I weighed said options, and that one felt like a choice . It’s not like Professor Clark Reeves is hard on the eyes. It’s not like he doesn’t have tons of college girls lining up during office hours, batting their eyelashes. We all wonder the same thing; how a man so young and handsome—who has become such a successful defense attorney, owns one of the most renowned practices on the East Coast, and works as a professor in the most elite college in the country—is still single. Or at least as far as we know. There’s no wedding ring around his finger.
“I had sex with a successful, beautiful man, who has a hot body, an amazing brain, and could also change the grade of my last essay.”
“That’s what I’m talking about. ”
“I give up,” Alex sighs, her focus going back to the laptop in front of her.
My two best friends have completely opposite personalities. My beautiful Alex, with her bright hazel eyes and her innocent face, is a good girl who’s been through a lot and needs balance and rules. She finds comfort in a strong presence telling her what to do. Peach, my fiery little thing, is stubborn. She’s an unbeatable force in a tiny body with a peachy ass that earned her said nickname. And if someone even thinks a little too hard about ordering her around…let’s say I’ve seen her punch men twice her size. And every time, there’s a glint of excitement in her green eyes. She gets a kick out of putting men in their place. And we don’t talk about the only one she can’t .
I’m not Alex. She was a virgin when she met her current boyfriend and love of her life. She’s settled with someone we didn’t expect, but she’s fallen head over heels and that won’t change because despite the ups and downs they’ve had, she’s happy and loyal. And he would never let her go anyway.
My situation is different. I have fun. I have regular fucks. I party. I made the most of my year as a freshman at Silver Falls University and partied my way through most of sophomore year. Believe me, the one percent know how to have a good time. We’ve been in our circle of billionaires since we were born with those silver spoons in our mouths. And we love to share our fucking spoons. But sometimes, I want the fun to turn into something serious, and it’s hard when people see you as a trophy rather than a person.
I’m not a good girl, but I’m not completely unhinged like Peach. She has a death wish and will get into serious trouble one day. No, my personality is made-up of elements I have gathered to please and appease the general population.
My style makes me look like I’m beautiful, but not trying too hard. I’m pretty, but not threatening. I have opinions that I share only in the slightest in public to make sure I don’t upset anyone. I’m a chameleon. When I meet someone, I spend precious time analyzing them to make sure I can adapt to what they want to see and hear. I’m popular because I made everyone believe I was their best friend. I remember names quickly, so they know I care. I learn one or two facts about them to follow up when I bump into them again.
Hi, Katie! So good to see you here. How are you? How’s your dog after the surgery? It’s a labrador, right?
And then…I stay right out of reach, so people know I’m not accessible to just anyone. I party, I take pictures, I go on vacations, I share my life with the world on social media, so they wish they were with me. They’re envious, but they don’t hate me because she’s so nice .
Take Regina George but make her care for others around her. That’s Ella Baker. You can’t criticize a popular, pretty girl who also teaches kids ballet every Saturday morning for free. Who lets you know she put in a good word to the lacrosse player you have a crush on. Who lets you sit at her table with all her popular friends. You’d love to hate, but how can you hate if there’s nothing to complain about?
Picture. Perfect.
It feels strange sometimes when I’m alone in my bed at night, exhausted from not being myself. When I let the mask down and I’m just…me. Nothing special because everything is concocted for others. A puppet put away in her box after the show is over .
“Oh, Alex…” I pout. “It was just the one time, I promise. And it’s kind of hot. Admit it.”
Alex would have never slept with Reeves. She’s too studious; she would have never failed an essay. Peach would have fucked him . She would have given him a good run for his money, shown him that if he took advantage of a student, she was going to get the good grade and dominate him in his office.
She wouldn’t have let him bend her over his desk while he told her that if she took him like a good girl, she could get any grade she wanted. Peach would have ridden him on his chair while he corrected the grade. Might have even slapped him if he didn’t adjust it right. And I bet he would have loved it.
I take a book out of my bag and put it next to my face.
The Fundamentals of Criminal Justice: An Introduction to the American Justice System. Written by none other than attorney Clark Reeves, Dr. in Criminal Justice.
The book has his picture on it. He’s leaning against a desk in a suit, strong arms crossed over his chest.
“Don’t we make a cute couple?”
Both my friends burst out laughing.
Criminal Law is not the only class my dad forced me to take to prepare for law school, but it’s the only extra-curricular with a professor so full of himself and so renowned that every two weeks, the class is filtered, and anyone who hasn’t proven themselves worthy of his teaching gets kicked out. Everyone wants to stay because it’s a guaranteed entry into Silver Falls University of Law. The best in the country.
We all had to hand him our summer essay today so he could let us know in two weeks who would be staying. I know what my work is worth, so this morning I stopped by his office. It’s important to take your fate into your own hands.
I cannot get kicked out. If I don’t stick to the career path my family has chosen, much worse things than failing college will happen.
I drop my arms. “Let’s admit it. I’m too stupid to even try his class. So I did the best I could.”
There’s one thing I wish didn’t match my image. My brains. Because everyone expects the queen bee to be some stupid girl who only cares about looks. And here I am…as dumb as one can get.
“You’re not stupid,” Alex corrects me right away. “This is not what you want to do. It’s hard to work for a major you never wanted to study in the first place.”
“You were doing a major you hated your first year, and you were still the best in your class,” I mumble, playing with the corner of the page. “Dancing came naturally. I don’t have to use my brain and it’s better that way.”
“You’re a very hardworking dancer and you put yourself through intense training.” Alex is sweet, but I don’t think it’s helping. “You’ve been forced to change your entire future since last year. Give yourself some time to adapt.”
“Professor Reeves has a different perspective.” My tone is bitter, but it’s not aimed at her. It’s aimed at the man who puts so much pressure on us and makes his students compete with each other like his class is some sort of prize.
I’m officially starting my third year, and I only transferred to his class in the middle of last year, but I have managed to make zero friends there because everyone hates each other so much. They’re too focused on trying to get in Reeves’s good graces to help each other out. So, I’ve been on my own trying to navigate this class. I’m not used to that. I’m used to people getting on their knees to assist me.
“So…is this go ing to be a bi-weekly thing, then?” Peach asks, humor tinting her questions.
A laugh escapes me. “You’re such a fucking idiot.”
“We can rotate if you want. I’ll fuck him so you keep your spot. I’m willing to make the sacrifice.”
I smile dumbly at my friend. “Will you punch him while you do so? I kind of hate him, but he was a good fuck.”
“I will punch him just before he comes. Make it horrible for him.”
“You’re the best, Peach. A true friend.”
She winks at me, ready to change topics as she grabs her phone and unlocks it. “Did you see what Hermes posted yesterday?” Her playful expression is tempting me to check the horrible app we all know so well.
The SFU app is our own unofficial university social media. People can report anonymously to whoever owns it, but only one person can post.
Hermes .
No one knows who that person is. Every single student at SFU has a blast sending Hermes each other’s secrets. My friends and I always assumed they were a freshman when we were sophomores because that’s when the app started. So, now they must be a sophomore. But there’s no way to know if we’re right.
Their motto? Your secrets are safe with me.
Until they aren’t.
Students send countless secrets daily, but only Hermes decides which are revealed. The optimum of rich kids’ toxicity. They’re bored to death and so they decide to ruin each other’s lives.
Hermes spares no one, but they also specifically love my friends and me. We’ve been the talk of the SFU app countless times. Oftentimes, it’s something stupid, but it’s always true. If I know the secrets Hermes exposed about me are true, I know the ones they exposed about others are true, too. And if others know theirs are true…it’s a vicious cycle.
“Please don’t talk to me about that app,” I groan, rubbing my temples with both hands. “I just told you something that could destroy me. If Hermes learns about it, I’m as good as dead.”
“It’s not about you. It’s not about any of us.” Peach licks her lips with excitement. “It’s about Rose White.”
My eyebrows shoot up. Hermes really isn’t scared of anything. Rose is older than us, starting law school this year at SFU. She’s one of my brother’s best friends. They’ve known each other forever. And while Luke lives on the other side of the country, Rose is still around. Anyone with a pair of eyes knows she’s one of the most beautiful women on the planet. Hell, Peach has been completely head over heels for her since high school. But Rose is trouble. Her past is more than turbulent, and I’m pretty sure men have killed for her. Now that she dates three people who I’ve heard are on the wrong side of possessive, I wouldn’t want to mess with her. Apparently, Hermes doesn’t mind.
“Do I even want to know what they wrote about her?” I ask Peach.
She shrugs. “It’s not that exciting, but I thought you’d want to know.” When she pauses for effect, I roll my eyes.
“Come on, spill.”
“You know how every year Reeves chooses a second- or third-year law student to be his assistant?”
“No way,” I gasp, already knowing where this is going.
“Yep. He didn’t pick any of them this year and went straight for Rose White. ”
“But she’s a first-year.” My mouth twists. “Is he trying to fuck her?”
Peach shrugs. “I’m not sure. Everyone knows she’s a genius. I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s had his eyes on her since she took criminal law as an undergrad, but who knows with the fucker. Could be both. Her brains probably turn him on just as much as her looks. All I know is Hermes called her teacher’s pet .”
“Oof,” Alex reacts with a wince. “She’s going to hate that. Hermes better hope Rose or her partners never find out who they are. She must be fuming.”
Peach turns to Alex, her eyes shining. “You should message her. Ask her if she saw it. Tell her your friend Peach is asking how she’s coping.”
“Peach, for the hundredth time, I am not introducing you to Rose. We’re at the same college; you’ll probably know her schedule by heart in a week. If you want to talk to her so badly, do it .”
“And risk her boyfriends putting me six feet under? No, thank you.”
I can’t help the laugh tumbling from my mouth. “You’re so dramatic.”
“Am I, though?” She eyes me and then Alex again. “Am I?”
“Not really,” Alex admits. She’s become a good friend of Rose since dating Xi because his brother, Lik, is one of Rose’s partners. If they ever get married, the two would be sisters-in-law, I guess. Or maybe it’s more complicated than that when there are four people in a relationship.
“See?” She lets out a big sigh. “I guess I’ll just keep admiring her from afar. Can we go home and drink? I’ve been holed up in this depressing library all day.”
She sure has, and I didn’ t even sit down.
I happen to like our depressing library. Just because I don’t come here often doesn’t mean I can’t appreciate the architecture. Silver Falls University rests on a hill, not far from the Silver Snake River, in our own little corner of the South Bank of Silver Falls. The red brick main building reminds me of an English castle, and the woods that surround our campus bring us a sense of privacy we’re used to as billionaires.
That little library Peach complains about was built in the 1880s. The entire place is full of history and kept most of its original built. They weren’t sitting at a lame pressboard table amid metal shelves and overhead lighting. We are at a mahogany table, sitting on beautifully carved chairs in a neo-Greco style room, surrounded by marble walls, gold columns, and nine tiers of some of the most beautiful collections of books in this country. The ambiance is unmatched.
But I agree, a drink at our shared house across campus sounds better.
“Tell the guys to meet at our place,” I tell Peach, and she and Alex immediately pack away their books.
Silver Falls University isn’t like any other. We have dorms, luxurious ones too, but most of the south side of the campus hosts private residences our families rent while we study here. They cost a lot. It doesn’t matter.
Money. Never. Matters.
We simply have too much of it.
Reputation, however? Priceless.
In our first year, Alex, Peach, and I stayed at the Xi Ep house, our sorority. But our second year, we moved into our own house. Alex lives back and forth between here and her boyfriend’s place, so most of the time it’s just me and Peach…and the guys. Because we were lucky enough to snatch a house right next to Wren and Achilles.
Really, when I take away the constant feeling of existential crisis since I changed majors…life here is everything I could have ever dreamed of. Especially now that I shut Chris down forever.
“I might text that guy from Alpha Kappa tonight,” I say as I straighten my uniform skirt.
Yes, because SFU loves to do things in their own way, and because the university is a continuation of their Stoneview preparatory school, undergraduate students have to wear the same boring uniform we all wore in high school. This stupid thing makes us look like teenagers next to the postgrads walking around campus.
“Is that the one who had a scar on his cheek?” Peach asks, getting up from the table.
I shake my head. “That was the guy from the sports bar.”
“Alpha Kappa was the guy who speaks Italian. I remember,” Alex says proudly.
“Can’t we give them real names?” Peach moans as we all start toward the doors. “What’s the guy’s full name? I can’t keep up.”
“Enzo. Don’t worry about his full name,” I say casually. “He’ll be gone soon.”
“What? Why?”
“Because Peach. He’s probably only seeing me while he waits to see if he gets onto the lacrosse team this year. He just needs a good reputation while he waits. Then he’ll leave.”
“Have you ever considered you might be a bad fuck?”
My mouth drops open.
“I’m kidding,” she laughs. “You’re not a bad fuck, Els. I’ve heard those guys in your bedroom. They’re loving your little submissive needs.”
“I’m so done with you tonight.” But I can’t help laughing as we make our way down the outside steps from the main entrance to the different paths that lead all over campus. She’s such an idiot.
“Matias,” Alex suggests quietly. “He wanted things to get serious.”
“Ugh, Matias randomly kissed me at that game in front of everyone like some stupid ownership gesture. I hate that.”
We were playing a parting lacrosse game against the state university and Matias is part of the team. At the end of it, he kissed me in front of everyone. He wanted to live some sort of fantasy about kissing the cheer captain on the field or something. I don’t know, but I ended up slapping him in the face once we were in private. Of course, Hermes outed me.
My friends both look at me like I’ve grown two heads.
“It makes sense,” I snap. “It makes sense to me.”
“You love your men obsessed,” Alex says. “How can not liking Matias’s ownership gestures make sense to you?”
“She only liked it when it was Chris,” Peach snorts.
“That’s not true!” My attempt at defending myself makes my cheeks redden.
Both my friends laugh at me as we enter the woods.
We make our way down the footpath that leads to the south of the campus through the forest. The sun has almost set, but SFU is a safe campus, mostly because it’s completely fenced off. 140 acres of gated private property built in the middle of Silver Falls Forest only for the students who can afford it.
“You’ll get an obsessed boyfriend soon enough,” Peach reassures me, putting an arm around my shoulders. “ Probably too soon, since you should never have an obsessed boyfriend.”
“Soon enough? I haven’t had a boyfriend in five years. I think it’s about time it happens if you ask me. Maybe I should have just picked Matias. Should I just text him tonight rather than Alpha Kappa guy?” I sigh. “I’m just asking for someone who wants me so badly he’d do anything for me.”
Chris, my ex, was the closest who ever came to this. He was insanely obsessed with me, borderline controlling. I never had to wonder if he truly wanted me. I know he did. But someone else was more important to him than me. Luke. My brother. His best friend.
Chris kept us a secret, and when the time came, he sacrificed us so he wouldn’t have to lose his friendship with Luke. Five years later, I’m the one who still hasn’t found anyone else.
“Els,” Peach says sadly as her arm slides from around my shoulders so she can grab my hand. “What you’re describing is not only toxic, which is what Chris got you used to, but it also doesn’t really exist.” Her smile twisted with apology makes me feel sick. “No man is going to burn the world down for you. That’s why it’s so important to love yourself wholly before you enter another relationship.”
My exaggerated pout relaxes her a little bit. “Xi would burn the world down for Alex.”
Alex rolls her eyes. “Xi is insane.”
“Yeah,” Peach confirms. “Alex lives in some weird world where the villain got hold of her and, somehow, she likes it. Plus, I have to reiterate this again, girls: toxic . You two are not supposed to be into this. I couldn’t save Alex, but it’s not too late to save you. ”
I laugh as I start walking again. “You’re happy, aren’t you, Alex?”
“I’m the happiest girl in the world,” she giggles sweetly. “But I won’t say it’s perfect. Okay, Xi would definitely burn the world down for me. But he’s really obsessed, Els.”
“I want obsessed.”
She shakes her head. “Unhealthily obsessed. It comes with its ups and downs, believe me.”
Peach goes into a tirade again, hellbent on protecting me.
“Humans are inherently selfish. Even Prince Charming, who would treat a woman in the most perfect way, needs to have a part of his life that doesn’t include being utterly consumed by his princess. Like, he can’t plan his entire life around her, you know? I mean, I’d be worried if I were the princess. What I’m trying to say is your only relationship ever was with Chris. And he did not set a good example. So, maybe just take your time until you find the right guy.”
I notice the black SUV parked in front of our house the second we come out of the woods. No one can drive these roads without security letting them in, so I have no doubt it’s for one of us.
“Someone’s parents sent them a ride,” Peach mumbles. “Should we take bets?”
We don’t need to take bets. And it’s not because any of us recognizes someone in the car. It’s our phones. The three beep at the same time, and our eyes widen as we look at each other. It’s that special alert coming from the unofficial SFU app. We know without looking because it makes a specific sound. Like something whizzing through the air.
“This”—Peach points at the car—“plus this”—her eyes go down to the phone in her hand—“is not telling me anything good. ”
My stomach twists. I slept with a professor. What if someone saw us? What if Hermes spills? That car is probably my dad sending our chauffeur to bring me home so he can decimate me.
“There’s only one way to know,” Alex suggests quietly. She pulls her phone out of her pink handbag, and I slip mine out of my uniform jacket pocket.
“Oh my god,” Peach gasps, reading on her own phone. “Els.”
When my phone finally loads the post, my heart stops.
It’s a picture of my parents’ house with countless police, FBI, and SWAT cars in front of it.
So, the rumors were true. The Bakers did run a brothel from their own house. Those sex parties you heard about? They weren’t exactly legal, darlings.
Real question is, where was my invite?
Ella Baker, your secrets are safe with me.
Until they aren’t.
#sexpartiesattheBakers #GerarldBakerwantstopayyouforsex #DidEllahaveablast?
“Oh my god,” I cry out. “What the— Oh my god. No, no, no.”
My free hand flies to my forehead, pulling at my hairline in the process. Vision narrowing, my ears ring, but a flash to the right catches my attention. Another student just took a picture of us.
“Hey, asshole!” Peach shouts. “Delete that shit. ”
“Come, Ella.” Alex wraps an arm around my waist as my knees nearly buckle.
At the same time as Peach’s tiny form strides to the guy, I hear two people come out of a nearby house.
Thank fuck Wren and Achilles are here.
“Hey!” Wren calls out to Peach and the random student. Perks of living next to your male best friends. They will run to your rescue. “Give me your phone.” Jogging toward them, he takes Peach’s defense right away.
Achilles hurries to me and Alex.
“Ella,” he says in his deep voice. “Come, get in the car. You need to get out of here.”
He’s already opening the blacked-out SUV door for me and helping me in.
“I’ll come with you.” Alex is ready to jump in after me, but Achilles holds her back by the wrist.
“Bakers’ business. Leave it for now.”
He slams the door, and the car is in motion right after.
In situations like this, I’m grateful Achilles is the one in charge in our group. In my panic, I would have said yes to Alex coming with me in a heartbeat, but it would have been a mistake.
She cannot come to my house. She cannot see from the inside what the Bakers’ mansion hides. Because the whole university might know the truth now; my father runs luxurious, hedonistic sex parties from our house, and he pays people to work them.
But no one knows the rest.
Not even my best friends know I’m complicit.