Chapter 2
CHAPTER TWO
BLAIR
Blackwood University is an elite school that has housed many of the most influential people. The thought of being able to, one day, stand here is the only thing that helped me persevere throughout these past few years.
I'm still in shock about my acceptance, I simply can’t believe it. I've been standing here for close to ten minutes, staring at the entryway and the enormous iron gates that hold my future behind them.
The large and imposing structure, staring down, intimidating the fuck out of me. There are ornate wooden carvings, monstrous towers, and tons of beautiful bay windows that look like natural light streams inside, illuminating the lecture halls. There’s ivy wrapped around the archway and a gorgeous bed of blood-red flowers on either side of the path. The grass is a luscious and healthy, bright green. A stark contrast to the building’s smokey, midnight exterior.
I tuck my long, sandy brown hair behind my ear and away from m y face as I smile to myself. Despite the imposter syndrome slithering its way to the forefront of my mind, all my hard work has finally paid off. I got into the most prestigious university on a scholarship, unlike half of the student population who got in with their daddy’s money .
I grew up with enough to understand that although I didn’t have elite status, I was still more fortunate than most. My parents had enough to give me a good education, wonderful holidays, birthdays, and anything else I could have wanted. We had money, but not “buy your way into prestigious universities” money. Especially not after the tragedy that struck our home a few years back.
To say the last few years were hard would be an understatement. The death of my father came suddenly and shook our world. I’m an only child, so when he died, it was just my mother and I . A lot changed after his passing. My mother always carried herself with such fierceness. She was strong and confident and her presence never went unnoticed. I watched all the things I loved about her die out along with my father.
I had gotten into Blackwood at the time and I wanted to share my excitement with her. I worked diligently on my admissions essay and felt so much relief when I was accepted. My dedication toward pursuing a higher education had finally paid off.
Except , without dad and no one to run his restaurant, there were no funds to cover my tuition. Mom couldn’t do it alone. Guilt hung over my head as I went back and forth, deciding if I should give up my spot at Blackwood .
I knew I would never get an opportunity to attend my dream school again. As my mom fell lower and lower into a deep depression, her beautiful spirit swiftly wilted away in front of my eyes. After careful consideration, I made the decision to take a gap year to stay home with her.
Day in and day out, I spent hours learning how to oversee all the backends of running a business. I was picking up shifts at the restaurant and helping in any way that was needed of me, while occasionally working for additional cash through tips. I will never regret the choice to stay, it’s possibly the only reason her smile came back.
Mom’s change in her outlook and attitude helped the restaurant progress and I was able to let go of the reins a bit. She encouraged me to apply to Blackwood again and here I am, not only living on campus but also on a full fucking scholarship.
“ Wow ,” I whisper while letting out a low sigh. I close my eyes, being here feels surreal. As I take a deep breath, the crisp, earthy scent fills my lungs. Letting it out gradually, I open my eyes with more determination than before to make the most of the opportunity that was given to me.
I peek through the iron gates once more before walking through them and onto the campus. I begin to go over the mental checklist I have to complete before orientation later today.
First , I need to make my way over to the housing office, where I will get my keys for the house I'll be sharing with a few girls. After , I'll go get settled in. Following that is orientation and then classes start next week on Monday .
Sharing a house with three other girls is nerve wracking, to say the least. Being an only child, I’ve never had to share anythi ng with anyone. I’m hesitant to be in a home with other girls, strangers nonetheless.
However , there’s a soft spot in my heart when thinking about what could be, a bond and friendship that will help rid this loneliness from my heart. Running a restaurant took so much of my time, I drifted away from any remaining friends I had.
Regaining focus, I walk down the blue-gray cobblestone path while the light dusting of wind whips my hair around behind me. I pull out my campus map, yes the campus is that grand. It’s like I’m studying at a gothic Disney World . I had printed it the moment I got my acceptance letter.
I shift the map in my grip as I look for the building I need to head towards. After finding it on the map, I input the building's name into my GPS and begin to head to the office. It’s about a 12-minute walk, not bad, and it gives me more time to take in my new home for the next four years.
I pull my eyes from the map and look up at the surrounding expansion of grass, trees, and bushes filled with those beautiful red flowers I saw at the entrance. With every step, I feel the weight and stress of the past year slipping off my shoulders.
It feels liberating to be doing something for myself, my future, my life. The hard work doesn’t stop now. That was just the beginning.
The housing building has a similar look to the rest of the campus. Dark , moody, gothic, and absolutely breathtaking. I walk in and marvel at the interior. While the outside looks historical and ancient, the inside is modern and chic.
A huge black and white marble desk sits in the middle of the re ception area. There’s a small lamp on the desk and that seems to be the only source of light besides the sun beaming in through the windows.
I was right about all the natural light that comes through. Portraits line the walls, honoring deans and teachers. It’s quiet besides the gentle clacking of a keyboard. I take a few steps toward the desk when a tiny woman pops her head out from behind the gigantic monitor. She resembles a Barbie doll. Silky blond hair, icy blue eyes, and a friendly smile.
“ Hello , dear, I’m Marcelina , manager of the welcome center. If you’re here for key pick-up, can you give me your first and last name along with your ID ?” She asks with a smile.
“ Hi , yes, of course.” With a slight tremble in my hands, I fish in my bag for my wallet and hand over my ID .
“ I , um, I’m Blair Stirling . From New York .” I reply anxiously. My cheeks burn with embarrassment. God , why did I tell her that? I’m sure she doesn’t care or need to know where I’m from.
Marcelina takes my ID , nods before she returns it, and goes back to clacking on her computer. A moment later, she turns back to me with a smile.
“ Blair Stirling from New York , your housing unit is located at 4873 Cobblestone Drive . It’s about five minutes from campus. Do you need directions on how to get there?”
Before I can respond, she walks over to a lockbox settled on the wall behind her desk. After Marcelina pops in the code, the lockbox unlocks, revealing a bunch of keys for different housing units. She searches for a moment until she finds the one labeled with my correct address and grabs it. It looks like it was the last one, I wonder if my roommates have already picked their keys up. Marcelina reseals the lockbox and turns around to face me.
“ No , thank you. I should be okay. Thank you for the help,” I respond politely.
“ Alrighty then. You are all set. Here you go, Ms . Stirling ! Welcome to Blackwood University ! May your time here be life-changing and eye opening to a world of possibilities!” She exclaims, handing over my keys.
“ Thanks again,” I say with a smile and make my way out of the office.
From the welcome center, it's a brief walk to my house. I use the time it takes me to get there and let myself become acquainted with the surrounding area. Thankfully , my scholarship covers my housing fees too. I would’ve had to turn down the opportunity, again, if it didn’t.
I find Cobblestone Drive and continue to walk looking for unit 4873. I freeze when it comes into view, my eyes going wide as I glance from the house, down to the key in my hand and back up to the vast structure in front of me.
“ No fucking way.” I say in disbelief.
The residence in front of me is gigantic. Like wipe my ass with Benjamin's gigantic. I’ve seen pictures of the buildings and units online, but in person, they look unreal. I shake my head, letting out a light chuckle. Of course their housing would be as high society as the university itself.
Making my way up the front porch, I chew on my bottom lip while debating if I should knock or just walk in. Deciding to go with the latter, I unlock and push open the door.
“ Hello ?” I hesitantly call out as I take a step inside. As I make my way in, I’m met with nothing but the sound of the marble floors squeaking under my feet. The entryway is open with high ceilings and more bay windows that match those of the welcome center, allowing for natural light to bathe the room in a calm ambiance. I sweep my gaze over my surroundings, soaking everything in.
Modern , elegant art is hung on the walls, and a grand U -shaped sectional sits in the middle of the living room, a plush white rug laying over the light gray marble floor. Matching chairs are placed on the opposite side. Throw pillows are peppered throughout the seats, each with different quotes and graphics on them. In the middle of it all, is a glass coffee table holding a vase of blood red flowers.
I continue walking through the house, familiarizing myself with the layout. To the right, there’s the kitchen. Equipped with magnificent stainless steel appliances, white and gold marble countertops, and sleek black cabinets.
Plants , pictures, and knick-knacks decorate the space as well. There’s a frame holding a picture of three girls posing in front of Blackwood . One blonde, the other a redhead, and the last one has inky black hair.
Their smiles stretch from ear to ear, displaying rows of pearly whites and dimples. They radiate true friendship. My heart clenches at the sight, I can only hope to be a part of something like that during my time here.
There’s a hallway entrance both through the kitchen and living room. One leading to the east wing of the house, and one leading to the west wing. Making my way through the living room, I walk straight down the corridor until I am faced with more doors. There are four down this hallway. Knocki ng on the closest door, I stand silently, waiting for a response.
After a few seconds, I put my hand on the knob and tried to open it but to no avail. It’s locked, so I move on. Opening two more doors, I find identical bathrooms. Each one had a bidet attachment, a standing shower, and a tub, topped off with colossal full-length mirrors. The last door is a simple bedroom that looks lived in enough for me to know that it doesn’t belong to me.
Walking to the other side of the house, I begin to trek down the opposite hallway. The first door is unlocked. Peeking through, I see my luggage in the corner and come to the conclusion that I have finally found my room.
I slip off my shoes before walking over to my bed and flopping onto the plush comforter. Home sweet home. This beautiful campus is my home now. How fucking unbelievable!
While I’m moving my toiletries into the bathroom, I notice something odd about the door at the end of this hallway. All the other doors are white but this one is…black. As I walk closer I see a symbol on the door. Upon inspection, I see the door was painted, and whoever did it, did not do a good job. The symbol in front is a single letter, V , painted with red paint.
The point of the v looked as though it was dripping at the time it was painted and dried like that, similarly to a trickling blood drop. Intrigued but a little weirded out, I walk back to my room, deciding it’s better to mind my business on that one. Once all my things are put away, I decide to take a quick shower. I still have a couple of hours before orientation starts.
The bathroom is stocked with towels, washcloths, and a fluffy white robe. Someone pinch me, I have to be dreaming. I open the door to the standing shower and start the water. Stripping off my clothes, I wait patiently for it to heat up. Once it’s one degree away from boiling hot, I step in and let it rinse away any lingering anxiety and stress.
Thirty minutes later, I’m back in my room feeling refreshed and slightly more relaxed. I dress in jeans and a simple white top, brush on mascara, and braid my hair. I hear the front door open as I’m securing the elastic on my hair. My head whips toward the door as I make out voices coming from the foyer. Silence returns only for a second until I hear a screech and heavy footsteps that sound like they’re making their way towards my room.
“ Ahhh ! You’re here!” A young woman screams as she reaches my door frame.
“ Hi ! I’m Aspen , you must be Blair ! Welcome to Blackwood !” She rushes over to give me a hug and I tense up. I’ve never been the best with physical affection and that is not changing now. As soon as she lets go, I step back and recognize her as the blonde from the picture frame I saw earlier.
“ Uh , hi. Yes , I’m Blair . Thank you.” I nervously let out, hoping it didn’t sound as awkward as it felt. A redhead pops her head into the door and doesn’t look or sound nearly as enthusiastic as Aspen to have a new roommate.
“ Hey , I’m Lorelei . Aspen and I live on the other side of the house. Verena is down the hall from you. We’ll give you our numbers in case you need anything. Just wanted to give some ground rules and tidbits. Laundry machines are in the basement and garbage goes out every Monday and Thursday .
We each take turns doing chores so we will add you into the cy cle.” She goes on about daily duties and what every roommate is responsible for. I feel like I’m being lectured by my mother, but I smile and nod and wait for her to shut the fuck up.
Finally , she’s interrupted by a third voice.
“ Alright Lorelei , she’s a big girl. I’m pretty sure she’s washed some dishes and mopped some floors right?” The dark haired girl asks.
I nod and she laughs.
“ I’m Verena . The girls call me V , but you’re not one of the girls…yet, so you can stick to Verena .” She says with a sarcastic smile. My hope for sisterhood dies at this moment and I realize Aspen is my only chance at friendship. Verena gave little hope with that comment and I could already tell that Lorelei and I would not be exchanging friendship bracelets anytime soon.
Lorelei and Verena retreat to their rooms leaving me with Aspen .
“ So , are you heading to orientation later?” She questions.
I nod while replying, “ Yeah , I’m heading out in a few.”
“ Perfect ! I’ll come with. I’m actually an orientation guide. We can grab coffee at Cozy Cup before we go! Did you see it on your way here?” She inquires as she turns and makes her way out of my room. I shake my head and give a quick no, grabbing my things and following her out the front door. I guess we’re leaving now .
We begin to make our way towards Cozy Cup , the campus’s local cafe. It’s not very far from our place, so it doesn’t take long to arrive. Everything is designed to be close and convenient for students. I’m certain Aspen takes full advant age of that because she hasn’t stopped talking about how great their coffee is.
She grabs onto the door handle and begins to open it as she squeals, “ I promise, soon you’ll be addicted.”
I feel my heart start to swell a little. I’ve only been here a couple of hours and she hasn’t even known me for one, but she’s doing her best to make me feel welcomed, solely based on a mutual love of coffee.
The inside of Cozy Cup is just that, cozy. Immediately , I can see why it's her favorite. The warm aroma of freshly brewed coffee beans and honey fills my nose as I walk through the door. The quiet ambiance of murmured voices and laughter fills the surrounding shop. The light beige walls and high countertops littered with assorted pastries, create an atmosphere that fits the name. We head up to the register and order our drinks. I get my signature iced caramel macchiato and wait for Aspen to receive hers.
With our drinks in hand, we begin to make our way out of the cafe and to orientation. Taking my first sip of the coffee, I instantly widen my eyes.
“ That’s really fucking good,” I say with a slow nod. Aspen laughs and links her arm with mine as we head in the direction of the main building where orientation is being held.
The rest of the walk consists of Aspen pointing out different buildings and explaining their purpose, what classes are held where, and the different clubs the school offers.
She breaks off into a story about her first year at Blackwood and I go to take another sip of my iced coffee, she wasn’t joking about it being addictive. I don't get very far as I unexp ectedly slam into a hard wall. No , not a wall. A chest. A rock hard chest. I hear a low curse as I put my hands out to brace myself on the stranger’s chest before I stumble. At the same time, a strong arm is wrapped around my waist to steady me.
I freeze while it starts to register that I’m pressed against another person. In that time, I begin to realize that the stranger is soaking wet.
Wet , because my coffee cup was crushed in our collision and spilled all over them. I stiffen as the horror of the situation skates down my spine. I feel my face redden and I rapidly remove my hands from their firm chest and look up.
When I do, I’m met with dark, green eyes harboring something I can’t quite place before quickly turning frigid. I let my eyes roam over his face as I take in the rest of him.
He has a staunch, angular jaw that is currently clenched so hard, I swear I hear his teeth grinding. Smoke is practically coming out of his ears and nose. Despite the anger etched on his face, he’s insanely handsome.
I can't help but to get lost in his intensity that seems to demand my attention. He’s huge. Tall and muscular. He has dark brown hair with a loose piece that hangs in front of his forehead, and the most kissable lips I’ve ever seen.
Horror washes over me as I realize I’ve been eye fucking this stranger and have yet to apologize.
“ Oh shit… I am so sorry, I didn't even see you there. That was one hundred percent my fault. I’m so fucking sorry.” I pronounce it earnestly.
“ No , clearly you didn't,” he says while breaking into a smile that’s filled with venom. A dimple forms with the moveme nt in his left cheek, once again demanding all of my attention.
“ Can I have that?” He asks, pointing to the napkin in my hand. His gruff voice sends a warm feeling to my core. What the hell is going on? Stunned . I just blink at him. Aspen grabs the napkin from me and hands it to him.
He gives her a nod and a curt thank you. Looking at his friend, whom I didn’t notice until now, he curses under his breath, shakes his head, and together they walk in the opposite direction. I am in utter shock as I lean in close to Aspen so only she can hear me speak.
“ Who the fuck is that?” I whisper.
“ That’s Emmett Blackwood ,” Aspen whispers back. “ Steer clear of him at all costs. He’s delicious but deadly.”