Chapter Three
TOREN
I was shocked when I climbed in the back of the car to find my father seated beside me.
I thought he would have just sent Fredrick to drop me off.
He says nothing as Fredrick begins to drive, just sits there replying to messages on his phone.
It seems so strange to me now. A year ago, misplacing or losing my phone was the worst possible thing to happen in my life but now, I sit here watching him and feel grateful I’m no longer wasting my life staring at the screen of a phone.
Life had passed me by and I didn’t even realize it until I didn’t have a phone anymore.
I spent hours posting, scrolling and waiting for the perfect lighting to snap a picture.
I was shallow and self-absorbed. I had no self-worth and cared for nothing except the likes I would get on Insta, TikTok and Snap.
That was my life: phone, school, Masen, our friends, hockey and hang out.
Kenna and I loved spending time with the guys, they were the biggest cock blocks and made every guy within a sixty foot radius know we were off limits.
It didn’t bother me though because the guy I wanted most was always around.
I could watch him from afar and dream about the day he would finally grow the courage to claim me.
Wishful thinking, dumbass.
I rub my eyes and force myself to think about something else—
“You will maintain an A average in all your classes.” I swivel around in my seat and face my father. I know he’s speaking to me but he refuses to even lift his gaze from his damned phone!
“I always got A’s,” I fire back.
He grunts in response before pushing on. “You are not to attend any hockey games, frat parties or campus dorm parties.” I recoil in outrage.
“So, you want me to become a social pariah?” He opens his mouth to fight back but I push on. “You know Masen and I always hang out on the weekends with our friends. I go to every hockey game even though I hate the damned sport to support Mase and the guys.”
“Well, not anymore. You will have tutors who will come to you every weekend and you will study and catch up.”
“Dad, I wasn’t failing. I was passing my classes online—”
“It’s not up for negotiation!” he shouts.
“Neither is my life,” I bite back, then turn and face the window.
“Do as you are told. Masen is not to be distracted. He needs to focus in order to achieve his dream of playing in the NHL and I won’t allow anything to come between him and that dream.” Hurt explodes inside my chest.
I’m a distraction.
He doesn’t need to spell it out for me, I can read between the lines.
He wants me to stay as far away from my brother so I don’t distract him and ruin his dream.
What he really means is, given his new promotion to senator, he can’t have his fuck up of a daughter causing a scene and derailing his golden boy son’s image, tarnishing his reputation in front of all the other senators.
I say nothing because what does a daughter say to her own father who thinks of her as nothing more than a distraction?
I’m too lost in my own thoughts and haven’t paid any attention to where we are going until my father speaks again.
“You are under no circumstances to interact with Caspian.” I snap my head to the side and gape at him.
Whatever he sees on my face has him pursing his lips and adding, “He doesn’t go to Somerset anymore. ”
I furrow my brow. “Why not?”
“He just doesn't,” he says in a clipped tone.
“Why would I have to stay away from him if he doesn't go to the same school as me?” I push.
My father’s face contorts. “Because both the schools have been merged for the time being.”
I reel back and smack my head against the window. “You said I was going to SU!” I fire back.
“You are, you will be attending Stormsend University. You are to stay on their side of the school and away from Masen and Kellan. If I find out you have disobeyed me, you will be returned to Walter House.” My face drains of color.
I reach up and clasp my pendant reciting my chant over and over in my head trying to calm down.
Stormsend is the next town over and has been our biggest rival for years.
As children we were never allowed to cross into their side of town.
The only place where the two schools interact is at the beach whenever there is a bonfire.
It appears more has changed in the year since I have been away.
“I’m going to be eaten alive,” I breathe out as the car comes to a stop.
He snorts. “Don’t be dramatic. Frederick will accompany you to the administration office.
Best of luck, Toren. I’ll see you—” Before he can finish I shove the door open and jump out, not waiting for Fredrick to open the door for me.
I slam the door as hard as I can, gaining the attention of everyone nearby.
Well, it's either the sound of the door or the fact I just got dropped off in a Rolls Royce.
Stormsend is a… lower class town and Somerset is for the rich and wealthy.
I ignore Fredrick as he points toward the brick building in front of me.
I came here for orientation so I know the way without him needing to say anything.
When I had originally thought about attending college with my best friend, this isn’t how I had planned for it to go.
I don’t know why the two schools are suddenly merged, given the fact that the towns have had a long rivalry.
I don't see how the students can coexist without a bloodbath happening.
It takes a lot longer than I wanted to get my schedule for my classes, book list and the keys to my dorm.
The only silver lining is that my father paid the extra money for me to have a single room rather than a shared one because there is no doubt in my mind that my roommate would have hated me.
I ignored the whispers the second I entered the building.
I heard them calling me names. I never used to mind people pointing out the fact I was Masen’s little sister but now, they know me as the Toren and I have no idea why.
When I exit the building, I fight not to roll my eyes at the sight of students posing for selfies next to my father’s car, it’s obvious to me that those students must be from Stormsend.
Somerset alumni are already used to flashy cars.
It’s not uncommon for kids to be driving around in Lambos.
Frederick leads me toward the dorms. They aren’t far and I don’t miss the fact I have the attention of every person we pass.
I keep my head down and try to ignore the feeling of my skin crawling.
My room is on the third floor. I open the door for Fredrick to enter first. He places my bags on the bed, then heads out to retrieve the two boxes from the car.
I use my free time to check out my room…
Wow, is the only word I can think of. The paint is a yellow…
ish color and I don’t think that was intentional.
There’s a small faux wood desk in the corner, a dresser, a small closet and a twin bed.
I’m assuming the school has housed all Stormsend students in their old dorms which were supposed to be torn down and rebuilt to match the rest of the wealth of the school.
“No bathroom?” I muse aloud.
“This isn’t the Hilton, rich girl.” I whirl around to see two girls standing in my open doorway.
The one on the right eyes me like I’m a rodent, her black hair cut so short that it’s just long enough to tuck behind her ears.
Her muddy brown eyes burn with accusation.
Her septum piercing gleams in the sunlight, clothing matches her Emo girl vibe: black, tattered crop tee with a pair of army green cargo pants.
“Don’t be a bitch, Maddy,” the one on the left says.
I focus on her and against her counterpart she seems less…
harsh. Soft brown hair cascades around her shoulders.
Her brown eyes are warm but I see hesitation lurking beneath the surface.
Unlike her Emo friend, she’s dressed in a sweater and jeans that are clearly well loved from how faded they are.
“Let’s make a bet,” the girl Maddy says with a sinister smirk. “I say the rich girl doesn’t last two days.” My nostrils flare and my face contorts in annoyance.
“My name isn’t rich girl,” I spit.
Maddy raises her brows mockingly. “Do I look like I give a fuck about what your name is?”
“Maddy, stop,” the other girl says. She turns to me and smiles timidly. I try to wipe the annoyance from my face but clearly fail when her smile slips. “I’m Telisha.” She nods her head to the side. “That’s Maddison.” The latter seems pissed that her friend gave up her identity.
“I’m Toren,” I say.
Telisha smiles and this time it reaches her eyes. “That’s a really pretty name.” I feel heat creeping up the back of my neck but the second Maddison scoffs it vanishes. I scowl at the Emo, Avril Lavigne wannabe.
“What’s your problem?” I snap.
Maddison pushes off the door and takes a step inside my room.
I stand firm and don’t back down when she takes another step.
A dark look enters her eyes and I begin to worry that she might be unhinged.
“You might just outlast the two days after all, rich girl.” I stare at her, unsure what the hell to say.
She turns and marches her skinny ass out of my room without a backward glance just as Fredrick enters with my two boxes.
I say nothing to him when he bids me farewell, leaving me here alone in hell.
“One of your helpers?” Telisha asks when Fredrick leaves.
I sigh and run a hand through my hair, I don’t miss the way Telisha eyes my blonde strands with envy.
Being born with blonde hair and blue eyes naturally makes every guy think you are some dumb blonde who is willing to spread her legs if you tell her she’s smart and pretty.
“He’s my father’s driver,” I answer.
“Oh, your dad must be important.” I open my mouth to tell her he’s a senator but then I clamp it shut thinking better of it.
Maybe, if they don’t know what my last name is then I might just have a fighting chance of making it out of here alive.
I don’t like how slim my chances are given how the students outside whispered about me but I take the chance and lie.
“He likes to think so.” When silence stretches between us she clears her throat and nods.
“Well, Maddy and I are in the room next door. Call out if you need anything.”
“Thank you,” I say and find I actually mean it.
She didn’t have to be nice to me yet here she is, extending an olive branch of friendship.
When she leaves, I close my door and lock it.
I lean against it and stare at the empty room.
I clasp my pendant and take a deep breath.
“I miss you,” I say aloud. I miss Emery so much and it sucks because I can’t exactly drive up and see her, plus I have no phone to call her or even KennaDee.
I’m utterly alone.
Tears prick the backs of my eyes and I fight to keep them at bay. How the hell am I going to survive this place?