6. VERENA GRAVENHURST
SIX
VERENA GRAVENHURST
The academy halls are more lively today than they were yesterday.
Students walk about, chatting amongst each other while travelling to their next lectures.
Most don’t notice me, but the ones that do stare at me like I have two heads.
I can feel the judgment in their eyes while they whisper unkind words to their friends about the imposter intruding on their space.
Little do they know, I feel like an imposter in my own mind, even on my best days.
Taking a deep breath, I square my shoulders and lift my chin to appear as if their gossip doesn’t affect me.
I am Verena Gravenhurst. That name has always felt like an anvil dragging me down in the mud, a name that had me hiding in the shadows for so long, in fear of not knowing anything about the family that I come from.
But today, I’m choosing to wear it as a badge of honour.
Loxen’s words echo in my mind, an aggravating voice that I long to shake from my memory.
Most people would kill for the chance you’ve been given.
He wasn’t wrong, and I think that’s what bothers me about him the most. I didn’t know my grandfather, but he entrusted this academy to me, and I’m eager to discover why.
I walk with purpose, studying the hallway, map in my hand.
Rounding a corner, I collide with two girls, sending my books and shoulder bag crashing to the floor.
“Watch where you’re going, new girl,” one of them snaps, and heat rushes into my cheeks.
I keep my head low, mumbling an apology.
They continue with their conversation as I crouch down to gather my belongings, feeling like a fish out of water.
“Hey! Let me help you with that,” a deep voice calls out from behind me, making me jump in my skin.
I turn around to face the student, and I just know my cheeks are now an embarrassing shade of crimson as Reed Sullivan stands before me.
“Apologies.” He grins, and the butterflies in the pit of my stomach flutter. “I didn’t mean to startle you.”
I can’t help but stare at the dimple in his left cheek that’s stolen my attention. His dirty-blonde hair frames his face in soft waves, a stark contrast to his sharp features.
“N-no, it’s okay.” My eyes drop to the floor, overwhelmed by his presence.
He crouches down and helps me pick up the rest of my books, handing them to me with a kind smile.
“Thank you,” I mutter.
“Don’t mention it. They’re just intimidated by you,” he says, and my eyebrows pinch together, not understanding what he means.
“Intimidated?” I let out a dry laugh. “I think you’re mistaken.”
“A name like Gravenhurst holds a great amount of power within these walls. And the thing about power is it demands to be claimed, to be mastered. Those who cower from it often find themselves crushed beneath the weight of those bold enough to wield it,” he explains, watching them walk away.
His hazel eyes slowly flicker to me. “They’ll never know what it’s like to bear a last name like ours, Gravenhurst.”
We stare at each other for a moment, his words holding me in a trance like we’re the only people occupying this hallway.
“And, have you mastered it, Sullivan?”
His eyes drop to my lips for a fraction of a second, a devilish smirk pulling at the corner of his mouth. He tilts his head like a predator inspecting its prey. “Well enough, I suppose.”
I nod my head, my eyes drawn to his mouth, watching the way his lips curve. It does something to my insides that I can’t quite name. He reaches a hand out for me to take, and like an idiot, I stand there, staring at it.
“I promise I won’t bite,” he teases, breaking the silence. A small smile tugs at the corner of my lips as I take his hand. “What’s your first class?” he asks, removing the schedule from my grasp before I can muster up a response.
“Ah, English with Professor Caldwell. That’s not so bad.
Let me walk with you.” He hands the paper back to me, relieving me of the stack of books I’ve been carrying, and I can’t help but wonder why someone so renowned within Hollowcrest would go out of their way to escort the new girl to class.
“Right this way, Gravenhurst.” He dips low and extends a hand to indicate which direction I should walk.
I shake my head, laughing at his dramatic gesture.
We walk along the corridors while he carries my books for me, pointing out the classes we pass along the way and introducing me to a few of the fellow students who greet him.
Reed Sullivan must be fairly popular to gain this much attention from a simple stroll through the academy.
The number of people who stop him to either say hello or just give him a wave in passing has me realizing my social meter is as low as they come.
“I was shocked to hear about your grandfather’s passing.
Can I assume that’s what brought you to Hollowcrest?
” Reed’s curiosity seems genuine, and I feel comfortable enough with him to share a little about myself.
If only he knew that my reason for being here is simply because I didn’t have anywhere else to go. I give him a weak smile.
“I never knew my grandfather. I had no idea that all of this—” I wave my arms around, “even existed. I would have loved to know that I had a living family member out there somewhere.”
He purses his lips and stares off for a moment, seemingly lost in thought.
“Sometimes it’s better not to know the things that have haunted us our whole lives. It’s better to live among the what ifs and could be’s, so we can make up our own version of perfection.” I nod, my eyes swelling with tears. I wish he knew how much truth that statement holds.
“Here we are,” Reed announces as we halt in front of Professor Caldwell’s lecture hall. “I just so happen to be heading in there as well.” He smirks, and it brings me comfort knowing I’ll know at least one friendly face in my first class.
“Ren!” A chirpy voice calls my name from down the hall.
Mauve is jogging towards me with a wide smile spread across her delicate features, her purple curls bouncing around her face.
“I’m so happy you decided to come back!” She throws her arms around me, and I’m taken aback by her forwardness, but nonetheless, I return the hug, happy to see her again.
Reed leans into my side. “I’ll save you a seat.” He turns to Mauve and gives her a wink, and she returns it with a scowl.
Mauve gently takes me by the elbow, leading me away from the doors, away from prying ears.
“Well, that didn’t take long.” She rolls her eyes, pressing her back against the wall.
“What didn’t?” I ask, confused by her sour demeanour.
“Pretty boy has set his sights on you. I knew it would happen eventually, but I didn’t think it would happen before the first lecture of the day.”
“Mauve, he was just being nice.” I chuckle. “Some girls were giving me a hard time, and he helped me out, is all.”
She scoffs. “Oh, he wants to do more than help you out. Reed doesn’t just do things out of the goodness of his heart. Be careful with that one. I can sense these things, and I’ve heard stories. Rumours and tales that go back through generations of Sullivans. Bad apples—all of them.”
I place my hand on her arm. “I’ve known a lot of bad people in my life, Mauve. I appreciate you looking out for me, truly, but he really was just being nice.”
She nods her head and gives me a weak smile that doesn’t quite reach her eyes.
“Sometimes bad people wear masks to hide their truest selves from the good they take advantage of.” I nod and give her a side hug.
“You don’t have to worry about me, honest.” I try my best to give her reassurance, though the worry in her eyes tells me she truly believes he’s dangerous. “I’ll be careful, I promise. I have to get to class, but I’ll see you at lunch, okay?”
She nods. “Right. Just remember, Ren, salt and sugar are difficult to distinguish.” She gives me an incredulous look before spinning on her heels, and I watch as she disappears into the throng of people.
Walking through the threshold of the lecture room, my stomach sinks.
Almost every seat in the room has been filled.
My eyes scour the tables, looking for an opening.
I spot Reed in the far corner of the room, waving me over, and excitement swells in my chest, though Mauve’s words have me a little on edge.
Scouting for any other place to sit, I come up short.
So I dip my head low, walk straight towards him and settle into the seat next to him, not wanting to draw any further attention to myself, though I think that will be proven difficult with how Reed seems to carry the spotlight with him wherever he goes.
The whispers, the stares, I don’t know how much more of this I can take. Reed notices my discomfort and waves the other students off.
“Ignore them. They seem to be lacking in manners when it comes to making someone feel welcome. They’re vultures.” My head stays lowered, unwilling to meet his eyes, embarrassment creeping under my skin. “Verena,” he whispers, and I peer up at him beneath my lashes.
“Ren, just Ren,” I correct him.
“Ren…” His voice trails off. He reaches forward and twirls a loose strand of hair between his fingers that has fallen on my cheek.
My breath hitches, and within that moment, everyone else in that room fades away.
He brushes the hairs behind my ear, and we stare at each other for a long moment, unmoving.
I know right then, how easy it would be to get lost in his gaze.
Professor Caldwell clears his throat and begins teaching the class, snapping us out of our trance. I feel a smile of my own crawling to the surface of my lips, and I scold myself for letting my guard down for something as simple as a charming smile.
He leans forward, scribbling something on a piece of paper.
I try to catch a glimpse of the note he’s writing, but he covers it quickly with his other hand, grinning at me from ear to ear.
He’s shameless. When he’s finished, he slides the paper over to my side of the table.
I peer down to read his note: Can I take you out tonight?
I glance over at him and master my facial expression.
Mauve’s warning rings in the back of my mind, and as alluring as he seems to be, I’ve only just arrived in town.
Dating the most popular guy at Hollowcrest Academy isn’t the best way to keep a low profile.
Sliding the paper back over to his side of the table, I shake my head slowly.
“I don’t think that’s such a good idea.” I give him a soft smile, hoping he will take my rejection gracefully.
He slaps his palm to his heart with a small gasp as if I’ve wounded him, and the chuckle escapes my lips before I can stop it.
I turn back to the lecture and continue taking notes, all the while being very aware of Reed’s eyes still lingering on my face.