Andria's POV
On my first day of school, I had to meet my teacher after class. What a great way to start.
I slunk back to my seat, my gaze burning holes into the back of red-haired Tracy and her squad of wannabe drama queens.
They giggled like they ran the place, maybe they did, but not for long if I had anything to say about it. I'd barely walked into this school and already, I was ready to walk right back out.
Professor Garrin's voice hummed on in the background, words floating around the classroom
My mind refused to absorb anything. Instead, I stared through the window beside me, out at the cloudy horizon and the oak trees that surrounded the school grounds.
I could feel the tension growing in my chest, a familiar tightness that told me I wasn't just annoyed, I was close to boiling over.
The lunch bell finally rang, sharp and loud, yanking me out of my spiral. It sounded like freedom and I immediately reached for my bag, more than ready to bolt. But just as I took my first step, Professor Garrin's voice caught me mid-stride.
"Miss Wolfsburn, please stay behind for a moment."
I bit back a groan and forced myself to turn around with as much politeness as I could muster, which, admittedly, wasn't a lot.
I grudgingly followed him as the classroom emptied.
"Aria Wolfsburn," he began, looking over his round spectacles. "You are new here, and I wouldn't want you getting into frequent trouble. Starting a fight on your first day at school isn't a nice first impression."
His tone wasn't exactly reprimanding; it was more like he was sizing me up. Like he'd seen dozens of students like me and was deciding which category to file me under.
"I heard you right, Professor Ulfrich," I said. "I'll try to avoid any more trouble."
He gave me a slight nod, but I could tell he didn't believe me. Maybe he was right not to.
The hallways were buzzing with chatter as I made my way to the cafeteria.
Everyone was already clumped into their social cliques, laughing, gossiping, pretending not to look at the new girl. I could feel their eyes on me, measuring, speculating.
I scanned the room and found an empty table near the window, bathed in golden light. That would be my spot from now on, my quiet corner.
As I weaved through the maze of students, food trays, and swinging backpacks, I caught the unmistakable sound of Tracy's voice.
"Look, Alexa, the clueless newbie has finally arrived," she said, flipping her crimson ponytail over her shoulder like she was starring in her own personal reality show.
I didn't even need to look at her to know they were all watching me. I could feel their collective gaze sticking to my back like leeches.
"I'm going to teach her a lesson she won't forget," she whispered to Tricia, who sat to her left. Their laughter followed, sharp and poisonous.
If only they knew. My vampire senses caught every word, every heartbeat, every flicker of emotion. I could've recited the gossip in perfect mimicry if I cared enough to entertain them.
As I walked past their table, Tracy made her move, a very predictable and pathetic one. She stuck out her leg, expecting me to stumble and fall, tray and dignity crashing to the ground.
But instead, I moved with swift precision, pivoted, and caught her off balance.
With a yelp, she toppled backwards onto the floor. Gasps erupted across the cafeteria.
"Oops," I said softly, stepping around her. "Good riddance to bad rubbish."
She looked up at me, stunned and furious, her face turning the exact shade of her hair.
I bent low until my eyes met hers. "Next time," I said calmly, "watch who you come for."
I walked away before she could recover, the chaos behind me like music to my ears.
Just as I reached my table and sank into my seat, thinking I'd earned a moment of peace, I felt a familiar presence. A scent, My stomach twisted before I even looked up.
"Zade Ray." The name in my mind was like a curse.
He stood there, tray in hand, looking like a memory I had locked away and thrown into the sea. The last time I saw him, it was through tears and betrayal.
"You," his voice was hard, face darkened by something close to rage.
Why here? Why now?
"Aria," I snapped, pulling away. "That's Miss Wolfsburn to you."
And then I was gone.
I ran past the tables, past the confused stares and raised brows, straight out of the cafeteria. I didn't care where I was going; I just needed air, space, and silence from all the chaos of today.
His face haunted me like a shadow. The memories clawed their way back in. He had believed my sister's lies. Called me a slut, never once asked for my side of the story. Never once looked into my eyes to see the truth.
I hated him. I hated that I still remembered how he made me feel. I hated that my heart had the audacity to react when I saw him.
I needed to find the dorms real fast, I felt exhausted from today's events.
Using the student guide, I navigated the twisting hallways and buildings. The dormitory was impressive, ultra-modern, glass walls reflecting the sunset, towering over the other buildings like a silent guardian. It looked like something out of a futuristic boarding school.
The girls' wing was to the east. I scanned my ID and entered the building.
My flat was on the third floor, and when I opened the door, I stopped cold.
It was beautiful. A small lounge with cosy sofas and a coffee table greeted me. The dining area looked like something out of a magazine, and a tall bookshelf in the corner already sparked ideas about what novels to stuff it with.
I checked the names on the doors on the left side of the corridor. I'm guessing they are doors to the rooms. Mel Xander, Larissa Dawn, my flatmates. Hopefully, they weren't nightmares in disguise.
My room was the last on the right.
I stepped inside and exhaled. It was perfect. Warm wooden floors, a large bed with soft grey sheets, a writing desk by the window, and soft white curtains that danced in the breeze.
I dropped my bag and collapsed onto the bed. But I couldn't stop thinking. Couldn't shake off the feeling. The look in his eyes when he saw me was it hate, or was it something else?.
I needed to sleep, just a moment of peace from all the chaos.
I closed my eyes to sleep and was soon awakened by distant echoes of laughter in the hallway.