kristen

I groaned as I rolled over in bed, the darkness of the dorm room doing little to ease my irritation. Blinking away the bits of my dreams, I glanced over at my roommate, Emily, her soft breathing a gentle rhythm in the stillness of the night.

With a dramatic eye roll, I swung my legs over the side of the bed, the floor cold beneath my feet. The joys of sharing a room with Sleeping Beauty herself were not lost on me.

The day's events weighed heavily on my mind, leaving me unable to find peace even in sleep. Quietly slipping out of bed, I tiptoed towards the door, careful not to disturb Emily's slumber. The hallway outside was deserted, the only sound was the faint hum of the academy's night-time activities.

With determination, I walked through the empty hallways, being careful to avoid the night guards. Finally, I reached a courtyard, In the middle, there was an old oak tree with twisted branches stretching towards the sky, like ancient guards protecting the sacred area.

Close by, a fountain made soft gurgling sounds, its water dark and still, which contrasted with the beauty of the courtyard. Despite its flaws, there was something intriguing about the fountain, a sense of history and mystery that drew me in.

I took a seat on the stone bench next to the fountain, relishing the coolness of the stone against my skin. Letting out a heavy sigh, I absorbed the beautiful atmosphere of the campus courtyard.

That's when I heard him speak, his voice was so deep and husky. I've never heard a student with that kind of voice. I quickly looked around, trying to figure out where he was. I saw a dark figure near the tree. It was so dark that I couldn't see anything, but his way of talking definitely gave him an interesting aura. And Alexander, well, that's quite a unique name, isn't it? Oh, and his last statement definitely made me gag. Are all students here extremely entitled? Newsflash, fucker, you don't own this place.

I rose from the stone bench, carefully making my way back to my dorm room. Tomorrow was the first day of classes, and while I wasn't exactly looking forward to it, I knew I needed to be prepared. As I trudged along, I couldn't help but notice my reflection in the nearby window. " Oh, look, a zombie," I muttered, eyeing my tired face. Was my skin staging a revolt against this place too? It certainly felt like it.

Back in my room, I flopped onto my bed, hoping for a quick power nap. Next thing I knew, sunlight was streaming through the curtains, and I was running late. Great start. I quickly checked my schedule on my phone. Three classes today. Lovely. Forty minutes to shower, get ready, and sprint to class. Piece of cake.

After a lightning-fast shower and a minimal makeup to look presentable, I raided my suitcase for something to wear. Ah, there it was - a flowy summer dress, perfect for pretending I'm not dying inside. Floral patterns? Check. Sunshine vibes? Check. I was practically a walking Instagram post.

******

Kristen

With the dress on and a sarcastic pep talk in the mirror, I bolted out the door. The campus was buzzing with the excitement of a new semester. I barely made it to my class on time. I quickly scanned the room, searching for a seat. And that's when I spotted her, sitting there with a smile on her face. She looked at me and chirps excitedly "You are absolutely stunning!"

Well, this has to be a joke because I look like I'm a flood survivor, yeah, that damaged. I look at her and say, "nothing like you," and I meant it because she looks like she is straight out of a fashion magazine-flawless skin, glossy hair, and impeccable style. "By the way, not that you asked or maybe not even wandering but I am Kristen," I quickly tell her.

"No, I was definitely going to ask, or maybe not, who knows? I am Ava," she says with a playful giggle, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. "I didn't see you here last year. In short, are you new?" she asks, her voice filled with genuine interest as she leans in slightly.

As I retrieve my study materials, Ava inches closer, her energy infectious. "I'm not sure yet, but I've heard whispers about the English professor being a dick," she confides, a mischievous glint in her eyes.

I chuckle, feeling a connection forming. "I am new. And aren't all professors a dick in their own way? No offense to the good ones, of course. I just haven't had the pleasure," I reply, meeting her gaze.

Her laughter dances through the air, warm and inviting. "They certainly have their quirks. Except for our math professor, though; he's a total heartthrob, like a modern-day Adonis. Seriously hot, like a sex god," she admits, a blush tinting her cheeks.

A playful grin tugs at her lips. "You'll see for yourself if you have math class, because I'll be there too," she adds, her enthusiasm contagious.

"It's actually my next class," I announce, turning my attention to the teacher as he rises. "Oh my gosh, girl, same here! I can't wait," Ava squeals beside me.

"Alright, class, a quick introduction. I'm Ethan Miller, not exactly a pretty face, but I can be fun and a pain in the arse as well," he chuckles, setting an easygoing tone. Despite being in his fifties, he emanates a gentle vibe, which is a relief. I'm not in the mood for dealing with moody professors right now.

Ava and I focus on the lesson, diligently jotting down notes, until it comes to an end. "Ready to go see the eye candy?" Ava asks, already packing her belongings.

"Definitely not ready for maths," I sigh. It feels like this subject was designed to torture my already tortured soul. Anyone else who hates math, I'm right there with you, buddy. Quickly stashing my things in my bag, I join Ava, hoping the rest of the day goes smoother.

She quickly held my hands. "Let's hurry, I wanna be quick. I am curious." She said. I tried to keep up with her pace and after a good six minutes of walking or should I say her half running and half walking while dragging me, we reached the class.

And yeah, we were super early. Not even the professor or the students were present in the class. "Looks like we overdid it," I said, catching my breath. She quickly placed her bag on the seat of her choice, and I did the same.

"Let's just wait outside and have a talk. I am sure he will be here soon," she said, and I nodded. We both walked into the corridor.

"Oh fuck, I guess I left my phone in the previous class," she said, frustration evident in her voice. "Go sit inside and I'll get it real quick." With that, she bolted off. This girl is a complete chaos, but who is complaining? Not me.

I decided it was better to wait outside. Just as I turned, I collided with someone. I stumbled back slightly and my gaze traveled upward. My breath caught in my throat as I took in the sight before me, a man who looked like he had stepped out of a Greek myth. He had striking brown hair streaked with black, a chiseled jawline that could probably cut glass, and piercing blue eyes that seemed to see right through me. He was easily over six feet tall, with broad shoulders that made him look like he could bear the weight of the world.

"S-sorry," I muttered, feeling my cheeks flush.

"It's quite alright," he replied, his voice rough and deep. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine. Just wasn't watching where I was going," I said, trying to compose myself.

He gave me a small, reassuring nod that somehow made him even more handsome. "No harm done. I'm pretty sturdy."

I couldn't help but smirk nervously. "Clearly. I might have a bruise to show for it."

"Hopefully just a minor one. I'm not in the habit of causing injuries."

"Good to know. I'd hate to have to explain a classroom collision on my first day."

"First day jitters, I presume?"

"You could say that," I said, trying to keep my cool.

"And who might you be?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Oh, um, I'm... just a student," I stammered, suddenly feeling very small under his gaze.

"Well, 'just a student,' I'll need a name for my roster."

"Kristen," I finally admitted.

He looked at me, a smirk plastering his face, his gaze becoming more intense. I couldn't shake the feeling of familiarity from his voice. Just as I was about to piece it together, students started rushing in. I spotted Ava and quickly took my seat.

The class settled down, and he began, "I am Alexander Blackwood."

My breath caught in my throat. The voice, the way he reacted to my name, the name Alexander-it's him. The guy from last night. Oh, fuck.

I raised my eyes to look at him. He was already looking at me, a knowing glint in his eyes. He definitely knows. Oh God, Kristen, what did you do?

Ava nudged me, whispering, "You okay?"

"Yeah," I lied, my mind racing. Professor Blackwood's gaze didn't waver. It was intense, almost challenging. I couldn't believe it. The mysterious man from last night, was now standing in front of the class, ready to teach.

"Let's get started," he said, breaking eye contact to address the room. "This semester will be demanding, but rewarding. I expect nothing but your best."

As he spoke, my mind replayed our encounter. The darkness, his voice, the commanding tone and the confidence, it all made sense now. I forced myself to focus, but I couldn't shake the feeling that this school was going to be more complicated than I had anticipated.

I know, i know it's been long time but i was so demotivated to write lol i felt like I had no motivation or time at alll but anyways here is the next chapter, I hope you all enjoy and it and let me know if you did.
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