Ethan
The first thing I noticed about Kingsley Elite College wasn't the size of the buildings or the cars worth more than my entire life parked outside the dorms.
It was the way people looked at me.
Like I didn't belong.
Designer backpacks brushed past my cheap duffel bag as I stood in the middle of the quad, reading the campus map like it might magically tell me where I fit in. Laughter rang out—loud, careless, rich. I adjusted the strap on my shoulder and kept my face calm. Poor didn't mean weak. It just meant hungry.
I'd earned my place here. Full scholarship. Top scores. Sleepless nights.
I wasn't leaving.
A black sports car purred to a stop nearby, sleek and arrogant. Heads turned instantly. Girls straightened their hair. Guys squared their shoulders.
Then she stepped out.
Blonde hair catching the sunlight like it was paid to do so. Long legs. Confident walk. The kind of beauty that didn't ask for attention—it owned it.
Serena Kingsley.
I didn't know her name yet, but I knew power when I saw it.
She laughed, throwing her keys to a guy who rushed to catch them like it was an honor. Her eyes scanned the crowd—bored, judging—until they landed on me.
I held her gaze.
Didn't smile. Didn't look away.
Her lips parted slightly.
I turned and walked off.
---
Serena
No one ignores me.
Especially not a boy wearing worn-out sneakers and confidence like it was stitched into his skin.
I watched him walk away, heart kicking in my chest—not hurt, but annoyed. Curious. The audacity of him.
"Who's that?" I asked lazily, though my eyes followed his broad shoulders disappearing into the dorm building.
My friend Lana scoffed. "Probably another scholarship charity case."
Charity case.
Interesting.
I smiled, slow and dangerous. "Find out his name."
---
Ethan
My dorm room was small. Shared. Bare.
Perfect.
I dropped my bag and exhaled, stretching my arms. I didn't need luxury. I needed space to breathe. A knock came almost immediately.
"Orientation starts in ten," my roommate said. "You don't want to be late. Professors here hate poor kids."
I smirked. "Good thing I don't need their love."
The lecture hall was packed. I took a seat near the back.
Then the room shifted.
She walked in.
Serena.
This time, she didn't ignore me.
She walked straight down the aisle and sat beside me.
My jaw tightened.
"Is this seat taken?" she asked, eyes dancing.
I glanced at the empty chair. "Looks free."
She leaned closer, her perfume warm and intoxicating. "You didn't bow this morning."
"I don't bow," I said calmly.
Her smile deepened. "Good."
---
Serena
He smelled like clean soap and danger.
I crossed my legs slowly, aware of his attention even though he pretended not to look. Men always stared. This one resisted—and it drove me insane.
"What's your name?" I asked.
"Ethan."
"No last name?"
"You don't need it."
I laughed softly. "I like you."
He finally turned to face me, eyes dark and steady. "That's your first mistake."
My pulse jumped.
I leaned in until my lips brushed his ear. "Then make me regret it."
The professor cleared his throat loudly.
But Ethan didn't move.
Neither did I.
And in that moment, I knew—
This poor boy was about to ruin me.
.....