THE BOY WHO RUINED MY NAME

The first rule of Blackthorne University was simple. Never embarrass a Blackwood. Unfortunately, nobody had bothered to tell Serena Vale. The black iron gates stood tall beneath the morning sun, their golden crest shining above hundreds of students arriving in expensive cars. Beyond them stretched an enormous campus filled with marble buildings, perfectly trimmed gardens, and people who looked as though they had never worried about money a day in their lives. Serena stepped off the bus with one suitcase, a worn backpack, and a determination that had taken her years to build. "Blackthorne University," she whispered, staring at the gates. "I actually made it." Her mother had cried when the acceptance letter arrived. Her father had hugged her so tightly she could barely breathe. They had sacrificed more than Serena wanted to think about to get her here. She couldn't afford to fail. She adjusted her blouse, lifted her chin, and walked through the gates. Twenty minutes later, she was already regretting her confidence. A black sports car sped into the courtyard and stopped so abruptly that Serena stumbled backward. Her notebook fell, scattering loose papers across the pavement. A boy sitting nearby laughed. "Careful, sweetheart. That's Damian Blackwood's car." Serena looked up. The driver's door opened. A tall young man stepped out, dressed in black trousers and a perfectly fitted shirt. Dark hair fell over his forehead, and his expression suggested that the entire world had personally disappointed him. Two girls immediately began whispering. "He's even more handsome in person." "Don't look at him too long. He hates attention." Serena crouched to collect her papers. The boy who had parked the car walked past her without so much as glancing down. His shoe landed on the corner of her notebook. "Excuse me," Serena said. He continued walking. "Excuse me!" Damian finally turned. "What?" "Your foot." He glanced down, then back at her. "Move your notebook." Serena stared at him. "You could also move your foot." Someone nearby gasped. Damian slowly lifted his shoe. Serena snatched up her notebook, brushing dust from the cover. "Thank you," she said sweetly. He gave her a cold look. "You always this difficult?" "Only when people mistake basic manners for optional behavior." A few students burst out laughing. Damian's expression changed. Not much. Just enough for Serena to realize she'd touched a nerve. He stepped closer. "Do you know who I am?" "Should I?" The courtyard fell silent. Even the students who had been pretending not to listen were now watching. Damian studied her face as though he couldn't decide whether to be offended or entertained. "Damian Blackwood." Serena waited. He raised an eyebrow. "Nothing?" "Was I supposed to clap?" A boy standing behind Damian covered his mouth, clearly fighting a laugh. Damian turned his head. "Adrian." "Not saying a word," Adrian Cross replied, smiling. Damian looked back at Serena. "What's your name?" "Someone who has a lecture to attend." She walked away before he could answer. For the first time in years, Damian Blackwood had been dismissed by someone who didn't want anything from him. And strangely enough, that bothered him more than it should have. --- By noon, Serena had found her lecture hall, met a friendly girl named Mia Bennett, and learned that Blackthorne operated on a social hierarchy more complicated than any school she'd ever attended. At the top sat the wealthy, the influential, and the untouchable. Damian belonged to all three categories. "Please tell me you didn't actually argue with him," Mia whispered as they entered their first class. "He stepped on my notebook." "Serena, people apologize to that boy when HE steps on THEIR feet." "Then those people need better self-respect." Mia looked at her with a mixture of admiration and horror. "You are either going to be my best friend or the reason I develop anxiety." Serena laughed. Then the professor entered. "Good afternoon. Today we'll be assigning your first semester research partners." Serena opened her notebook. The professor read the list. "Mia Bennett and Adrian Cross." Mia nearly dropped her pen. "Serena Vale and Damian Blackwood." Serena's smile disappeared. Across the room, Damian leaned back in his chair and looked directly at her. This time, he smiled. It wasn't a friendly smile. It was the kind of smile that promised trouble. "Looks like you're stuck with me, Vale." Serena met his gaze. "Then try not to make me regret coming to this university." He leaned closer. "Too late." Her phone vibrated beneath the desk. An unknown number. One message. **You should leave Blackthorne before you find out what happened to the last girl who challenged Damian Blackwood.** Serena looked up. Damian was already watching her. And somehow, she knew he had noticed the message. **END OF EPISODE 1.**.