THE BOY WHO RUINED MY NAME

HIS FAVORITE ENEMY

Serena had survived her first day at Blackthorne University.

Barely.

Now she was expected to spend an entire semester working with the most insufferable boy she had ever met.

"You're late."

Damian didn't look up when Serena entered the library.

She checked the clock.

"I'm three minutes early."

"Not early enough."

Serena dropped her books onto the table.

"Do you practice being unbearable, or does it come naturally?"

He finally looked up.

"You're welcome to request another partner."

"I did. The professor said no."

"Then I suppose you'll have to learn to tolerate me."

"Don't flatter yourself."

She pulled out her laptop and began reviewing the assignment. Their project was about the influence of inherited wealth on modern society, a topic that seemed almost personally designed to irritate Damian.

After ten minutes of silence, he glanced at her notes.

"You've misunderstood the second source."

Serena frowned. "No, I haven't."

"You have."

"Would you like to explain that without sounding like an arrogant i***t?"

He pulled the book toward himself and pointed to a paragraph.

She read it.

Then read it again.

Unfortunately, he was right.

Serena hated that.

"Fine," she muttered. "You were right about that one."

Damian leaned back. "Could you repeat that? I want to remember the moment."

"Enjoy it while it lasts."

A quiet laugh escaped him.

Serena looked up, surprised.

It was the first time she'd seen him look almost normal.

Then his phone rang.

The change was immediate.

He glanced at the screen, rejected the call, and returned to his notes.

It rang again.

"Are you going to answer that?" Serena asked.

"No."

"Then why keep staring at it?"

His eyes lifted.

"Because some people don't understand the meaning of no."

For a moment, his voice sounded tired rather than cruel.

Before Serena could respond, he closed the book.

"We're done for today."

"What? We haven't finished half the assignment!"

"Send me your notes."

"You cannot be serious."

He stood.

"I usually am."

Serena watched him leave, furious.

Then she noticed a photograph tucked inside the book he'd left behind.

It showed Damian standing beside an older woman outside a hospital. He wasn't smiling, and his hand rested protectively on her shoulder.

On the back, someone had written:

*You promised you'd protect her.*

Serena barely had time to process the words before Damian returned.

His gaze landed on the photograph in her hand.

"Give it to me."

Something in his voice made her immediately hold it out.

He took it carefully.

"Who is she?" Serena asked.

"Nobody you need to know."

"That doesn't look like nobody."

His jaw tightened.

"Stay out of my personal life, Serena."

"And you stay out of mine."

For a second, they stood facing each other, both too stubborn to look away.

Then Damian slipped the photograph into his pocket.

"Tomorrow. Seven o'clock. Library."

"I have a life outside this assignment."

"Then bring it with you."

He left again.

Serena stared after him.

"I genuinely hate that boy."

---

The following morning, Serena discovered that the university had a student gossip page.

Unfortunately, she also discovered that she was now featured on it.

A photograph of her arguing with Damian filled the screen.

**NEW GIRL THINKS SHE CAN CHALLENGE BLACKWOOD?**

The comments were worse.

*Give her a week.*

*She's obviously trying to get his attention.*

*Girls like her always pretend they're different.*

Mia grabbed Serena's phone.

"Don't read these. They're bored rich kids with internet access."

Serena tried to laugh.

But the words had already found their way under her skin.

She had come here to study, not become somebody's entertainment.

Then a new notification appeared.

A private message.

*I know why you really came to Blackthorne.*

Serena's fingers went cold.

Another message followed.

*Ask your father what happened three years ago.*

Before she could reply, the account disappeared.

Across campus, Damian stood beside Adrian, watching the same gossip page.

Adrian whistled.

"Your new partner is becoming famous."

"Find out who's behind the account," Damian said.

"Why do you care?"

Damian's eyes remained fixed on Serena's photograph.

"I don't."

Adrian smirked. "You always order me to investigate girls you don't care about?"

Damian finally looked at him.

"Do you want to keep talking, or do you want to be useful?"

Adrian's smile faded.

"Fine. But there's something you should know."

"What?"

Adrian glanced toward the courtyard.

"Serena Vale's family name isn't as ordinary as she thinks."

**END OF EPISODE 2.**