Chapter 6
1104 Words
Monday came far sooner than expected.
The sun had barely risen when Grandma Nelly was already moving around the kitchen, her footsteps soft but purposeful. The smell of frying eggs, warm bread, and brewed tea filled the small house, wrapping it in a familiar comfort that made Adeline’s chest tighten.
Today was different.
Today, they were leaving.
“Wake up, my children,” Grandma Nelly called gently. “You don’t want to be late on your first day.”
Adeline opened her eyes slowly, staring at the ceiling for a moment. Her heart was already racing. Today wasn’t just resumption day — it was the beginning of a life she had fought hard to earn.
Beside her, Kate groaned and buried her face in the pillow.
Kate's parents are out of the country, so she's staying with Grandma Nelly till they'll be back
“God,” she muttered, “why does destiny come so early in the morning?”
Adeline chuckled softly but sat up immediately. She couldn’t afford laziness today — not even for five extra minutes.
Alexander knocked once before pushing the door open. “If both of you don’t get up now, Granny will personally escort you with that mop stick.”
Kate jumped out of bed instantly. “Say less.”
Grandma Nelly watched them eat with a proud smile, though her eyes lingered on them longer than usual. She said a longer prayer, holding their hands tightly, squeezing as if she wanted to pour every blessing she had into their palms.
“May this place not swallow you,” she prayed. “May you remain yourselves. And may no one make you feel small.”
Adeline swallowed hard.
The cab ride was quiet.
No teasing. No laughter. No jokes.
Only nerves.
Adeline stared out the window as buildings changed, streets widened, and unfamiliar neighborhoods appeared. Her hands rested on her lap, fingers twisting together unconsciously.
When the cab finally slowed, she felt it before she saw it.
Then she looked up.
And froze.
The Westbridge University gate towered before them, massive and intimidating. Black wrought iron glinted in the morning sun, the school crest boldly engraved at the center. Beyond the gate stretched manicured lawns so green they looked unreal, fountains sparkling under the light, tall academic buildings lined with glass and stone reflecting wealth, history, and power.
It didn’t look like a school.
It looked like a different world.
The cab door opened.
They stepped out.
“Waoh…” Adeline breathed, her mouth falling open without permission. “This place is… beautiful.”
Kate’s bag slid slightly off her shoulder as she stared. “Beautiful? This place looks like money itself.”
Alexander stood frozen, hands gripping his backpack straps, eyes scanning the campus slowly. He didn’t speak — he didn’t need to.
Students moved past them confidently, dragging suitcases, laughing loudly, phones pressed to their ears. Designer clothes, expensive shoes, careless smiles.
Some glanced at them.
Some whispered.
🗣️ “Waoh… are they twins? They look so identical.”
🗣️ “Scholarship students, probably.”
🗣️ “The clothes… poor kids.”
The words hit harder than Adeline expected.
She straightened her shoulders.
I belong here.
Before she could say anything, the atmosphere shifted.
Engines roared.
The sound wasn’t subtle — it demanded attention.
Three luxury cars rolled in smoothly and stopped almost theatrically at the entrance.
Black. Red. White.
The crowd paused.
Whispers turned into excited gasps.
Phones were raised.
The door of the white car opened first.
Brian stepped out.
Adeline forgot how to breathe.
He was tall, effortlessly so, with long slender legs and a posture that spoke of confidence without arrogance. His face was calm, sharp but soft at the same time — the kind of beauty that didn’t beg for attention but commanded it anyway. The morning sun kissed his skin, making it glow faintly, as though it recognized him.
His dark eyes scanned the crowd briefly — controlled, observant, unreadable.
He looked like he belonged here.
Like Westbridge was built around him.
From the red car, Louis emerged next.
Leather jacket. Relaxed stance. A smile that looked like trouble.
His eyes sparkled with mischief, lips curled in a familiar playboy smirk. He adjusted his jacket lazily, soaking in the attention like oxygen. Tattoos peeked subtly beneath his sleeves — enough to make girls scream and parents panic.
From the black car, Isaac stepped out quietly.
No drama.
Hands shoved into his pockets. Hoodie layered casually over a shirt. His gaze didn’t seek attention — it observed from a distance. There was something withdrawn about him, like he was present but not truly part of the chaos.
🗣️ “IT’S THE GOLDEN BOYS!”
A scream ripped through the air.
And then —
Chaos.
Students rushed forward in waves. Girls screamed names. Bodies collided. Phones nearly dropped.
Adeline felt herself pushed backward.
Kate stumbled. “Hey!”
Alexander grabbed Adeline’s arm tightly, pulling her back before she lost balance.
They were shoved aside like obstacles.
Like ants.
“What the hell is happening?” Kate muttered.
They looked back.
And that was when it happened.
Adeline’s eyes met Brian’s.
Everything slowed.
The noise dulled.
The world shrank.
Brian’s gaze paused on her curious, assessing. He didn’t look away immediately.
Neither did she.
Something passed between them — brief, unreadable, unsettling.
Kate inhaled sharply. “Waoh… they really are golden.”
Alexander exhaled slowly, shoving his hands into his pockets. “Guy… they’re handsome.”
Adeline forced herself to look away, heart racing.
Then another engine purred.
One car.
Sleek. Elegant.
It stopped.
The door opened.
Mitchell stepped out first.
She was breathtaking — flawless skin, expensive perfume lingering even from a distance, posture straight and confident. Her outfit hugged her body perfectly, her hair styled immaculately. She didn’t walk — she owned the ground beneath her heels.
Behind her came Katherine.
Soft smile. Innocent eyes. Gentle posture.
Too gentle.
Then Caroline.
Bold. Loud. Confident. Her energy was explosive, her smile wide, her presence impossible to ignore.
🗣️ “MITCHELL I LOVE YOU!”
🗣️ “CAROLINEEEE!”
🗣️ “KATHERINE IS SO SEXY!”
The screams were deafening.
Adeline’s attention snapped back to Mitchell.
Her cheek burned.
Her stomach tightened.
Her pulse quickened.
The memory came crashing in.
The mall.
The crowd.
The slap.
Her fingers curled slowly at her sides.
“That’s her,” Adeline said quietly.
Kate turned. “Who?”
“The girl from the mall.”
Kate’s eyes widened. “The one who slapped you?”
Adeline nodded.
Mitchell’s gaze scanned the crowd lazily.
Then..
She saw Adeline.
- Writer
