Chapter 7 Welcome To Hell
1243 Words
“Tell me honestly, Lina… who is the person sponsoring you?” her mother asked, her voice low but heavy with suspicion. They sat inside a quiet café not far from the school.
Lina smiled faintly, fingers wrapped around the warmth of her cup. She tried to sound as calm as possible.
“You don’t need to worry, Mom. He’s not a bad person. He’s the new president of Trinity Corporation. I’m sure you’ve heard of it, right?”
Her words slipped out easily, but inside she knew she was lying. Tristan Lancaster wasn’t nearly as good as she was painting him to be.
Her mother exhaled a long, tired sigh. “Trinity?” She shook her head, as though she was still trying to process. “Are you… at least okay in that school?”
“What do you mean? Of course I’m okay.” Lina leaned forward with a small, reassuring grin. “Today was my first day, and honestly, I enjoyed it.” Joy slipped into her tone naturally, and that eased her mother’s worry.
Her mother’s lips curved in a relieved smile. “So… when are you planning to come home?”
Lina froze for a second, then sighed nervously. “About that… I’ll be living with my sponsor and his little sister. She’s in my class. Besides, he wants me to help his sister with her studies. So, on weekdays, I won’t be at home.”
“Is that so?” Her mother nodded slowly, her gaze shifting down toward the watch on Lina’s wrist and the expensive shoes she wore. “Did he also buy you those?”
Lina lifted her arm, showing off the glittering watch like a child flaunting a prized toy. “Isn’t it beautiful? Mr. Lancaster is… really a good person.” She forced her smile brighter, like the act itself could sell the lie.
Her mother studied her face for a moment, then sighed softly. “If you’re happy, then that’s fine. I just don’t want you to fall victim among those rich people.”
“Don’t worry,” Lina said quickly, reaching for her mother’s hand. “I’ll visit every weekend.”
Her mother squeezed her hand back, still unsure but unwilling to press further. They parted ways not long after, and Lina made her way back toward the Lancaster mansion, her heart heavier than she showed.
The next morning, Lina arrived at school earlier than usual. Nora had insisted they be early, so they both walked into the classroom just as the sun cast long shadows through the tall windows.
To Lina’s surprise, the class wasn’t empty. Two other students were already there—her neighbors in seating arrangement. On her right, a nerdy-looking girl carefully unpacked her books with stiff, precise motions. On her left, a boy slumped over his desk, sleeping so deeply it was almost impressive.
Lina blinked at him, curiosity flickering. She had never seen his face properly; every time, he was asleep.
She turned to the nerdy girl. “Hey.”
The girl flinched as if startled by human contact.
“I’m Lina,” she continued softly, extending her hand.
The girl hesitated, then shyly shook it. “Jessy,” she murmured.
Lina smiled warmly, glad for the friendly gesture. Her eyes slid back toward the sleeping boy. “Hey, about that guy…” she whispered, pointing discreetly. “Does he always sleep in class? Or does he not have a home?”
Since stepping into this world, Lina had been more and more intrigued by her classmates. This school wasn’t ordinary—it brimmed with heirs and prodigies from powerful families, each with secrets worth discovering.
Jessy glanced at the boy, then leaned closer. “Don’t you know who he is?”
Lina shook her head. “Is he someone important?”
Jessy’s voice dropped, a mix of awe and caution. “He’s the son of one of the school’s founders.”
Lina’s eyes widened, her jaw dropping. “Wait—one of the founders? Which one?”
“Whitmore,” Jessy whispered. “He’s one of the Five Diamonds. I’d advise you not to talk about him like that.”
“The… Five Diamonds?” Lina echoed, frowning.
Jessy looked surprised. “You don’t know about them?” Then she slapped her forehead gently. “Ah—you’re new here.” She glanced toward the door, then back at Lina. Her shy demeanor shifted, replaced with something sharper, more alive. She leaned in close, her voice dropping. “I can’t explain here. Follow me.”
Something in Jessy’s sudden boldness caught Lina off guard. But curiosity won. She followed her out of the classroom.
They entered the elevator, Jessy pressing the button for the very top floor. The ride was quiet, filled with the faint hum of machinery. Lina didn’t ask where they were going. She wanted to see.
When the doors opened, the rooftop stretched before them, wide and windswept. Jessy walked to the edge, inhaling deeply, as if she always came here to breathe freely.
Lina stepped closer, smiling slightly. “So? What’s this all about? Why couldn’t you just tell me in class?”
Jessy turned, her face serious. “Because if I get caught talking to you about them, I’ll be in trouble.”
Lina frowned, unease prickling at her. “Trouble? Are those people… doing something to you?”
Her memory flashed to the cafeteria, to the four who had cornered and bullied Jessy.
Jessy gave a bitter laugh. “Those people are exactly who I’m talking about—the Diamonds.” She moved closer to the ledge, motioning for Lina to join her. “Come here.”
From above, they had a clear view of the school’s entrance. Three luxury cars pulled up: one gleaming white, two sleek black.
From the first, a tall boy stepped out, exuding effortless confidence. From the second, another boy emerged, while from the third car came two figures—a boy and a girl.
Lina’s breath caught. She recognized one of them immediately. Adrian. And beside him… another girl.
“You see them?” Jessy whispered. “Those are the Five Diamonds. Children of the school’s founders. You already know the Lancasters and the Whitmores. Down there are Harrington, Sterling, and Callahan.”
Lina’s gaze flicked from face to face, the weight of Jessy’s words sinking in. “And Adrian? What about him?”
Jessy turned her head, eyes narrowing. “Adrian? He’s just a scholarship student—like me, like you.”
The way Jessy said it—the bitterness, the sharp edge—it unsettled Lina. As though being a scholarship student here was a curse, not an honor.
“Is something wrong?” Lina asked carefully. “I didn’t know you were a scholarship student too, but… honestly, it’s nice to meet someone like me.”
Jessy forced a small smile, but it quickly faded. She stepped closer, lowering her voice to a chilling whisper.
“What I’m trying to tell you is… welcome to hell, Lina Ashford.”
The words hit Lina like a slap. Her heart skipped, her breath caught in her throat. Of all things she had expected Jessy to say, that wasn’t it.
Welcome to hell.
The phrase echoed in her mind, louder and louder.
And somehow, as the Diamonds walked gracefully into the school below, she felt those words might just be true.
- Writer
