A Dangerous First Impression
1203 Words
The buildings were even more beautiful up close ... tall, polished structures with glass windows that reflected the morning sun. There were so many of them it felt like a maze.
And I was officially lost.
I had taken the wrong turn at least five times already.
So much for being a fresher!
After what felt like eternity, I finally spotted a wooden door with bold gold lettering:
'Principal Dort.'
I exhaled in relief and knocked gently.
“Come in.”
The voice was calm, controlled.
I pushed the door open. The office smelled faintly of leather and fresh coffee. Behind the large desk sat a man typing away on his laptop. He looked up briefly and gestured for me to sit.
He was younger than I expected. Around Carl’s age. Well-dressed. Neat. Good-looking in a quiet, polished way.
“Miss Kylie. Welcome to Silverwood College.” His tone was warm but professional. “How are you finding the campus so far?”
“It’s beautiful,” I admitted. “Though I almost got lost trying to find your office. The buildings are… confusing.”
A soft chuckle escaped him. “That’s normal for a fresher. Give it a week and you’ll be navigating this place with your eyes closed.”
I smiled politely.
“I’m James Dort,” he continued. “But you can call me Principal Dort. I’m sure your brother mentioned we went to high school together.”
He talked for a while after that .... about academic standards, discipline, expectations. I nodded where necessary, though my mind was already wandering toward unpacking and finding my room.
Then he paused.
“Oh. Before I forget.” He reached into a drawer and pulled out a neatly wrapped box. “Your brother asked me to give you this.”
I blinked. Carl?
“He didn’t mention anything,” I said, taking it from him.
“He said you’d understand.”
Understand what?
“Thank you,” I said, still confused.
I left the office turning the box over in my hands. What was Carl up to? And why didn’t he just give it to me himself?
I’ll open it later.
First, I needed to find my room before I completely lost my sanity.
I had barely taken a few steps when loud screams erupted somewhere ahead.
Actual screams.
The excited kind.
“What on earth…” I muttered.
Students were running in one direction like the building was on fire — except they looked thrilled, not terrified.
I grabbed the arm of a girl rushing past me. “Hey, what’s going on?”
She looked at me like I’d just asked what planet we were on.
“You don’t know?” she shrieked. “The J.J.J. Stars are here!”
I frowned. “Who?”
She stared at me in horror. “You’re joking, right?”
“Camille!” A red-haired girl stormed up to us. “Why did you stop? They’re already here!”
“I’m coming!” Camille snapped back.
The redhead’s eyes scanned me from head to toe ...face full of disgust,slow, judgmental.
“Leave her,” she scoffed. “From the way she’s dressed, she probably just arrived from the countryside.Maybe she left her sheep and cows waiting.”
A few nearby students laughed.
Heat rushed to my face.
Great! First day and I'm already bullied.
I hate when people look at me like I don’t belong.
I stepped closer, tilting my head slightly. “Is that red paint on your hair? It’s… bold. Maybe next time, you should dye your face too "
The crowd burst into louder laughter.
Her face darkened instantly.
I gave her a sweet smile ... the kind that isn’t sweet at all , and walked away before she could recover.
I sticked out my middle finger at her and left.
Let them choke on that.
~~~
When would I get used to this place. I had been searching for my room for God knows when.
I had no idea how long I’d been wandering when it happened.
I turned a corner too quickly.
Thud.
The box slipped from my hand and hit the ground.
“Oh, I’m sorr....”
“You should watch where you’re going, bitch.”
The voice was cold. Sharp. Cutting. Hatred and disgust eminent in his voice.
My apology died in my throat.
“I knew poor smelling bitches like you lacked manners,” he continued smoothly, “but I didn’t know they were blind too.”
The words landed like slaps.
Slowly, I looked up.
And for a second, I understood the screaming.
He was… unreal.
Tall. Impossibly handsome. Perfectly styled. The kind of face you’d expect on a billboard, not five inches away from yours. A few guys stood behind him — equally polished, equally expensive-looking.
Ah.
Pop stars.
But beauty doesn’t excuse arrogance.
I stood up fully, brushing invisible dust from my clothes. “Funny,” I said calmly. “I was about to apologize before you decided to speak.”
His brows lifted slightly.
“Sometimes I wonder why faces don’t match personalities,” I continued. “You could’ve stepped aside too. Unless you were too busy admiring yourself.”
A collective gasp rippled through the crowd that had already started forming. What? He thought I was going to stay mute and watch him embarrass me? Over my ass!
Phones were out.
Recording.
His expression shifted ....shock first, then something darker.
“Do you even know who you’re talking to?” he asked quietly, but the rage underneath was clear.
“Should I?” I replied. “Does it change the fact that you were rude?”
Whispers grew louder.
I noticed the red-haired girl from earlier watching with satisfaction, arms folded like she was waiting for my execution.
He stepped closer.
Too close.
“I don’t repeat myself,” he said. “Watch your tone.”
“And I don’t tolerate disrespect,” I shot back. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a room to find. You’re blocking my way.”
For a split second, no one moved.
Then I did the unthinkable.
I pushed past him.
The crowd erupted.
He turned sharply. “You’re going to regret this!”
I didn’t stop walking.
“Rub it in your face” I called over my shoulder.
More gasps.
More whispers.
But I refused to look back.
I didn’t know who he was exactly.
I didn’t care.
No one ... rich, famous, worshipped or not...was going to make me feel small.
Not on my first day.
Not ever.
- Writer
