Pearl Haven Academy

Chapter 1- Welcome to Pearl Haven Academy

THALIA

I walk in to my new school. It's far away from home, but the ambiance and security are safe here. Pearl Haven Academy. A place where all the rich and spoiled kids study. I look at the brochure one more time before taking a step.

The only reason I chose this school is because they have an excellent sports-oriented club. The extracurricular activities in and out of school are also wonderful. And they have security for every student. So it's perfectly safe.

I've always loved running. Every school I go to, I always apply for the track and field club.

The next step is to go to the principal's office.

So I open the pamphlet again to check where it is located and then shove it in my bag as I make my way to the principal's office.

That's when I see a boy stepping outside from the principal's office.

"You better not do this again, got it?!" I hear a shout from inside the office.

"Yeah, yeah! Darn old man." He placed his hands on his pockets and stared at me.

"Whatcha looking at? Huh?" He asked me.

"Nothing, um... you're blocking my way," I say.

"Oh? So you must be new." He then eyed me up and down as he licked his lips.

I shudder and feel a sweat run down my spine.

No. Not again. We're done with this Thalia. No more backing out.

"You're In My Way." I hiss.

"Right. I'll see you around." He moves aside for me then walks away while still keeping his hands on his pockets.

I heave a sigh and clutch the doorknob. Then I slowly turn it.

"Chester!" I hear someone call that name after I step inside, but I don't dare look. Just lay low. Thalia. Nothing good comes if I stare behind me right now.

The principal smiles at me as I walk in.

"Welcome, Miss Thalia Clarkson," he says.

"Thank you, Mr. Principal." I take a seat and stare at the name box on his desk. Rodney Martin. I wonder what his link is to that guy earlier.

He tells me all about the history and rules of the school, then gives me the student handbook of rules and regulations. I listen intently to everything he says.

"Here is your class schedule," says Mr. Martin.

I take it from him and thank him. "Thank you, Mr. Martin," I say.

He nods. "I hope you have a good time here at our school."

"Yes, I hope so too. Thank you," I say.

I say farewell to him and then step outside his office, and I bump into someone.

"Sorry," I say. I look up and stare at who I just bumped into. And he's the guy from earlier.

"Can you move? You're blocking my way." I say.

He doesn't move. Instead, he reaches for my hair and sniffs it.

Woah. Way too close there. But he smells minty, which is just like a blend of fresh leaves and toothpaste.

CHESTER

I don't know what's gotten into me. Why do I wait for her? I don't even know her. But I wanted to see her again. Check on what she's up to. What she's after. And if she's doing okay after talking to my old man.

I am waiting outside the door, and then when it finally opens, she bumps into me. About d*** time she came out.

I peek through the door and see my dad talking on his phone with his back turned on us. Perfect.

I grab the tip of her black hair and sniff it. Man. The scent of her hair is like cherry, and her body fragrance smells like strawberries. She shivers, and I look into her eyes. Those round chocolate orbs staring at me in fear. All because of me. And I f***ing like it.

"Chester!" I hear someone calling me. So I snap out of my reverie and let go of her hair. I heave a sigh and pull away from her. "What?" I say.

Wade approaches me. He is one of my buddies in this school.

"Just asking if you want to come to the party tonight. At Riveira's Club." Wade hovers behind me while the girl runs off the other way to her dorms.

"Riveira? What time is the party?" I ask him while I watch the girl scramble away.

"7 pm. Are you coming?" He asks again.

"Yes. I'm coming," I say.

"Great." He beams. "See you there."

I nod and then walk back in to my dad's office.

He stares at me. "What? Did you forget something?" He says.

"Yeah. I did. What's the name of that girl who just left?" I ask.

He scoffs. "Your next target, I presume? Well, young man. I don't want you near her. Her parents entrusted her to me. So I want you to steer clear from her."

F**k. The more I'm not allowed, the more I want someone. He's clearly hiding something from me. If I can't get it from him, I have to get that secret out of her. So I don't say a word and just step out of his office.

And I walk on my way to the dorms. Her dorm, to be exact.

THALIA

I walk in inside my dorm, and then I start unpacking my stuff. Classes start tomorrow, so I have to do this now. When I finish, I lay down in bed and look at my phone.

Then a head pops out from on top of me.

"Hi, you're the new girl?" I almost scream. I thought I was seeing a ghost.

She quickly gets down from the top bunk and reaches out a hand to me. "Sorry, if I scared you. I'm Nika, by the way."

"Hi, I'm Thalia," I say, shaking her hand.

She beams. "Can I see your schedule?" I nod and grab my bag to look for my class schedule and hand it to her.

"Hmm... You have the same class as me in Physics! That's so fun!" She says, causing me to giggle. "I think so too!"

"So? Did you decide to join any clubs?" she asks.

"I'm interested in the track and field club," I say.

"Really? I think you'll do just fine in cheerleading club with me too. You have a great figure."

I chuckle. "You think? Thanks for the compliment. I just prefer running on the tracks more."

"Haha. Alright. But if you change your mind, you can tell me." She beams, and then we exchange numbers.

CHESTER

I make my way to her dorms. She is talking to her top bunkmate. She is smiling while I watch them from the window. I contemplate whether I should enter but her friend is still inside.

Then that same girl named Nika, from what I heard of their conversation, excuses herself since she says she wants to go to the bathroom.

I stare at her as she lays back down her bed as she scrolls through her phone. I badly want to enter, but her dormmate could come back any time, so I just watch her. Because approaching her would be wrong right now. Her hair is down, and then I stare down at her features, keeping it all to memory. Her black silky hair, those round chocolate orbs, her sharp nose, her supple pink lips. Her tongue darts out slightly to lick her lips, and I can't help but bite my own lips. God. I wonder how it would feel when I get to touch her face and pull her in for a kiss. Or if she kisses me herself.

Imagining that makes me want to take her right now. I take a step, but then her roommate comes back in. Maybe next time I guess when I'm sure she is alone.

"I'm heading out," she says. "Do you want to come?" I see her slowly get up from the bed.

"Where are you going?" she asks. "I'm going to a party at the Riveira's Club. Do you want to go with me? It'd be nice to have a girl friend with me," she says.

"But school's tomorrow," she sighs.

"Oh, come on. Live a little. Don't worry. We'll be back before it gets late. We'll go home at 9." I smirk as I hear her say yes, and I walk away from there. I have a party to prepare for and a girl to get to after all. As I walk away, my phone buzzes.

Wade

Yo buddy. You still up for the party? Zach and I are already here.

I type back. Yeah. I'll be there.

I walk back to the dorms and change into my hoodie and blue jeans. I want to lay low tonight since I have someone to catch.