Fangs, Lies and Love

The gates of Ridge academy are taller than I expected, black iron twisted into sharp, elegant patterns. The school looked more like a castle than a high school. Stone towers stretched toward the sky, their windows gleaming under the pale morning sun. a wide staircase led up to the main entrance, where students in polished uniforms laughed and talked like they’d known each other forever. a group of girls passed by, their eyes scanning me from head to toe before whispering to each other. at Las Encinas, I was used to stares. But here it was different, it wasn't judgemental, it was curiosity because I was on scholarship. I clutched the strap of my bag tighter. “New start,” I whispered to myself. “Don’t screw it up.” I could almost hear Guzman’s voice in my head. You’ve got this, Nadia. You always do. I missed him already. I pulled out my phone, scrolling through our last texts. He’d stayed up late to talk to me even with a soccer game the next morning. That was just who he was, always there I promised him I’d stay focused. I wouldn’t let this new place change me. Taking a deep breath, I climbed the stairs and pushed open the heavy wooden doors. The main hall was even more intimidating. Polished marble floors stretched in every direction. a chandelier hung from the ceiling, glittering like something out of a palace. a grand staircase split into two wings, leading to the upper levels where the dorms were. Everything smelled like fresh paper, coffee, and something else something unfamiliar but sharp. I shook it off. Just nerves. I made my way to the administration office. Behind the desk sat a middle aged woman with thin glasses and a forced smile. Her badge read Ms. Porter. “Nadia Shanaa?” she asked, barely glancing up. “Yes,” I said. She slid a folder across the counter. “Room 203. Your class schedule is inside. Orientation started twenty minutes ago. Try not to make a habit of being late.” I bit back a snarky reply, grabbed the folder, and left. Room 203 I repeated in my head as I walked away. The dorm hall was quieter than I expected. Most of the doors were closed, but music thumped softly behind a few. I found my room, unlocked the door, and stepped inside. It wasn’t huge, but it was nicer than I thought it would be. Two beds, two desks, and a window overlooking the courtyard. a poster of some punk band was already pinned to the wall on one side. The other side was empty. Mine. a loud thud behind me made me spin around. a girl stood in the doorway, dragging a heavy suitcase inside. She had short black hair with blue streaks and wore combat boots that clashed with the school uniform. She gave me a quick once-over before smirking. “You must be my roommate.” “Nadia,” I said, offering my hand. She didn’t shake it. “ava. Let’s just stay out of each other’s way, yeah?” Before I could answer, she dropped onto her bed and pulled out her phone. Conversation over. Great start. I unpacked quietly, stealing glances at her. ava didn’t seem the friendly type, but something about her felt... off. Or maybe everyone in this school would seem strange to me. I finished quickly and decided to call home. Dad answered on the first ring. “Hey, sweetie. How’s the new school?” “It’s... fancy.” I glanced around. “I’m still settling in.” “You’ll adjust. You always do.” His voice was warm, but I could hear the worry beneath it. “I’ll be fine,” I promised. “I’ll focus on my studies. I won’t let you or Guzman down. “You could never let me down, Nadia.” He paused. “and Guzman he’s a good kid. But don’t forget to live your own life too, okay?” I nodded, even though he couldn’t see me. “I will.” We hung up, and I felt a little steadier. By the time I reached the cafeteria for lunch, the place was buzzing. Tables overflowed with students chatting and laughing like they’d known each other forever. I grabbed a tray and scanned the room. a voice cut through the noise. “You’re in my seat.” I turned and found myself face to face with a boy I hadn’t noticed before. He was tall, lean, and wore the school blazer like it didn’t matter. His dark hair was tousled, and his green eyes practically glowed under the lights. The girl sitting across from him rolled her eyes and got up. He slid into the seat and flashed me a smirk. “New girl, right?” His voice was smooth, too confident. “I’m aiden.” “Nadia.” His gaze lingered on me a little too long. “I haven’t seen you around before.” “I just transferred.” “Lucky us.” He leaned forward, and for a second, I caught a strange scent, earthy and wild, like the woods after it rains. It sent a shiver down my spine. I shifted in my seat. “Is everyone here so... welcoming?” aiden chuckled, but his smile didn’t quite reach his eyes. “You’ll get used to it. Or you won’t.” Before I could ask what he meant, the bell rang. as I left the cafeteria, I felt his eyes follow me out. I tried to shake off the weird feeling, but it clung to me as I made my way to the library. I wanted somewhere quiet to think about this strange school, about the way aiden’s presence made my skin prickle. I decided to visit the schools library because the library is my safe space The scent of old books filled the air as I walked between tall shelves. Most students preferred the cafeteria or common rooms, leaving the library silent and still. Just how I liked it. I was pulling out a worn copy of Pride and Prejudice when a voice broke the quiet. “You shouldn’t be here alone.” I turned. a boy leaned against the bookshelf, watching me. His silver white hair fell over his forehead, and his dark eyes burned with something cold and Dangerous. “I didn’t think the library was off limits,” I said, trying to sound braver than I felt. His lips curled into a slow smile. “Not everything here is what it seems.” I raised an eyebrow. “and who exactly are you?” “Bastien,” he said smoothly. “and you? You’re Nadia.” My stomach twisted. “How do you know my name?” His smile sharpened. “I know a lot of things.” He stepped closer, his voice dropping to a whisper. “Watch your back, new girl. This school has secrets. and you? You’re already in too deep.” Before I could ask what he meant, I blinked and he was gone. Like he had never been there. I was so lost in thought that I didn’t see the person in front of me until it was too late. “Oops!” Books spilled from my arms, scattering across the marble floor. My heart pounded as I knelt to gather them, but before I could reach for the last one, he did. His fingers brushed mine. Warm. Strong. I looked up and time seemed to slow. He was tall and broad shouldered, with dark hair that fell messily over his forehead. His uniform fit perfectly, but there was something untamed about him. Something that made my pulse skip. His eyes an intense shade of blue locked onto mine. I forgot how to breathe. “Watch your steps, Nadia,” he said softly, handing me my book. His voice was smooth, almost teasing, but there was a weight behind his words. as if he knew me somehow. “How do you know my name?” I asked, my heart still racing. He didn’t answer. He just smiled a slow, mysterious smile and stood up. “Wait,” I called after him. “What’s your name?” For a second, I thought he might answer. But instead, he just turned and walked away. I stood there, clutching my books to my chest, heart pounding in my ears. I didn’t know who he was.