His Heartthrob

Chapter one

18-year-old River Vesper rushed around her room, grabbing her backpack; she checked the time and realized she was running late for classes.

And her mom's voice calling out downstairs wasn't helping. She was the second child and first daughter of her parents; she had a 20-year-old elder brother - Matthew, and a 12-year-old younger sister - Gigi. Her father had passed away three years ago making life a little hard for her family.

Montana College was a private college she attended where social hierarchies met - thanks to the scholarship she got.

She was jealous of Gigi, who at middle school acted all mature and was popular in her school compared to her who seemed to be a ghost… No, not a ghost, but what was she noticed for? Her being overweight.

River rushed downstairs as her mom yelled “Don't forget to eat breakfast”.

“Thanks, Mom, I'll eat in school!” She yelled halfway out of the door.

“ At least wait for your sister so you can escort her to school.”

River let out a frustrated groan. “ Gigi's 12. She can walk to school herself.”

River, however, waited outside; she caught a glimpse of herself in the mirrored Window. She stared at her reflection taking in her chubby cheeks and rounded figure. She wasn't that obese, but she was chubby than other girls in school, and no matter how she tried, she couldn't escape the constant barrage of snide comments and readings.

She sighed, applying a layer of lip gloss to her dry lips, “ Gigi, I will so beat you!”

She yelled as we glanced at her watch.

But instead of a response, she heard D a snickering sound coming from the doorway. Gigi stood there with her hands crossed, a smirk dancing on her lips.

“I was waiting for you to finish your not-so-fine makeup.” Gigi rolled her eyes beneath her oversized sunglasses.

“I was just putting on a gloss!-” “ Gigi, why are you wearing sunglasses to school? It's not even sunny outside!” River snapped in annoyance.

Gigi shrugged, pushing the sunglasses to the bridge of her nose,

“ I'm just making a fashion statement, sis. Besides, I'm trying to hide my dark circles. I was up all night watching YouTube videos.”

“ Well, You wouldn't let Mom hear you say that! We better get going!” River said.

# # #

River finally arrived at school and made her way to the lecture room; someone collided with her, and, instead of apologizing, snorted.

“watch it clumsy b***h!”

“I'm sorry_” River apologized and quickly gathered her scattered books on the ground.

The front seats were taken, and she bit her lip angry that Gigi had wasted her time. She walked towards an empty seat in the middle, But a girl with weird makeup turned to her and sneered “Get lost!”

Over the past two years after her father's demise, River became withdrawn from herself and barely spoke to people outside, especially in college, where she was bullied.

Without arguing, River had to move to the extreme back as students didn't want her to sit with them.

The lecturer came in and began to teach. River stared down at her notes; tears in her eyes were blurring the letters on them.

Suddenly, the quiet hall erupted into an uproar as the classroom door swung open. The college founder's son, Axel Bronte, draped in a skin-tight black leather jacket, which had metallic spikes on the shoulder, sauntered into the room.

His tousled platinum hair fell over one eye, accentuating the multiple silver hoops lining his ears and a middle eyebrow piercing that shimmered under the fluorescent light.

Mr Dawnson, the lecturer, cleared his throat, peering through his round glasses at the disrespect that permeated the room. “You are late, Me. Bronte!” He stated.

The irritation in his voice was so obvious.

Axel turned towards the lecturer.

“Is this a boring history class? f**k it!” Axel swore disappointedly. “Just wanted to make a grand entrance, hope you are not too disappointed”.

Laughter erupted from the class. Only River sat quietly and angrily watched as everyone who had left spaces invited him to sit with them.

“Hey, miss chubby-fat! Pass the attendance” A guy sneered behind her back.

“It's River” She corrected politely while passing the paper. He snatched it from her.

“Well, everyone knows you as ‘miss-chubby-fat’. I think you should attach it to your first name; it suits you well.” He winked, annoying her.

People around laughed. River felt her heart race, her fist clenched around her pen. She wasn't going to cry in front of them. She took her handkerchief and pressed it to her face.