Secrets Beneath the Sheets

Episode2: New rules, New dangers

Lucy woke before dawn, startled by a nightmare she couldn't fully remember. Her fingers clenched the sheet as her eyes darted around the unfamiliar room. It took a moment for the reality to settle in: Elites University. Room 203. Cassie as her roommate. And a secret she had to keep buried deeper than ever.

Cassie was still asleep, snoring softly under her silk blanket. Even in sleep, she looked effortlessly glamorous. Lucy sighed and slid out of bed, tiptoeing to the wardrobe. She dressed quickly in a fitted blue blouse and black jeans — the best clothes she owned. Not designer, not flashy. But neat.

Outside, the campus was already buzzing. A group of shirtless boys jogged past, their laughter echoing across the courtyard. Girls in tennis skirts clicked their heels along the pavement, Starbucks cups in hand.

Lucy tightened her grip on her bag. Her first class was Literature 101 — her favorite subject. The one place where her words spoke louder than her clothes.

She found the building after asking twice. Room B204. She stepped in and froze.

The lecture hall was massive, with velvet-lined chairs arranged in a semi-circle. A huge screen displayed the class topic for the day: “The Power of Perspective in Storytelling.”

Only a few students were inside. Most were on their phones, others chatting in groups. She took a seat near the back, hoping not to draw attention.

“Excuse me — is this seat taken?”

She turned and was instantly struck by the guy’s presence. Tall. Dark curls. Deep brown eyes that seemed to know too much. His jawline could cut glass, and when he smiled, it was the kind of smile that promised trouble.

“N-no,” she stuttered.

He sat beside her. Not in front. Not behind. Beside.

Lucy tried to keep her eyes on the board, but she could feel him watching her. Like he was dissecting her — not with malice, but curiosity. That made it worse.

“I haven’t seen you before,” he said casually.

She kept her voice neutral. “I’m new.”

“Scholarship?”

Lucy tensed. “What makes you say that?”

He smirked. “You don’t wear the uniform confidence most people do around here.”

She said nothing. Her throat tightened.

Before he could say more, the professor walked in and started the lecture.

Lucy took notes like her life depended on it. She didn’t dare look sideways, but she could feel the guy’s eyes on her the entire time.

---

After class, she rushed out, heart pounding. She hadn’t even gotten his name. She didn’t want to. Getting close to anyone here was dangerous.

Especially guys who looked like that.

Cassie was waiting by the fountain, sipping a smoothie.

“Sooo, how was your first class, nerd queen?”

“Fine,” Lucy mumbled, still shaken.

Cassie raised a brow. “Why do you look like you saw a ghost?”

“I just... sat next to some guy.”

“Tall, hot, brooding?”

Lucy hesitated. “Yeah…”

Cassie burst into laughter. “You poor child. That was Nate Kingsley.”

Lucy froze.

No. Way.

“That’s him?”

Cassie nodded. “The King of Elites. And he never talks to girls in class. If he sat next to you, he’s either bored... or curious.”

Lucy’s stomach flipped. “I’m not interested.”

Cassie leaned in. “You should be terrified. Nate doesn’t date. He devours. He’s the type who’ll take your heart, play with it, and return it in pieces — and you’ll still thank him for the experience.”

Lucy swallowed hard. “Not me. I’m not here for drama.”

Cassie laughed again. “Then you’re in the wrong school, baby.”

---

That night, Lucy couldn’t sleep. She lay in bed, staring at the ceiling.

Nate Kingsley. The name itself sounded like a storm. Why did he sit next to her? Why did he talk to her? Was it a game?

Her phone buzzed.

Unknown number: You take detailed notes.

Her heart skipped. She knew it was him.

She replied: Who is this?

Another buzz.

The guy who doesn’t sit beside just anyone.

Lucy bit her lip. She wanted to reply. To say something clever. But what was the point? She couldn’t afford to get involved. She had her mother, Maya, and bills waiting for her back home.

But then… why was her heart racing?

---

The next day, Lucy walked into the cafeteria and froze.

There he was. Nate. Sitting with two other boys who looked like they belonged on the cover of GQ.

One of them — light-skinned, covered in tattoos, with honey-brown eyes — looked her way and whispered something to Nate.

Nate didn’t turn. But a smirk lifted one corner of his lips.

Lucy’s stomach did a full somersault.

She turned and left.

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