Chapter One
1133 Words
The sun cast a golden hue over Crestwood University as Silver Klait stepped out of the cab,the logo and the billboard of the college stood out .The scent of fresh paint and promise lingered in the air as Silver stepped onto the grounds of Crestwood University. Her boots hit the pavement with a confident thud, a sound that matched the beat of her heart. She tilted her head back, taking in the towering gothic-style buildings, all ivy-wrapped walls and arching windows. The place looked like a castle that had been dragged into the 21st century, it was giving a peaceful atmosphere,cool and serene, her suitcase trailing behind her with a stubborn squeak. Her silver-dyed hair shimmered in the light, matching the determined glint in her eyes. She looked nothing like a girl overwhelmed by a new environment.
No, Silver walked through the campus gates like it was built for her
Her phone buzzed in her back pocket, but she ignored it. There’d be time for calls later—after she found her dorm, unpacked, and figured out what kind of world she’d just been thrown into.
With a tug on her suitcase and a leather backpack slung over one shoulder, Silver began her march through the crowd of incoming students. Most of them looked dazed, giddy with nerves. She? She was a storm, dressed in denim and steel, eyes sharp and silver-dyed hair whipping in the breeze.
A tall banner fluttered near the main courtyard: Welcome to Crestwood University—Where Legends Begin.
“Tacky,” she muttered under her breath.
Navigating the maze of walkways and buildings, she found Dormitory A and climbed the stairs to the second floor.
“Kittens dorm, room 207,” she muttered, scanning the map clutched in her hand. The campus buzzed with students laughter and hurried footstep .New faces, New city, New beginning.
Dragging her bags through the bustling hall, Silver finally reached her dorm room,she faced the door unsure and suddenly felt shaky. She had never lived with anyone except her mom and her younger brother all her life, will they accept her for who she is?
She stood still at the door and had questions lingering in her mind , she mustered the courage in her as the fierce determination lit her eyes ,she twisted the door knob.
Music pulsed from inside, something bubbly and upbeat. Silver pushed the door wide and took in the scene.
Two girls were in the middle of turning chaos into comfort. One, petite with a mane of tight curls dyed red at the tips, was dancing while hanging fairy lights. The other sat on a bed, her legs crossed, face buried in her phone, long black braids cascading down her back.
“Roommate number three has arrived!” the dancing one announced, beaming.
Silver arched an eyebrow. “And you are?”
“I’m Andrea, That’s Elsa . We’re fun. You’ll learn to love us.”
“What's your major if I may ask?” Andrea politely asked
“Literature” Silver answered curtly
“Really I can't believe it , I knew we will get along greatly ,I also major in literature, Elsa major in Linguistics” Andrea explained
Elsa looked up briefly, offered a short nod, and went back to texting. Silver dropped her bag near the remaining bed.
“I’m Silver,” she said. “And I don’t do drama, dirt, or loud chewing. We’ll be fine as long as those three things stay out of my way.”
Andrea laughed. “Girl, you’re either gonna be my best friend or my biggest headache.”
Silver smirked. “I’m usually both.”
After unpacking the basics—clothes, a few books, her journal, and a dagger-shaped letter opener her mom gifted her “just in case”—Silver felt the walls closing in. The room was warm and welcoming, sure, but she needed air. Space. A moment to size up the campus and live to her dreams
She swapped her plain tee shirt for a cropped black tank, grabbed her phone, and left the dorm with purpose. Crestwood’s paths twisted like secrets, each building shadowed by tall trees and archways. Laughter clamouring the atmosphere
Silver tuned them out. She was halfway to the fountain in the central courtyard when it happened.
She turned a corner at full speed—and collided with a wall.
No. Not a wall.
A chest. A very hard, very broad chest.
Her phone flew from her hand and shattered to the ground. She stumbled backward, but strong hands caught her by the waist before she could fall.
“Whoa. Easy, kitten.”
The voice was low, deep, confident—practically oozing arrogance. She looked up, and the air in her lungs stalled.
The guy was tall, taller than most, with messy dark hair, chiseled features, and storm-gray eyes that studied her like she was a puzzle he was deciding whether to solve or crush. He was dressed in black from head to toe, a silver chain glinting at his throat. Two guys flanked him—one lean and grinning, the other broad with a cap and quiet menace.
Silver jerked out of his grip. “Don’t call me that.”
He smirked. “Would you prefer sweetheart?”
“Try and never see daylight.’”
The grin widened. “You bumped into me,kitten. I think I’m owed an apology.”
Silver laughed—sharp, fierce, and defiant. “Apology? From me? You must be drunk, delusional, or both.”
“You did slam into me,” he said, folding his arms. “I’m just saying manners wouldn’t kill you.”
“Neither would humility, but look at you still breathing.”
One of his friends snorted. “She’s got a mouth.”
“I do,” Silver said, stepping closer, chin tilted. “And I bite.”
Xavier’s gaze darkened, flicking over her face like a challenge. “Name?”
She tilted her head, mock-innocent. “Wouldn’t you like to know.”
With that, she brushed past him without a second glance. She could feel his eyes on her back. Let him look. Let him wonder.
Looks like someone’s finally met their match,” the grinning friend Chris said behind her
“How bold of her”Ethan-one of his friends smirks as he stares at Xavier, no girl had ever dared to speak to him like that .
“What's her name?”Xavier asked as they watched her walk away.
“I think she is a new student never met her before” Chris replied
Xavier Asher turned, still wearing that amused half-smile. “No idea who she is .But we’re definitely not done
But the smirk on his lips was dangerous. Interested.
The storm had arrived.
- Writer
