When Bad Boys Fall

The dream was perfect. I was back in Muskogee, sitting in my mom’s car, finally feeling safe. Then, the vibration came; a violent ring that felt like it was happening inside my skull. I groaned and swiped at my phone. 8:05 a.m. "Damn," I whispered. History with Professor Whitelock started at 9:00 sharp. I had spent the night tossing and turning, worrying about my new life at Sterling College. I scrambled out of bed, nearly tripping over a sneaker. My roommate, Taylor, was a silent curl under neon pink blankets. She didn't have a morning class. Lucky girl. I ran to the bathroom. I didn't even have time to dry off properly. I pulled my jeans over wet skin and crushed a towel against my hair. There was no time for the straightener. My red hair, the one thing I liked to control, was already frizzing into a wild halo. Ding. A message flashed on the Fresh Students Forum from Professor Selina Whitelock: "Welcome to Sterling. Please note: Anyone who misses my first class will not be allowed back for the rest of the semester. See you soon." "This is bad," I muttered, grabbing my bag and sprinting out the door. 8:20 a.m. I walked as fast as I could. My stomach let out a loud, embarrassing growl. I hadn't eaten since the previous night’s drama with Taylor. Across the road, I saw a snack bar with a bright yellow sign. I started to cross the street, my eyes fixed on the shop, when I heard it. A roar of an engine. Before I could turn, a sleek car flew through a massive, muddy puddle. A wall of cold, dirty water slammed into me. It hit my chest and face, soaking my shirt instantly. I stood frozen in the road, shivering. Dirty water dripped down my neck. I stumbled into the shop, clutching my bag tightly as I shivered. A young man with a name tag that read Mark rushed over with napkins. "Oh my gosh! I saw that. I’m so sorry," he said. "Some guy was driving like a maniac," I replied, dabbing at my soaked shirt. "Thank you." "I'm Mark. These are on the house," he said, handing me a bag of salt and vinegar chips. "I hate seeing a day start like this." "I'm Audrey," I managed a weak smile. I collected the chips and thanked him again before rushing back out into the cold. 9:10 a.m. I reached the lecture hall late. The doors groaned as I pushed them open. The hall was already almost full. At the podium stood a woman who looked like a literal flame. Her hair was a shocking ginger, just like mine, and her large, round glasses made her eyes look piercing. "Professor, I am so sorry," I whispered. "May I come in?" The room went silent. A hundred students stared at me. A drop of dirty water fell from my hair and landed right on my nose. "Why are you late?" she asked sharply. "I had an accident. I got splashed by a car." She watched me for a long time. Finally, she sighed. "Come in. But don't be late again." I turned to find a seat, my face burning. I just wanted to be invisible. "Hey!" A guy’s voice barked from the middle row. He was leaning back like a king on a throne, a mean smirk on his face. He was handsome, but his eyes were cold. "You got f****d so good last night that you forgot to wake up early and dry your hair, huh?" The room erupted in laughter. The blood rushed to my face so fast my ears rang. "Look at her! She’s dripping!" the guy shouted over the noise. "I think her nickname should be Drip Queen. What do you think? Deal?" I stood there, soaked and humiliated, staring at the boy who had just turned my fresh start into a living nightmare.