"This is bad, right? It's bad that she's my roommate, right?" Serena asked, palming her face in frustration. It was only her third day in Eldermere, and she already felt like she was losing her mind.
"Well, it depends," Elsie replied. "She seems nice to you, which isn't something Tisha Morcant is known for. Last year she got into a fight with some guy, Kyle, I think his name was. It happened during the annual fundraiser. He was drunk and harassing a girl, cussing her out and all that. Tisha told him to stop and leave. Of course, the bastard didn't. All I know is that his injuries were so bad he had to leave school for a year, and now he's back on probation."
Elsie was barely able to walk with the number of books she was carrying, so Serena quickly took a few from her as they made their way to class.
"It's not weird to say that none of the members of that gang are nice or good people," Elsie continued, "but they aren't exactly bad either. They walk a fine line between both, and it's best to stay out of their way. Otherwise, you'll get yourself into serious trouble, which seems to be exactly what you planned to do the moment you arrived here."
Elsie laughed loudly at her own joke.
"It's not funny. What do I do, Elsie? Stop laughing," Serena said, nudging her playfully, though her heart was racing with anxiety.
"Just act chill," Elsie replied with a sheepish smile. "Pretend you don't know who she is. Be cool. You've got this."
"Serena, Serena, wait up!" someone called from behind them.
They both turned toward the voice to see Theo jogging toward them, clearly out of breath.
"Hey," he said between wheezes as he pulled out his inhaler and took three long puffs. He wore another oversized sweater, this time a deep shade of brown that matched the frames of his glasses.
"Hi, Theo," Serena said brightly. "Oh, Elsie, this is Theo, my groupmate. Theo, this is Elsie, my friend."
Elsie gave an overly dramatic wave, nearly toppling the books she was still carrying.
"Nice to meet you, Elsie," Theo said with a warm smile. He really was a cutie.
"I can see you've been busy," Theo continued, adjusting his glasses, "but the assignment is due today, and I'm pretty sure the other members of Group Seven haven't done anything."
"Oh no," Serena said, her face falling. "I'm so sorry, Theo. I completely forgot. I've just had a lot on my mind."
"It's okay," Theo replied. "I took the liberty of doing the assignment myself. I spent the entire afternoon in the library yesterday and gathered all the resources we need. I'm pretty sure we'll get nothing less than a B."
A wave of relief washed over Serena. She had genuinely forgotten about the assignment, if she had even known what it was about in the first place.
They walked together to class, chatting about trivial things. Eventually, they parted ways for their various lectures, and Serena mentally prepared herself for what she already knew would be the most uncomfortable class of the day.
By noon, she headed toward her mythology class, her feet dragging as she entered the long corridor leading there. Luckily, Theo was heading in the same direction, and they walked in together.
The classroom was packed this time, groups seated together and engaged in quiet conversations. Xavier, Nathan, and Lucas were already there. Nathan was talking loudly while Lucas listened with a smirk. Xavier sat back in his chair, arms crossed over his chest, his jaw tight. His loose black shirt clung slightly to his frame, making his biceps stand out.
Serena's eyes betrayed her, settling on Xavier before she could stop herself. His hair fell just below his neck, untamed and dark. When he sensed her gaze, he turned, icy blue eyes locking onto hers. It took all her self-control to keep her breathing steady. His eyes swept over her, not in a sexual way, but with a cool intensity that made her uneasy.
She looked away quickly, scanning the room. Simon was nowhere to be seen, and she wasn't sure whether that made her relieved or disappointed.
Theo nudged her gently, and they walked toward their seats. Nathan finally noticed them.
"Oh, look," he said with a grin that held no warmth. "If it isn't our little groupie."
Serena sat down quickly, keeping her head straight as she tried to steady her heart. Xavier never once looked away from her.
"Settle down, everyone," the lecturer called out. "Be seated and quiet—especially you, Mister Nathan."
"Oh, come on, old man," Nathan said, spreading his arms. "This is a group assignment. We have to talk."
"Very well," the lecturer replied calmly. "Just give me a few minutes first."
Serena couldn't understand why the lecturer was being polite despite Nathan's rudeness.
"Serena. It's Serena, isn't it?" Nathan said, leaning close, his mouth near her ear. His breath brushed her skin, sending a shiver through her. She pulled away sharply and turned to face him.
"Is there a problem?" she asked, her voice edged with forced confidence.
Nathan's eyebrows lifted before a cruel smile curved his lips.
"Turn in your part of the assignment," he said, nodding toward the stack of papers on Xavier's desk.
Blood drained from Serena's face.
"I—I—" she stammered as all three of them looked at her.
I did ours together it's all right here" Theo said taking out a large pile of papers from his big sling bag.
" It's all good and accurate, i completed it..."
" was he speaking to you?"
Xavier asked coldly, his voice silencing the background noises of the class. His eyes now firmly locked on Theo.
Theo blinked rapidly, his hands still clutching the assignment papers
" Didn't you hear me?" He asked, his tone much colder.
" I ,I ..I didn't mean to..Xavier I was just..."
" was he speaking to you?"
Xavier asked again his fingers curling together forming a fist on the table. His eyes filled with rage as he stared at Theo who had shrunk more in his oversized sweater.
" No he wasn't.."
" then why did you speak "
Xavier said interrupting Theo once more, Serena could barely feel her own hands at this point, she sat there like a statue completely rooted to her chair.
" I'm so very sorry Xavier it wouldn't happen again."
Theo said quietly, his head slightly bent avoiding Xaviers eyes.
Xavier turned his attention to Serena, his eyes void of any emotion other than rage.
" And what was your reason for not doing your part "
he asked coldly, she could feel the entire class staring at her , her shoes felt so large at this point.
" Well, I, I, I forgot " she whispered not knowing what to say, she was expecting him to interrupt her just as he had done Theo but he didn't.
" You forgot,"
he repeated eyes still fixed on her face.
" I'm sorry I would do better next time Theo helped me with this one,it will never happen again"
She found myself saying,
" you don't expect to get a mark fot another person's work do you Serena?"
he said , his voice filled with disdain when he said her name.
" No but I.."
"good then you would do your project individually and will receive no mark from ours"
he said distastefuly.
" Wait, no you can't do that you're not the lecturer, you have no right! "
Serena said, her voice louder than she had expected, the ending coming out a bit choked as she tried to hold back tears.
Xavier turned to the lecturer slightly tilting his head at him.
The lecturer sighed
" I'm afraid you would have to do the assignment yourself Serena, this is a group effort every one was supposed to to play a part and you didn't"
the lecturer said shrugging his shoulders slightly.
Serena was completely dumbfounded at what was happening, every one sat quietly avoiding Xavier's face.
" I can't believe this, what is wrong with you people?"
SHe yelled,her voice cracking as she stands up abruptly, her entire body running on emotions.
" Careful now Miss Serena you are lucky you aren't being punished"
She stood there barely able to register the words coming out of his mouth. looking back at Xavier who has no expression on his face.
" I don't know who the fuck you think you are but let me make this very clear to you"
She says, anger flared up in her,
" I don't give a flying fuck about you,or whatever is wrong with you and your stupid little, fragile ego but I wouldn't let you or anyone else mess with my scores you here me you dumb piece of shit."
She grabbed her books and stormed out. It was the first she had sworn.