Aria stumbled into her dark house. She looked around before sitting down on her couch and leaning back against the cushions. She let out a long, ragged sigh, closing her eyes. "Sometimes it hurts so much that even tears refuse to fall… and all you can do is sigh," she murmured to herself.
Opening her eyes, she stared at the ceiling. "I wish I had never gotten that scholarship. I wish I had never decided to go to that university. I wish…" Her throat tightened, and she pressed a hand to her chest, rubbing as if she could ease the ache that refused to dull.
She walked into her room, stripped, and stepped into the bathroom. The shower hissed to life, warm water spilling over her skin as she closed her eyes.
Behind her eyes, her mind traveled six years back. To the place that changed her whole life. The day she never thought she could ever become a doctor. From a village girl named Arin Thorne… to Dr. Aria Vale.
6 Years Ago:
I stepped out of the car and smiled. In front of me stood the university that made Nivaria so famous, Valoria International University. My chest fluttered with both excitement and nerves, my heart beating wildly as I walked through the gates.
It was like a castle. I had heard it used to be one before being turned into a university, though I'd never cared enough to research the truth.
But as I made my way toward the dormitory, the thrill began to fade. My steps slowed, my hands rubbed together, and my smile faltered. No wonder people called it the university of elites. Every stare made me shrink a little further into myself.
I quickened my pace, forcing my eyes to the notice board. My gaze darted until I finally spotted my name. Relief washed over me, and I let out a shaky breath. But it didn't last.
A group of seniors closed in around me, their intentions obvious in their eyes and smirks.
One of them reached for my bag. My hand clamped tight around the strap, my body stiffening as I shut my eyes, bracing for the worst. Just then, I heard her voice for the first time.
Elara's voice. No, MY Elara.
The woman in a white jacket, her hair tied back in a ponytail, stole my breath without doing anything. She just stepped in front of me and glared at the seniors. "Back off." Her voice was sharp, commanding, and the seniors clenched their jaws, but reluctantly stepped aside.
And me? I couldn't look away. Her eyes, her voice, even the faint scent of her made my heart race and my chest tighten. A small, helpless smile tugged at my lips as she turned toward me, speaking, but I was completely lost… until she frowned and snapped her fingers right in front of me.
I blinked and cleared my throat, looking down to hide the heat rising to my cheeks. From the corner of my eye, I thought I caught her smiling.
She held out her hand. "Let me help you. Tell me your room number and which building?"
I shuddered, even though I tried not to. "E… East Building… 322."
She nodded, took my bag, and started walking. I followed, grinning like a fool, unable to stop myself. It was a new feeling. Do they call this love at first sight? Maybe.
I was lost in my thoughts and in her scent until I bumped into her back.
"Ouch!" I whimpered, stepping back and rubbing my forehead.
She turned, frowning slightly, but a small, teasing smirk played on her lips. "Where were you lost?" she asked, knocking on the door before glancing at me.
I shuddered again. "I-I… was…" How could I possibly tell her I was lost in her?
The door opened before I had to answer, and relief flooded me. I looked inside to see a girl smiling warmly at this sweet senior; it was none other than Zara.
She called us in, and Elara handed me my bag. "I'm Elara. Your senior. If you need anything, just let me know, okay?" She placed a gentle hand on my head. I nodded, my voice stuck somewhere in my chest.
As Elara left, Zara turned to me, holding out her hand. "Arin, right? Our last dormmate?"
I frowned, shaking her hand. "Our? But it's just you."
Zara shook her head and chuckled. "Nope. We have one more girl with us." She winked, making me chuckle despite myself. "She isn't here right now. She went to get snacks for tonight," Zara added, and I just hummed, following her lead.
She showed me my bed, and I started organizing my things in the closet and on the mattress. By nightfall, I met the last girl. I was shocked to learn she was the daughter of the famous Fontaine family of Serinelle, Anya.
From what I gathered that night, she wasn't like the wealthy, untouchable people I had expected. She was sweet and down-to-earth, though only if we didn't accidentally trigger anything about the people she loved.
For the next few days, everything seemed normal. Nothing unusual happened, or so I thought. Slowly, I began to notice that the place only felt safe if we didn't try to explore too much. There were rooms that were locked and off-limits, forbidden.
That didn't bother me much. What bothered me was the senior girl. I hadn't seen her again after the first day.
I was sitting on a bench under a tree, earphones in, when someone patted my back. I jumped, heart pounding, and turned to see the seniors. Goosebumps rose on my arms, and I stood up instinctively.
A boy who seemed to be their leader lounged on the spot I'd just stood up from. He smirked and leaned back. "New girl… hmm?" His gaze roamed me from head to toe before he added, "Where are you from? Nivaria or some other kingdom?"
My thumb rubbed nervously against my fingers as I managed to say, "I'm from Nivaria… Vesryn Village."
He let out a mocking chuckle. Another senior leaned forward. "So… you manage your own expenses, huh?"
I flinched, my chest tightening, and without knowing why, my soul called for help. I whispered, "No… I got a scholarship."
They laughed again. I kept my gaze down, shrinking under their attention. Then, I heard that voice, the one that made everything feel lighter:
"At least she has brains. What do you guys have besides your father's money?"
Their laughter died instantly. I lifted my head and followed their gaze. Elara was standing there, a basketball tucked under her arm, smirking. She walked toward me and draped her arm over my shoulder like she owned the space.
"Next time I see you laughing at anyone," she said, voice low but sharp, "I'll report it to the head of your department."
The guy opened his mouth to protest, but Elara stepped closer, her eyes piercing. "This university is here for learning. Not to put others down just because you think it's cool. Do you understand?"
A girl tried to hold him back, but he smirked, "So… you finally got yourself a girlfriend? Never..."
Elara cut him off with a glare that could freeze fire. "Even if I did, you've got nothing but your foolishness. And I am serious about complaining. This university has strict rules, and you'll learn your lesson. Don't ever try to belittle anyone again."
Before he could reply, she walked past them, keeping a hand on my shoulder. I followed silently, my chest still racing, completely captivated by her confidence and presence.
After a few months, I was starting to get used to the campus, and my first semester went surprisingly well. But what was even more interesting… I was getting closer to Elara. She seemed to show up whenever I ran into trouble or needed help, and slowly, I started relying on her more than I expected.
But I never realized this crush could be more than a crush until I saw Elara with Fiona. They were friends, of course, but I didn't like how Fiona always stuck to her. And somehow, a feeling I didn't know I had began creeping in jealousy and… possessiveness.
That day, I was walking with Anya when I spotted Elara running across the garden, Fiona chasing right behind her. My jaw tightened, and my fists clenched at my sides. Anya cleared her throat, trying to pull me out of my thoughts, but my eyes stayed locked on them, burning with a feeling I couldn't name.
Without thinking, I called out loud enough for Elara to stop. Fiona bumped into her, and chaos unfolded. Anya grabbed my hand, whispering urgently, "No, no, no… we're in the garden, Arin."
I yanked my hand away and hissed, "Leave me." She flinched and stepped back.
Without thinking twice, driven by a surge of jealousy, I did the one thing I shouldn't have used my power. Teleportation. I snapped my fingers, and in an instant, I was right in front of Elara.
Everyone gasped, but I ignored them. My gaze locked with hers, or maybe into her very soul, and I saw her swallow hard. "What's happening here?" I demanded, my voice was sharp and possessive.