Autumn had barely survived her first morning at Blackwood Academy, and already, she had two major problems.
Problem One: Zayden Calloway. The arrogant rich boy who clearly thought he ruled the school.
Problem Two: The fact that everyone now knew she had stood up to him.
And apparently, standing up to Zayden Calloway was a big deal.
Whispers followed her down the hall as she made her way to her next class. Some students looked at her like she had grown a second head, while others just smirked, as if waiting to see how long she would last.
She ignored them and focused on finding Class 2-A. But just as she turned the corner, she walked straight into someone—again.
This time, she knew it wasn't an accident.
A tall, beautiful girl stood before her, arms crossed, an unimpressed look on her perfectly made-up face. She had long, shiny black hair, piercing green eyes, and an expensive-looking uniform that fit her perfectly.
Behind her stood two other girls, both equally pretty but clearly followers rather than leaders.
Autumn already had a bad feeling about this.
"Well, well," the girl said, tilting her head. "If it isn't the new charity case everyone's talking about."
Autumn's jaw tightened. Great. Another rich kid with an attitude.
"And you are?" she asked, refusing to sound intimidated.
The girl let out a soft, mocking laugh. "Oh, you must be new new if you don't know me."
Her two friends giggled behind her.
"I'm Vanessa Sinclair," she said, flipping her hair over her shoulder. "My father is one of the biggest investors in this school."
Autumn fought the urge to roll her eyes. So what?
"And that matters to me… why?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.
Vanessa's smile dropped. She clearly wasn't used to people talking back to her.
"It means," she said, stepping closer, "that people like you don't belong here."
Autumn clenched her fists but forced herself to stay calm. "I earned my place here, just like anyone else."
Vanessa scoffed. "Oh, please. You think a scholarship makes you equal to us?" She smirked. "You're nothing but a charity case, taking up space in a school meant for people who actually belong."
Autumn refused to let her words get to her.
"So what?" she shot back. "Just because you were born rich, you think that makes you better than everyone else?"
Vanessa's expression darkened.
"You have a lot of nerve," she said coldly. "Do you even know who you're messing with?"
Autumn shrugged. "Nope. And I don't really care."
The two girls behind Vanessa gasped like Autumn had just committed a crime.
Vanessa took a deep breath, forcing a smile. "You're new," she said. "So I'll give you a little advice."
She leaned in slightly.
"Watch yourself, scholarship girl. I don't like people who don't know their place."
Autumn stared at her, unbothered. "Thanks for the warning," she said. "But I'm not scared of you."
Vanessa's fake smile vanished completely.
"You should be," she said, her voice icy.
With one last glare, she turned and walked away, her two friends following like shadows.
Autumn let out a slow breath.
Well.
That was probably the start of another big problem.
---
A Bad Reputation
By the time Autumn made it to class, she could feel the tension in the air.
Most students were staring at her, some whispering, others just watching like she was some sort of experiment.
Theo, the boy she had met at lunch, slid into the seat beside her with an amused grin.
"You really don't like making friends, do you?" he teased.
Autumn sighed. "What now?"
Theo chuckled. "First, you stood up to Zayden Calloway. Now, you pissed off Vanessa Sinclair."
Autumn frowned. "So?"
Theo shook his head. "Vanessa is—how do I put this?—the Queen Bee of Blackwood Academy. She's rich, powerful, and terrifying when she wants to be. No one dares cross her."
Autumn groaned. "Of course. Let me guess—she and Zayden are some kind of couple?"
Theo laughed. "Not exactly. Their families are close, and they grew up together, so she's the only girl Zayden actually talks to."
Autumn raised an eyebrow. "So she thinks she owns him?"
Theo shrugged. "Pretty much. She's been in love with him for years, but he has no idea."
Autumn rolled her eyes. Typical.
"And she hates scholarship students?"
Theo nodded. "Oh, she hates them. She thinks poor students ruin the school's 'reputation.'"
Autumn sighed. "Let me guess. She's going to try to make my life miserable?"
Theo smirked. "Oh, definitely."
Autumn groaned. Just perfect.
---
The Storm is Coming
After class, Autumn was heading toward the library when she spotted Zayden leaning casually against the lockers, his phone in hand.
He looked just as put together as before—messy black hair, expensive watch, the air of someone who knew he was untouchable.
Autumn debated ignoring him. But as she walked past, he spoke without looking up.
"You made an enemy today," he said lazily.
Autumn stopped. "Excuse me?"
Zayden finally looked at her, his blue eyes filled with amusement. "Vanessa. She's not someone you want to mess with."
Autumn crossed her arms. "What, you think I should have just let her walk all over me?"
Zayden smirked. "No. I think it'll be fun watching what happens next."
Autumn narrowed her eyes. "Glad I can be your entertainment," she said sarcastically.
Zayden just chuckled. "You're not like the others," he said. "You're not scared of me, and you're not scared of her."
Autumn met his gaze without flinching. "Should I be?"
Zayden tilted his head, as if studying her. Then, with a small smirk, he pushed off the locker and walked away.
Autumn exhaled.
First Zayden. Now Vanessa.
She had only been at Blackwood Academy for one day, and she had already made two powerful enemies.
Somehow, she knew…
Things were only going to get worse.