Bella's POV
King's High is… overwhelming.
That's the first word that comes to mind as I stand at the massive entrance, my bag slung over one shoulder, my neck craned upward. The buildings stretch high into the sky, all glass, stone.
I took a deep breath and stepped inside.
Students moved around me like they have places to be. Laughter echoes across the open courtyard. I felt so small standing there, like I accidentally walked into someone else's world.
Okay, Bella, I tell myself. You can do this.
I went deeper, towards the hallway. "Woah, this place is gigantic."
"Hey, you're new here, right?" The voice snaps me out of my thoughts. I turn to see a girl smiling at me, like she's genuinely curious and not just being polite.
"Yeah," I say. "I am."
"Figured," she laughs lightly. "I'm Jenny."
"Bella," I replied. "Nice to meet you."
Ginny's eyes flick to my hair, and she grins. " Ooooh, I love your hair. You're so cute."
I feel heat rush to my face. "Uhh,thanks."
"So, are you from around here?" she asks as we start walking.
"Nope. I just moved here from Washington."
"Wow," she says. "Don't worry, I'll show you around."
"I'd like that." I smiled, relief settled in my chest.
We don't get far before she stops and waves at someone across the walkway.
"Oh! Dylan!" she calls out. "Come here."
A strikingly handsome guy with blue eyes approaches us, his steps confident. He had the physique of a football player.
"Bella," Ginny says, smiling between us,
"this is my very good friend, Dylan."
Dylan looks me over. "Wow. You're really pretty."
I blink, caught off guard. "I'm Pretty….. I mean I'm Bella. Nice to meet you."I extend my hand, he takes it, still staring at me.
"Nice to meet you too," He says warmly, still holding my hands.
"Oooookay, this is really weird." Ginny says, breaking the awkward silence. We quickly separate our hands.
"I'm glad Ginny found you. She adopts people on their first day."
Ginny gasps. "That is not true."
We all laugh but stop when the bell rings.
Students scatter in different directions, conversations cut short. Ginny grabs my arm. "Come on. We'll talk later."
By the time lectures end, my head is spinning. The classes are intense, the professors were strict and the expectations painfully clear.
I'm sitting by the poolside with Ginny afterward, I already kicked off my shoes minutes ago so it was my feet dangling just above the water.
"So," Jenny says, nudging me, "first day verdict?"
"Terrifying," I admit. "But… kind of exciting."
She grins. "That's King's for you."
"Hey, Dylan," Ginny says suddenly.
I look up to see Dylan walking toward us.
"What's up?" she asks.
"Nothing big," Dylan says, glancing at me. "I was actually looking for Bella."
Ginny's smile turns playful. "Wow. Looks like someone came to see you and not me."
She stands up dramatically. "I'll excuse myself, it seems like I am irrelevant."
"Ginny….." I start, but she's already walking away, laughing.
I turn back to Dylan, suddenly aware of how quiet it is.
"Uh… hi," I say. "Is everything okay?"
"Yeah," he replies. "I just wanted to ask if you'd like to hang out this evening. Maybe have dinner?"
I hesitate. "Like… a date?"
He nods. "Yeah. If that's okay."
I bite my lip, thinking. "I mean, we just met."
"I know," she says quickly. "That's kind of the point. I'd like to get to know you better."
I study him for a moment, then smile. "Okay. Yeah. I'd like that."
His face brightens. "So… seven?" she asks. "I'll pick you up."
"Seven works," I say.
"Great," he replies. "I'll see you then."
As he walks away, I realize something surprising.
For the first time since arriving in New York, I don't feel completely alone.
-----
I decided to stop by my mom's café before heading home. I need to tell her about tonight, better she hears it earlier.
The street is busy, loud in that restless New York see-everything-at-once kind of way. I'm distracted, replaying my day in my head, when I step a little too close to the edge of the sidewalk.
I'm halfway across the sidewalk when it happens.
A car speeds past the puddle beside me.
Dirty water splashes up violently, soaking my clothes, my shoes, my bag….everything.
I gasp, stumbling back, my clothes now clung to me. "What the….!"
The black ferrari stops close to me. I look up, furious, ready to scream but my voice gets stuck in my throat.
The driver lowers his window slightly. His black sunglasses hid his eyes, but I could feel his gaze on me. The guy looked like he's in his early twenties, maybe twenty one.
"You shouldn't even be driving a car!" I snap. "Are you blind?"
For a second, he says nothing.
Then the corner of his mouth lifts, like I was a joke.
The engine revs.
Before I can say another word, the car pulls away smoothly, disappearing into traffic without an apology.
"Unbelievable," I shout after him, wiping water from my face. "Screw you!"
Great, my mood is officially ruined.
I stand there for a moment, soaked and furious, my heart pounding harder than it should. It wasn't just the water. It was the
way he looked at me. Like I was nothing.
He's just another reckless rich kid with too much money and no manners.
I turn and walk toward the café, my wet clothes clinging to my skin.
The bell above the café door rings as I step inside and warm air wraps around me instantly, the smell of coffee, sugar..best aroma ever.
My mom looks up from behind the counter.
"Oh my God, Bella," my mom says immediately, rushing toward me. "What happened to you? You're soaking wet!"
"It's nothing," I say quickly. "Just some brainless bastard with a car who thinks he owns the road."
"Bella," she scolds softly. "Language."
"Mom, seriously," I say, frustrated. "You've seen what the son of a bitch did to me. He better pray we never meet again, because I am gonna deal with him."
She sighs. "You're lucky you didn't get hurt. Some people are dangerous."
I roll my eyes lightly, then change the subject before she starts a lecture.
"Anyway… college was actually great."
Her expression softens instantly. "Really?"
"Yeah. I made a new friend,her name is Ginny."
"That's good, sweetie."
"And…" I hesitate for half a second, "I'm going on a date tonight."
Her eyes widened. "A date?"
I grin. "Yes, a date."
"Bella," she says carefully, "you just started this college. And aren't you a little too young for a date?"
"Mom," I groan. "I'm eighteen. Please…..Dylan is really nice. And cute. You'll like him, I promise."
"Dylan?" she repeats.
"Yeah…. Dylan. He's Ginny's best friend."
She studies my face for a moment, then sighs. "What time?"
"He's picking me up by seven."
She nods slowly. "Be back by ten. And be careful."
"I will," I say quickly. "I promise."
She points a finger at me. "I mean it, Bella. Be really careful."
"I know," I say, leaning forward to kiss her cheek. "Love you."
"Love you too."
I pull away smiling, excitement bubbling in my chest as I head for the door.
"Teenagers…" I heard her scoff.
For the first time in a long while, I feel like a normal teenager again.
And I have no idea how quickly that feeling is about to disappear.