ar's

s was different. Today wasn't about winning a trophy. It was

nned for me since birth. Not the speeches, galas, or mind-numbing

d my grip. Around me, other incoming students buzzed with nervous excitement, laughing

e scholar. I felt like a t

ebellion. Dad would

uld be right in

n't leave me alone Liam's smug face when I'd caught him with that girl, his arm draped over her bare shoulders like it belonged there. The way he'd

t in my chest lik

rm to sign. "You'll need to go to the second floor for the medical

everywhere, some in groups, others alone, the hallways echoing with chatter and

mething solid. Something so

" a deep v

a stack of folders in one hand and a faint scowl on his face. He had dark hair

snapped before I

o people talking back to him. "You were the

brushing my shoulder where we'd collided. "Maybe try lo

sharp. "Arrogant thoughts? That's new.

said, pushing past him, "yo

d to keep walking. But of course,

, and I hated that it made me

ing. "What, you work f

olding an admission form like it's a life raft

re one of the what? Self-ap

ctly, but it clung to him like it belonged. "I'm just someone who knows this place better than you," he said.

out being notice

deepened

ce upon a time, I had wanted to be noticed - by Liam, by my pa

w me," I said,

if the idea of knowing me

velope out of my hands. The admission letter slipped to the floor. He bent down be

ne?" he

back. "None of

d - not respect, but maybe curiosi

nd what type d

, his gaze lingering like he was trying to figure me out. Finally,

uncomforta

t a real talent for annoying strangers. Does it

ile that didn't reach his e

making my way toward Room 2B. My pulse was f

ork, on the reality that I was here despite my parents' disapproval. But my mind kept circling back to that stran

even know

oped I wouldn't

course, that I