5: Carson Dane: The Royalty

It was a new day I was afraid to see Derek, I avoided going to his usual spots like the ground and it's neighbouring cafe, even though I find it's coffee the best.

I convinced Chloe to come with me to the library as I was sure I won't run into Derek there. We were going through the shelves and people were whispering among themselves when suddenly a loud thud came from outside and all eyes turned towards the door.

After a few seconds a very handsome muscular guy came in dressed in a neat light blue shirt. All the girls went 'aah' and 'aww' at him and the way he confidently walked to the centre most table to place his bag, I could tell he knew he had that effect on people. He gave a smile before sitting down, not particularly to anyone, just to the audience, I guess.

"Who's he?" I turned to Chloe who was drooling at the new entry.

"He's Carson Dane, he's royalty," she replied, her eyes still on him.

"Excuse me? Royalty?," I asked.

"The college was formed by his forefathers, the land on which the campus is built, it's all his. He's like the legacy. No one messes with him, well, except for one guy," Chloe said, and I already had an uneasy feeling in my stomach. One guy, one guy, one guy. I think I already know what's coming next.

"Derek Lockwood," Chloe continued.

There it is, of course he is involved.

"What's his problem?" I asked.

"Well, I think it's teen rivalry, Derek is the most popular guy on campus, already suspected to be a part of F3. Then, there is Carson, he hasn't done anything special but is still on top, because he comes from the founder's family. I think Derek feels threatened that he'll never be able to top that." Chloe said.

"You know how childish that sounds, right? You're so lucky that you don't have to hear the things you say." I say.

"I know, right? But it's the truth. It started at a party, they were drunk and created quite a scene, it was all over Twitter that they are official rivals now." Chloe said.

"Oh my God! Who lets you all run such pages." I laughed at the whole revelation.

"You don't get it because you're not in the race. This uni is all about rivalry and people fight for their place, there is a group of influential people who come from influential families that basically run the town, Derek Lockwood is the king of this group. His father being the sheriff and her mother, a Doctor and daughter of the ex-mayor." Chloe went on and I listened to her intently.

"Then there is this group of people who come from money, they are like filthy rich and this group mostly consists of bimbos. But don't underestimate them, they are like the largest group on campus." Chloe informed.

"What's the difference? They both sound the same to me?"

"Ohhh, haha, There's a huge difference between running the town and owning the town."

"I see," even though I'm lost.

"And the last group is of the Honorary, they are here because of their intelligence or they come from honorary families, they come from all types of backgrounds, they are either exceptionally gifted or they are forced by their parents in their profession, What they have in common is that they have to study their assess off here, The last group is basically for the nerds," Chloe finished.

"To which group does Carson belong?" I asked.

"Carson as you know comes from the founding family, his family is still a part of the board and helps run the uni. He isn't part of any group because he can easily be the leader of any. He stays away from such Bullshit, keeps his life simple." Chloe said with admiration clear in her eyes.

"Do all such groups have leaders?" I ask her.

"Yes, all three groups have leaders because it's important to keep the whole community together. They look out for each other and they need one commanding body to follow. Usually the old leaders appoint new ones."

"I know what you're gonna ask next, so let me tell you, Derek was appointed on his first day on campus." Chloe said.

"I wasn't gonna ask about him," I said.

"Sure, you weren't," she said.

"Why do they all need such groups? They all sound pretty incredible to me." I said.

"Because every group thinks they're the best here, better than others, they look down at other groups," She said looking at Carson.

"That sounds bad" I asked.

"No, they are nice people, they talk to everyone normally, it's just that everyone knows where their loyalty lies when someone of their own kind needs them. They back each other up." Chloe says.

"That sounds reasonable, Right?" I asked her.

"We shouldn't care, that's not our world. We should just work for our degrees and get out of here, let's go grab lunch."

"Yeah, Okay." I said and followed Chloe outside.

Carson was still sitting on the centre most table alone. Chloe looked at him a little longer than necessary when she walked past him and I think he noticed. He looked up from his book to Chloe then to me. Chloe walked past him and now he was looking at me, his lips parted slightly and he held my gaze. I was suddenly uncomfortable, but didn't know whether to look away or just walk past him quickly.

His shoulders tensed a bit, when I walked past him, but I didn't turn around. I walked behind Chloe until we were out of the door.

I didn't see Derek the entire day, even in the classes we share. I think he's trying to avoid me too. I can't help but confess to myself that I miss him, even though I don't know him, I miss him.

I was back in my room fully aware that Derek won't show up today. I watched a sappy movie and was about to go to sleep when my phone buzzed. I wished it was Derek. I picked my phone up to see the message, and immediately regretted it, because I knew falling asleep won't be an easy task, now.

Unknown: I know what you saw at the night of the blackout.