Invitation

It was 5.30 am when Eve woke up. She had a good night's sleep as she didn't have any nightmares. "I can't remember when was the last time I slept like a baby", she murmured yawning and stretching her hands then got down from the bed before opening the windows of her room.

The weather was a little cold because the sky was partly cloudy. She had classes from 9 in the morning and as she was up early she decided to take a walk.

After freshening up and changing into a white colored t-shirt with leggings she stepped out of her dorm then locked it. Instead of a ponytail she braided her hair and left it on the shoulder of the left side.

On the other side of the girl's dormitory Victor, Maximilian, and Raphael parked their motorcycles back side of their dormitory. "Today's hunt was great", said Raphael, and Maximilian nodded his head with a satisfied smile.

"But I don't think Victor had enough fill," Maximilian commented when both of them saw Victor making his way to the canteen. "I guess I am also getting hungry. Let's go and grab something to eat", Raphael said to Maximilian and both of them followed Victor.

Victor bought a can and gulped down the liquid in one breath before crashing the can and throwing it in the bin. He bought a second one but this time he was taking his own sweet time sipping and relishing its taste.

When Raphael and Maximilian got what they ordered the trio made their way to a table in the far corner of the room. There were a few students there and most of them were vampires.

Raphael was chatting and eating while Maximilian was sipping his smoothie which was pink in color and replying when needed. Victor on the other hand didn't bother to join in the chit-chat. He was just listening and sipping from the can.

Suddenly Raphael stopped what he was saying and commented grinning ear to ear, "Look who is here. Isn't it Victor's research assistant?" Hearing that Victor's eyes snapped to the direction where Eve was. She was at the counter picking up her tray.

Raphael glanced at Victor a mischievous smile playing on his lips and said, "Let's invite our little junior to sit with us." Saying that he called Eve and told her to join them. Victor was staring at her without averting his gaze. His expression was unreadable.

Eve thought it would be rude not to join the seniors when they invited her to sit with them. She doesn't want any more trouble when she has so many on her plates right now. So she made her way there. She greeted them and when she was about to sit she noticed there was only one vacant chair which was beside Victor's.

She put her tray on the table and sat beside him. When she glanced at his way she found him staring right at her and she quickly averted her eyes. It was a little awkward for her to join them for breakfast alone as she was not on that much of friendly terms with them.

"Oh dear, you don't have to be so nervous around us. We don't bite." Raphael said jokingly noticing Eve's nervousness. "So how are you finding the classes here?", Maximilian asked trying to make the situation normal for her.

"It's good but faculties here are a little too much strict I guess. Sometimes it feels like it's more of a boarding school than a university." She replied and Maximilian nodded his head in amusement. "Yeah, sometimes they can be a real pain in the neck. They won't like it if you fail to follow what they say," he added.

Raphael chuckled and said, "Where is the fun of university life when you maintain every rule they made? That's why you should break the rules." Eve's eyes widened hearing this and Raphael winked at her.

"Also you're more than welcome to join our group. We have a record of breaking rules more than anyone in this University." He added and Eve almost choked on her orange juice. "What do you say about her joining our group?" He asked Victor, who shrugged and replied, "Do whatever you want."

"You heard him? You're free to join anytime. We can also give you some tips and tricks about breaking the rules. What do you say? ", Raphael said to Eve who gave him an awkward smile in response.

The more time she spent with them the more she felt the nervousness she was feeling earlier fading away. It's not that bad, she thought. After some friendly chat and completing breakfast Eve excused herself as she had to freshen up and get ready for the classes.

"It was nice having you for breakfast with us. We should often eat together like this. Next time bring your friend with you. It would be lovely if she joined us too. The more the merrier." Raphael said when Eve stood up.

She nodded politely at that then left. It would be a disaster to have Emily join, she thought remembering the bickering between Raphael and her.

She left her phone for charging before she left so when she entered the dorm at first she checked her phone to see if the unknown person sent her any message.

Indeed there was an unread message from him and it said- "Saw you in the canteen today."

Seeing this she typed, "Really? Where were you sitting?", and sent it. After a while, a response came that said, "I was near."

Strange, she thought. She was sitting with Victor, Maximilian, and Raphael but the other few students were on the opposite side. At least she didn't notice anyone near them. "I didn't see you. Which color you were wearing?", she typed and sent.

Victor saw the message and his lips curled. "What's the meaning of staying anonymous if I tell you that?" He asked her back in message and Eve groaned when she received the response.

"Fine. You don't have to answer. I'm going to get ready for the class. Goodbye", she typed feeling annoyed then sent it before going for a shower.

Victor saw the message but didn't reply. He glanced at his two friends and saw them staring at him. He raised an eyebrow questioningly at them. "Who you were messaging with? said Raphael, and Victor scowled at him. "Stop poking your nose", Victor deadpanned.

"Geez, you were smiling like a creepy man with evil glints in the eye. Stop smiling like that, it sends shivers down my spine." He added dramatically and Maximilian laughed out loud. "Yeah you look creepy when you smile like that", Maximilian added and received a glare from Victor.

Away from the canteen, in one of the academic buildings, Eve was making her way to the classroom. Emily told her she would join her in the class as she was late to wake up in the morning today.

When she was about to climb up the stairs someone suddenly bumped into her with force and almost knocked her out. Thankfully she grabbed the railing with a strong hold that prevented her falling. She tried to find the person but she couldn't see anyone.

She knew it was intentional because the person shoved a small folded paper on her other hand while bumping into her. When she unfolded the paper there was a writing on it. It says - "Remember what I told you about keeping your distance from Alex."

Now Eve was feeling tense. She was bullied and threatened in the past. She doesn't want this happening here too. She planned to keep a low profile and complete her graduation here in peace. But here she was attracting troubles within her first week in the university. Thinking about this a deep sigh escaped her lips.

"Hey, what are you doing here standing alone?" Emily asked walking towards her. "I... it's nothing. I was clumsy and bumped into someone", she replied, and Emily looked at her with concern.

"Hey, you are not hurt somewhere, are you?" Emily asked and Eve shook her head. But Emily looked at her suspiciously. She could feel that something was wrong with her friend. But before she could say something the bell rang and both of them hurried to the class.

"Mr. Gregor's class is boring", Emily cried out after the forty minutes of lecture in the class, and Eve stifled a giggle seeing the frustrated look on her face. "But you shouldn't say that out loud", Eve whispered at Emily glancing around the class.

"Okay, everyone. Please make an assignment on the topic you learned today and submit it within the next class", Mr. Gregor announced to the class and the bell rang. Everyone in the class sighed in relief when the teacher stepped out of the class.

When both girls stepped into the corridor they were surprised to see Victor leaning against a pillar in front of their class. He was waiting for the class to end so that he could talk to Eve.

Noticing Eve he straightened himself and walked to where she was. He spared a glance at Emily then turned to Eve and said, "Meet me at 4 pm in the lab after the class." Saying that he walked away from there leaving both the girls stunned.

Emily looked at Eve with concern and Eve offered her an assuring smile and said she would be fine. Internally she was a little nervous that she would be working alone with Victor but thinking about their previous interaction she hoped everything would be good.