Chapter 3: The Newbie

The whispers started the moment I stepped through the university gates, slicing through the crisp morning air like tiny, annoying daggers. Heads turned, voices dropped, and suddenly, I was the center of a theater I hadn’t asked to be part of.

"A newbie."

"Did you see her? She’s got that look."

It wasn’t just curiosity. It was speculation. Judgement. Intrigue.

I straightened my shoulders, clutching my bag as if it were a shield. The weight of their stares pressed against me, suffocating but familiar. I’d dealt with this before, back in Novina. Of course, this was different. Here in Mistletoe, I wasn’t just the new girl—I was *that girl.* The one with rumors swirling around her like a storm. The troublemaker. The girl they thought they knew.

"Have you heard about her? She’s a fearless troublemaker," someone hissed near the lockers.

Their words were meant to sting, but I’d grown numb to that. I glanced at the two girls exchanging whispers, their feigned innocence making my blood simmer. At least own your gossip.

I sighed, exhaling the frustration threatening to choke me. This was Daddy’s idea. *A fresh start,* he’d said. What a joke. Same story, different location.

The corridors stretched endlessly, each step a war against the growing din of whispers. By the time I reached the "Bio Lab," I was teetering on the edge of my patience.

I pushed open the door, and a chilling silence fell over the room.

Thirty pairs of eyes bore into me, dissecting, evaluating, labeling. Great. Just great.

My gaze swept the room. Every seat was occupied—except one.

Near the window sat a guy, head resting on his arms, seemingly oblivious to the world. His long, dark hair hung like a curtain over his face, but his athletic build was unmistakable. The chair beside him was empty, practically glowing like a neon sign.

As I made my way over, the whispers began anew.

"She’s sitting next to *him*?"

"Does she even know who Van Laurent is?"

"She’s dead."

*Van Laurent.* I’d heard the name murmured around campus earlier. The notorious bad boy. Dangerous. Untouchable. Whatever. I wasn’t here to play by anyone’s rules, including his.

I dropped into the seat without hesitation, earning a few audible gasps.

The guy stirred, his movements slow and deliberate. When he finally raised his head, I froze.

It was him.

The guy from the car.

My pulse quickened as those gray eyes met mine. They weren’t black like I’d thought, but a deep, stormy gray—piercing, hypnotic. He looked at me like he could see through every wall I’d built.

"Calm down, Cassandra," I muttered inwardly, snapping my gaze away.

His voice broke the silence, low and rough like gravel underfoot. "What are you doing here?"

I raised an eyebrow, meeting his gaze. "What does it look like? I’m sitting."

The corner of his mouth twitched, but his expression remained unreadable. "This seat’s taken."

"Really?" I shot back. "Doesn’t look like it."

The room held its breath.

For a moment, he said nothing, then leaned back, a smirk playing on his lips. "You don’t know what you’re getting into."

"Oh, I know exactly what I’m doing," I replied, crossing my arms.

The tension shattered as the professor entered, starting the lecture. I introduced myself briefly, ignoring the curious glances and stifled giggles around me. For the next hour, I avoided looking at Van, even though his presence felt like a shadow looming over me.

When class ended, I turned to confront him—but his seat was empty.

Not just his. The entire room had cleared out. How had I missed that?

---

Hunger gnawed at my stomach, so I headed to the cafeteria. The space buzzed with noise, the scent of fried food and overly sweet desserts hanging in the air. I joined the line, keeping my head down.

"Hey!"

I turned to see a lanky guy with round glasses grinning nervously at me.

"You’re the new girl, right? I’m Deo, your classmate."

I shook his outstretched hand. "Cassandra Novalez. Nice to meet you, Deo."

"Likewise! Everyone’s talking about how you aced that quiz. Pretty impressive."

I shrugged. "It’s just a quiz. You did well too, I’m guessing?"

He scratched the back of his head, laughing. "Not really. I was hoping you could—"

A group of guys barged into the line, shoving Deo aside like he was nothing more than a stray leaf.

"Look at this," one sneered. "Nerd boy trying to score with the newbie?"

Deo stammered, "N-no, I wasn’t—"

The ringleader, a hulking guy named Melvin, grabbed Deo by the shoulder, smirking at me. "What’s up, wildcat? Living up to the hype already?"

I stayed calm, though my fists itched to strike. "Let him go."

The group snickered. Melvin, clearly enjoying the spotlight, shoved Deo into a nearby table, sending trays and food flying. Laughter erupted.

That was it.

When Melvin reached for me, I twisted his arm behind his back in one swift move. His yelp of pain silenced the cafeteria.

"Touch him again, and you’ll regret it," I hissed, my voice low but firm.

I shoved him away, and he stumbled into his friends, glaring at me.

"Crazy bitch," he spat.

"Try me."

A slow clap echoed through the room.

I turned to see a group standing by the cafeteria door.

The Laurents.

The blonde-haired woman I recognized from the car stepped forward, laughing.

"Told you she’s cool!" she said, her voice lilting with amusement.

Van stood beside her, leaning casually against the frame. His smirk hadn’t faded, his eyes fixed on me like I was the most fascinating puzzle he’d ever encountered.

The blonde woman skipped toward me, pulling me into a hug before I could protest.

"Welcome to Mistletoe!"

What the hell?