"I want to go to the dorm now," Olive said with a heavy sigh, grabbing her travel bag again and trudging down the long school hallway.
Mark continued talking almost nonstop throughout their journey, filling the silence as they passed doors and students. Finally, they arrived at a door with 'Dorm Number Five' boldly inscribed on a plaque above it.
"Here we are," Mark announced, halting in front of the door. "This is the first dorm for scholarship students. Surviving here depends on you." His gaze remained fixed on the door as his tone took on a more serious note. "Whatever you do, make sure you avoid getting a red card from the 3RM."
Olive raised an eyebrow, her expression growing more puzzled. "3RM? What's that supposed to mean?"
Mark turned to face her, a hint of concern flickering across his features. "The three rich Masters of Belmont High School," he explained. "Lucas George, the school's heir apparent; Mark Williamsburg, the next in line to inherit the world's largest billionaire family fortune; and Aiden Thompson, whose family runs the biggest luxury car empire."
Olive's eyes widened at each name, disbelief washing over her face. Mark's voice grew lower, more ominous. "You really don't want to mess with them. If you get a red card from any of them, trust me, your life here will become a living nightmare."
Olive scoffed, her disbelief turning into frustration. "This school just keeps getting better and better," she muttered sarcastically before raising her voice, her anger flaring. "3RM? More like the 'Three Rich Brats'. Must they step all over people just because they've got deep pockets?" Her voice rose as she balled her fists. "I hate arrogant jerks like them. If I had my way, I'd teach them a lesson their parents clearly never did!"
Her sudden outburst startled Mark, who took a step back, blinking. After a moment, he let out a nervous chuckle. "Well... I guess you're not as fragile as you look," he said, though his voice held a note of caution now. "You've got a lion inside you." Then, with a slight shake of his head, his smile faltered. "But seriously, avoid Lucas George at all costs. Crushing their bones? That's not how things work around here."
Olive's expression softened as she forced a smile. "I'm not here to cause trouble. I just want to study and stay under the radar," she said, hoping to ease the tension.
With that, she fished the dorm key out of her pocket and inserted it into the doorknob. It clicked open smoothly.
As Olive stepped inside, she was struck by the luxurious setup. The room was painted a calming ocean blue, with two beds positioned on opposite sides. Both were neatly made. There were two identical wardrobes, and two study desks, one already equipped with an Apple laptop, various writing materials, and textbooks stacked neatly.
She glanced around and noticed suitcases, a guitar, and a piano on one side of the room. Her roommate, Lucas George, clearly had a passion for music.
"Whoa!" Olive exclaimed, her face lighting up with excitement as she scanned the room. She hurried to the unclaimed bed and sat down, bouncing slightly on the mattress. "With all this stuff, it doesn't look like anyone here is ever bored," she added, her hands already reaching for the laptop.
Mark grinned. "Yeah, it's pretty well-equipped." He knelt beside her suitcase, reaching out as if to help her unpack. "You should probably unpack and get settled before nightfall."
Before his hands could reach the zipper, Olive snatched the suitcase away, her heart skipping a beat. "No need! I'll do it myself," she said hurriedly, her face warming with embarrassment. "You've already helped me so much."
Mark's smile faltered slightly, but he quickly recovered, standing up and brushing his hands off. "Alright, I get it. I'll leave you to it then. I'll see you in class tomorrow," he said with a wink before turning to leave, pulling the door shut behind him.
As soon as the door clicked closed, Olive let out a deep sigh of relief. 'That was too close,' she thought. Her nerves still on edge, she immediately went to lock the door. Once secured, she began unpacking her suitcase carefully, making sure to arrange everything neatly inside the wardrobe. By the time she finished, exhaustion had settled over her, and without bothering to shower, she collapsed onto her bed and fell into a deep sleep.
---
The next morning arrived in a slow, beautiful sweep. The sun's early light painted the sky in hues of pink and orange, casting long shadows across the campus. The crisp morning air carried a soft breeze, making the trees rustle quietly, while birds chirped a melodic welcome to the new day. For a moment, the world seemed utterly peaceful.
Until...
Ding! Ding! Ding!
A loud, mechanical voice blared through the school speakers. "Time for students to get ready for school. All students must proceed to the bathrooms to freshen up. Lateness will result in punishment."
Olive groaned, her eyes fluttering open. She grabbed her phone and squinted at the time. '4:30 AM? What kind of school wakes you up this early?'
The voice blared again, each announcement making her more irritated. 'Great.' Still dressed in yesterday's clothes, she begrudgingly grabbed her towel, soap, and toiletries, before heading out of the dorm to follow the flow of students toward the communal bathroom.
Her eyes were still heavy with sleep as she stepped into the massive bathroom. Then..
"Ahhh!" Olive yelped in shock, freezing on the spot. Her eyes widened in horror as she took in the sight of boys, naked boys casually walking around, chatting and laughing as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
"What the hell?!" she gasped, instinctively covering her eyes with her towel, trying to avoid looking at the very thing she didn't want to see.
"Hey! You got a death wish, newbie?" a sharp voice cut through the hallway. Olive peeked from behind her towel to see a tall, black-haired boy glaring at her with annoyance.
"S-sorry!" she stammered, her face flushing with heat as she swallowed hard, trying to regain her composure. "I've just never... bathed with so many people in one place."
The boy narrowed his eyes, clearly unimpressed. "Get used to it. Belmont High doesn't do private bathrooms. Everyone bathes and eats together," he snapped, striding over to her and snatching the towel and bathing supplies from her hands. "Why are you covering your face like some prude?"
Olive's heart raced, her mind screaming that she was inches from disaster. 'Keep calm. You can't blow your cover.' "No reason," she muttered, trying to sound casual, her gaze glued to the ceiling in a desperate attempt not to make eye contact with the sea of nudity around her.
"Lay off the newbie, Austin," came a new voice, smooth and casual. A boy with braided brown hair stepped into view, giving Austin a warning glance. "Let him get used to it."
Austin sneered but backed off, tossing Olive's towel back at her. "Fine, whatever," he grumbled, stalking off toward the showers.
Just as Olive began to relax, a loud moan echoed across the bathroom.
"Oh yeah, right there! Just like that!"
Olive turned, her eyes widening in shock at the sight of Austin bent over, and the braided-haired boy smirking behind him, indulging in something far more explicit than she could have imagined.
'Are you kidding me?!' Olive's stomach twisted as she turned away, forcing herself to focus on anything but what she had just seen. 'This school is on another level of messed up.'