"Hey, Justine! Where have you been? I've been looking for you everywhere." A familiar voice called out as I stepped out of the garden. It was TJ, and the sight of her filled me with relief. At least there was someone here who genuinely cared about me.
"I just needed some time alone," I said, offering her a small smile.
"Well, come on then, let's head back to our room. Next time, you can go there to clear your head," she said, motioning for me to follow her.
As we walked, she hesitated for a moment before glancing at me. "I've heard what happened between you and Nick earlier… Did you seriously slap him?"
I let out a deep breath, the guilt mixed with lingering anger. "Oh, yeah. I did. I didn't even mean to, it just—he made me so mad. He kept acting like I was dying to be with him, like I couldn't help but throw myself at him! Ugh, just hearing him say that… it pushed me over the edge," I admitted, the memory still fresh, and the word throw still stinging.
"Eric was there, trying to calm things down, but I only made it worse," I added, regret creeping into my voice. I should've controlled my temper.
"Wait—Eric was there?" TJ asked, her tone suddenly shifting, like she was both surprised and, weirdly, excited.
I looked at her, narrowing my eyes in curiosity. "Yeah…"I said, my confusion deepening at TJ's reaction.
She shrugged, but her smile was a little too knowing. "Oh, nothing. Just… Eric doesn't usually get involved in stuff like that. For him to step in and defend you… it's interesting." Before I could ask more, she waved it off. "Well, let's get into our room first," she said, opening the door.
I hadn't even realized we'd reached our room. As I stepped inside, my eyes widened. The room was massive. It felt like two separate rooms had been merged into one, yet somehow it maintained a sense of privacy. I couldn't help but wonder why they hadn't just made them separate rooms entirely. There was a clear division between the spaces. Each side had a huge bed, its own bathroom, and a dresser. The windows were enormous, framed with elegant curtains that gave the room a luxurious feel. Sunlight streamed through them, casting a warm glow over everything.
We even had a sitting area with a plush couch, a TV, and a sleek coffee table in the middle. It was like walking into a mini-apartment—a far cry from the modest life I was used to.
"This... this looks like a whole house!" I exclaimed, still taking it all in.
TJ smiled knowingly. "Yeah, it's pretty crazy, right? You'll get used to it. At first, I was overwhelmed too, but now I can't imagine living anywhere else. Plus, we've got plenty of space to hang out and have our own privacy."
I nodded, still processing the luxury of it all. It felt surreal—like I'd stepped into someone else's life. It was beautiful, but in the back of my mind, all I could think about was how fragile my place here felt.
We sat down on the couch, and TJ wasted no time diving into what was clearly important information.
"Eric Sinclair Blackwood," she began, "is just as rich as Nick. Some even say that half the school is owned by Eric's father, though no one knows for sure. He's been Nick's best friend since childhood. If you can make Eric your friend, you'll likely be spared from Nick's wrath."
I sighed, feeling a flicker of hope. "Well, the good part is, I was on Eric's good side earlier… until I slapped his best friend. Now, I'm not so sure where I stand." I winced, realizing how much of a mess I'd created.
Before I could get too deep into my self-pity, my stomach betrayed me with a loud growl. I clutched it, embarrassed. "I'm sorry, I haven't eaten anything since morning."
TJ laughed, her warmth easing my embarrassment. She handed me a candy bar and said, "Have this for now. Freshen up, and then we'll go get dinner."
"Thanks," I replied gratefully, unwrapping the bar and taking a bite. The sugar gave me a bit of comfort as TJ showed me to my side of the room.
"Take your time. I'll wait here," she said with a smile.
As I walked to my part of the room, I couldn't help but think about everything TJ had just told me. Befriending Eric seemed like my only hope to avoid the fallout from my impulsive actions. But how was I going to do that after slapping Nick? I shook my head, trying to push the thought away for now. Right now, I needed food—and maybe some time to think through my next move.
After a refreshing shower, I changed into a casual black sleeveless dress I found in the closet, pairing it with sandals. As I pulled my hair into a ponytail, I glanced at myself in the mirror. I looked so much better—like I had washed away all the worries of the day.
It was amazing how something as simple as a shower could shift my mood. The dress fit comfortably, and I felt a hint of confidence returning. Maybe I could navigate the rest of the day without another run-in with Nick.
I took a deep breath, letting the calmness of the moment wash over me. It had been a long day, and with a few hours still ahead, I hoped everything would go smoothly. No more drama, no more confrontations. Just dinner with TJ, maybe some laughter, and a chance to relax. That was all I wanted.
Stepping out of my room, I joined TJ in the sitting area, her face lighting up as she saw me. "You look amazing! Ready to face the world?" she said with genuine excitement.
"Ready as I'll ever be," I replied, trying to match her enthusiasm. "Let's go get some food!"
Together, we headed out, the anticipation of the evening a small but welcome distraction from the tumultuous day I had.
As we stepped out into the hallway, I couldn't help but feel a flutter of excitement. The ambiance of the school was so different from earlier; the sun was beginning to set, casting a warm glow over everything.
TJ walked beside me, her energy infectious. "I can't wait for you to try the food! They say the dining hall has a five-star chef, and the meals are to die for," she said, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.
I chuckled, imagining a dining hall full of students savoring gourmet dishes. "I hope they have something that can lift my spirits after today!"
As TJ and I entered the dining hall, the low hum of chatter filled the air. The scent of warm food hit me, making my stomach grumble again, but this time, it didn't bother me as much.
We grabbed our trays and headed toward an empty table. Just as we sat down, I felt a presence looming near us. I looked up to see a tall, striking girl with perfectly styled chestnut-brown hair, her eyes narrowing as they locked onto mine. Her posture was stiff, and though her smile seemed pleasant, there was an edge to it that put me on guard.
"Well, well, if it isn't the girl who managed to capture Nick's attention," she said, her voice dripping with mock sweetness.
I blinked, unsure how to respond. "Sorry, I don't think we've met."
She raised an eyebrow, as if that fact alone was offensive. "Oh, I know who you are. Justine, right? I'm Vanessa Caldwell." She crossed her arms, her gaze never leaving mine. "I'm sure you've heard of me."
I hadn't, but something about her made me feel like I should've. TJ shifted uncomfortably beside me.
"Nick doesn't usually waste his time on… newcomers," Vanessa continued, her eyes gleaming with a hint of malice. "But I guess even he gets bored of the same old things."
I could feel the tension rising. She was testing me, and I wasn't sure how to respond. "I don't know what you're talking about," I said calmly, trying to avoid giving her the reaction she clearly wanted. "Nick and I aren't… anything."
Vanessa's smile grew colder. "Of course not," she said, her tone thick with sarcasm. "Just keep that in mind."
She lingered for a moment longer, letting her words hang in the air before turning on her heel and striding away, her head held high.
I exhaled, realizing I'd been holding my breath. TJ gave me a look of concern. "That's Vanessa. She's… well, she doesn't like anyone getting close to Nick."
"No kidding," I muttered, the pit in my stomach returning, though this time not from hunger.
"By the way, who the hell is Vanessa Caldwell?" I asked, my irritation bubbling to the surface. "She acted so entitled, like I should just automatically know her."
TJ rolled her eyes. "Well, her family is incredibly wealthy. They own most of the airlines in the country."
"Great," I muttered, running a hand through my hair. "Just what I need—another rich girl with a superiority complex."
TJ gave me a sympathetic look. "Just be careful. Vanessa doesn't like competition, especially when it comes to Nick. She's used to getting what she wants, and right now, she thinks you're in her way."
"What do you mean by getting in her way with Nick?" I asked, my curiosity piqued.
"Well, that's a story for another time," TJ replied with a knowing smile. "Let's just finish our dinner first."
I nodded, intrigued but willing to wait for the details.
I sighed, the weight of her words settling heavily on my shoulders. "Fantastic. Just when I thought things couldn't get any more complicated."
As we ate, I couldn't shake the feeling that Vanessa's presence was a dark cloud hovering over me. And something told me this wouldn't be the last time I'd have to deal with her.