Chapter 2

Emma:

The next early morning, as usual for the nightmare, I am the first one to wake up in the house, with my heart rate speeding and sweat all over my body.

No time for me to jog and cast off the fears today. After taking a short shower, I dig Lei up from my bed and kick her out to drive her car out of the driveway.

When I get downstairs, Zoey starts to continuously bark at me. I jump into the car quickly but she rushes over with her viciously growling. What’s wrong with this she-beast? I thought she hated me but it seems like she doesn’t want me to go.

Mum hushes Zoey away and hands me a can of pepper spray in a choked voice, “Keep this on you at all times, and call me as soon as you get there.”

“I will, mum. Don’t worry. I am a black belt! Take care of yourself. ”

I look at mum through the rear window. She is just watching me all the way. I know the expression in her eyes. Rye had the same eyes when he was leaving me.

“Are you OK? You know, we don’t have to do the internship anyway.”

“Yeah, we would just be sitting on the couch eating out a big tub of Ben & Jerry and watching marathons of our favorite movies. But it’ll be much funnier to be --” I click the intern-camp website on my phone,“-- a part of an old private university which was built in 18^th century.”

The host of the intern-camp, Paradigm University, is known for its prestigious principles, refined quality of education, and closed system. It refuses to accept students out of Region City where it’s located in. 

“No wonder the campus is in such a jungle. ” Lei pulls into the road

of the outer radius of the campus.

The houses surrounding the university are made completely out of wood, just like log cabins at a resort, with trees dividing them from other house which appear scattered amongst the area. It’s absolutely beautiful, but there is no one around as we pass by except cars ahead of us heading towards the university.

“It’s weird.” I frown at the deserted road. Suddenly, a squirrel flashes out from the woods and winces at me. And then a rabbit, a hedgehog, even a deer.

“So your dog is not the only animal who hates you. ”Lei stares at them with her mouth wide open. “Who are you? A witch who loves to throw frogs into your cauldron?”

“Just a coincidence. Your car scared them. Hey, look.” Some model-style guys and girls are walking along the road as Lei drives towards the university gate.

“Oh THESE are hot people, alright?” Lei looks excitedly at the guy with a Paradigm standing at the front of the line.

I keep silent. He would be considered handsome, big built, muscular with a bright smile, but it still does nothing for me. Maybe I AM broken.

We get out of the car, being surrounded with a huge amount of students. But I can tell there’s a hierarchy here: the students from other schools like me and Lei are outsiders, normal, various, nobody care, so we’re crowded as the tail of the queue; the good-looking guys are kind of residents, an incestuous and unrestrained bunch; and -- I look around and find a jogging trail, at the end of which, there comes a small group of superstars. I can’t see their faces clearly because of the distance but I do feel the switch of atmosphere. Those residents look at them with curiosity and admiration, which also makes the outsiders marvel at them.

But hey, we don’t even know them! Lei and I share a look, which translates as ‘the snobbish people’.

“They are The Founders’ Kids.”

“The owner of the university.”

The voices belong to the two tall girls stopping beside us, one with ash blond hair, and the other with dark hair. Both of them also look like models and extremely beautiful with muscles.

The blonde beauty makes out what I’m wondering. “Yes, we’re students here but no, we don’t like our schoolmates.

You two are from Trinity University, right?”  

“Yep, I am Lei and this is my best friend Emma.” Lei says pointing towards me.

“Nice to meet you guys, I’m Shanny, and this is Liz.” says the dark-haired girl.

“I think the four of us will be roommates.”

“Ah-huh. Like I said, we don’t like our schoolmates.” Liz shrugs, “That’s why we have to share a room with you.”

I like them.

“OK, roommates! Why don’t you be our guides? I’m too starving to wait for the orientation. ” Lei regains her excitement and good appetite.

“Sure. We have the best chef in our cafeteria, and she makes the best jam tart.”

Perfect. "I’m a sugar addict."

I get two pieces of the jam tart as I wish.

“Don’t look at me like a puppy, darling. I’ll just serve whatever you need.” The chef says with smiling eyes, shaking her head, “What’s your name, doll?”

“Emma. Sorry, I just can’t help myself.” I used to look at Mum in this way for begging another piece of cake or pie. ”And what should I call you, ma’am?”

“Landry. I’m a supplier to all sugar addicts.” she winks at me.

 “Thank you so much,

Ms. Landry. I think I just found my favorite person in this place.” I wink back and she giggles.

As I reach Shanny’s side, she looks at my plate in shock. “Landry

doesn’t even give the Founding people two pieces! How did you manage to do that?”

“Yeah, I have the same question.” A deep voice inserts with pent-up angry and confusion.

I look back and see the most attractive guy that I’ve ever seen in my life.

“He’s the founder’s nephew, Cole.” Liz whispers to me and Lei.

Cole stands out in the small group around him, although all of them are beautiful creatures: The first that appears to be the leader is a tall, blonde and extremely muscular guy, passionately speaking to a red-haired girl that is hanging of his arm

with her boobs half raised out of her dress. Behind them is another girl that is similar in features to the leader which makes them definitely siblings; and next to her are male twins with chestnut brown hair, even taller than the first guy, one of which appears to have a smiles while the other appears to be more stoic.

But Cole. He is far more than handsome and dangerous to me. Not because he has an angry expression on his face that seems as if he is always angry, but for my feelings to him. I have never felt attraction to hot guys except

towards Cole.

I can’t react. I just want

to be close to him.

“Who are you?”

While my gaze is fixed on him, his cold gray eyes finally turn to me.