Amelia
The crisp cold air felt slightly refreshing as it hit my skin . It felt like a cold embrace . A sharp shiver danced down my spine , as the wind tugged at my hair , whipping the strands in front of my eyes and blocking my view of the iron gates that stood before me .
Greycrest University .
My heart was pounding in my chest , with a mixture of both excitement and anxiety . Greycrest Univerity was supposed to be my fresh start ; my new beginning . A clean slate where the shadows of my past couldn't follow me ; and a chance to finally be free of the people who had hurt me .
I tightened my grip around the strap of worn pink backpack , held my head up high and forced a smile ; it's now or never .
A few heads turned to look my way as I dragged my suitcase over the cobbled path , the wheels rattling loudly . I caught a few curious glances ; which I assumed was due to both the noise of my suitcase and the fact I was wearing leggings and a faded black hoodie - a sharp contrast to the crisp uniforms everyone else seemed to be wearing . They all looked like they belonged here ; I stood out like a sore thumb .
The further I walked up the path toward the reception building , made the realisation of where I was hit harder . My stomach felt it was twisting into knots , but I forced myself to keep moving through the clusters of students that littered the path . Each step felt heavier , almost as if the earth itself was trying to holding me back . I swallowed hard , trying to tame the butterflies in my stomach , and took a deep breath ; which didn't help as much as I hoped it would .
As I reached the reception of the main building , I stopped to slide my backpack off of my shoulders , which also allowed me time to catch my breath . I hadn't realised how quickly I had been walking until now .
This is what I get for slacking at the gym .
I knelt down and fumbled through the contents that were messily crammed into my backpack . Somewhere near the bottom , crumpled and looking slightly worse for wear , was my acceptance letter .
Admittedly , It felt strange to be holding the physical letter in my hand . Most universities send a email ; quick , and impersonal ; but not Greycrest .
This isn't like most universities , I reminded myself . They made it clear they valued tradition ... which I suppose is why it's one of the few universities to have students wear a uniform .
" It's just a stupid building " I mumbled to myself , whilst attempting to smooth out the letter against my leggings .
I was starting a term late compared to everyone else ; which didn't help the nerves that were taking over every part of me .
Breathe .
I took one final deep breath , and I pushed open the heavy doors to the building , whilst awkwardly trying to use my other hand to drag my suitcase through the doors .
As soon as I stepped into the building I was in awe of it . The reception area was almost breathtaking in its old grandeur . The polished oak panelling covered each wall , the wood catching the light in a way that made it glow ever so faintly ; almost like it was enchanted . Dozens of framed photographs lined the walls - sports teams grinning proudly , holding trophies , each face frozen in time .
The centre of the room , mounted proudly on the wall , was a huge silver plaque that had the university crest etched into it in the shape of a shield . Four symbols adorned the shield , surrounded by words that I could not understand ; a language that I assumed was ancient and held some sort of importance .
I shifted my attention to the other students who were waiting before me in the reception . The girl standing in front of me also seemed to be arriving for the first time ; and she looked as if she had stepped straight out of a glossy magazine . Her blonde hair was styled in perfect glistening curls , all tied neatly with a delicate white bow . She wore a pink fitted skirt and matching blazer - paired with pristine white tights and polished black heeled shoes . Every detail of her outward appearance seemed immaculate ; almost like she had never known a moment of chaos in her life .
I glanced down at myself and let out a dry laugh under my breath . Appearances aren't everything , I reminded myself .
Yet , the reality was that I was about to step into a world built for the privileged , a world that was a complete opposite to the one I had known . Their lives , their expectations , their worries were probably so different to mine .
My life so far had been a constant battle . Growing up , the hardest choice of the day was whether to heat our council flat or to have more than one meal a day . More often than not , we opted for food ; and me , father and Tess would freeze through the winter huddled under a duvet .
The damp had crept into the walls of our home , and into my lungs . The wheeze in my chest that no medication could fully quite erase was a constant reminder of that time in my life .
The cold nights we endured was not the worst part of my childhood . The worst part was watching my father slip further away from us ; choosing the bottom of a bottle of alcohol over the needs of Tess and I.
Oh Tess .
My sister - my guardian angel - the one who tried to shield me from the dangers of the world .
She gave up her own childhood to become a parental figure in my life ; she was my protector , my constant , my home .
When the electricity was cut off , she turned into a game , challenging me to " survive the darkness " . When my clothes tore , and there was no money for replacements , she would mend them ; and spins silly story about " clothes fairy " who would mend anything for good little girls . She would give up the last of her food when there wasn't enough , just to know I wasn't hungry .
She gave up her own dreams just so I could keep mine .
A sharp sting of tears rose behind my eyes , and I blinked rapidly . Not today . I couldn't let myself drown in those memories - not here , not now . Today was supposed to be the start of something new . A future ages had fought so hard to give me .
" Amelia Parker ! " A stern male voice snapped across the room , completely cutting through my thoughts .
I jerked my head up , slightly startled , and looked toward the source of the voice ; an old man being the reception desk , peering directly at me ofer the rim of his small silver glasses . His expression seemed irritated , as though my very presence was a personal inconvenience to him .
What an angry little man .
I squared my shoulders and forced my legs to move forward , toward the desk , but they felt oddly detached from my body ; brittle and shaky , like twigs ready to snap .
I don't belong here .
Every instinct was screaming at me to turn around , to run ; but it was far too late for that.
The angry little man ; small and balding ; let out an audible sigh as I approached him .
" Confirmation Letter , ID , and- "
Before he could finish , I placed the documents on the desk , mentally cringing at the sorry state my acceptance letter was in . I did try to smooth it out , but if anything , I think that had just made it look even worse .
I watched as his eyes narrowed slightly , and he adjusted his glasses ; a small frown tugging at the corner of his mouth .
" Organised I see " he muttered , taking the papers without making eye contact with me .
I forced a small smile , " Always "
He looked over my documentation quickly , before sliding a thick envelope across the desk toward me . My name was printed neatly across the front :
Amelia Grace Parker
And in bold capital letters underneath :
SCHOLARSHIP STUDENT
My cheeks burned with embarrassment and I quickly picked up the envelope and clutched it close to my chest , wishing to hide the embarrassing brand stamped across it so clear for everyone to see .
I wasn't here because I had some well - off family who could afford to send me here : I was here because I had fought my way through a broken childhood and worked myself to the bone academically just to even be considered to get a place here . I knew this was my only shot of escaping the reality I had just left behind .
" This " the angry little man said , slamming down a small plastic card onto the counter , " Is your room key .
" I nodded , as he continued , " You've been assigned accommodation in the West Wing . Normally , we house the hu- "
He began to stumble over his words , which took me by surprise .
He quickly cleared his throat before continuing , " The .... scholarship students together . But due to your late admission ... "
He cleared his throat again , and shuffled the papers in front of him , " You'll be sharing accommodation with some of the girls on the student council . They're responsible young ladies , so I trust they will steer you in the right direction . Keep you out of trouble .
" I simply nodded again , trying to digest the information he was giving me .
" If you'll follow Blake " he said , looking over my shoulder to the person I assumed was stood behind me , " He will escort you to your room .
" I started to thank him , but he just gave me a dismissive wave , and began to call the next student over .
I don't like this angry little man . So much for a warm welcome .
I swiftly turned around to find Blake , who was offering me a polite smile . He was dressed smartly in a navy blazer , which was bearing the greyest logo , and a shirt and tie .
His hair was light brown , that seemed to glisten slightly , and it fell just before his shoulders . He had pale skin , probably the most pale I had ever seen , but it enhanced the deep dark brown of his eyes . Even the natural redness of his lips seemed to stand out more against his pale skin ; giving him an almost otherworldly appearance .
" Hi , I'm Blake " he said , extending a hand , " I hope you had a smooth journey . I'm your mentor , whilst you settle in " .
I took his hand , which was cold to the touch , and shook his hand , " I'm Amelia . "
I let out a small yawn , and covered my mouth , feeling slightly embarrassed that I had just met this man and I was yawning in his face .
He chuckled , " Well Amelia " he flashed me a small but genuine smile , " Let's get you to your room . "