Ivy
"What is wrong?" I asked, my smile wavering as she walked closer. Aria's eyes darkened and stern, it was the first time I had seen her so serious.
"That's.. that's where the serpent Circle stays. I've never heard of anyone else apart from their crew there."
My heart skipped a beat, her words resounding in my ears. I was going to join the Serpent Circle.
No, I was going to live with them. The circle I was supposed to avoid, I was now going to live with them? How?
"Did the principal just give this to you..?" Aria asked but then she paused, changing her words. She turned towards me sharply, her eyes questioning. "Don't tell you are also secretly an elite person?"
She asked, her eyes squinted like she wanted me to fulfil her fantasies but I was having a breakdown.
I was going to live with Cassian. How, how was I supposed to live through it?
"Can I turn it down?" I asked as I turned to Aria. Aria raised a brow at me, she probably thought I was making a joke about this.
"No you can't, that's your form arrangement. You can't change it or else the principal changes it for you. Like he did here." Aria explained, although she still looked confused.
I breathe out in annoyance.
"No!" I stumped my feet on the floor, this was a perfect trap.
Or was it Cassian who did it? Or was it the secret arranger? Did they want to reveal my secrets? Or get me to chicken out and confess everything?
I shocked my head immediately, waving off every possibility from my mind.
No matter who wanted me there, I was going to be there and I would figure out what they wanted to do with me.
***
I blinked, staring at the huge apartment before me. It differed greatly to where I was coming from. I had even almost gotten lost on my way here but staring at the building before me.
I realised the reason why it was so far away. This was magnificent.
I took a deep breath before tightening my grip on the bag and walking in. Two were busy with something I couldn't quite place and none spared me a glance.
I sighed happily, walking towards the stairs but it was like a sigh awakened someone.
"Is the new one here yet?" A voice asked, coming from the kitchen. I tried to turn, run as fast as I could before they spotted me but I couldn't.
"A girl?" The one at the door asked before a smirk grew on his face. I shook my head, it would be over soon.
"You're here. Why didn't you make a sound?" one on the couch asked, not as interested in my gender like the first was. I turned towards him. The words hung in my throat.
My eyes caught Cassian and for a moment, we locked eyes but not before he turned away immediately.
He turned back forward, not sparing me another glance.
I tightened my hands on the suitcase, moving it around inconsistently when another voice snapped my head up.
"So.. What's your name?" he asked, his eyes locked on to mine.
I stammered before I could finally get it out. "I….I….Ivy." I said, my heart pounding in my chest.
I was so overwhelmed by their presence that I lost my cool. I breathed out before I continued. "Sorry, I was not paying attention."
He smiled, his smile somehow felt alluring and calling. "I'm Ronan. Ezra." He said pointing towards the one beside him.
I nodded, trying to keep track of the names. "Lucien and Cassian." he finished as Ezra waved at me, seemingly showing interest but Cassian?
He didn't even flinch.
I gritted my teeth as I stared at his back, the way he ignored me somehow made something in me boil.
"Let me help you to your room." Ronan smiled sweetly before snatching my luggage from me even though I insisted on carrying it myself.
He seemed sweet but I couldn't shake off the feeling that there was more to him.
"How did you end up here?" He asked, turning towards me. I paused to process before I finally spoke, I had thought he wouldn't bother interacting.
"I don't know, I got a mysterious sponsor." I blurted out in my mind but I shook my head, no way I was saying that. "The same way you did." I said and he nodded, giving me a knowing smile before he continued on his steps.
Soon we arrived at the room and he stood there, smiling. "Here's your place. Call me if you need anything."
Ronan said, turning to leave but I stopped him.
"What? Do you need me?" He asked, his smile grown large. I squinted my eyes in disbelief before I scoffed.
"No, I just want to ask about how the cooking works." I said and he nodded, seeming dissatisfied but I knew he wasn't.
Ronan spoke. "That's what he is working on. He wants to welcome you in but apart from that, you sort yourself out." I nodded at his words before pulling the door open.
"He doesn't have to.." I said but paused, he chuckled lightly.
"Come down in a few minutes, he should be done." I nodded at his words before walking in even though I never planned to eat with them.
I was still yet to figure out their true intentions. I couldn't possibly eat with them.
I walked down after a few hours, planning to sleep in my previous dorm. I couldn't feel safe here, and there was definitely no way I was sleeping here but I was met with another sight downstairs.
All their eyes locked onto me, studying my every movement without even blinking.
I chuckled awkwardly before I spoke. "Did I do something? Why the glares?" I asked and Ronan sighed, bringing life to the men.
"Why are you late? They were about to devour the food without you." Ronan said, walking towards me.
I shook my hands as he moved closer. "Don't worry about it, I already have my fill." I said but he didn't budge.
"Come on, it's to welcome you. What sense does it make if you're not there?" He asked, staring at me with a smile plastered on his face.
"It's fine, I mean everyone has started already." I smiled back, but he didn't budge.
"You should…" Ronan's words blurred in my ears, my eyes fixated on his lips wishing I could punch it but Cassian's voice broke me out of it.
"If she's not ready, don't force her."
He spoke? And it was about me!