The sun slid along its trajectory.
The afterglow threw swathes of red and orange across the sky. The golden beams glided through the large window of St. Michael Academy and enveloped the crouching figure.
Naomi's vision was blurry.
"Ughh!"
A strangled gasp slipped through her parted lips.
A young man with unnatural blonde hair twisted her arms behind her back, forcing another wave of pain.
Cold sweat dripped down her temples. It merged into a thin line before sliding inside the collar of her white shirt.
However, the main culprit of Naomi's state wasn't the man, but Emily Rhodes.
Clothed in a blue blazer and grey skirt, Emily's heels clicked on the floor as she approached Naomi.
"Bring Anya here tomorrow, or you lose your hand. Understand?"
Despite the sweet voice, her blue eyes were filled with contempt.
The kneeling position with her arms twisted behind her back made Naomi uncomfortable. Yet she refused to utter another word.
It wasn't that she didn't want to speak, but she was well aware of the reality now. No matter what she said, it would be useless.
Instead, it might make her situation worse.
She just wanted this to be over and go to her dorm room.
However, Emily refused to let her go easily.
She pulled Naomi's long black hair back, staring at the delicate face that made her teeth itch with hate.
"Miss Vale is as stubborn as ever, I see. Should I give a call to my father?"
That threat brought a faint flicker of fear to Naomi's dark eyes. But it vanished just as quickly.
It's okay, I just have to endure a bit. Just a bit...
Her gaze slipped past Emily and landed on the figure in the corner.
Grey pants made his legs look long, while the blue academy blazer rested on his elbow. The top three buttons were deliberately left open, showing the healthy physique.
To others, this was the picture of a handsome youngster, capable of impressing the young girls with his wild charm.
Yet, to Naomi, this person was nothing but a lunatic.
The very source of her nightmare.
Damien Rhodes was Emily Rhodes's twin brother and the young heir of Rhodes Corporation.
Both had piercing blue eyes akin to deep sapphires, the famous trait of the Rhodes family.
Leaning against the wall, his tall frame was covered in shadow, making it hard to see his features. But that couldn't hide the wildness evident in his raised eyebrows.
A cigarette dangled between his smirking lips as he looked back at Naomi.
"Damn it! You still dare to look back at me?!" Emily slapped Naomi so hard that her face instantly bruised.
"Mmmh!"
Naomi bit her lip hard, reluctant to cry out loud.
The sharp static beeped in her ear, igniting the flame of rage she had been trying to suppress.
Barely concealed disgust threatened to spill from her pursed lips. She struggled, and the grip on her arm tightened even more.
Without a doubt, there would be bruises.
"Emily," Damien's playful voice echoed as he stepped forward. Evening light caught on the silver earring dangling from his left ear. "If you are done playing, we need to go. We can't be late for the family dinner."
Emily instantly put on a sweet smile. "Ah, yes! Silly me, I almost forgot Mom's message. Let's go, let's go."
When she turned to Naomi, her smile turned malicious. "But what should we do with this disobedient girl, brother?"
Disobedient girl...
They called her as if they were talking about their servants, dismissing her at their whim.
Damn it.
"Fuck! This wretch-" the blond young man cursed when Naomi twisted her arm and broke free from the restraint.
Within a second, she threw a punch at Emily.
Before her punch could land, Damien's sharp kick to her stomach sent her tumbling against the wall.
All the energy drained out of her.
Her mind went black, only sharp pain exploding in her vision. Her limbs refused to move. Even breathing felt like a chore.
Her hands clutched her stomach as she lay there, curled up on the dusty floor.
A huge sense of humiliation engulfed Naomi. Her teeth clenched, watery eyes blazing with hate. But she refused to let her tears fall.
Damien stared at his shoe and then at Naomi. "You ruined my shoes."
"You better bring that bitch here or else, it won't end with just a kick. I am not as merciful as my brother." Emily flicked her ponytail back before turning around. "Let's go."
Damien looked at Naomi as if looking at a dirty rag. Then, his gaze once again travelled to his shoes. Heavy disgust in his deep blue eyes seemed to overflow.
The door clicked shut, and Naomi was left alone.
She tried to breathe lightly to lessen the pain as her trembling body tried to adjust to the new bruises.
It was all true.
The coldness of the floor, the beating, those words uttered by the Rhodes twins... and her new dorm mate, Anya Hart.
If Naomi hadn't dreamt of this several times already, she wouldn't have believed it either.
And yet her last night's dream had come true. Vividly so.
It was just that in her dreams, she didn't resist at all. She didn't throw a punch at her bully.
Damien hadn't looked at her either, nor had he kicked her.
What had happened now had made Naomi believe in the absurd reality of her fragmented dreams.
She was living in a dark romance novel. The kind that made one question the sanity of the leads and curse the author.
The darling protagonists were her new roommate, Anya Hart, and the young master Damien Rhodes.
Naomi knew this story by heart now. It all began in St. Michael Academy, one of the top three universities in Z country.
From politicians to the top celebrities, the academy produced many young talents. Due to the strict criteria, only a handful of people managed to be admitted.
One such criterion was money.
It wouldn't be a lie to call the academy a noble university.
The students who came to study here were from extremely wealthy families.
Every year, there would be three scholarship quotas for 'poor people'. Nonetheless, there had been no year when all three spots were full.
At most one or two students get to join the academy.
And this year, the female protagonist, Anya Hart, was that outstanding student who entered the academy with a hope for a bright future.
Anya's family background was ordinary, with her two parents working in different companies.
Despite her circumstances, she had won two national-level tennis championships.
St. Michael Academy needed these students the most. After all, they couldn't force the young heirs to study hard and win glory for the academy.
On the first day, Anya offended Emily Rhodes by stopping her from bullying another student.
That bullied student was Naomi.
As for how she had made Emily Rhodes angry, Naomi had no clue.
That day, she was being pushed and shoved by the two lackeys when Anya stepped into the old classroom.
"What the fuck do you think you are doing? Bullying a student in broad daylight? How about I, your grandmother, teach you a lesson?"
The radiant young girl moved her thin wrist.
Then, with a swift shoulder throw, Anya threw one of the lackeys to the cold floor.
The other lackey and Emily were so stunned that they didn't even react when Anya helped Naomi and led her away.
Though her curses were still audible even to Damien, who stood in the corner, hidden from their eyes.
"These stupid second-generation kids deserve a good beating. Noble Academy filled with top talents? More like filled with top shit."
Hence, Anya thoroughly offended 'the stupid second-rich generation' Damien and 'Top Shit' Emily Rhodes without even realizing it.