Location: College campus, Day 1 of the new semester
Setting: Open college hallway buzzing with students — boys in jerseys, girls in groups, seniors showing off.
Vibe: Tension building. A pretty girl walks into a nest of wolves.
Evelyn Vioré stepped into the courtyard like a walking daydream — soft pink skirt swaying, her glossy brown heels clicking softly against marble. A delicate white top tucked in neatly, a pastel sling bag crossing her torso. She gave a polite smile to every student staring at her, unaware that the world she'd entered was far from gentle.
And then she caught his eyes.
Leaning against the railing on the first floor, watching her like a hawk, stood Ardreic Vaelor.
Tall. Intimidating. Cold eyes that looked through people, not at them. A small red bruise sat on his knuckle, like violence was a hobby.
He tilted his head, almost in slow motion. Then smiled.
Not the friendly kind. The kind that promised trouble.
"What is this? A Disney character lost her way into college?"
The boys around him chuckled.
Eve paused in her steps, unsure if he was talking to her. But he didn't stop.
"You think wearing that cutesy skirt and pretending to care about the world will save you here?"
"Wrong place, dollface."
That word. Dollface.
The sarcasm in his voice. The sharpness behind the fake grin.
Eve straightened, her smile fading.
"I didn't ask for your opinion."
Eve tried to walk past Ardreic after his cruel "dollface" comment, brushing off the humiliation like dust from her sleeve. But he wasn't done.
In one quick move, he stepped in front of her again.
Blocked her path.
Lowered his head, just a bit — their eyes nearly at level.
His tone dropped lower. Softer.
Dangerously smooth.
"You know what I hate the most, Evelyn Vioré?"
"Fake smiles. Makes me wanna wipe them off."
And before she could react, he let his hand "accidentally" push her arm — the one holding her water bottle. It fell, cracked open on the floor, splashing water all over her skirt.
Gasps echoed around. A few laughs.
Not loud — more nervous.
Eve stood frozen, the soft pink fabric now soaked. She looked up at him.
He… smiled.
A slow, cruel curve of lips.
"Oops," he said, shrugging like a bored villain.
"Don't drop the smile now, doll. You looked so cheerful walking in."
She clenched her jaw.
"You're disgusting," she whispered.
That's when a new voice cut through the silence.
"You still playing kindergarten games, Ardreic?"
The crowd parted. Footsteps echoed.
Lerris Kaelthorn walked in like he owned the building.
Black jacket unzipped, silver chain peeking out from his collarbone.
His dark hair messy like he just got out of someone's bed and didn't care.
Hands in his pocket. That infamous lazy smirk.
He stopped beside Eve. Didn't look at her — just stared right into Ardreic's eyes.
"Didn't think you'd bully girls just to feel taller."
Ardreic's smile faded a bit — not from fear, but recognition.
History. Rivalry.
"And you still acting like some white knight?"
"I thought you didn't care about anyone, Lerris."
"I don't," Lerris replied coolly.
"But ruining pretty things is just... cheap."
He turned to Eve now. Finally.
And for a brief second, his voice gentled — just barely.
"Go clean up, Skirt Girl. This place smells worse when you're standing near trash."
Eve blinked. Not sure if that was... an insult or an awkward defense.
But she left — not running — just with her head held a little higher.
As she walked away, both boys stayed behind.
Ardreic's voice was dry.
"Didn't peg you as the hero type."
Lerris:
"I'm not. I just don't like you."