this way,

him before he waved me forward, but a camera

g at the two paparazzi who must have driven in after

'd be all over the social feeds in a couple of hours. I was convinced the papara

k, along with an oversized duffle bag he swung

's gaze, the guard gave him t

e rerun of all the episodes of Beverly Hills 90210 in my

You'r

Livingstone Empire, what do

s my chance to start fresh. How could I make

ied to smile, and all I could see were fangs and the tattoo that covered half

muscled frame and shook my head. "I

ce delicate as a bird's song. She o

alming breath.

ead, the stairs twisted in a perfect spiral upward. I expected something a lot grander, textured wallpaper or something, bu

pristine and new,

he lady in red heels click-clacked in a hu

so I followed her into a large office overlooking the grounds outside. An oak desk stole most of t

ar. Sorry for the informal greeting outside, but we don't normally cre

he irony that she assumed I wanted a

d into the chair across from her, and only then did I

, along with a pen. "Due to your last-minute acceptance, w

es arise, any medical conditions we should be aware of, and agreeing that should anyth

"I've already arranged payment with your father, and I have your dorm ready, along with your class sched

lt small and lost and overwhelmed. I normally did my own thing, but this here was different. I'd been home

udden and real. What

e pressure to sign everything just to get out of her offi

s wrong

her two words seemed impossible. I shook my head and searched for the line at the bottom of the pag

ling a mountain of things for me to review. Maps, timetables. Wa

ld I ever feel at home here when one room

earby. He can't reside in the dorm so clo

e. "In all honesty, l'd rathe

ssion fell. "Those ar

far away from my family, Dad

ed to the door as if she couldn't wait to g

this building; follow the pat

e Chuck waited, and he stared down at the pile in my hands with

worry,"

red at the printout of

her throat and click

rt. Just remember, being on time is a sign of respect. I'll let you f

t her and smile

de. No limousine in sight, so if I got cold feet, I could

l and suppressed a shudder. "

all Chuck said as we followed the path,

rees and greenery. A beautiful landscape, so different to the polluted city; maybe it wouldn't be so bad here. Following the p

ver there, I

apa Smurf?" I cut him a side gla

ack and kept wal

r of my dorm, I tugged on the

g he was carrying by my feet and collected a keyring and key f

Smurfette," he g

here. The principal told me you weren't allowed." Okay, I fib

s breath, and I smir

gs to your room." He hissed th