Chapter 2 Chapter two

~FIRST DAY IN KG~

My excitement dimmed immediately.

“From here to the school is thirty minutes away. You’ll walk to the bus stop and find your way there yourself.”

And just like that, she stood up and walked away.

I remained there for a second before quickly checking the time on my phone.

Forty minutes left. “Oh my God.”

I rushed outside immediately and began speed-walking toward the bus stop. The morning air felt humid already, and after eleven minutes of nearly jogging, my legs were beginning to ache.

By the time I finally reached the crowded bus stop, I was slightly out of breath. A bus pulled over roughly, and I climbed in quickly before the driver could yell at me to hurry up.

The moment I step inside, several heads turn toward me. I freeze briefly before realizing why. I’m the only person wearing a King’s College uniform.

Heat crept up my neck instantly as I moved toward an empty seat beside the window and sat down quietly, clutching my bag on my lap.

The whispers started almost immediately.

‘Isn’t that KG uniform?’

‘A student from KG entering public transport?’

‘Shouldn’t they have drivers and luxury cars?’

‘Maybe her car broke down.’

I kept my eyes outside the window, pretending not to hear them, but every whisper only made me more aware of myself.

I suddenly feel out of place, like the uniform itself is exposing me. I swallow quietly and adjust the strap of my bag. Maybe I should find out if the school had a bus route for students. At least then I wouldn’t have to deal with everyone staring at me like I was some strange exhibit.

Still…

Despite the uncomfortable glances and whispers, I couldn’t completely hide the small smile that returned to my face when I looked down at my ID card again.

No matter how I got there…

I was officially a student of King’s College.

When the bus finally stopped at the line route, I quickly stepped down with my bag hanging tightly on my shoulder.

The moment the bus drove off, the environment around me suddenly felt quieter. Ahead of me was the long walkway leading toward King’s College, surrounded by massive black fences covered with climbing flowers and gold designs.

I turned right and began walking fast.

Even though Father had driven me here weeks ago for my scholarship screening and registration, I still remembered the route clearly. Back then, I had been too distracted by the luxury of the place to focus properly.

Now, walking through it alone felt completely different. As I continued down the road, several expensive cars drove past me one after another, sports cars, tinted SUVs, sleek black sedans that probably cost more than everything inside our house combined.

My nervousness slowly returned.

Students stepped out of luxury vehicles wearing confidence like designer perfume. Some laughed loudly with friends while others walked around like they owned the entire campus.

Then I finally reached the main gate.

The enormous golden crown emblem of KG stood proudly against the tall black gate, shining under the morning sunlight.

For a second, I just stared at it.

God… did I actually belong here?

I walked forward nervously, and the security officers only glanced at my ID before allowing me in without questions.

The moment I stepped inside the campus, I froze again. Fountains, massive glass buildings, and neatly trimmed gardens surround me.

Everything looked so expensive and unreal, like one of those elite university videos I used to watch late at night on my laptop.

I quickly checked the time on my phone.

Four minutes left before class.

“Oh no.”

I immediately started running while tracing the Philosophy Department directions on my phone map. After nearly taking a wrong turn twice, I finally stopped in front of a large modern building with huge glass doors.

Relief instantly washed over me.

“You’re in my way.”

My entire body stiffened at the familiar voice, and as I slowly turned around, my stomach dropped.

It’s Liam.

My breathing immediately changed the second our eyes met. During high school, Liam and I had dated for almost a year before I caught him kissing Maddie behind the school library. I still remembered the humiliation clearly, especially when he told me to my face that he only dated me to get close to her.

And now he was here.

Sometimes fate had a cruel sense of humor.

“Amaya,” Liam smirked while looking me over. “How did you even get into KG?”

I stayed quiet.

“Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert must be really generous to allow their adopted daughter to attend a school like this.” His smile widened mockingly. “I’m guessing you came here because of me.”

I looked at him with disgust before walking past him toward the building, trying hard not to let my anger show.

Then suddenly—

The atmosphere around me changed as students started gasping, some girls squealing loudly while others immediately pulled out their phones.

Confused, I turned around to see what everyone was staring at. And then I saw them.

Two boys walking side by side like they had stepped straight out of a magazine shoot.