Offlimits at Blackthorn

ZARA

The last time my name trended online, it ruined my life.

Not the fun kind of trending.

Not the viral dance challenge kind.

The kind where strangers dissect your life like it’s entertainment. Where people who have never met you decide exactly who you are. One video. That was all it took. One stupid, humiliating video that spread through my high school like wildfire and turned me into that girl.

The girl everyone whispered about. The girl people pointed at. The girl no one wanted to stand next to anymore. Which is exactly why I needed Blackthorn University to work. Because here? No one knew Zara Corven.

And if I was lucky…

No one ever would.

“Call me the second you get to your dorm, okay?”

My mom’s voice pulled me out of my thoughts. She twisted around in the front seat, brushing invisible lint off my sleeve for what had to be the third time in ten minutes.

“I will, Mom.”

My dad cleared his throat, gripping the steering wheel a little tighter than necessary.

“And if anything feels off, anything, you tell us. You don’t handle it alone.”

“I know, Dad.”

They weren’t really talking about school. They were talking about before. About the whispers that followed me down hallways. About the stares. About the video that nearly destroyed everything. I swallowed and forced a smile.

“Hey,” I said softly, leaning forward between the seats. “We’re okay now. New city. New school. Fresh start, remember?”

My mom nodded, but her eyes were already glassy.

“We believe in you. Always have.”

That was the thing about my parents. Even when the whole world looked at me differently… They never did. The car slowed to a stop. And when I looked up...

There it was.

Blackthorn University.

Huge gates. Polished stone buildings. Students everywhere, laughing like they already belonged. My stomach twisted. Because I didn’t. Not yet. I opened the car door and stepped out before my courage could disappear.

“Move, freshman!”

I blinked and stepped aside quickly as a group of students brushed past me, laughing like they owned the place.

Right.

New life.

Focus.

Don’t stand out.

Just blend in.

“Zara Corven.”

My entire body froze.

That voice.

Low and familiar. Dangerous in a way that made my stomach flip before my brain could catch up. Slowly… I turned. And there he was.

Damon Thorne.

For a second, the world tilted. He looked exactly the same. No... better. Taller. Sharper. Broader shoulders. That same effortless confidence wrapped around him like a second skin. His dark eyes locked onto mine like he’d been expecting this. Like he’d been waiting. My pulse spiked.

“You…” I started, then stopped.

Of course I recognized him. How could I not? High school’s golden boy. Star athlete. The guy who made my life a mix of excitement and absolute frustration. And my biggest secret? I had liked him. A lot.

“You remember me,” Damon said, a slow smirk pulling at his lips. Not a question. A statement. I folded my arms, forcing my voice steady.

“Hard to forget someone who made it his personal mission to annoy me.”

His smirk deepened.

“Annoy you?” he echoed, stepping closer. My breath hitched before I could stop it. “I’m hurt, Corven. I thought we had something special.” My heart did something stupid. “Yeah,” I shot back, “a special ability to get on my nerves.” A soft laugh escaped him , low, amused.

God.

That hadn’t changed either. For a moment, neither of us spoke. And then...“You disappeared.” The words slipped out before I could stop them. Damon’s expression shifted. Just slightly. “Texas got boring,” he said lightly.

Lie.

I knew it. But I didn’t push. “Didn’t expect to see you here,” he added, his gaze scanning me like he was trying to figure something out. I lifted my chin. “I could say the same.” His eyes sharpened. “Blackthorn isn’t exactly…” He paused. “…easy to get into.” There it was. The subtle dig. I smiled sweetly. “Good thing I didn’t come here the easy way.” Recognition flickered in his eyes. “Scholarship,” he said.

Not impressed.

Not surprised either.

Just… noting it.

“Problem?” I asked.

Damon tilted his head, studying me in a way that made my skin warm. “No,” he said slowly. “Just means you’re more interesting than I thought.” That wasn’t a compliment. I turned to leave. “Well, it was… something seeing you again, Damon.”

“Zara.”

I stopped. Of course I did. “You always walk away this fast,” he said, his voice softer now, “or is it just me?” My grip tightened on my bag.

Don’t fall into this. I turned back, forcing calm into my voice. “Maybe I just remember how exhausting you are.” He smiled. Like he liked that. “Funny,” he said, stepping even closer, his voice dropping just enough to feel like a secret, “I remember you being a little easier to fluster.” Heat rushed to my cheeks. Traitor.

“That was high school,” I said quickly. “People change.” His gaze lingered on my face, too long, too intense. “Yeah,” he murmured. “They do.” Something in his tone made my stomach twist. “Damon!” A voice called from behind him. I glanced past him. A group of guys were approaching, loud, confident, clearly important. One of them, tall, sharp eyed, unreadable, was already looking straight at me. Assessing me. I looked away first. Damon didn’t. “Duty calls,” I said lightly. But I didn’t move. Neither did he.

And for a second…

It felt like high school all over again.

“Welcome to Blackthorn, Zara,” Damon said finally, his voice carrying something I couldn’t quite place. “Try not to cause trouble.” My chest tightened. If only he knew. I forced a smile. “I don’t plan to.” His eyes flickered like he didn’t believe me. Like he knew better. And that? That unsettled me more than anything. I turned and walked through the gates without looking back. But I felt his gaze on me the entire time. By the time I reached the main courtyard, my heart still hadn’t settled. This was supposed to be different.

New place. New people. No past. So why did it already feel like everything was catching up to me? “Hey...watch it!”.I barely dodged someone rushing past me, almost knocking my bag out of my hands. “Sorry!” the girl called, not even slowing down. I exhaled, steadying myself.

Focus.

You’re here for a reason. I pulled out my phone, checking my dorm details, trying to ground myself. I barely had a moment to breathe before I realized...

I had a class in a few minutes. No time to settle in. Perfect. I dropped my bags in my dorm as fast as I could and rushed toward my classroom, weaving through clusters of students.

And then… I saw him.

My long lost best friend.