Scarlett Blood

Chapter 3

The main area of the campus was packed full. I'd gotten here early (after stopping for a bagel and coffee at a cute café marked on Blake's map) and still the place had filled up quickly. I guessed there were roughly four hundred people standing about, waiting for orientation to start. It reminded me of the fourth of July back home, one of the only days when the whole town came together over the nearby lake. The only differences were that nobody was barbecuing and, hopefully, nobody was setting off fireworks.

A platform in the shape of a circle was placed in the middle of the crowd, with a singular microphone. As I watched, an older man in a grey suit, thinning hair and thick glasses ascended the two steps and stepped up to the microphone. The conversations hushed as soon as he cleared his throat.

"Hello everyone, and thank you for being here today. My name is Mr. Dunes, and I am the Vice President here at NYU."

As Mr. Dunes introduced himself, I began to feel a bit odd, a nagging feeling in my stomach and a tingle down my spine. My eyes cast about of their own accord, going over the faces of the students. That's when I saw him.

He stood about thirty feet away under a tree, leaning casually against its wide trunk. He was, undeniably, the most attractive person I'd ever seen in my life. He wore a black leather jacket, despite the warm morning sun, with a black shirt underneath, and black jeans and black boots. Around his neck was a silver chain with a pendent I couldn't make out. His hair, like his attire, was also pitch black with the perfect wavy texture. His fair skin looked flawless, almost glowing, yet not in an unnatural way — more like a done-up model right before a shoot. Completing the look was a short, well-trimmed dark beard. He was staring up at the Vice President like everyone else, but his expression was one of pure boredom.

I stared at him, unable to help myself, and barely hearing the rest of Mr. Dunes speech. Never had a man's physical appearance moved me so much.

Why does he look so familiar to me?

I stared at him, speculating, trying to remember if I'd ever seen him before, but of course I had not. I would definitely remember him. Still...

"Hi!"

I jumped a foot in the air at the bright, chipper voice in my ear. I swung around to see a girl with curly blond hair and blue eyes smiling at me apologetically.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to spook you," she said.

"Uh, you didn't. I mean, you did, but it's fine," I gasped.

She stuck her hand out. "I'm Natalie."

"Scarlett." I took her hand.

"I'm part of the welcoming committee, and Blake told me to come over and say hi. You're in my section for the tour of campus." She grinned, her dimples popping out.

"Oh. I haven't seen him yet this morning." Even as I said the words, I caught sight of Blake waving at us over her shoulder. I waved back. "You know him from the committee?"

"That, and I live in the building. Blake said you moved in yesterday?"

"Yeah."

Natalie appraised me for a second, pursing her lips. "Let me guess... music major?"

I smiled. "Close. Art major."

"Ah. I never get it exactly right," she laughed.

"Hey, you two." Blake joined us, standing beside Natalie, who looked up at him and smiled. I knew that look. This girl had a crush.

"Hey," I replied.

"The tours are going in a few minutes. I just wanted to see if you invited her to the group," he looked down at Natalie.

"Uhm..."

"Group?" I asked.

Blake turned to me. "Nat and I are part of a study group. We meet twice a week, usually at the library, but sometimes at one of our places."

He looked at me with a smile full of hope. I glanced at Natalie, who was struggling to keep a smile on her face. I wasn't looking to make enemies, so I said, "Sure. Sounds good."

Blake beamed. "Great! We're meeting on Friday at my place for dinner to set this semester's schedule. You can come with Nat. Oh, shoot, my group is leaving without me. See you!" And he ran off.

I looked at Natalie with a coy smile. "So... you and Blake, huh?"

Her eyes popped wide for a second, and then she was stuttering. "What?! No! I mean... Blake? Really? You think I like...? I mean..."

I laughed. After a beat, she joined in. "Does he know you like him?"

She sighed. "Maybe? He invited this other girl, Sarah, to join the group last semester, but all she ever did was flirt with him, so probably not." I could hear the pain in her voice.

"Well, you don't need to worry about that with me. Hell, maybe I could even help you."

"Help me?"

"To get him to clue in. My Mom has always said that boys, no matter what age, are totally clueless when it comes to girls."

Natalie giggled. Other students made their way over to us, creating a loose circle. Clapping her hands together, Natalie gave me a much warmer smile before turning to address everyone as a whole.

"Hi everyone! I'm Natalie, and I'm going to be showing you around campus today. Please don't hesitate if you have any questions. This way!"

She looped her arm through mine like we were the best of friends. I didn't mind — at least she didn't hate me. As she led us away, I couldn't help but look back over my shoulder. Instantly, I regretted that decision; dark, piercing eyes bore into mine with undisguised venom. Nobody had ever looked at me so coldly, so...dangerously. Fear pooled in my stomach, hot and cold at the same time. A guy with greasy brown hair stepped into my line of sight, blocking my view. I took a shaky breath.

"Scarlett? Are you okay?" Natalie looked behind us, frowning.

"I'm alright," I said lowly.

"Wow... I've never seen Nick look so..." she trailed off.

I glanced at her. "Nick? The guy in the leather jacket?"

She nodded. "That's Nicholas Stone. Everyone knows about him; his family has connections with the school."

I didn't miss that she'd said everyone knew about him. "So... he's an elite or something?"

Natalie shrugged. "I guess so. He's really wealthy, or his family is. He doesn't flaunt it though. Anytime I've ever seen him, he's alone. He doesn't hang out with the other rich kids who go here. Oh, there's the art building!"

She steered us away, with the rest of the group following. For the rest of the tour, I tried desperately, and unsuccessfully, to forget about Nicholas Stone, and focus on my new school.