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BAD GUY
BY MORGAN JANE MITCHELL
CHAPTER ONE
Taking one last look at the tiny room I’d existed in my whole life, I didn’t shed a single tear. Empty now, it looked even smaller. The brown paneling and cheap carpet would not be missed. But as I lugged the last heavy black trash bag full of my clothes out to our dependable minivan, chills ran over me. This would be the last time I’d see this cracker box of a house. The “For Sale” sign in the front yard wobbled in the wind, making its own music as I caught my long, mousy brown hair. Fighting the breeze, I said a silent goodbye to the town I grew up in. I wouldn’t miss it either. Not by a long shot.
Hanging out of the passenger side window, my mom sucked on her vape before bellowing, “Suede Sara Divore, you’re gonna make us late.”
Using my full name, she was just showing off in front of her new boyfriend, Rock, who was at the wheel, keeping the van running. Old metalhead was a stagehand for her favorite band. My mom, Ambrosia Whipple, had me young, dumped my dad and changed back to her maiden name ages ago. Since her daughter was off to college, her job was done. She’d be going on an adventure, touring the world with Rock. Staring at her lined face done up with the latest makeup trends, I felt it was the last time I’d see her as well.
Still no tears.
“Get in the van, princess,” Rock joked. “Your chariot awaits. Off to fairytale land.”
Slamming the door shut, I clicked my seatbelt and laughed along with them. But out the window, you couldn’t miss it. I stared at the mansion on the hill that looked down on the whole town. The owners of the gothic monstrosity, the Edenvane family just didn’t own this sleepy town. They founded Edenvane, a prestigious college impossible for someone like me to afford. They didn’t bestow a full ride on just anybody. Sure, I was poor enough, but the decision was merit based as well. I worked really hard to earn consideration for the scholarship through their lottery system.
On the two-hour drive to the city, I tried not to think about how I wouldn’t fit in at Edenvane. Instead, I scrolled my cracked iPhone checking messages from my new roommate, Toccarra. She didn’t come from money like most kids who went to Edenvane. Going by one name only, she was an influencer who made a small fortune in high school. As camera ready as ever, Toccarra was documenting her entire journey on Instagram.
Just outside the city, Edenvane stood in a dense forest separated by a peaceful river where their famous rowing team competed. I knew that much from the lush pamphlets, but pulling up to the palace like entrance sent me. The tall wrought-iron gates were wide open for move-in. Rumor had it that Albert Edenvane flew this castle over to Virginia, block by block, to add even more prestige to his grandfather’s college. After all, he wanted this school to stand above the ancient eight. Be the Oxford or Cambridge in the states.
Rock parked behind a bright yellow Lamborghini. I shit you not. Then another show stopping car pulled in and our Kia was in a supercar sandwich. It wouldn’t be the first time in my life I felt completely out of place as I stepped out on the pristine campus. Being more than a long shot, I hadn’t even visited so as not to get my hopes up. The scene left me dazed. It was like I’d stepped into a high-end Hogwarts. You’re a pauper, Suede, I whispered to myself.
The girl approaching me with an iPad looked plainly dressed, but I could tell her clothes cost thousands. Quiet luxury was all the rage here. I’d done my research so I could spot it. Anxiety did that to me. I investigated the shit out of everything. Luckily for me, I didn’t show off brands because I had none.
“Are you lost?” she asked, looking me up and down.
“No, I promise, I belong here,” I said in a rush before realizing she only intended to give me directions to my dorm.
As I was busy signing in on her iPad, Mom and Rock unloaded my bags right onto the sidewalk.
“Honey, bye,” mom sang, pulling me into a hug.
Inhaling, I smelled her watermelon vape and hairspray. I wrapped my arms around her as she promised to text me every week. She was a good liar. I said I looked forward to it, knowing it’d never happen. Rock nodded bye, and they were gone before I realized they’d left me in the wrong spot.
“Watch out for the trash,” a guy muttered as he stepped over my bags.
Before I died of embarrassment, I slung on my backpack, messenger bag, and small suitcase and grabbed the yellow straps of the trash bags with both hands. It wasn’t much, but I planned to get the rest of what I needed at a Target run. Toccarra was driving, after all, and said we’d go first thing.
As I walked through campus carrying everything I owned in the universe, I ignored all the stares. I was feeling minuscule when I spotted him. All six foot four, chiseled body and fascinating eyes of him. Anubis Edenvane, the bad guy from my high school days with his perfect hair and sexy jaw, was walking my way. My stomach did a cartwheel. Never a cheerleader, I told it to settle the hell down.
A senior, this bad guy just happened to be the heir to this place. As much as he was always a bully, to me, to everyone, I’d always been kind to him in return. Tried to be nice. So, I tried to smile as much as I could as my arms strained with the weight of the bags. Not just because he was hot as fuck. Not because he sent a boy to the hospital and got away with it.
Anubis radiated a raw power that was more than intimidating. He had every right to be cocky and demanding. One day, he’d rule the world in one way or another. Be an elite player with riches and influence, most folks couldn’t imagine. Looking at him, dressed in shorts and a T-shirt, bearing his school’s name or not, it was obvious he felt more than comfortable in his golden skin. Relaxed in the world. I was envious as my nerves crawled up my fair skin like tiny spiders.
And yes, part of me knew if I’d ever acted like I hated him, I wouldn’t have won his family’s lottery.
“Suede, right?” His gorgeous face was all puckered. “Mrs. Crestwood’s class?”
“Yeah,” I uttered breathlessly, before chewing my lip.
Even though it’d been three years, he remembered me. Admittedly, part of being kind to him was so I’d disappear. So, I wasn’t on his radar. I was in his English class as a freshman. Anubis didn’t have the grades to get into a college like this, but rich kids found another way. But of course, he didn’t have to try hard since his great grandfather founded Edenvane.
“What are you doing…?” he asked.
“Oh, I won the lottery,” I started.
Towering over me, he smirked. “I know. I mean, where are you taking that trash?” he asked, all confused.
