Page 1 of Colton

1

The chatter within the walls of the Academy is as prominent as ever. Well, it’s probably louder and more noticeable now that we’re back, for another year in this place. To some, it’s an escape from the harsh reality of their lives, to others spending time here, is equivalent to their own personal hell.

I’m not quite sure which category I fall into. Coming to the Saint Valley Academy was a dream come true — and not something a person from my background is often offered. I worked my ass off to get the scholarship and the school, the academic material and even the dorms are everything I’ve ever dreamed of and more.

However, it’s very easy to feel out of place here. Everyone and their mothers are worth millions, if not billions of dollars. Coming from old money, privileged backgrounds, where all their issues are easily solved with daddy’s money.

It’s hard to see myself fitting into this crowd, it’s hard not to let the insecurities get the best of me. It’s only because of the friends that I made along the way, that this experience is easier.

My thoughts drift off when the scent of the freshly baked cookies hits me. When I glance down, I see that one of my friends, Grace, has brought me a tray with food. It’s scrambled eggs, bacon, freshly squeezed orange juice, toast bread, and of course, the cookies that are now making me extremely hungry.

“You’re a God send,” I breathe out, a smile on my face as I pull the tray closer to me. She chuckles, plopping into the chair across from me and pulling out a juice box out of her bag. For some reason, she’s obsessed with those.

“Oh, I know,” she grins. “Ready for another year in this hell hole?”

This is precisely what I mean. While Sophia Sloane; the heiress to the biggest oil company in the States, sees this academy as a second house, Grace absolutely loaths it. She never gave us a specific reason as to why, but the fact remains — she moans and complains about it, all the damn time.

“As ready as I can be,” I shrug, taking a bite out of the cookie. Fuck everything else that’s on the tray, the cookie has been calling my name since I smelled it. “No one’s as ready as Sophia, though. She’s already cramming for the exams.”

Grace rolls her eyes. “Of course she is. That little nerd won’t show her face for a while.”

I hum. “On another note, have you heard the rumor?”

“What rumor?” Grace threads her fingers together, propping her elbows on the table. She inches closer, the chair scrapping the tiled floor underneath. “Speak, or I’ll cut out your tongue.”

“No need to threaten violence, Jesus,” I mutter. Quickly, I glance around to ensure no one is paying attention. And sure enough, no one is. Everyone’s too busy with their own lives to pay attention to mine, and I’m happy with that. It’s why this experience is a lot less stressful. “But, have you seen the recent Sinners and Saints newsletter?”

Grace shakes her head. “No, I sent those to spam. Nothing interesting from them the last few months, why?”

“That’s because we were on a break, Grace,” I drawl, munching on the cookie. “Apparently, Ms. Ellie has been involved with The Dean,” I lower my voice, just in case.

Grace gasps. “No!”

I nod. “Not confirmed, though. Someone sent some pictures to Sinners and Saints, but the quality is low, and you can’t really tell if it’s the two of them. But I’ve heard people buzz about it, though.”

“Isn’t he in his forties?”

I shrug. “I’d say late-thirties, early-forties. I don’t know for sure.”

“She’s like twenty-five!”

I blink. “And?”

“What do you mean ‘and’? It’s weird.”

“Not really. Both are consenting adults, I see nothing wrong with it. I am curious, though, about how she managed to bag him.”

“Don’t tell me you have the hots for The Dean, Avalon,” Grace teases, a small smirk tugging on the corners of her lips.

My eyes roll to the back of my head, and for a moment, I’m pretty sure I can see my own brain. “He’s an attractive man.”

“He’s also at least fifteen years older than you.”

I shrug. “So? It’s not like I’ll go and bang him.”

“You’d want to, though, wouldn’t you?” Grace wiggles her brows at me, and a scoff slips my lips.

Colton St. James is one of the most handsome men I have ever laid my eyes on. Tall, with broad, muscular shoulders, and hair that’s almost entirely grey. His eyes are bright, big, and when he looks at me, it’s as though everything else fades into the background. The intensity of his gaze is enough to have my heart skip a beat.