The Bad Boy's Possession

Chapter 2 - Hillcrest High

"Here is your room, Ava. Your roommate has already settled in, because of your late admission, but she's a good girl. She can help you out if you need anything. Or, you could also call me," Jackson smiled down at me, handing me the keys to my dorm room.

"Thank you, but I don't think that will be necessary," I smiled back.

"Suit yourself," he chuckled. "But before you go, there are a few things you should keep in mind. I brief the freshmen usually, but since you're new here, you should know."

"Mhm, what is it?" I raised ny eyebrows.

"I'll be straightforward. This school, the students, a whole lot of them are jerks. Especially the jocks. Stay away from them. People here are also class conscious, so avoid telling too many people that you live here. You'll find a lot of bullies, just ignore them. And most of all, steer clear of the Wolves," he said, his tone warning.

"Wolves?" I frowned. "Is that the name of a football team or something?"

"No," Jackson said, a smile stretching across his lips. "They're a group of students, the most popular ones here. Coming from the richest families of the city, they're pretty untouchable, and every student is frightened of them. And trust me when I say this, being afraid is the smart choice. You cross them, they'll make your life here a living hell. So just don't get involved. You see them bully anyone, mind your own business. See them walking in your direction, turn back. Just make yourself invisible, alright?" He advised.

"Alright," I frowned. "This is starting to sound more like a prison. Stay away from the deadliest criminals, and all," I laughed nervously.

"You could say that," Jackson smirked. "Don't take my words lightly."

"I won't," I nodded. "Thanks for the heads up."

"Anytime, honey," he winked. "I'll leave you to it, then."

He walked away, and as soon as his back was towards me, I rolled my eyes. "Anytime, honey," I mimicked him, entering the dorm room. I pulled my suitcase inside, and shut the door, looking around. It was a neat space, with cream colored walls, a decent rug covering half of the floor, and two single beds joined together as one. One side was already taken, as obvious by the books and magazines laying on it, while the other side was left empty. For me.

I walked to it and sat down, noticing the posters on the wall. There was BTS, The Vampire Diaries, Shadowhunters, and Harry Potter. Hmm, seems like we'll get along.

I heard the water stop running, and only then realized that my roommate had been showering. A few moments later, she stepped out of the washroom, wearing only a towel around her body.

"Oh, you're already here!" She exclaimed, holding the towel tightly around herself. "I'm so sorry for all the mess," she smiled apologetically, walking to her side of the bed and starting to stack the books in one pile.

"That's okay," I smiled back reassuringly. "How long have you been in this school?"

"Me? Uh, long enough," she chuckled, grabbing the clothes that were laid out on the couch. "Just give me a minute." She went back into the washroom, and I sighed, before pursing my lips. She stepped out a moment later, clad in plain white T-shirt, and denim jeans. Her short brown hair was still dripping wet, and I noticed the trail of water she left everywhere she walked.

"You're um... Not gonna dry your hair?" I asked, an amused smile on my face.

"Nah, they get frizzy when I do that. I let them air dry," she replied, glancing at herself in the mirror.

"I didn't know dorm rooms came with dressing tables," I admitted.

"They don't. I saved money to buy this one," she replied, applying perfume. "Essential for a girl."

"Couldn't argue with that," I agreed. "So how long have you been in-"

"Like I said, long enough, to be able to brief you about the dangers of Hillcrest High," she replied, glancing at me through the mirror.

"Dangers?" I bit my lip. "You mean the Wolves."

"I see Jackson told you about them already," she sighed. "Jerk. Couldn't have done that for us. Piece of shit."

"Okay, I feel like there's a story there," I raised an eyebrow, standing up from the bed.

"There is one," she nodded. "It's more of a horrifying incident, actually," she sighed.

"What do you mean?" I narrowed my eyes slightly.

"I came to this school with my best friend. We were excited, happy to get admission here. It didn't last long, though. You see, we didn't know who the Wolves were, and my friend, she bumped into one of them and spilt her drink on their clothes," she narrated.

"Okay, and?"

She gulped, now turning to me as she leaned against the dressing table. "They insulted her in front of the entire cafeteria. Made a laughing stock out of her. Started to bully her every single day. They'd... Block her way so she'd be late for classes,  and she kept receiving detention because of it. So being naive, she complained to the Principal. And guess what, as revenge, they set her hair on fire."

"What?" I whispered in disbelief, my eyes wide. "You're joking."

"I'm not," she gave me a sad smile, as tears glistened in her eyes. "They didn't even apologize for it. No one asked them anything. The Principal did nothing. Instead, once again, she became the topic for gossip. The girl with the blazing hair, they call her," she let out a chuckle.

"That's unbelievable," I frowned, horrified. "I hate this place already."

She let out a laugh, shaking her head. "For the targets of the Wolves, 'hating this place' is a pretty weak word."

"I'm sorry your friend had to go through that," I said softly. "I'm guessing she left?"

"Yeah," she nodded. "I didn't get your name, by the way."

"Ava. Ava Clayton," I extended my hand towards her.

"Tanisha," she smiled, taking my hand in hers. "Tanisha Kapoor."

"That's a beautiful name," I complimented. "You're from India?"

"Yep, Delhi. Anyway, um, if you need any help in unpacking, you can ask. Now I'm not saying I'll always help," she chuckled, "but I might. If I'm in the mood. So don't hesitate to ask."

"I won't," I replied, grinning at her. "What's your schedule? I was hoping you wouldn't mind showing me around the school."

"Oh, I'd love to," she said, her tone enthusiastic, "but I don't think it's a good idea." She said sheepishly.

"Can I ask why? It's okay if you have to stay with your friends," I said softly.

"Jaan," she smiled, turning back to the mirror. "I don't have any friends. After the blazing hair incident, no one would even pass by us."

"Well, if that's the case," I shrugged, "I'd love to be your friend. Hang out with you."

"I'd like that," she smiled, eyeing me with gratitude. I did not understand why, though. Her smile then changed to an excited one. "Let me know when you're ready to go."

"Just give me a few minutes."

- - - -

"And finally, the cafeteria," Tanisha smiled, as we made our way to a table. We sat down, and I looked around, admiring the enormous room, and the scent of pancakes and waffles.

"Isn't cafeteria food supposed to be disgusting?" I asked, sighing in content.

"Not here," Tanisha chuckled. "Food is the best part here."

"That's exciting," I laughed. "I'm a huge foodie."

"I can tell."

We made our way to the counter, and grabbed our food, continuing to chat. Tanisha told me about her family back in India, and how difficult it was to convince them to let her come here. She had a pretty overprotective family, and judging from the things she told me, it was truly a shock that they agreed to let her come.

As we returned to our table, I noticed how the other students were staring at us. There were obvious whispers going around the cafeteria, and I frowned, wondering what it could be about.

"Why is everyone talking about us?" I asked Tanisha softly.

"They're not used to seeing people with me," Tanisha replied, her face falling.

"I get that, but this just seems a tad extreme," I muttered. "They're literally looking at us and talking. Who does that?" I frowned.

"Well, well, well," a voice spoke loudly, earning everyone's attention. Tanisha and I turned towards the source, to find a girl standing behind us. Her Gucci bag and Swarovski jewellery told me she was one of the rich ones, and I frowned, confused. "Look who we have here," she smirked, staring at Tanisha.

"Seems the blazing hair girl finally found a new friend," another said, making her way to our table. She was wearing a hijab over her head, and the way she walked was so graceful it made me insecure.

"The blazing hair girl?" I whispered, staring at Tanisha with wide eyes. "I thought that was your friend."

"I'd like to know who this brave girl is," another girl spoke, walking up to our table and standing beside the one with the hijab.

"We don't want any trouble," I said, raising my hands in surrender. "I'm guessing you're the Wolves," I added, saying it more to myself.

"Yes, new girl. We're the Wolves. I see you already know about us," a guy said this time, putting his arm around one of the girls as he walked to us as well.

"And yet, you're still sitting as we speak to you," one more guy spoke up, behind us. I frowned. I knew that voice. I turned around to find someone all too familiar walking in our direction. He stood beside the first girl, putting an arm around her waist. "What are you waiting for? Get your ass off the chair."

"Stefan," I whispered, my eyes wide. Tanisha stood up, almost shivering in fear. Tears were glistening in her eyes, and I frowned, standing up as well. Stefan had his gaze fixed on me, yet he looked through me as if I was a complete stranger. Did he actually not remember me? Or was he just pretending? I couldn't tell.

"Ace," the girl with the hijab smirked. "The newbie seems to find you really interesting. Look how's she's ogling you."

"It's not her fault," Ace spoke, giving me a small smile. "I'm just that attractive." I felt disappointment envelope my heart for some reason. He was a jerk when he was sober. An arrogant, smug jerk.

"Yes, but you're also my boyfriend," the girl beside him spoke through gritted teeth. I shifted my gaze to the floor, not wanting to offend any of them.

"Look, we don't want any trouble. I'm new here, and she's my friend. Please just leave us alone," I said softly.

"That's the thing, newbie," the other guy spoke, walking up to me. He grabbed my arm and turned me to face him, making me gasp. "Her friends," he gestured to Tanisha, "they automatically become our enemies. Especially ones who dare to talk in front of us."

"Let go of my arm," I said through a clenched jaw.

"Or what?" The third girl said, raising an eyebrow. 

"Guys, please. Let her go. She won't hang out with me anymore," Tanisha finally spoke up, a tear escaping her eye. "Priya, please. It's not her fault," she begged, looking at the third girl.

I frowned, gaping at her. She was giving them power over herself.

"I will," I announced, yanking my arm from the guy's grip as I stepped away from him. "I will hang out with anyone I want to. You guys cannot dictate who befriends who," I stated.

A laugh echoed through the cafeteria, and I turned around to find it was Ace. He crossed his arms over his chest, and walked up to me, making me back away into the table.

"What's your name, newbie?" He asked, leaning in close to me, making me lean back. He was trying to intimidate me with his huge form, and I'd be lying if I said it wasn't working.

"Ava," I replied.

"Ava," he smirked, a glint of mischief in his eye. "Since you like making friends so much," he leaned in closer, casually placing one of his hands on the table, beside me, "why don't you make friends with me too?" He raised his eyebrows, extending his free hand towards me. I flinched away slightly, but the table did not allow me to move too far.

"I don't make friends with bullies," I muttered, regretting the words as soon as they escaped my lips. Ace smirked, turning his head to glance at his girlfriend. I took the opportunity to try and get away from him, but he slammed his other on the table as well, caging me between his arms. He faced me again, the smirk absent from his face, now replaced with a hard look.

"Be careful with your words, Ava, they can be damaging to you."

- - - - -  

Check out my story 'The Vampire King's Hybrid Mate'. Do add the apostrophe after King or it won't show up when you search. It's about a girl who grows up believing she is an ordinary werewolf, but keeps dreaming about tall, sexy vampire marking her as his.