Nathaniel Cullen

The first morning of university arrived far earlier than your alarm needed to ring. You had barely slept. An ordinary college life. At exactly eight in the morning, a matte black Lamborghini rolled to a stop outside your house. Henry leaned across the passenger seat with his usual grin. “Ready?” You nodded, though your hands were trembling. The drive was filled with music turned low, random jokes, and Henry doing everything he could to distract you from overthinking. Every few minutes he’d remind you to breathe, making you laugh despite yourself. When the massive university gates finally appeared, your heartbeat only grew louder. “This is it…” you whispered. Henry parked near the center of campus, where luxury cars and expensive lifestyles blended naturally into the university’s atmosphere. As soon as you stepped out, reality hit. Your stomach tightened. Your breathing became uneven. Henry immediately noticed. Without saying a word, he opened his arms. You walked straight into them. Your forehead rested against his shoulder as you held onto him far longer than either of you expected. Neither of you seemed willing to let go. “You belong here,” Henry murmured beside your ear. “You earned this.” You closed your eyes, taking a slow breath while tightening your arms around him one last time. Neither of you noticed the group that had stopped several meters behind you. “…Who’s that?” one of the boys asked. Evan Nathaniel Cullen slipped his sunglasses onto the top of his head, his dark green eyes fixed on the petite girl hugging a guy beside a Lamborghini. “Never seen her before.” “Freshman?” another guessed. “Looks like it.” One of Evan’s friends smirked. “Pretty cute.” “Too quiet.” “Probably another rich girl trying to play mysterious.” Evan watched silently for another second before shrugging. “Doesn’t matter.” His gaze lingered on you just a little longer. “…She won’t last a month here.”