CHAPTER 69

**WINTER**


No matter how much I try to motivate myself, my feet feel as heavy as lead as I ascend the stairs. It’s like I’m walking toward my execution. Inside the main building, the grandeur only deepens.

Built over a century and a half ago by the wealthy family who founded the town, the interior is even more breathtaking than the exterior. I tilt my head back to take in the expansive ceiling of the front lobby, which stretches two stories above me.

Sunlight streams through tall windows, illuminating the polished wood floors with a warm glow. Artwork adorns the walls—portraits of dignified men and women who look both important and slightly detached. I pause by one of the portraits and read the small plaque below it. It’s a former principal who served from 1955 to 1969. There are more men than women in these portraits, which, given the era, isn’t surprising.

The hallway branches out in multiple directions—two leading to the eastern and western wings, while the third extends directly ahead from the entrance. I think the office is this way, so I head down the corridor, taking in everything as I go. If I didn’t know better, I’d never guess this was a college; it has the air of a museum. Finally, I spot a sign above one of the doors:

Administration Office.

Relief floods through me. That’s where I need to go. I don’t have my class schedule yet, so I have no idea what I’m taking or where I’m supposed to be.

Phones are ringing nonstop, and the staff is rushing back and forth, trying to manage the chaos. By the time I arrive, there are already ten or fifteen people waiting, all with some issue or complaint.

“But my dad already talked to the administration! I need a bigger room. The one I’m in is way too small, and there’s not enough closet space for all my clothes. Plus, the fucking girl I’m stuck with is a total nerd! I can’t live like this!” The girl at the front of the line, whines loudly, flipping her hair over her shoulder as she glares at the woman behind the counter. I can’t help but widen my eyes at her entitlement.

Do people talk to adults like that here? Apparently, yes, because the staff member barely blinks.

“Like I already told you, Jaz,” the woman replies with forced patience, “all the larger dorms are taken. Your father was informed of that when he called. You’ll have to make do with the space you’ve got.”

“So what now? I’m just supposed to live in that tiny dorm that’s a fucking shoebox with some nerd?” Jaz snaps, her voice dripping with disdain. Before the woman behind the counter can respond, Jaz angrily sweeps her arm across the desk, sending a cup full of pens crashing to the floor.

“This place is a fucking joke. You’re lucky I don’t get my dad to sue!” she yells, turning on her heel and storming down the hall. Even as she disappears from view, her shrill voice echoes back, still ranting about the lawsuit that’s going to bring the whole school down.

As I wait in line, I can’t help but notice each student is worse than the last, throwing their wealth and status around like weapons at the poor woman behind the desk.

When it’s finally my turn, I approach hesitantly, offering a small, apologetic smile.

“Sorry to bother you, but this is my first day. I don’t have my schedule yet.”

The woman’s shoulders visibly relax, and she gives me a tired but genuine smile. “Oh, thank goodness. An easy one.” She quickly flips through a stack of papers and pulls out a thin folder. “Winter, right?”

“Yes, that’s me.”

“Welcome, Winter. I hope you haven’t already gotten a bad impression of this place.” She hands me the folder before I can respond.

“In here, you’ll find your schedule, a calendar of activities, and a map to help you get around. It can be a maze at first, but you’ll get the hang of it soon enough. Just a heads up—you’d better hurry. Looks like your first class is about to start.”

“Really? Oh, thanks!” I blurt out, rushing out of the office. As I stand in the hallway, frantically glancing between my schedule and the confusing hallways, I wonder which way to go.

“Winter!” a familiar voice calls out just as I start to panic.

I look up, and relief floods through me.

Claire.

“Winter! There you are; I've been looking for you!”

She hurries over, practically bouncing with energy, and without missing a beat, she takes the schedule from my hands, scanning it.

“Great news! We’ve got our first class together.”

Before I can even process that, she grabs my hand, her enthusiasm contagious.

“Come on, I’ll show you the way.”

She grabs my hand and starts leading me through the hallway, talking nonstop about everything from the latest campus drama to the people I should steer clear of. Her easy chatter helps melt away some of my nerves.

"Should I grab my stuff from my locker first?" I ask, glancing at the locker number listed on my schedule. There’s a small key taped inside the folder, which I figure must be for it.

1. "No, we don’t need to do that. We’ll come back later. I don’t want to miss the first class..." she says, then jumps into a chat as if we’ve known each other forever, making me feel relaxed right away.

At that moment, I’m genuinely thankful to have someone like her with me.

"Hey, Claire! How was your summer? A girl with long blonde hair and a flawless tan approaches us. I notice Claire's expression shift, her jaw tightening slightly. This girl bothers her.

"It was fine, Sophie. How about you?" Claire responds, her tone courteous but noticeably tense.

“Just fine! That's too bad; mine was great. We spent the entire summer in Hawaii. My parents were all about their ‘quality time,’ which was as boring as it sounds, but at least the beaches were amazing.” Sandra tosses her hair like she’s in a shampoo commercial, her voice dripping with arrogance.

“Cool,” Claire replies, her tone flat. Sophie’s gaze shifts to me, her eyes narrowing as she sizes me up. “Who’s this?” she asks, her voice tinged with disdain. I’m about to answer, but Claire jumps in before I can get a word out.

“She’s new. I’m showing her around,” Claire says, her tone leaving no room for further questions.

Sophie’s nose wrinkles as she gives me a quick once-over. “Oh. Okay,” she mutters, clearly unimpressed. I can’t help but wonder what that look was about, but one thing’s clear: Claire isn’t a fan of Sophie’s showy attitude, and now, neither am I.


Stepbrother's Dark Desire
Detail
Share
Font Size
40
Bgcolor