Chapter 7
The plaza outside Limond University’s main gate was hopping, lined with tables and chairs, each sporting a sign with a college or major’s name.
Student council folks running orientation were decked out in white tees with the school logo front and center.
Behind the animation department’s sign, a guy peeled a book off his face and sat up. “Hi, just write down your ID and phone number.
“Campus card’s seventy bucks–five for the card, sixty five loaded on it-
Luka’s voice trailed off as he got a good look at the girl in front of him
“Whoa,” he muttered.
This freshman. how’s she that gorgeous! he thought. With a face like that, she could coast on charisma alone. Why the hell is she into animation?
“You getting the card or what?” Briar tapped the table lightly.
“Yeah, totally!” Luka snapped to it, sliding the pen over
The
nover like it was his job. “So, you’re really in animation”
animation scene was tanking, and Limond’s program barely scraped by with one class
She’s gotta be all in, right? Laka thought. Then he glanced at her registration form. Briar Shepherd Nice name
Briar shrugged, super casual. “My family pushed me into it.”
Sensing she wasn’t chatty, Luka didn’t press. Once she was done, he mumbled to the guy next to him and stood. “Gmon, I’ll show you to the dorms.”
Briar gave a quick nod. “Thanks”
Luka offered to grab her bags, but she shut that down fast.
At first, he seemed smooth–good–looking, kinda chill–but once they started walking, he was like a gossip machine. He dished campus dirt like they’d been buddies forever.
“I was betting Imani from acting would be this year’s campus queen,” he said. “But after seeing you? İmani’s got no chance.
“Imani?” Briar raised an eyebrow,
School just started. ‘How’s she already a big deal!‘ she wondered.
Luka smirked, rolling his eyes. “She ruled the high school we’re tied to. Her dad’s the big shot at Shepherd Properties, and her brother’s Ronan Shepherd, that A–list star, But, heads–up–she’s kinda shady Steer clear if you meet her.”
Briar’s eyes narrowed, and she let out a soft chuckle.
“Funny thing,” Luka added, “you’re both Shepherds. That’s not your everyday last name, right?”
“Nah, not really,” Briar said, nodding casually.
Minutes later, they hit the girls‘ dorm. Luka scratched his wild hair, looking a bit awkward.
“So, uh, can I get your number? I’m your sophomore go–to Hit me up if you need anything, “he said, taking heart.
“Sure, here’s my number, Briar said, pulling out her phone.
“Sweet. Alright, head in. I gotta jet” Luka said, flashing a grin before heading off
to the fourth floor, eyes flicking over door numbers until she found her dorm.
Briar hauled herself up to t
Inside the quad, her three roommates were already making themselves at home.
Two girls were kicked back in chairs, gabbing like they’d known each other forever. The third was parked at a desk, fussing with her eyeliner in a
mirror.
The chatty pair spun around when Briar walked in, their eyes popping for a second before they jumped up with big smiles.
“Hey! I’m Mae Summers, this is Jolene Decker. You’re Briar, right? Damn, girl, you’re a total babe!” Mae’s mushroom bob bounced as she talked, her baby face glowing.
1/2
Chapter 7
She nodded at the last empty bed. “That’s you, bed four. Your name’s taped to the locker.
Jolene, tall and wiry, gave a friendly grin. “Nice to meet you”
Briar wasn’t used to chilling with girls her age. She paused, then said, “Yeah, you too.”
The mirror girl, still deep in her eyeliner game, flicked a glance back, scrunched her face, and kept going
Mac leaned in, voice low. “That’s Rhea Wilcox, Super quiet, but she’s cool. No bad blood.”
Briar just smirked. A few college girls, nice or shady, didn’t rattle her.
She’d trained hardcore mercenaries and special ops guys until they were crying uncle–dorm drama was child’s play.
Mae and Jolene, both locals who’d gone to Limond University’s high school, were gossip machines
In half an hour, they’d dished all the dirt: campus secrets, dorm quirks, even which cafeteria window had the best burgers.
As they got cozy, the convo swung to Briar’s major.
Mae’s eyes lit up, curious. “Briar, you’re, like, stupid hot. Why animation? You’d kill it in acting–leave Imani from theater in the dust. Total missed opportunity
Second time that day, Imani’s name came up.
Briar sidestepped, flashing a sly grin. “Heard from a student council dude that Imani’s the high school’s queen bee”
“Oh, for sure,” Mac said, tracking up. “Rich, gorgeous, the works. Total It Girl.”
Her smile turned sneaky. “But Briart Steer clear of Imani.”
Same heads–up again. Earlier, Luka from student council had low–key thrown shade at Imani but kept it vague.
Now Mae had Briar’s full attention.
“What’s her deal! Briar asked.
Mae batted her lashes, voice dripping with fake drama “She’s got depression, hun. Cross her, and her posse of stans and simps will drag you to hell
and back.”
Briar arched a brow. Depressed or not. Imani sounded like a whole mood. A weirdly untouchable one.
Jolene rugged Mae’s sleeve. Pump the brakes on the gossip”
“I ain’t scared of her Mae snorted. “Anyone with a brain knows Imani’s depression is some fake–ass nonsense. Only her zombie fan club buys it.
When lunch hit, Mac and Jolene tried dragging Briar to the cafeteria, but she checked her phone and waved them off. “Goma bounce”
As she headed for the door, Rhea–finally done with her makeup–stood, looking awkward as hell.
Briar clocked the no–drama vibe and raised a brow, “What’s up?”
Rhea forced a smile, sticking out a hand with a killer manicure. “Hey, I’m Rhea. From Okwell City. Nice to meet you
Briar’s eyes sparkled. She shook Rhea’s hand, grinning. “Same here.”
Her roommates were honestly pretty dope.
Way
2/2
