CHAPTER 3
Nathan's POV
The driver dropped me off at the front gate.
For a moment, I just stood there.
The school was unreal. Tall glass buildings reflected the morning light, expensive cars lined the entrance, and students walked past like they owned everything they touched. Like this place belonged to them.
I adjusted my bag and started forward—then walked straight into someone.
My books slipped from my hands, scattering across the ground.
"I'm sorry—" I said quickly.
The guy didn't even stop. He just kept walking, like I didn't exist.
I crouched down, reaching for my books when another hand appeared in front of me.
"Here."
I looked up.
A girl. Short brown hair. Bright blue eyes.
She handed me my book.
"Thanks," I said.
She smirked. "Don't mention it, pretty boy."
Before I could say anything else, she patted my shoulder and walked off.
I blinked after her. I didn't even get her name.
Weird.
I stood and continued walking—then I saw them.
A group gathered off to the side. Not loud, not trying, but somehow everyone noticed them.
My eyes found him instantly.
Kieran.
His red hair stood out sharply in the crowd. A girl with long brown hair leaned against him like it was natural. Like she belonged there.
Two guys stood nearby.
And then—Zane.
Even from behind, I recognized him.
One of them said something, then they all looked at me.
My chest tightened.
I quickly looked away.
Too late.
Zane turned.
And smiled.
Then he waved.
I glanced around, just to be sure, then awkwardly waved back.
He started walking toward me.
For a second, I considered leaving.
My eyes shifted to Kieran.
He was already watching me.
A slow smirk on his lips.
He pulled out a cigarette like he had all the time in the world.
"Hey," Zane said when he reached me. "I totally forgot today was your first day. I could've picked you up."
I shook my head slightly. "The driver dropped me off."
"Oh," he nodded. "You should head to the orientation hall. It's starting soon."
"I don't—" I started.
"Hey, pretty."
My words were cut off.
They were already here.
"I'm Vicky," the girl with short dark hair said, stepping forward. "What's your name, cutie?"
She stretched out her hand, piercings lining her ears.
"Come on," she said. "Don't keep me waiting."
A few of them laughed.
"Okay, that's enough," Zane said, stepping in slightly. "He's late."
"Relax," one of the guys said lazily. "Stop acting like a mother hen. His older brother is here."
"Stepbrother," Kieran corrected.
My fingers tightened slightly.
"He's cute," Vicky said, looking me over.
Kieran didn't say anything. He just watched. Smoking. Like he was enjoying every second.
"Zane's right," the girl beside him said, wrapping her arm around his. "Let the poor boy breathe. He's late."
Then she smiled slightly. "We all know Vicky doesn't have self-control around younger boys."
Vicky scoffed. "Please. At least I don't go after men old enough to be my father."
A few of them stifled laughs.
Jasmine's expression darkened. "Wow."
She raised her middle finger.
"I'll pass," Vicky said with a smirk.
"Let's go," Zane said, grabbing my hand and pulling me away.
His grip was firm. Warm.
I didn't look back.
But I felt it.
Kieran's eyes.
Still on me.
And somehow, that felt worse than if he had said something.
---
Nathan's POV
Zane finally let go of my hand when we got to the hall.
"I'm sorry about that," he said. "They can be a lot. You should get going, the orientation already began."
He smiled, then stopped me again.
"Um… if you want, we could have lunch together. I could give you a tour after."
There was something shy about the way he said it.
I found myself smiling.
"Sure… I'd love that."
He nodded, and I turned, slowly walking into the hall.
I had entered in the middle of a speech, so I slipped into a seat at the back, trying not to draw attention to myself.
I was sitting alone, but I couldn't focus.
My mind kept replaying what Zane said.
I found myself smiling.
Then my mother's words came back to me.
I couldn't let the same mistake repeat itself.
Zane reminded me of Isaiah.
My first love.
My first boyfriend.
But I knew better.
The memories came rushing back all at once—the slap, the humiliation, my mother's anger, everyone pointing at me.
I was called a whore.
I remembered Isaiah clearly. The mayor's only son in Raventon. He made me feel things I had never imagined. Like I mattered.
But everything ended badly.
We were found out by the teachers after sneaking out like we used to, kissing behind the school.
And suddenly, everything changed.
Everyone called me a whore.
The mayor said I seduced his son.
Isaiah… told everyone I forced him. That I seduced him.
I could still feel the sting on my cheek.
My mother's angry face.
The way our lives fell apart after that.
She lost her job.
I was expelled.
And Isaiah?
He got two weeks suspension.
No school wanted to accept me after that.
We were in trouble.
I remembered seeing my mother break down.
And I just stood there, feeling guilty for everything.
A knock on my desk brought me back.
"Hey, pretty boy. We meet again."
I looked up.
It was the girl from earlier.
"What? You don't remember me?" she said.
"I do," I said quickly.
"Bianca," she said, stretching out her hand.
"Nathan," I replied, shaking it.
She smiled slightly. "Hmm… I like pretty boy better."
Another guy sat beside her. He had big round glasses.
"Hi," he said, waving. "I'm Brian."
"I'm Nathan," I said.
"We're twins," he added.
"Oh," I said.
"We don't really look like it though," Bianca said.
I smiled.
Then suddenly, people started screaming.
We all looked toward the podium.
It was Zane and the others.
"Yeah… they're really a big deal, aren't they?" Bianca said.
Brian leaned forward slightly. "Being part of the Sovereigns is a big deal. You're basically set for life if you're a member. A lot of parents want their kids to get in. They run the school."
I looked at them.
Zane was giving a speech, smiling like it came naturally to him.
Then my eyes moved to Kieran.
He looked different.
There was something about him that always stood out.
A lazy look in his eyes.
A smirk on his lips.
Like he knew something no one else did.
They all wore jackets with a golden crest on them.
"Basically an association of spoiled brats," Bianca muttered.
"It's more than that," Brian said. "Being among them gives you power beyond the school. Zane Grey—the only son of Grey Hotels. His older sister is married to the Freesia prince. His family has connections everywhere. He's the head of the group. Then there's Kieran Leo. Their fathers are best friends, same with them. His mother died when he was ten. His father owns the Leo empire—oil, airways, construction… almost everything. Then there's Jasmine Crooks, her family runs the entertainment industry, and Vicky—"
"Okay, that's enough," Bianca cut in. "We get it. You want to join them."
"I don't," Brian said.
"Then why all the research?"
"I like being informed about my surroundings."
Bianca rolled her eyes.
"I heard Kieran has a new stepbrother," Brian added. "His father just got married."
I stiffened slightly but said nothing.
"Enough about that stupid group," Bianca said.
I looked back at the stage.
Everyone was clapping.
For a brief moment, Zane's eyes met mine.
He smiled.
I looked away immediately.
"Give me your number, pretty boy," Bianca said.
"He has a name," Brian muttered.
She ignored him and stretched out her phone.
I took it and typed in my number.
"Good," she said. "Now, sweetheart, let's get out of here. I want to see the school."
"The orientation isn't over," Brian said.
"Yes, Brian, I don't care," she replied. "You can stay if you want."
Then she looked at me.
"Come on, sweet cheeks."
I hesitated for a second.
I don't know why…
but I took her hand.
And we snuck out of the hall together.
Brian sighed—
but followed anyway.