Chapter 1 Ruby

Ruby

Life is finally about to stop kicking me in the ass, and the world is going to know my name. Everything is about to change.

I repeated my morning affirmation three more times as I exited the cab and looked around at my new school. I am in college. I, Ruby Saunders, have made it to college. I'll still have to work my ass off to maintain my grades and qualify for my full ride, of course, but nothing is going to deter me from my path. I've worked too long and too hard to get where I am now, so all distractions can go to hell. I'm not saying I won't attend the occasional party, but I know the opportunity I've been given will be gone forever if I lose it. I can't pay for college on my own; I can barely pay for lunch.

"Damn babe, nice ass."

My eyes narrowed as I stopped walking. I sighed as I turned around while pulling my hands out of the pockets of my leather jacket. The distractions were starting earlier than I had expected, and I wasn't in the mood. Five minutes. Only five minutes had passed on my first day, and I already had this to deal with.

Sure enough, there was a boy behind me eyeing me up and down, his bright blue eyes twinkling with lust. I tilted my head to the side and smiled, and his face lit up even further. He wasn't bad looking, but he was a distraction, and I wasn't about to be his next victim.

"What did you just say to me, you little bitch?" I said. His eyes widened as I raised a finger to his face. "Shut the fuck up."

"Ahh, I..."

I turned away before he could spit out whatever it was he was trying to say while behind him. His friends started laughing. I know what you're thinking. I didn't have to be that mean. But if you knew the life I've lived, you'd understand my determination to stay focused, which meant no boys.

For most of my life – almost all of it actually – I've been alone. I've been looking after myself for as long as I can remember, and that's how it will continue to be. People like me don't get offered help. Nor do we need it. I can take care of myself.

After leaving the admissions office a little earlier than I had expected, I decided to do a tour of the school. My first class wouldn't be starting for another hour, so I had some time to kill.

There was a dark academy aesthetic about this place that I knew I'd never grow tired of. From the moment I had seen this place online, I knew this was where I was meant to be. So, after receiving my scholarship, I packed up what little I had (which fit into one suitcase), pocketed my last three hundred bucks, and came here.

I inhaled deeply as the wind picked up and whipped my hair around me, the red strands tangling around my face. The buildings were all of a gothic design with vines going up the walls. People mostly spoke in hushed voices, and with the sky being overcast, the campus was shrouded in darkness.

I was at home.

Sometimes in life, you'll get a feeling in your gut, a feeling that pushes you to do or say something, and more often than not you end up living with regret if you ignore it. So far, I'm happy I took the risk of coming here.

The library is hands down my favorite place here. The quiet that greets you along with the slightly musty air gives you the feeling you've stepped into another world. As soon as I stepped inside, I was inundated with the smell of old books, and my heart rate sped up. Victorian-style lamps lining the walls and a giant chandelier hanging from the ceiling provided soft lighting that left shadows all over the library.

I made my way through the shelves, taking deep breaths as I glided my fingers along the spines of the books.

Oh yes, I'd be spending a lot of time here, a lot of time indeed.

Ever since childhood, books have been my way out, my escape from the shitty reality I live in. One day, something I've written will offer someone a means of escape. Yeah, I know, weird idea since I'm a law major.

I had exited the shelves upon shelves of books to take a seat when, a few tables away from me, a guy got to his feet.

It was like watching a giant who had been crouching down stand tall. The man before me was at least six-foot-four with raven black hair, a square sharp jawline, and perfectly shaped thick brows. He was looking around the library and, if his knitted brows were anything to go by, he was angry.

Maybe he had been waiting for someone and they had stood him up. But who would stand up a guy like that? He was clearly a gym junkie, with one of his arms as big as my two arms combined.

As the man began to walk away, I heard a voice behind me. "He's hot, isn't he?"

I looked over my shoulder to see a girl bent down to my ear level, her blue eyes glistening with amusement. "Don't waste your time, honey. Every woman on this campus wants a piece of him, and he gives none of them the time of day."

Who was this girl, and why was she talking to me? She had caught me checking that guy out, whoever he was. So what? Was she a jealous ex or something?

"Um, okay. "Don't worry, I'm not interested."

Her eyes widened as if I had said the world was flat before a grin was pulled at her lips, and she sat down. "Hmm, how interesting. "I get the vibe you don't run with the crowd. "That's good." She stuck her hand out to me. "I'm Natalie."

I shook her hand because, why not? "She seemed nice. "Ruby."

"Fitting name, Ruby, with your red hair and all." She squinted and leaned closer. A natural redhead at that. Nice!"

Now I wouldn't say I'm the most beautiful woman to walk the earth, but my hair has always drawn attention to me, both its color and the fact that it reaches below my ass. And the bangs that stop just above my eyebrows make my small oval face appear smaller. I'm five-foot-five, have decent C-cup boobs, and I have some curvy hips. Hence, the comment I had gotten from that poor guy earlier.

Natalie, however, was a model. I've never been the type to be jealous of another woman's looks, but Natalie was tall, five-foot-seven at least, with legs like a gazelle and platinum blonde hair. Her ice-blue eyes were the icing on the cake.

"Yup. So who was that guy then?"

She smirked. "Oh, so you are interested?"

"I'm curious," I corrected her. "Only curious."

And that was the truth, because he was hot. Gorgeous even. He was tall and muscular, and while he was extremely handsome, there was an aura of seriousness about him that I liked.

She exhaled and looked in the direction he had gone. "He's Xavier Blackwood, son of Mathieu Blackwood." She looked over at me and smiled. "Xavier is part of the rich-kids crowd, although he rolls alone. That actually makes girls want him more. I'm not sure if it's a trick or not, but there you have it. You can try your luck, sis."

"I'll pass, sis."

She shrugged, not in the least bothered by my snappy response, and I found myself liking her. Looking at her, you'd think she'd be a materialistic "oh my god, I like, so I need a skinny latte" type, but she seemed rather chill.

I can't stand a calorie-watching bitch. Eat food!

I checked my watch, and my eyes widened. I couldn't believe my time was almost up. I got up and picked up my bag. "Hey, sorry, but I have class. I can't miss my first class."

She got up with me. "Sure, what building are you going to?"

"Law."

She grinned. "Nice, so am I. Let's go. You can tell me how you've managed to get an ass like that."

I laughed, and she winked at me as we left.

Yeah, I like her. That makes my first day a success because I usually can't stand people in general.