"Fuck!" you exclaim while checking your wristwatch. "7:30! Shit!"
The orientation is at 8 am yet here you are looking like an idiot on the sidewalk—your bus broke down and now, a sudden downpour!
Sleep-deprived from last night's tutoring session, you're already on edge when a limo speeds past, splashing a puddle over your uniform. That's it. You snap. Without hesitation, you unleash a full verse of curse words at the top of your lungs.
Inside the limo, one of the guys notices you, his amusement growing with every curse that flies from your mouth. "Damn! Girl can rap!" he says, barking a crisp laugh.
Intrigued, he leans forward and smirks. "Pull over," he tells the driver, eyes locked on you.
Just when you thought things couldn't get worse, the black limousine pulled up beside you, its tinted window rolling down lazily.
Inside, three pairs of eyes scrutinize you.
"Good grief!" a voice drawls, thick with amusement.
You blink against the rain, meeting the gaze of a sharp-eyed man with his tousled dark hair adding with an expression that teeters between curiosity and mockery.
He looks expensive—well they all are in their bespoke suits oozing effortless arrogance, and the kind of presence that demands attention.
Next to him, another man with striking features and an easy smirk leans forward, resting his chin on his hand as if thoroughly entertained. The third, smaller in stature but no less imposing, simply exhales in what seems like disapproval.
"Hop in," the first one—Seungcheol—commands, as though he's doing you a favor.
You hesitate. "Are you nuts? I mean you're three good-looking guys but that's not enough to persuade me. I ain't cheap!" you tell yourself.
"We don't have all day," Seungcheol growls under his breath, probably all too aware of your thoughts. Woozi's brow lifts slightly, but his expression remains impassive.
You stare at your reflection and immediately wince at the sight. The dirty puddle soaked your uniform—its white color barely recognizable, not to mention your disheveled hair.
"Oh god! What a great way to start a day," you mutter helplessly.
Yet, you square your shoulders, ignoring the shiver that runs through you from the cold. "Are you always this hospitable to strangers? Or am I just special?"
Woozi, the quietest of the three, finally speaks, his tone dry. "Special? Oh please! Can we just leave this thing to lose its mind? What a waste of life!"
Thing?! I am a freaking human. Arg! The arrogance!
Before you could even retort, Seungcheol exhales sharply. "Get in before you collapse and make it OUR problem."
Wow! As if I voluntarily get splashed by YOUR limo.
"Unless you'd rather walk the rest of the way?" The smirking one—Hoshi—adds, tilting his head. "It's only, what… another five miles? With arms and legs like that, you could probably win any race—well, you can dominate any sport."
"I beg your pardon? My limbs aren't that big, these a-holes!" you scream in your head.
Given your lack of options, you swallow your pride and slide into the plush leather seat. The warmth of the limo is immediate, engulfing you like a taunting reminder of how out of place you are. The scent of expensive cologne lingers in the air, contrasting the damp fabric clinging to your skin.
"So," Seungcheol muses, watching you carefully, "I assume from the unfortunate state of your uniform that you're heading to Rose Quartz and Serenity?"
You meet his gaze without flinching. "And I assume from the unmistakable scent of arrogance here that you go there too?"
Hoshi laughs while Woozi raises a brow, unimpressed.
Seungcheol, however, leans back, his smirk deepening. "Feisty and ungrateful. Deadly...that'll serve you well—for about a week."
"Generous," Woozi remarks. "I give her three days."
"Two," Hoshi counters. They chuckle as if you aren't there.
The drive becomes suffocating, so much to your relief when the limo finally stops.
"Oh my god!" you gasp.
The limousine door opens, transporting you to a place dominated by majestic buildings and well-manicured gardens that echo a verdant history yet a stark reminder of a bright future. Rose Quartz and Serenity Academy isn't just a university—it's a cauldron of wealth and power nannying their new generation.
"Enjoy while you can!" Seungcheol says sardonically as they walk past you like you've never existed.
Taking a deep breath as you grip the strap of your worn-out duffel bag, you step onto the cobblestone path, your heartbeat pounding in your ears.
The news about an outsider who came with the feared group sends ripples among the students strolling past in designer coats and limited-edition sneakers. They crowd around you; their gazes filled with curiosity and disdain.
"I expected someone... smarter-looking."
"Is it true that she came with them?"
"Oh, please. Even if she did, it wouldn't matter. They will never lower their standards!"
"They probably did her some charity."
The hum of mockery grows stronger as you search for the restroom to clean yourself. But you ignore them, their words are the least of your problems—for now.
The day is harrowing with the constant glare and scrutiny, so all you want to do is go home. Go as far from this hellish bowl of arrogance.
And then, you see them.
The Thirteen.
The heirs who rule this academy aren't just students; they are heirs to conglomerates and prodigies in their fields—they're untouchable.
They don't need to speak to command attention; their existence alone dictates the hierarchy of this place. Even their cheapest accessory is more expensive than your house.
"Wait! They—those three are—what?" you manage to say before your jaw drops at the sudden realization. "Oh my god! What have I done?!"
Seungcheol stands at the center, a born leader with easy confidence. His dark eyes flick over you once, assessing, before looking away as if you're not inside a limo with him.
"So she's the person causing all the noise, huh?" Jeonghan leans against a marble pillar, an amused smirk playing on his lips. His gaze lingers longer, filled with something unreadable—curiosity? Mockery? You can't tell.
"So it seems. What's this place now? A charity?" Minghao nonchalantly mocks as he reclines on the grass nearby.
Beside him is Wonwoo. His gaze sharpens as he observes you from behind his wire-rimmed glasses. He doesn't need to say anything—his presence alone commands attention. He leans to his brother, voice soft but edged, "Wanna bet how long she'd last, bro?"
Mingyu doesn't even spare you a glance, his broad frame leaning back lazily as he takes another slow sip from his bottle. "Sure! I'll give her a week."
Seungkwan sighs, shaking his head with an exaggerated air of disappointment. "Tsk! You guys are so predictable. Ain't it more fun to have someone audacious like her?"
Vernon, sitting off to the side with an almost bored air, rolls his eyes before responding, his voice a slow drawl. "Funny. You guys act like you've never seen someone who didn't have the right background make it to the top."
"Right! Who knows maybe she's got something you don't, and you're all too blind to see it," DK added, his tone laced with indifference.
Wonwoo's lips curl into a small, calculating smile while the others exchange meaningful looks.
As they are digging your grave and burying you alive, Joshua steps forward. His gaze is kinder, his features softer, but there's something almost too polished about his charm that's intimidating.
"Welcome to Rose Quartz and Serenity Academy," he says smoothly, a hint of amusement in his tone. "You must be feeling a little... overwhelmed."
Before you can answer, a scoff comes from Dino, the youngest among them, his expression openly disdainful. "She's going to be a waste of time. We've seen this before. She won't last. Why bother welcoming her?"
"You're so dramatic," Jun murmurs, but his sharp gaze appraises you nonetheless.
Woozi, who has been silent up until now, finally speaks. "Ugh! Enough of your games already."
Jeonghan tilts his head. "Oh... but we're just warming up!"
Low murmurs ripple through, voices hushed yet sharp.
A chuckle comes from Hoshi, his amusement only growing. "Brave of her to step in like she belongs."
Mingyu scoffs, shifting his weight. "Or foolish. Either way, this is stupid."
The tension thickens as you hold your head high, refusing to let their words burrow under your skin. Your hands curl into fists, hidden in your pockets.
You want me to shrink? To crumble? Hah! I won't give you that satisfaction!
Seungcheol tilts his head, eyes lingering on you with quiet calculation. "I'm bored! Let's go."
As everyone starts to leave, Jeonghan and Wonwoo stop in their tracks and turn to you.
"Cheol, not so fast. I wanna invite this brave soul to our welcome party tomorrow night!" Jeonghan says exaggeratedly louder.
There's a collective gasp. Envy. Dread. Annoyance. All into one. It doesn't sound like an invitation...more like announcing your execution.
And just like that, your life at Rose Quartz and Serenity Academy is no longer your own. Can you survive?