Zaria Williams rushed through the crowded city streets, her heartbeat hammering against her ribs. Today wasn't just another day,it was the day. Her first morning at Harrington Academy, the most prestigious private school in the country.
A place where the richest of the rich walked the halls, their lives cushioned by old money, luxury brands, and the unwavering certainty that they belonged. A place where she a scholarship student was about to make her mark.
Or, at the very least, try to survive.
Her fingers clutched the cheap coffee cup from the corner café, the warmth seeping through the thin paper as she weaved through the foot traffic. Her curls bounced with each hurried step, her worn-out sneakers slapping against the pavement in stark contrast to the sleek, polished shoes of the business elites around her.
Then she saw it.
Harrington Academy stood at the end of the boulevard, its towering iron gates gleaming under the morning sun, casting long, imposing shadows onto the pristine cobblestone driveway. Beyond it, the main building stretched into the sky a sprawling, historic masterpiece of white marble and towering glass windows, dripping in opulence.
Lined up at the entrance were sleek black limousines, Rolls-Royces, and custom-made Bentleys, their glossy surfaces reflecting the golden sunlight. Chauffeurs in crisp uniforms opened doors with precision, bowing slightly as their teenage passengers stepped out.
The students were effortlessly elegant, wrapped in designer Harrington Academy uniforms that screamed exclusivity. The boys wore tailored navy-blue blazers, embossed with the academy's golden crest a lion's head with a crown paired with pristine white shirts, silk ties, and perfectly pressed trousers. Their Italian leather loafers gleamed, a clear contrast to her second-hand sneakers.
The girls were no less extravagant. Their fitted blazers hugged their figures just right, paired with pleated skirts that looked like they cost more than her monthly rent. The fabrics were rich cashmere, silk, and custom embroidery that made each uniform subtly unique. Their diamond-studded earrings and designer handbags completed the look of untouchable wealth.
Zaria exhaled sharply, forcing her nerves down.
You deserve to be here. You earned this.
Then, in her rush to reach the entrance.
BAM.
A solid force slammed into her.
Her coffee cup slipped from her fingers, tilting mid-air as scalding hot liquid splattered forward
Straight onto someone's chest.
The world seemed to stop.
Gasps erupted around her as the once-busy crowd of students turned their heads, their murmurs rising like an ocean wave.
"Oh my God, did she just ...?"
"She's so dead."
Zaria's heart plummeted.
Standing before her, his crisp white designer shirt completely ruined, was none other than Xavier Lancaster ,Harrington Academy's golden boy.
The untouchable king of the school.
Rich. Powerful. Arrogant as hell.
Zaria barely had time to react before piercing blue eyes locked onto her, filled with a level of cold fury that could freeze oceans.
His jaw tightened as he inspected the damage. The black coffee stain spread across his chest like a personal insult. His fingers grazed the fabric, his lips curling in disgust. The watch on his wrist a Patek Philippe, worth more than her tuition glinted under the sunlight as he slowly looked back up at her.
"Do you have any idea how much this shirt costs?" His voice was low, sharp, laced with condescension.
Zaria winced.
Okay. This was bad.
"I...I'm really, really sorry," she blurted out. "I wasn't looking where I was going, and .."
"Clearly," Xavier cut in, his tone icy, slicing through the air like a blade. "You're too busy stumbling around like a commoner who's never seen a proper school before."
Something inside Zaria snapped.
She had been expecting anger. Maybe even arrogance. But the way he dismissed her like she was beneath him that hit a nerve.
Her lips curled into a smirk.
"Right, because I totally woke up this morning thinking, Wow, today seems like the perfect day to ruin an overpriced fashion statement."
A stunned silence followed.
Then, A low chuckle.
Xavier's best friends,Ryan Carter and Leo Bennett stood just behind him, watching the scene unfold with amused smirks.
Ryan, the ever-playful troublemaker, crossed his arms. "Well, well… looks like we've got a feisty one."
Leo, the quieter but no less dangerous one, gave Zaria a slow, assessing glance. "Maybe she thinks she's special."
Before Zaria could fire back, a sickeningly sweet voice joined the conversation.
"You just made the biggest mistake of your life, scholarship girl."
Zaria turned to find Ashley Harrington stepping gracefully out of a glossy black Mercedes-Benz, her father's chauffeur holding the door open. Her platinum-blonde waves cascaded over her designer dress, her manicured fingers tightening around a Hermès handbag that cost more than Zaria had ever seen in one place.
Beside her stood Ivana Sinclair and Tessa Vaughn, her ever-loyal sidekicks, both smirking like vipers waiting to strike.
Ashley's blue eyes gleamed with cruelty. "You don't belong here."
Zaria met her gaze without hesitation.
"I earned my place," she shot back, her voice calm but firm. "Just like you."
A collective gasp rippled through the crowd.
Ashley's expression twisted with irritation.
"Please," she scoffed. "As if this school would ever put you on our level. You'll always be nothing more than a charity case."
Zaria forced herself to smile. "And yet… here I am." She tilted her head. "Guess money can't buy everything, huh?"
Ryan let out a low whistle.
Leo chuckled under his breath.
Even Ashley's minions looked slightly impressed.
But Xavier, Xavier was studying her.
His irritation was still there, but something else flickered in his gaze something intrigued.
Like no girl had ever dared to challenge him like this before.
Then, just as quickly as it appeared, his expression hardened once more.
"You should watch yourself," he murmured, his voice carrying a quiet authority that sent shivers down her spine.
Zaria arched a brow. "Oh? Is that a threat?"
His lips curled into a smirk.
"It's a promise."
With that, he turned on his heel and strode away, his friends following behind him.
Ashley sent one last glare before flipping her hair and disappearing into the crowd, her clique trailing after her.
Zaria exhaled slowly.
So, this is how it's going to be.
Fine.
She had faced worse before.
And she wasn't about to back down now.
Welcome to Harrington Academy.