The first day of college was supposed to be the beginning of something new.
A fresh start.
New friends.
New memories.
And most importantly... a life without Victoria Claves.
Claire James smiled to herself as she stepped onto the sprawling university campus, her suitcase rolling behind her. Students hurried past in every direction, laughing, chatting, and taking pictures to commemorate their first day. The atmosphere buzzed with excitement, and for the first time in months, Claire allowed herself to believe that everything was going to be okay.
High school was finally behind her.
No more endless competitions.
No more arguments.
No more trying to outdo one another.
No more Victoria.
If only life were that simple.
"Mom!" Claire shouted from upstairs.
"I can't find my matching socks!"
"Did you check your drawer?" her mother called back.
Claire groaned dramatically.
"Of course I checked the drawer! They're not there."
A few seconds later, her mother walked into the room, glanced at the half-empty drawer, and casually pulled out the exact pair of socks Claire had spent ten minutes searching for.
Claire blinked.
"...How?"
Her mother laughed.
"You were searching with panic instead of your eyes."
Claire threw her hands into the air.
"You're officially a magician."
"Or maybe you're just too excited about college."
Claire smiled sheepishly.
Maybe she was.
She had spent weeks imagining what college life would be like. Freedom. Independence. New experiences. Everything felt possible.
She quickly got dressed and packed the last of her belongings into a large travel bag. Since she would be living on campus, she made sure she hadn't forgotten anything—clothes, toiletries, notebooks, her laptop, and the countless little things her mother insisted she'd need.
Before leaving, her parents gathered around her.
Her father rested a comforting hand on her shoulder.
"We're proud of you, Claire."
"Remember why you're there," her mother added gently. "Study hard, make good friends, and always call home."
Claire hugged them both tightly.
"I will."
The drive to the university was filled with excitement, nervous laughter, and endless advice that Claire had heard at least twenty times already.
Yet somehow...
This time, it felt different.
This was goodbye to childhood.
The university campus was even bigger than the pictures online.
Students wandered between buildings carrying boxes, luggage, and backpacks. Some parents looked emotional, while others looked relieved.
Claire dragged her suitcase through the girls' hostel, checking every room number until she finally reached the last building.
Room 304.
"This should be it."
She pushed open the door.
A cheerful voice immediately greeted her.
"Oh! You must be my roommate!"
Claire looked up to find a dark-skinned girl with bright eyes and an even brighter smile.
"I'm Tina."
Claire smiled back.
"I'm Claire."
"Welcome to our little kingdom."
Without waiting for permission, Tina grabbed one of Claire's bags.
"Come on. Let's get you settled."
Claire laughed softly.
"Thanks."
The room wasn't luxurious, but it was cozy.
Two neatly made beds.
A shared study table.
Large windows overlooking the campus gardens.
"It's actually prettier than I expected," Claire admitted.
"I know, right?" Tina grinned. "I thought we'd be living in a prison cell."
The two girls burst into laughter.
As they unpacked, conversation flowed naturally.
"So..." Tina asked, folding one of Claire's sweaters.
"What are you studying?"
"Veterinary Medicine."
Tina raised an eyebrow.
"You must really love animals."
Claire nodded.
"I've loved them ever since I was little."
She paused before adding with an embarrassed laugh,
"Although... I still eat chicken sometimes."
Tina laughed.
"No judgment here."
"What about you?"
"Mechanical Engineering."
Claire looked impressed.
"That sounds difficult."
"It probably is."
They both laughed again.
Within an hour, Claire felt surprisingly comfortable around her new roommate.
Maybe college really was going to be amazing.
Just then, Tina's stomach growled loudly.
She covered her face.
"Oh my goodness..."
Claire couldn't help laughing.
"I'm starving," Tina admitted.
"Come with me to the cafeteria?"
"I'm actually not that hungry."
"You don't have a choice."
"What?"
"It's roommate law."
Claire blinked.
"There's a roommate law?"
"I just made it."
Claire laughed.
"Fine."
Together, they headed toward the cafeteria, talking about classes, favorite movies, embarrassing childhood stories, and everything in between.
For the first time that day...
Claire felt at home.
The next morning marked the official start of lectures.
Claire stood in front of the mirror, adjusting the sleeves of her outfit.
Not too formal.
Not too casual.
Perfect.
Outside, the campus was alive with students rushing toward lecture halls.
Her heart pounded with anticipation.
"This is it."
Inside the classroom, almost every seat was occupied.
Claire slipped into an empty one near the middle.
She couldn't help noticing how different college felt from high school.
Everyone looked older.
More confident.
More interesting.
Before she could take in the room any further, the classroom door opened.
A tall young man walked inside carrying several textbooks.
The chatter instantly died down.
Claire's breath caught.
He couldn't have been much older than the students, yet he carried himself with effortless confidence.
Dark hair.
Sharp jawline.
A warm smile.
Even the air in the room seemed to shift when he entered.
"Good morning," he said.
"I'm Alex Morgan, the teaching assistant for this course."
His voice was calm and confident, drawing everyone's attention.
Claire found herself staring a little longer than she intended.
Maybe...
Just maybe...
College was going to be even better than she'd imagined.
The classroom door swung open once more.
"I'm sorry I'm late."
Claire froze.
That voice.
No...
It couldn't be.
Slowly, she turned toward the entrance.
Standing there, looking just as confident as she had in high school...
...was Victoria Claves.
Their eyes met.
Neither of them smiled.
The silence between them was louder than the chatter that had filled the room moments before.
Claire's stomach twisted.
Out of every university in the country...
Why did it have to be this one?
Victoria's lips curled into the faintest smile.
It wasn't friendly.
It was familiar.
The kind that reminded Claire exactly why they had spent years trying to outdo each other.
Claire thought she had escaped her past.
She was wrong.
And neither of them knew...
that this reunion would uncover secrets buried long before either of them realized they existed.
