The Day Everything Changed

Chapter 1: The Day Everything Changed

It was my first day at Kingston University, and already I was wishing I could be anywhere else. A freshman, not because I wanted to be here, but because my parents didn’t leave me much of a choice. The university felt like a maze, full of sharp turns and long hallways that twisted my nerves tighter with every step.

As I walked through the crowded courtyard, I tried to keep my head down, clutching my books to my chest like they were a shield. The day started out fine enough, until I ran into Tall and Scary looking Guy and his friends. They were standing near the fountain, laughing and talking like they owned the entire campus. Gabriel was his name was at the center of it all, the king of the university, and everyone around him seemed to worship him.

But today, I was his target.

I didn’t know him yet—didn’t know how he could twist your confidence into nothing but it wasn’t long before I found out.

I walked past them, hoping to go unnoticed, but then I heard his voice. It was smooth, mocking, and his friends’ laughter followed.

“Well, well, what do we have here? A new girl,” Gabriel said, stepping in front of me like I had no choice but to stop.

“Fresh meat,” one of his friends, Chris, added, smirking.

I tried to sidestep them, but Gabriel blocked me, his presence suffocating. “You’re a freshman, right?” His eyes traveled over me, dismissing me in the blink of an eye.

I nodded, feeling my face heat up. I hated that I was already being noticed for all the wrong reasons.

“You know, freshmen like you don’t really belong here,” he said, his voice cold. “This place is for people who matter.”

I clenched my fists at my sides, but I didn’t say anything. What could I say? It wasn’t like anyone would have my back here. Not in a place where the strongest survive, and I was already feeling like prey.

His friends were watching now, their eyes glinting with amusement. I could feel them judging me, laughing at me silently. And then came the prank—something so simple, yet humiliating.

One of Gabriel’s friends tossed a full cup of water from the fountain in my direction, the liquid splashing all over me. The water soaked through my clothes instantly, turning my hair heavy and my heart cold.

I stood there for a moment, stunned, while everyone around me erupted in laughter. Gabriel didn’t laugh, though. He just watched, his eyes gleaming with satisfaction.

"Oops," one of his friends said, his voice dripping with fake innocence. "Guess you’re the joke now."

The laughter continued as I stood there, completely drenched, my face burning with embarrassment. The cold water on my skin made me shiver, but I didn’t let them see how it stung.

“I wasn’t expecting you to be such a delicate little thing,” Gabriel said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. “I thought Kingston was supposed to make people stronger, but I guess it’s only for people who actually deserve to be here. Like me.” He smirked, obviously enjoying every second of it.

I opened my mouth to say something, but the words wouldn’t come. What could I say? They wouldn’t understand. They were all so far above me, and I was just… me.

I felt the sting of tears pricking at my eyes but swallowed them back down. I refused to give them that satisfaction. I was stronger than this.

I turned away, trying to make my escape, but Gabriel’s voice stopped me. “What’s the rush, Elena? You didn’t think you’d get out of here without some fun, did you?”

I kept walking, ignoring the laughter that followed me, ignoring the eyes that burned into my back. It was just my first day here, and already I felt like I was invisible.

As I walked toward the entrance of the building, I overheard some students whispering. I didn’t catch all of it, but I could hear enough.

“She’s already a joke,” a girl’s voice giggled.

“Did you see the look on her face?” another girl added. “She’s a mess. Doesn’t even know what she’s walking into.”

I gritted my teeth, trying to ignore them. Keep going. Just keep going, I told myself.

I didn’t have time to get lost in their words. I had to focus, had to survive. I couldn’t let Gabriel and his friends break me not today, not ever.

I reached my first class, hoping to blend in, but the stares followed me. I slipped into the back row and took a seat by the window, trying to disappear.

But of course, I couldn’t. The chatter around me was full of whispers and giggles. Everyone had already seen the prank. Everyone was already judging me.

Someone from across the room whispered, “She didn’t even fight back. Pathetic.”

The words felt like daggers, but I refused to let them see me hurt. I didn’t belong here, I knew that. But that didn’t mean I would let them see me fall.

I was better than this.

As the class went on, I couldn’t focus on the lecture. My mind kept replaying the way Gabriel had looked at me. It was like I was his personal entertainment, his new toy to play with. But I wouldn’t let him see how much it bothered me.

I knew I was smarter than this, that I belonged here just as much as anyone else. But being here felt like a constant reminder that I was different. I was an outsider, and no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t shake the feeling of being unwanted.

But Gabriel and his friends? They didn’t deserve to have that power over me.

By the time the lecture ended, the hallway was filled with students heading to their next classes. I walked quickly, trying to avoid any more attention. But of course, that wasn’t going to happen.

As I stepped into the crowded hallway, a voice called out to me. "Hey, new girl!" I froze. It was one of Gabriel's friends, the one who had thrown the water at me.

He was standing with a group of students, laughing. “Didn’t think you’d make it this far, huh?” he sneered.

I took a deep breath and turned to face him. I refused to be a doormat. “Just leave me alone,” I said, my voice steady even though my hands were trembling.

“Oh, don’t worry,” he mocked. “We’re just having some fun. No harm done. But you?” He gestured to my still-drenched clothes. “You look like a mess.”

The students around us snickered, but I didn’t back down. I didn’t need their approval. I didn’t need Gabriel’s, either.

“I’m not here for your games,” I said, my voice firmer now. “You’ll regret messing with me.”

The words slipped out before I could stop them, and for a second, Gabriel’s friend looked taken aback. But before he could say anything else, I turned and walked away, determined not to let them see how much it hurt.

By the time I reached the dorm, I was exhausted, both physically and emotionally. I wasn’t sure if I could handle another day like this. But something inside me told me that I couldn’t give up now.

I wasn’t going to be their joke. Not today, not ever.

I was done being the target. I didn’t care what they thought. I didn’t care if Gabriel thought he could break me with his cold eyes and sharp words. I would survive this place, no matter what it threw at me.

It was only my first day, but I was already preparing myself for a fight. And I wasn’t going to let Gabrielor anyone win.