Page 1 of Beautiful Nightmare
ONE
LUX
I wasn’t sure I’d ever see this day. Shadow River University. I can’t believe I’m actually here after everything I’ve been through the last two years. Taking a deep, steadying breath, I allow my gaze to wander. The campus is gorgeous with great care given to the upkeep of the landscaping and buildings. The river the university was named for is spectacular. It runs through the middle of campus, its water sparkling brightly in the midday sun, a direct contrast to its name.
All housing, including dorms and fraternity and sorority houses, are clustered on this side of the river, while everything else—the library, dining hall, sports complex, and lecture halls—are situated on the other side with a huge bridge allowing easy passage back and forth.
Behind me, the three-story dorm I’ll be living in, Duke Hall, looks immaculate and new, just like everything else on this prestigious and pristine campus. I stifle a laugh. There’s enough money flowing into this school to afford the very best, including renovations to keep it looking the way a university for the offspring of the elite members of society should.
“Miss? Anything else I can do for you?” Eddie, my family’s driver, stands politely next to the sleek black SUV, studying me. He’s driven me everywhere for years, so I guess it’s fitting that he’s the one to bring me to school. My parents couldn’t be bothered to be present today. They had barely acknowledged me when I left this morning with all of my belongings in tow. Having two parents who are partners in a law firm definitely seems great from the outside looking in. They drive flashy cars, we live in a huge home, I have an enormous wardrobe, and have been given anything and everything I’ve ever wanted. Unfortunately, they’ve never had any spare time to parent me. Not even when shit hit the fan at the end of my sophomore year of high school.
Slowly, I shake my head, eyeing the decent-size pile of luggage, bags, and boxes on the lawn in front of me. I didn't know what to bring and what to leave behind. If I hadn’t been so freaked out about abandoning the security of my home, maybe I would have taken more time to think about it.
“I could help you inside with your things, if you’d like.” Eddie clears his throat, and I don’t miss the slight wince he gives and the way a trickle of sweat runs down the side of his face as we stand here with the sun beating down.
It’s nearly ninety degrees today, definitely a hot one for August in Connecticut, and even though I know my parents pay Eddie well, he definitely doesn’t need to lug my shit into the dorm while wearing a shirt, tie, and dress pants. Not to mention—what the hell would everyone think?That chick’s got her driver bringing her stuff inside. Where are her parents?The answer is nowhere. As usual.
I’m on the verge of sending Eddie on his way and lugging everything into the building on my own when a group of guys in football jerseys and athletic shorts exit through the main doors of the dorm, all laughter and loud talking.Oh, shit.A quiet, strangled noise escapes my lips and my cheeks flush pink. They’re marching over here, directly toward me, like they’re on a mission.
Out of breath, they stop in front of my pile of stuff, and the tallest of the group huffs, “Room number?” at me, then stacks a few of my boxes without even asking if he should. Like a swarm of bees, the other five buzz around, gathering everything else.
Startled, I blink, realizing they’re all looking at me expectantly, like I’m supposed to be aware of why they’re helping me. I manage to get my wits about me long enough to glance at my room key. “Um. I’m in 218A.”
The same guy who spoke before—football jersey number four—shoots me a grin. “Great. Lead the way.”
“Oh. Um. You don’t have to—”
His face is red from exertion, sweat making his hair spiky. He gives a quick shake of his head, then lifts his arm so he can wipe his brow on the sleeve of his jersey. “The football team helps haul everything in on freshman and sophomore move-in day. We’ve been here several weeks for practices, so we’re settled in already. This counts as our conditioning for the day and nets some of the service hours Coach requires of us at the same time.”
Surprised, but glad for the help, my lips curve into a smile. “That’s really nice.”
He nods, shrugging his shoulders as if to sayit’s nothing.“You ready?”
I turn quickly to Eddie. “Thank you for bringing me. I guess I’ll see you at fall break.”
“Of course, miss. Enjoy your time here. Feel free to call if you need me, the same as you always have.” He bobs his head, gets into the air-conditioned SUV, and leaves. From the expression on his face, I think he was relieved he didn’t have to help me move in.
I take another deep breath, nervously eyeing the guys who are somewhat patiently holding all of my crap. “Sorry. Let’s go.” I take off at a brisk pace toward the main doors of the dorm with all of them trailing behind me.
With a quick glance over my shoulder, I find Number Four is just behind me and to my left. Unsure if I should initiate small talk or what, I murmur, “Um. So, do you live here?”
Shaking his head and shifting the weight of the boxes as I hold the door open for them, he continues talking as they file into the foyer. “Nope. I’m in Knight Hall, and my girlfriend is in Queen this year.” He chuckles. “Go figure, right? But a few guys on the team do live here. It’s a nice dorm. Then again, all of them are. You can’t really lose.”
My mind whirring, I scramble for something else to say. “The whole royals theme really got played up when they named the buildings, huh?”Shadow River Royals. I hadn’t thought anything of it when I heard I’d be in Duke Hall. But now that I know Knight and Queen exist as well, it’s definitely more obvious. I wonder what the other dorms are named.King? Princess?
“Yep. For sure.”
“Hey, um. Do you know how— I mean, who lives here? Like is it…?” Feeling like an idiot, I let my voice trail off.
His brow furrows, but then the light bulb goes on over his head. “It’s coed housing, but each suite is single-gender only. And this dorm houses both freshmen and sophomores.”
“Oh.” I give him an anxious smile. “Sorry. I have no idea what I’m doing. I’ve been a little overwhelmed and am probably not nearly as prepared as I should be.”
He chuckles. “No worries. After a couple of days, you’ll know all the ins and outs of living and studying here.” He nods to a flight of stairs that curls up and around to the second floor. “That way.”
I jog up ahead of them, scanning the numbers on the doors. At the very end of the hall, 218 comes into view. The door to the suite stands open, so I poke my head inside. “Hello?”
Behind me, the football players come to a stop as I hesitantly step inside. There’s a spacious living area, complete with plush purple couches and chairs, a wall-mounted flatscreen TV, and on the other side, a small kitchen with granite counters and sleek, black cabinets. I have a meal plan, but this could come in handy for mornings when I can’t roll out of bed quickly enough. Shifting my focus to the individual rooms, I find they’re marked A, B, and C, and our names are emblazoned on the doors in glittery letters.
