Possessive Prince

The humid air of the new state pressed in on Kayla Miles as she stepped out of the bus, a stark contrast to the familiar streets of her hometown. Hover Dove University loomed before her, a sprawling campus of grand, imposing buildings that made Reigns Uni look like a child's toy. This was it. Her fresh start.

She clutched the strap of her worn backpack, her gaze sweeping over the polished facade of the main administration building. A deep breath, a silent promise: this time, she would be invisible. No makeup, baggy clothes, head down. Just another face in the crowd. This time, she would be safe.

Inside the bustling reception, the air hummed with nervous excitement. First-year students, bright-eyed and eager, swarmed the counters. Kayla felt a pang of isolation as she realized she was likely the only third-year transfer, an anomaly. She completed the necessary paperwork with practiced efficiency, her mind already mapping out escape routes and hiding spots within the vast campus.

Directed to her dorm, she dragged her single suitcase down a long, echoing hallway. Preppy, perfectly coiffed girls glided past, their laughter echoing. Kayla kept her eyes fixed on the room numbers, her heart a quiet drum against her ribs. She found her assigned room, the key cool and metallic in her hand. The door creaked open to reveal a spartan space: a bed by the window, a small desk, a built-in closet. Empty.

No roommate. A small victory, a tiny pocket of solitude. She closed the door behind her, the click a definitive seal against the world outside. Unpacking her few belongings, she allowed herself a flicker of hope. This massive university, this blank canvas, could be her sanctuary. She could hide here. She could finally disappear.