She never asked to be seen.
Scarlet Moore keeps her past locked away-along with the screams she heard the night her mother was murdered. On a full scholarship and surrounded by classmates who will never understand the silence she walks with, she foc...
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The cool morning breeze kissed Scarlet’s skin as she stepped off the college bus, her tote bag slung over her shoulder and her hoodie pulled halfway up to shield herself from the already risen sun. The parking lot outside viremont College was already buzzing with students, dragging their suitcases, clutching coffee cups, and laughing far too loud for 11:00
“You’d think we were heading for Paris Fashion Week,” Talia muttered beside her, eyeing the dramatic outfits and sunglasses.
Scarlet chuckled. “To be fair, it’s the most exciting thing to happen to this school in years.”
“It’s the most exciting thing to happen to us,” Nina added, hauling her bright yellow duffel bag off the bus. “Others just see it as a competition of who can flirt their way into the guest speaker’s phone contacts.”
“Speaking of…” Talia whispered, subtly nodding toward a sleek, luxury black car that had just pulled up.
Priscilla Whitmore stepped out as if she were gliding, her long, honey-blonde hair bouncing with every step, designer shades perched perfectly on her nose. Her father owned the biggest fashion conglomerate in the country and a chain of luxury restaurants. She was the kind of girl who knew power—and knew how to use it.
Trailing behind her were her loyal clique, all dressed like a catalog cover—impeccable, cold, and entirely dismissive of anyone who didn’t own silk.
“Oh great,” Nina muttered, “the Ice Queen has arrived.”
Scarlet kept her gaze down and adjusted her bag, but as fate would have it, her path crossed Priscilla’s just before they reached the airport shuttle.
“Watch it,” Priscilla snapped as their shoulders barely brushed. Her voice was sharp, high-pitched, and designed to attract an audience.
Scarlet paused, lifting her eyes. “I didn’t touch you.”
Priscilla arched a brow. “Of course not. I’d feel it if you did.” Her tone oozed superiority.
Talia looked like she was about to pounce, but Nina stepped forward with a sugary smile. “Careful, Priscilla. I think your ego’s spilling out of that Prada bag.”
A few chuckles rippled from nearby students. Priscilla’s jaw clenched, but she didn’t respond. She adjusted her bag and walked away in a huff.
“That was dangerous,” Scarlet said under her breath as they walked toward the boarding area.
“That was necessary,” Nina replied with a grin.
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On the plane, things escalated quickly. It was already 12:30
Scarlet had just found her seat next to the window, hoping to sleep off the tension. But before she could buckle her seatbelt, Jayden Hale—the most famous boy on campus—appeared beside her, grinning like he owned the sky.
