Christabel Williams sat on the edge of her neatly made bed, staring at the suitcase lying open on the floor. Her room, filled with childhood memories trophies, notebooks, and photos of her family suddenly felt too small, too familiar. Tomorrow, she would leave for Westbridge College in Ashford City, a prestigious university far from home. Her parents were proud, but Christabel felt a knot of nervous anticipation tightening in her chest.
Her mother knocked softly before entering. Christabel, honey, dinner's ready. I know you're nervous, but this is a big step. You'll do great christabel forced a small smile. Thanks, Mom. I just
hope I can handle it. New city, new people I don't want to feel out of place.Her father rested a hand on her shoulder you are stronger than you think, you have always handled challenges better than anyone just be yourself.Being herself,that phrase echoed in her mind. Christabel had always been disciplined, calm, and focused she wasn't the type to make friends instantly or seek attention. But deep down, she couldn't deny the thrill,the freedom of being independent, the chance to prove herself in a new place.
Little did she know,Westbridge College had a way of finding people like her and trouble too.
The next morning, Christabel's parents drove her to Ashford City, where the sprawling campus of Westbridge College rose against the skyline. Red-brick buildings intertwined with modern glass structures, and manicured lawns stretched between classrooms. Students hustled past, carrying laptops, books, and bags, while parents snapped photos and offered last-minute advice.
Christabel adjusted the strap of her backpack and took a deep breath.Here goes nothing she whispered.Across the squad, Dylan Hart lounged on a fountain edge with Finn and Andrew, his closest friends and partners-in-crime since freshman year. Finn, tall and lanky with a quick wit, was always ready with a joke, while Andrew, shorter and meticulous, kept Dylan grounded. Together, they were a force the seniors everyone respected, feared, or admired.You've got a fan club again, Finn said with a grin, nodding toward a group of giggling girls nearby.
Dylan smirked lazily. They've been my fan club since freshman year. Nothing new."
Andrew rolled his eyes. And yet, somehow, you keep acting like you don't know it."
Dylan laughed, glancing at the girls. One, in particular, stood out Diva. Diva, tall and impossibly confident, was obsessed with Dylan. She had a reputation as the queen of bullies at Westbridge, ruling her clique with sharp words and sharper stares. She had tried everything to capture his attention subtle hints, overt flirting, even spreading rumors about girls who dared talk to him. Dylan, of course, mostly ignored her antics.
Diva again, Finn muttered.She'll never give up.
Dylan chuckled. Let her try. I've got bigger things to worry about than a self-proclaimed queen of bullies.
Andrew shook his head. Bigger things? Like what? Your GPA?
Dylan smirked and threw a basketball toward Finn.Nah, bigger things like keeping Westbridge interesting.
Meanwhile, Christabel navigated the busy campus, her eyes scanning buildings and signs as she tried to memorize her new environment. She spotted clusters of students laughing and talking, some clearly upperclassmen, some nervously finding their way like her. And then, from the corner of her eye, she noticed him.Dylan Hart he didn't approach her, didn't even acknowledge her yet. But she caught glimpses the effortless charm, the casual grin, the way students seemed to orbit around him naturally. She felt a strange combination of annoyance and curiosity. Focus on the campus, Christabel. Don't get distracted by the senior playboy.She turned her gaze away, but even as she walked toward her dorm, she could feel his presence somewhere in the quad, observing, confident, untouchable.
Her first encounter with Dylan happened by chance that same afternoon. Christabel had stayed late at the library, determined to finish unpacking and settle into her dorm. As she crossed the quad, books clutched to her chest, Dylan and his friends were leaving the fountain area. Finn was cracking a joke, Andrew shaking his head, and Dylan… Dylan's eyes met hers for a brief moment, everything around her faded.dark, sharp eyes, assessing, teasing, confident. Dylan smirked slightly, the hint of a challenge in his gaze christabel's cheeks heated she quickly looked away, trying to convince herself it meant nothing. But a tiny voice in her mind whispered otherwise.Somewhere in the bustling squad of Westbridge College, Fire had noticed Ice and for the first time the campus whispers of Fire and Ice quietly began to take shape.