Chapter Theme Song: “Ocean Eyes” by Billie Eilish.
The bonfires blaze, casting a warm, flickering glow on my skin. The colors of the flames—red, orange, and gold—dance against the black canvas of the night sky.
The scent of burning wood fills the air, mixing with the chill of the night. The heat from the fire is comforting, but it doesn’t quite chase away the cold.
Music thumps from somewhere, shaking the ground beneath my feet. The ash from the fire drifts lazily through the air, mingling with the crowd of university students.
Everyone seems to know each other, even though most of us are first years. The place is packed, and I feel small and out of place. It’s more like a party than an orientation, and I’m not comfortable at all.
Just as I’m about to turn around and head back to my dorm, April’s voice pulls me back. She’s standing next to me, a reminder that I’m not alone.
“It’s freezing out here. I should have brought a jacket.” Her breath forms a cloud in the cold air as she speaks, her eyes reflecting the firelight.
She’s wearing a cream strapless dress, a thin silver necklace, and white ballet flats. Her brown hair is pulled up into a loose bun. She’s definitely not dressed for the weather.
I, on the other hand, am bundled up in my dad’s oversized gray sweater and a pair of baggy, washed-out jeans. My mom always buys my clothes a size too big, thinking they’ll last longer that way. Between her OCD and her frugality, she can be a bit much sometimes.
April rubs her arms, her teeth chattering as the crowd around us grows. People. They always make me anxious.
“I could run back and get you a sweater,” I offer, but she shakes her head, gripping my arm lightly.
“No, it’s okay. Grayson Hall is all the way across campus.”
I let out a sigh, kicking at the ground in disappointment.
“April!” A girl’s voice cuts through the noise, and I look up to see two girls running towards us. I step back as April’s face lights up.
The girls throw their arms around April, and they all start laughing and jumping around. I watch them, a little envious. No one’s ever been that excited to see me.
“When did you guys get here?” April asks, pulling away from the group hug.
“My mom dropped us off an hour ago,” one of the girls replies. She has beautiful caramel skin and black hair with streaks of white. I can’t help but stare at her hair—it’s fascinating.
“You look great, April,” the other girl says, brushing her short brown hair out of her eyes. “Love the dress!”
“Thanks.” April smiles, then turns to me. “Guys, this is my new roommate, Harmony Skye.”
I give them an awkward smile, and they smile back.
“Wow, she’s pretty. I like your name,” the brunette says. Her features are small and delicate, her nose barely there.
“I’m Tia, and this is Yuna.” She points to the girl with the caramel skin, who waves at me.
“You look young. How old are you?” Tia asks.
“I’m eighteen,” I reply, and they all nod.
“You look like you’re sixteen,” Yuna adds. I smile, not sure if it’s a compliment or not, but they seem to mean it in a good way.
“Ugh! Blaze, the first years just got here!” April groans, and I follow her gaze to two guys talking to a couple of girls by the DJ booth.
The girls are swaying to the music, grinning like they’ve won the lottery. The guys are clearly flirting with them.
“He’s already checking out the girls.” Yuna laughs. “Damn his charming mouth and pretty eyes.”
Tia cups her hands around her mouth. “Blaze!”
The guys look over at us, say something to the girls, and start walking our way. They’re about the same age, one with brown hair and the other with black. They’re both good-looking and walk with a confident swagger.
As they step into the light of the bonfire, my heart skips a beat. The brown-haired guy is cute, but the black-haired one is stunning. He has the same eyes as April, but somehow they’re even more captivating.
He’s wearing small hoop earrings, and his full bottom lip is a cool shade of red. I’m not usually into guys, but I’d be lying if I said he wasn’t attractive. He must be the cousin April mentioned.
“Hello, ladies.” He grins, pulling April into a hug.
His teeth are a perfect white, and he has deep dimples on both cheeks. When he smiles wider, I see another dimple below his bottom lip.
I’ve always been drawn to unique features. I wouldn’t mind drawing him—he’d make a great model.
His features are striking, the kind you’d see in a fashion magazine or on TV. Not what I expected to find at a university.
“You smell like whiskey,” April laughs, pulling away from the hug. He chuckles and kisses her forehead.
“Smells like whiskey and manly body wash,” Tia says, fanning herself in an exaggerated manner. The girls around her burst into giggles.
He smirks, shoving a hand into his pocket, and then his gaze lands on me.
I instantly close off, and he tilts his head slightly, his eyes never leaving mine.
I try not to squirm. I hate being the center of attention; it makes me feel self-conscious. And his intense stare only makes it worse.
I don’t like the way he’s looking at me. I’m sure we’ve never met before. I’m too introverted to have crossed paths with this seemingly extroverted guy.
As we continue our awkward staring contest, I take the opportunity to study him more closely.
The way he’s looking at me reminds me of a predator sizing up its prey. His gaze is intense and focused, as if he’s memorizing my face for later.
His blue eyes sparkle with an unfamiliar light and his lips curl into a small, somewhat menacing smile. Goosebumps prickle my skin and I quickly look away, a knot forming in my stomach.
“These DJs are so lame! Change the music, you assholes, it sucks!” April shouts.
Blaze’s friend—the brown-haired guy with a less intimidating vibe—wraps his arm around her, smirking flirtatiously. “We could go somewhere private and listen to our own music, April.”
She rolls her eyes and pushes his hand away. “Weren’t you just flirting with a girl by the stereo less than half an hour ago?”
“Nope. I was just asking her if she got one of the first-year flyers yet.” He bites his lip, and she crosses her arms, giving him a skeptical look.
“And you think I’m stupid. Go away, James.”
“Not until you promise to let us have our own music.”
She tilts her head. “Read my lips. Over my dead body.”
Tia and Yuna burst into laughter, and I can’t help but giggle at the disappointed look on his face. He doesn’t seem too upset though, he’s even smiling. He must be used to this.
In the midst of my laughter, my eyes meet Blaze’s again. He’s still watching me, lifting his beer to his lips.
The silver ring on his finger glints against the brown bottle, and his Adam’s apple bobs as he swallows.
I frown slightly. The night is bitterly cold and I already feel like I’m wasting time, even though classes haven’t started yet. I should be back at the dorm, preparing for my first lecture tomorrow.
This isn’t really an orientation, is it? I was expecting long speeches about the university, not a bunch of young people drinking, dancing, and staring at each other.
While most people would prefer a party over boring speeches, I feel the opposite.
I can’t help but wonder if I was tricked into coming to a party disguised as an orientation.
“Change the music, idiots!” James yells at the DJ, and the music changes to a more upbeat song almost immediately.
“Is this a party?” I blurt out before I can stop myself, and everyone turns to look at me.
“No, it’s not, Harmony,” April says, chuckling. “This is just what Homewood’s orientation looks like.”
“Yeah, we’ll start in a bit.” James gives me a charming smile.
I nod shyly and look down, hoping everyone will stop staring at me. I hate being the center of attention.
“Are you a freshman?”
The question comes from Blaze, his voice smooth and smoky. I swallow nervously. He makes me feel...strange.
My eyes flicker over everyone. The girls are watching him closely, while James smirks and rubs his lips.
“Cool,” he says. “I wouldn’t mind showing you around—”
“Noooo!” April interrupts, and I look at her. “You won’t be showing her anything, Blaze. Get your ass out of here!”
Yuna laughs. “She won’t be your next conquest.”
Blaze chuckles, a sound that’s both attractive and mesmerizing. His perfect white teeth flash in a smile. I see where April gets hers from, but I can’t help but notice that he doesn’t deny what they said.
“Seriously? Why are you girls being like this? April, aren’t you supposed to be my cousin?”
“Why are you trying to cockblock him?” James wraps his arm around his friend, as Blaze takes another sip of his beer, still watching me.
“You should let him do his thing. Plus, she seems like a nice girl, right, sweetheart?”
I’m not sure if I’m supposed to answer or if it’s a rhetorical question.
April ignores her cousin’s friend. She crosses her arms under her chest, giving Blaze a knowing look. “Harmony is cold. You should start the orientation or we’re leaving.”
He nods, trying to hide a smile. “All right. Let’s go, Jay.” He gives me one last smirk before following his friend.
Curiosity gets the better of me and I turn to April. “Why did you tell him not to show me around?”
“Listen up,” Tia starts, her hand resting on my shoulder, “when Blaze says he wants to ‘show you around,’ what he really means is he wants to show you his dick.”
I’m taken aback. I’ve never met anyone as straightforward as her. The way she casually tosses around profanity is fascinating.
Growing up, I spent most of my time in church, and Collin was a young deacon. I’m not used to this kind of language.
I have to admit, the people here are intriguing. They’re so different from what I’m used to. They’re free and expressive, and strangely...I think I like it.
“Yeah, he’ll sleep with you and then ghost you the next day,” Yuna chimes in.
“Rumor has it he’s amazing in bed, but most girls who’ve been with him don’t come out the same.
“You’ll regret getting involved with someone like Blaze. Falling for him is easy, but getting over him is hard. Don’t let him get close to you.”
April doesn’t join in the conversation. I notice her expression—she looks worried.
Their advice isn’t hard to follow. I’ve managed to go eighteen years without needing a boyfriend, and I plan to keep it that way until I finish school.
I’m easily distracted, so trying to balance a boyfriend and school would fry my brain.
I won’t let him get close to me. Guys who think it’s cool to stare at girls aren’t my type, and I’m too introverted. I’d bore them to death.
I’d rather stay in and binge-watch romantic comedies, while a guy like him is all about partying. We’re too different.
“You’re sweet and innocent.” Tia nudges me with a smile. “Don’t let Blaze ruin that.”
“Guys, enough with the Blaze bashing. You do remember he’s my cousin, right?” April finally speaks up, sounding annoyed. “Let’s drop it. They’re about to start.”
The music stops and I nod, turning my attention to the front.
“Welcome, everyone. I’m Blaze Xander!” he announces into the mic, and I make a mental note of his name.
“Hey, Blaze!” the crowd responds. The girls are clearly smitten. They’re twirling their hair, grinning widely, and crowding the front of the makeshift stage.
“Poor freshmen.” Tia sighs. “Goddamn Blaze is going to mess with their heads.”
Her casual use of profanity still surprises me, and she notices my reaction and chuckles. “Sorry, are you Christian?”
“Guys, less swearing around my roommate,” April warns, and Yuna pretends to zip her lips, making me laugh. But then a cheer from the crowd pulls my attention back to the front.
“All right!” Blaze claps his hands. “Homewood University is where you’ll find yourselves—discover your strengths and weaknesses. It’s where you’ll become who you are!
“With the help of me and James,” he points to his friend, “you’ll feel right at home!”
“Yeah, with your dick inside them.” Yuna snickers, and April laughs, playfully smacking her shoulder.
James steps forward to whisper something to Blaze, who nods and runs a hand through his dark curls.
“Okay, before we officially go over the survival guide, any questions? Anything you’re dying to know?”
Several hands shoot up and he points to a short girl with red hair.
“Um, do you have a girlfriend?!”
Tia shakes her head. “She’s his next victim. He’ll find her after this.”
“No, I don’t.” He smirks and the girls cheer. How is someone with such perfect skin single? Girls must be fighting over him.
“Next question?”
“How old are you?” a brunette asks shyly.
“Twenty,” he answers, and she blushes.
“What’s your zodiac sign?” someone else asks.
“Scorpio.”
“Can I see you without a shirt?!” a voice calls from the back, and I look around to see who asked that. Seriously? These girls are showing me just how introverted and shy I am.
Blaze smiles at the request while James grins, shaking his head as Blaze hands him the mic.
He slowly lifts the hem of his black pullover. The girls scream, and a brunette in front of me nearly hits me in the eye with her hand.
Tia tries not to laugh as she pulls me to her side. It’s chaos, and I cling to her so I don’t get trampled.
“Take. It. Off! Take. It. Off! Take. It. Off!” they chant, and April rolls her eyes, sticking a finger in her ear.
“All right. I’ll take it off.” Blaze chuckles. “And here I go... Drum roll, please!”
James laughs and drums his fists against the backdrop of their makeshift stage, causing the crowd to cheer.
“Is he really going to take his shirt off?” I ask April over the noise, and she giggles.
“Trust me, Blaze would do a lot more.”
“He’d even take his pants off.” Tia snorts.
“Oh boy...,” I mumble as he quickly pulls his shirt over his head. The crowd cheers louder as he waves his shirt in the air, his hips moving with the motion.
My eyes are drawn to his chest, to the defined abs on his tanned stomach.
My mouth falls open in surprise, but the warnings I received push through the haze clouding my thoughts.
I tear my gaze from him to April.
“Gutsy guy,” I remark, and the girls burst into laughter.
He’s a character, that’s for sure. I’m his polar opposite. I’m the quiet, introverted type. He’s bold and adventurous. Everything I’m not and everything I secretly wish to be.
Blaze wraps up his lively performance and jumps off the stage. The girls’ eyes hungrily track him as James takes over the orientation.
As he strides towards us, a wave of anxiety washes over me.
I guess this is what happens when you’ve spent your life avoiding boys. They not only scare you, but a ridiculously good-looking one can send your heart racing.
I clutch the hem of my sweater, and his heady scent fills the damp air again as he stops in front of us. He’s still shirtless and I struggle to keep my eyes from wandering over his chiseled torso.
“Did you like my show?” he asks. He makes it sound like a general question, but I can tell it’s meant for me because his piercing blue eyes are locked on my nervous green ones.
I swallow, and he arches an eyebrow as he bites his lower lip.
His eyes are like a deep ocean, drawing you in and pulling you down further and further and further...
April quickly grabs my arm and pulls me behind her. “Time to call it a night, Blaze.”
He laughs, and amusement sparkles in his intense eyes as he shifts his gaze to hers. “Really, April?”
“Yeah, really. We both know why you need to stay away from her.”
She says the last part almost in a whisper, but I hear it anyway. My curiosity is piqued again, but Blaze interrupts my thoughts.
He grins and heads back to the stage, and I notice Tia and Yuna watching me.
“He’s got his eye on you.” Tia smiles, shaking her head in what seems like concern. “Keep your distance from him, Harmony.”
“Got his eye on me as in...he likes me?” I ask, and April’s friends burst into laughter, making me furrow my brows in confusion.
“Blaze doesn’t like anyone but himself,” Yuna explains. “To put it bluntly, he just wants to get you in bed. That’s what we meant.
“Enough,” April interrupts, raising her hands. “I’m beat, are you guys ready to head back to our dorms or not?”
I’ve never been more ready in my life. It’s been a strange night, from an unconventional party-like orientation to a handsome boy with full lips and intense eyes staring at me.
I could use some sleep.
