Falling For My Bully

Has the whole school ever agreed that they hated you and wished you never existed?

That's cruel, right?

But it happened to me.

There was a time in my life when I genuinely believed disappearing would make everyone happier. Not because I was a bad person.

But because an entire school spent years treating me like I was one. And at the centre of it all was Tristan Reed.

Today was going to be my first day at Silvercrest University, where I had been admitted to study Law, and I was excited.

I was excited because this was a new start. A fresh beginning after all the turmoil I had gone through over the past few years.

From what Tristan Reed and everyone else from Downstar High School put me through.

As the car came to a halt, I sighed in relief.

"We're finally here, Mom," I said, already reaching out for the door handle.

"I can't wait to check out my room!" I exclaimed, and she chuckled. She also got out of the car to help me with my boxes— there were a lot of them. Maybe too many.

But after the miserable years I had spent in high school, hiding behind dark sweaters and dull clothes, trying my best not to be noticed, I decided that college would be different.

This time, I was going to sparkle. I wanted the old me back. The real me.

The girl who loved parties, laughed too loudly when she was excited, walked with confidence, and always wore a smile. And this time, I promised myself that I would let no one get in my way.

My mother and I took my boxes inside my residential hall, "Majestic Hall," and when I grabbed the keys to my room from the front desk officer, I grinned at my mom.

I couldn't wait to meet new people. I chose a university three cities away from home because I didn't want to run into anyone from my high school.

We entered the elevator and soon stood in front of my room. Room 204. I took a deep breath in, encouraging myself that this was going to be better than my past experiences.

Noticing my panic, my mom placed a hand on my shoulder. "It's okay, honey. I am sure they are sweet people," she reassured with a smile, and I nodded in agreement, pushing my fears back.

I slowly opened the door, and what welcomed me were smiling faces. The two girls in the room were seated on a bed, engrossed in a conversation before I walked in.

One of them waved excitedly.  "Oh my gosh. You must be our third roommate! Welcome!" She said, hurrying towards me with a bright smile. What a good energy!

She had curly brown hair tied up in a messy bun, and she wore a short gown that complemented her tan skin.

"I'm Caroline," she said, extending her hand, then she gestured to the other girl on the bed.

"And that is Maya." She introduced, and the second girl smiled.

I felt relieved. They seemed friendly and non-judgmental. They were nothing like the people from Downstar High School.

"Nice to meet you both. I am Lydia," I said, stepping inside, and my mom followed with one of my boxes.

Caroline's eyes widened when she noticed the stack of boxes behind us. "Whoa. It seems like you're moving in for life. You brought half a shopping mall with you!" She said dramatically, and I laughed awkwardly.

"Something like that."

My mom placed the box on the floor and smiled at the girls. "Take care of her, okay? It's her first time being away from home."

"We will," Maya replied. Then my mom turned to look at me, giving me a warm smile.

"Bye honey, I will call you later today," She said, hugging me tightly, then she left.

When the door closed behind her, Caroline suddenly clapped her hands.

"Okay! Since the room is now complete, we should celebrate our admission into this school." She said excitedly.

"Celebrate how?" I asked, and she grinned mischievously.

"There's a welcome party tonight near the hockey arena." Maya chimed in, and the two girls giggled. Well, I could tell why, coming from a high school where hockey team members were celebrities in their own right.

But at the mention of hockey, something inside me tightened. It would always be remembered for creating dark memories in my life.

"So are you coming?" Caroline asked, pulling me out of my thoughts, and I nodded, since I wanted to bond with my roommates.

Besides, I had already decided to let nothing hold me back from fun. Not even the past.

The girls and I discussed for a while before they stepped out to go and do their hair for the party tonight. I declined going with them, finding mine good enough. I had just gotten keratin treatment and new highlights.

Instead, I decided to take a shower.

I spent time in the bathroom blasting music while bathing, and when I was done, I put on my lingerie and was halfway through my nighttime skincare routine when I heard the door open.

"Ooh, you guys are back. That was fast," I said, still facing the mirror as I rubbed my moisturiser.

But no one answered.

This was strange since Caroline was definitely not the quiet type. Frowning slightly, I glanced towards the door, but the words I had been about to say died in my throat.

Because the person standing there wasn't Caroline or Maya.

It was a tall guy leaning casually against the doorframe like he owned the room. Dark hair. Broad shoulders. The same cold, confident posture I knew far too well.

My heartbeat suddenly slammed against my chest, and my fingers tightened around the bottle of moisturiser. No. No, no, no.

This couldn't be happening.

He had a smirk on his face. A smirk I could recognise anywhere.

"Well, look who it is," he said lazily, and my blood ran cold.

Standing in the doorway of my dorm room at Silvercrest University was the one person I had come three cities away to escape. The golden boy of Downstar High School and the bully who made everyone turn against me.

Tristan Reed.