The Bully and The Ballerina

Aellorah

You know, people say college is supposed to be one of the most incredible experiences of your life. For me, it was just another ridiculous expectation I had to see myself through for the Blackwood name.

“Blackwoods earn degrees. If you don’t, what will people think?”

As if he cared what might become of me. No, he only cared about the outer image. The Blackwood family name.

Not that I didn’t have everything money could buy. I did. A beautiful bedroom, designer clothes, and a car when I turned sixteen. But no number of material items could make up for the way I was treated behind the walls of the Blackwood estate.

So, for me, college was a blessing and a curse. An obligation, but also a chance for freedom.

My first day had been going well. Two classes with a syllabus that had me yawning. My phone vibrated in the pocket of my jeans, and I pulled it out, glancing over my notifications.

[3:54 PM: Me: Everything is fine. Long, boring day.]

[3:59 PM: Daddy: Remember, college isn’t a social event. Focus on your work. I want you in bed by 10.]

So much for freedom. I knew Daddy would follow up on his command and check my location to make sure I was in my dorm.

Shaking my head, I made for the bathroom. I needed to splash some water on my face. It still shocked me that the bathrooms were unisex. It made sense. There was no need for two facilities, full doors that had proper locks. Still, it jarred me to walk inside and find four men lingering by the sinks—smoking.

The tallest one stood out more than the others. He was dressed exceptionally well, but his dark hair was messy, hanging in his eyes. Still, he had that air of arrogance that I’d seen in upper society.

“Um… you can’t smoke in here. There are designated areas for that.” I blurted out, grimacing as the smell hit me. I couldn’t afford to breathe in secondhand smoke. Momma always said cigarettes were deadly. My grandfather had been partial to cigars, and he’d been diagnosed with lung cancer when he was fifty-four.

Three of them snickered in amusement, but the other… the tall one, he glared at me, like I’d just insulted his mother or something. His eyes fixed on mine as he took another long drag from the cigarette, holding it as he stepped toward me.

Every instinct inside me told me to run, that I’d just made some kind of fatal mistake, but I stood frozen as he approached me. He exhaled, the smoke clinging to him like a funeral shroud as he closed the distance between us, cocking his head to the side.

He grabbed my collar in his hands, yanking me forward. I wince as the fabric stretches at the seams, ruining my shirt.

“You think you can just waltz in here like you own the place and tell us what to do, shrimp?” he asked, his lip curling back in distaste. I tried to take a step back, to put distance between us as the scent of smoke filled my nostrils.

“It’s just… really bad for you… especially in close quarters.” I tried to explain. I was a dancer. I couldn’t afford to ruin my lungs, but I didn’t dare say that part aloud.

“Aww, come on, Max! Leave the little mouse alone; she’s going to cry,” one of his friends interjected. He had brown hair, slicked back from his face.

“I’m not going to cry, asshole!” I snapped. My words belied the tears in my eyes, but they weren’t caused by fear or sadness. I was pissed. The one holding me, the one I now knew as “Max,” tightened his hold on my collar, smirking at me in amusement.

“Oh, you’re feisty, aren’t you?” he asked, his eyes glittering with maliciousness. “That’s cute. You think standing up to me is going to do you any favors?” In one swift motion, I was slammed against the bathroom wall, pinned in place by his enormous form. A small huff of pain spilled from my lips. “You’re not in your little bubble anymore, Princess. This is the real world, and you’re on my turf now. You can follow the rules… or face the consequences.” His free hand moved to roughly cup my jaw, forcing me to meet his eyes.

“Now, how about you apologize to me and my friends for interrupting? Beg for forgiveness and, maybe, I’ll let you go with a warning,” he offered with a cruel grin.

The last thing I wanted to do was indulge him. I’d been around those types my whole life.

But yielding was the simplest option. And so, I let my defiant expression crumble into something softer, vulnerable. “You’re right,” I agreed. “It’s my first day. I don’t know anyone or anything about this place… I’m sorry.”

The feigned submission seemed to satisfy him. Max released my collar and stepped back, giving me space to stand on my own once more. But the smugness in his expression remained.

“That’s more like it,” he said with a nod of approval. “Now that we’ve established who’s in charge, why don’t we introduce ourselves properly? I’m Max Stonehall. And you are…?”

“Aellorah,” I replied warily. “Stonehall? Your father owns half of the city,” I stated dumbly, piecing together the information in my head. No wonder he seemed like such an arrogant asshole.

“Seems like you’ve done your research. That’s why I run this school.” I fought the urge to scoff. He was completely full of himself.

His gaze traveled over my form, lingering on my hand as I rubbed my sore neck. A thoughtful expression formed on his face before he grew serious. “So, since we’re all getting to know one another, why don’t you come hang out with us? You can come to our place around nine.” Max smiled pleasantly, but I didn’t miss the undercurrent of menace lurking beneath the friendly invitation.

“I can’t,” I replied honestly. I didn’t trust him, but I really couldn’t make it. Not with daddy demanding I be in bed at ten. “I have a prior commitment. But maybe next time?” I ask with a hopeful smile that seems to catch him off guard. I hoped it was enough for him to drop the subject.

For a moment, Max seemed taken aback by my response. I guessed he wasn’t used to women turning him down.

“Well, suit yourself,” he finally replied with a noncommittal shrug, though there was a hint of disappointment in his tone. “I suppose I’ll see you around campus,” he said casually, already turning away. “Just remember, Aellorah…” The way he said my name sent a shiver down my spine. “If you ever change your mind, my door is always open.”

Yeah, like that was going to happen.

I gave him a tense nod, glanced at his friends one more time, then slipped from the bathroom.

The last thing I wanted to do was see him around campus. Max Stonehall was a smug asshole, a bully. I wanted nothing to do with him…