Page 8 of Tether
I roll my eyes, pushing through the swinging doors. “Asshole suits you better.”
SIX
VERENA GRAVENHURST
The academy halls are more lively today than they were yesterday. Students walk about, chatting amongst each other while travelling to their next lectures. Most don’t notice me, but the ones that do stare at me like I have two heads. I can feel the judgment in their eyes while they whisper unkind words to their friends about the imposter intruding on their space. Little do they know, I feel like an imposter in my own mind, even on my best days.
Taking a deep breath, I square my shoulders and lift my chin to appear as if their gossip doesn’t affect me. I am Verena Gravenhurst. That name has always felt like an anvil dragging me down in the mud, a name that had me hiding in the shadows for so long, in fear of not knowing anything about the family that I come from. But today, I’m choosing to wear it as a badge of honour.
Loxen’s words echo in my mind, an aggravating voice that I long to shake from my memory.Most people would kill for the chance you’ve been given.He wasn’t wrong, and I think that’s what bothers me about him the most. I didn’t know my grandfather,but he entrusted this academy to me, and I’m eager to discover why.
I walk with purpose, studying the hallway, map in my hand. Rounding a corner, I collide with two girls, sending my books and shoulder bag crashing to the floor. “Watch where you’re going, new girl,” one of them snaps, and heat rushes into my cheeks. I keep my head low, mumbling an apology. They continue with their conversation as I crouch down to gather my belongings, feeling like a fish out of water.
“Hey! Let me help you with that,” a deep voice calls out from behind me, making me jump in my skin. I turn around to face the student, and I just know my cheeks are now an embarrassing shade of crimson as Reed Sullivan stands before me. “Apologies.” He grins, and the butterflies in the pit of my stomach flutter. “I didn’t mean to startle you.”
I can’t help but stare at the dimple in his left cheek that’s stolen my attention. His dirty-blonde hair frames his face in soft waves, a stark contrast to his sharp features.
“N-no, it’s okay.” My eyes drop to the floor, overwhelmed by his presence.
He crouches down and helps me pick up the rest of my books, handing them to me with a kind smile.
“Thank you,” I mutter.
“Don’t mention it. They’re just intimidated by you,” he says, and my eyebrows pinch together, not understanding what he means.
“Intimidated?” I let out a dry laugh. “I think you’re mistaken.”
“A name like Gravenhurst holds a great amount of power within these walls. And the thing about power is it demands to be claimed, to be mastered. Those who cower from it often find themselves crushed beneath the weight of those bold enough to wield it,” he explains, watching them walk away. His hazel eyesslowly flicker to me. “They’ll never know what it’s like to bear a last name like ours, Gravenhurst.”
We stare at each other for a moment, his words holding me in a trance like we’re the only people occupying this hallway.
“And, have you mastered it, Sullivan?”
His eyes drop to my lips for a fraction of a second, a devilish smirk pulling at the corner of his mouth. He tilts his head like a predator inspecting its prey. “Well enough, I suppose.”
I nod my head, my eyes drawn to his mouth, watching the way his lips curve. It does something to my insides that I can’t quite name. He reaches a hand out for me to take, and like an idiot, I stand there, staring at it.
“I promise I won’t bite,” he teases, breaking the silence. A small smile tugs at the corner of my lips as I take his hand. “What’s your first class?” he asks, removing the schedule from my grasp before I can muster up a response.
“Ah, English with Professor Caldwell. That’s not so bad. Let me walk with you.” He hands the paper back to me, relieving me of the stack of books I’ve been carrying, and I can’t help but wonder why someone so renowned within Hollowcrest would go out of their way to escort the new girl to class. “Right this way, Gravenhurst.” He dips low and extends a hand to indicate which direction I should walk. I shake my head, laughing at his dramatic gesture.
We walk along the corridors while he carries my books for me, pointing out the classes we pass along the way and introducing me to a few of the fellow students who greet him. Reed Sullivan must be fairly popular to gain this much attention from a simple stroll through the academy. The number of people who stop him to either say hello or just give him a wave in passing has me realizing my social meter is as low as they come.
“I was shocked to hear about your grandfather’s passing. Can I assume that’s what brought you to Hollowcrest?” Reed’scuriosity seems genuine, and I feel comfortable enough with him to share a little about myself. If only he knew that my reason for being here is simply because I didn’t have anywhere else to go. I give him a weak smile.
“I never knew my grandfather. I had no idea that all of this—” I wave my arms around, “even existed. I would have loved to know that I had a living family member out there somewhere.”
He purses his lips and stares off for a moment, seemingly lost in thought.
“Sometimes it’s better not to know the things that have haunted us our whole lives. It’s better to live among the what ifs and could be’s, so we can make up our own version of perfection.” I nod, my eyes swelling with tears. I wish he knew how much truth that statement holds.
“Here we are,” Reed announces as we halt in front of Professor Caldwell’s lecture hall. “I just so happen to be heading in there as well.” He smirks, and it brings me comfort knowing I’ll know at least one friendly face in my first class.
“Ren!” A chirpy voice calls my name from down the hall. Mauve is jogging towards me with a wide smile spread across her delicate features, her purple curls bouncing around her face. “I’m so happy you decided to come back!” She throws her arms around me, and I’m taken aback by her forwardness, but nonetheless, I return the hug, happy to see her again.
Reed leans into my side. “I’ll save you a seat.” He turns to Mauve and gives her a wink, and she returns it with a scowl.
Mauve gently takes me by the elbow, leading me away from the doors, away from prying ears.
