Page 2 of Tangled in His Game

“No, seriously. Where is she from? Does she even speak our language?”

“Someone call security. She wasn’t here last week.”

I grab my bag and reach for my notebook, trying my best not to react to anything they say. Stupid paperwork! If I’d been here last week, maybe things would be different, and I wouldn’t be the only new and interesting person in class.

And this place might be enormous, but there aren’t that many students, especially new ones. That’s what’s special about this college and gives it more prestige—the fact that the classes are smaller and the professors have time to actually pay attention to their students.

It’s more than just giving a lecture and forgetting that we exist. The professors are supposed to work with us individually too, and everyone is supposed to be friendly. The brochure calls Emberwell one happy family. I don’t need a family, but I’ll take everything else they offer.

I start doodling just to have something else to focus on. The comments cease a little, and when the professor shows up, everyone finally goes quiet.

“Oh, Noemi, you’re here,” the professor says when her brown eyes find me. “Welcome.”

I give her a smile, and there are murmurs among the students again. They’re much quieter this time, so I don’t understand what they’re saying. Now that they can no longer claim I’m here by mistake, they can forget about me.

But I feel someone’s intent gaze on me, and I glance in the direction of the source of that feeling. A shiver runs down my spine, and I don’t even know why.

It’s him. It’s the most popular guy. His face is completely serious as he stares at me, studying me as if I were an animal in a zoo. The girl sitting next to him notices, and she laughs about something and touches his arm to catch his attention.

He keeps staring at me, and I force my gaze away and take a deep breath to shake off the uncomfortable sensation.

It’s my first day. It was bound to be weird. Tomorrow, everyone will find me boring. If not tomorrow, then next week.

I have to be patient and calm no matter what. This is just a storm that will wash over me eventually, and then the sun will rise.

Chapter 2

AFTER CLASS, I SPENDsome time exploring the building. It’s nice, and I think I’m going to really like it here.

A student passes me by with a scowl on her face. How long will it take for the animosity to die down? It’s been a whole day, and it’s getting tiring and boring. They should find a different hobby.

At least I’ve passed by some people who don’t seem to give a damn about who I am, and that’s refreshing. The library is very nice too.

I glance at the time on my phone. It’s late and dark outside. I need to go home. After stuffing my things into my bag, I head to the exit. It’s a good thing there are multiple exits, so I don’t have to worry about finding the correct door.

As I exit, I look around and frown. Huh. I’m a little disoriented because the trees around the building all look the same, and I’m not exactly sure where I am. It’ll take me some time to learn everything and figure it out.

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