"It's your freshman year
And you're gonna be here for the next four years
In this town
Hoping one of those senior boys
Will wink at you and say, 'you know I haven't seen you around, before'"
Fifteen (Taylor's Version) - Taylor Swift

oOoOo

I wake up early enough on Wednesday morning to cook scrambled eggs for breakfast. There's also enough time for me to carefully plan out my outfit for the first day of classes. After much deliberation, I settle on wearing a flowy shirt, ripped jeans, and my white converse.

My first class, European History 101, isn't until 9 o'clock, so Blair and I have ample time to arrive on campus. Since the class is an entry-level class primarily for freshmen, Blair couldn't take it. She has to resort to hanging out on one of the benches right outside of the classroom, pretending to do homework. I looked over the class syllabus online last night and European History 101 seems to be relatively easy. My schooling in Amaria heavily focused on history, since it is important to obtain a deep understanding of the past as a ruler. Therefore, I already know most of the material that will be covered in class, and it'll virtually be a review for me.

Thirty minutes before my class is scheduled to start, Blair and I leave the penthouse and get in the car. She parks the car and we walk side-by-side to the building my class is in.

As we approach my classroom, A204, I spot a bench that provides a perfect view of the classroom and suggest it to her.

"Okay, I think I'll just hang out around here," she gestures.

I give a nod and thumbs up before heading inside.

oOoOo

As I walk into the room five minutes before class, I notice that there are about twenty other students here already. Everyone is either on their computer or phone. A few of them look up as I open the door and watch me come in. I instinctively take an unoccupied seat in the middle of the room on the left side that is close to the door. It's been ingrained in my mind for years to always sit nearby a possible exit in an unknown environment; I now do so without a second thought.

Over the next few minutes, a few more students file in and the professor arrives. He is a middle-aged, balding, stocky man. I observe as he sets his bag down by the desk and turns around to write European History 101 on the whiteboard, along with Professor Rawlings.

I internally sigh in relief as I realize I am in the correct room. It would be so embarrassing if this weren't the right classroom.

"Hello class, I am Professor Rawlings and I will be teaching European History 101 this semester," he starts."If you aren't in the correct class, I advise you to leave presently instead of sitting through the next ninety minutes of this lecture."

Looking around, everyone is still seated. "Seems like everyone made it to the right place," he comments. "I will take attendance now. Please say 'here' when I call your name."

When he is partially down the list, the door flies open and a disheveled looking Kaden enters the room. I notice his hair is unkempt and his clothes are all wrinkled. His eyes light up as he recognizes me and heads towards the vacant seat directly to my right.

"Rough night?" I quietly tease as he sits down.

"No, I just overslept," he responds with a yawn. I should have guessed. It looks like he just rolled out of bed.

"Latecomer, what's your name?" Professor Rawlings calls out.

"Kaden Bianchi, sir."

"Okay, Mr. Bianchi, I do not tolerate tardiness. Next time, I advise you to arrive on time. I will not be so kind and allow you to come barging in," he glances at his watch, "ten minutes late next time."

Kaden swallows and nods solemnly. A few snickers erupt from guys in the back of the room. Kaden turns around and glares at them, while one of the guys waves. I'm assuming they're friends of his.

"So you're a freshman too?" I whisper.

"Nah, I'm a sophomore. I needed an entry-level history credit. I didn't sign up for this class in time last year."

"What are you majoring in?" I ask in hopes of finding more out about him.

"Business. You?"

"Political Science."

"That's an interesting choice. What made you decide on that?" He quirks a brow.

"I'm just interested in the field," I return vaguely. I can tell he is unsatisfied with my answer, but I don't offer more information. Our conversation dies and we silently listen to Professor Rawlings go over the class syllabus for the next seventy-five minutes. Bored out of our minds, Kaden and I start a tic-tac-toe game in his notebook. I end up giving him my number so we can text instead of writing notes.

Kaden: Are you going to the Theta Alpha party tonight?

Me: Not sure. Where is it?

Kaden: It's at the Theta Alpha frat house. We're having a party to celebrate the first day of classes.

Me: I didn't know you were a frat boy. You don't come off as one to me.

Kaden: Was that meant to be a compliment, sweetheart? I think I should be offended 😡

I'm blushing now. I see him out of the corner of my eye watching me with a cocky smirk.

Me: You should take it as a compliment.

Kaden: So are you coming? It'll be fun... 😏

Me: I'll have to think about it.
Me: Could I possibly bring my roommates?

I can't give a concrete answer because I need to ask Blair and Marc first. I'm nervous they'll say no because it will be challenging to keep me safe in a mass of sweaty, drunken students.

Kaden: Sure

Me: Great, thanks! I'll let you know later if I'll be able to make it.

The class ends soon and I carefully pack my notebook and pencils in my backpack. Standing up from my desk, I go up to thank the professor and leave the room to find Blair. As promised, she's sitting on one of the benches right by the door. She sees me coming and puts her computer away.

"How was class?" She asks as I approach.

"Alright. We went over the syllabus, which was really boring," I inform her. "Oh, en passant, I was just invited to a party at Theta Alpha. Can we go?" I plead with my best puppy-dog eyes. (Translation: by the way)

"We'll have to see. I need to talk with Marc and scope out the area first."

We start walking to my subsequent class, Intro to Politics. Blair was able to enroll in this class, so we walk in together and find seats towards the back. We sit in class and listen to the professor introduce herself and review the syllabus.

After Intro to Politics, I have a fifteen-minute break before I have English and Calculus back-to-back. My next two classes pass similarly to my first two. To my pleasant surprise, Grace is in my Calculus class. We get to talking and she happens to ask me about the frat party Kaden invited me to. Apparently, some members of Alpha Chi Omega will be there and Grace wants to do some schmoozing. She said something about networking and increasing her chances of being accepted. I gave her the same vague response I gave Kaden.

oOoOo

After Calc is over, I walk outside the classroom with Grace and find Marc waiting for me. Blair had one of her classes start during the middle of Calc, so they had to switch off on princess babysitting duty.

I say goodbye to Grace and walk over to where Marc is standing.

"Bonjour," I greet him.

"Bonjour. Êtes-vous prêt à partir, votre Altesse?" He responds. (Translation: Hello. Are you ready to go, your Highness?)

I nod and start to follow. Our French has turned a few heads. I hope nobody in the vicinity understands French. I really should remind Marc and Blair to stay away from calling me "Princess" or "your Highness" in public.

We exit the lecture hall building and walk through the quad to the car.

"Alors, quel est le problème avec cette fête dont Blair me parlait?" (Translation: So what's the deal with that party Blair was telling me about?).

"C'est à Theta Alpha ce soir. Mon ami Kaden m'a invité. Je pense que nous devrions y aller. Quel mal y a-t-il à s'amuser?" I say pleasantly. (Translation: It's at Theta Alpha tonight. My friend Kaden invited me. I think we should go. What is the harm in having fun?)

"Eh bien, tu pourrais être kidnappé, blessé, assassiné," he quips as he counts off on his fingers. (Translation: Well, you could be kidnapped, hurt, murdered.)

"Très drôle," I say wryly as I shoot him an annoyed look. He raised his hands in mock surrender with a smirk on his face. (Translation: Very funny).

When we arrive at the car, Marc opens the door for me then hops in on the driver's side. We can completely switch back to English since there is no longer the threat of prying ears.

"In all seriousness, your Highness, we will have to see. It might not be innocuous. If we permit you to go, you will have to stay next to Blair the entire time, with no exceptions. No accepting food or drinks from anyone who is not Blair or myself, too" he says sternly, searching my eyes.

"Yes, that's reasonable!" I agree eagerly. I would agree to almost anything, if it would help convince them to let me attend.

I whip out my phone to send texts to Blair and Grace before he can change his mind. I separately let them know I will be there. As if he is reading my mind, Kaden sends me a text.

Kaden: So what'd you decide? Are you coming tonight? Or will I have to kidnap you? 😏

Me: I'll be there. No kidnapping necessary tonight :)

Kaden: Awesome, makes my job easier
Kaden: See you there at 9. I'll keep an eye out for your gorgeous face 😉

oOoOo

Hours later, I start to get ready for the party. I spent the afternoon getting ahead on my homework and texting Maeve. We are meeting her in the lobby at 8:50 and then drive over to Greek Row as a group.

I look through my closet to pick out an outfit. It's a lot harder than expected. The only parties I have attended are fancy galas, where I am required to wear an elegant dress. I narrow my choices down to jeans and a halter top or a crop top and jean shorts.

I decide on the crop top and jean shorts. After all, it will probably be hot and sweaty at the party.

I sit down at my vanity and apply some foundation, mascara, light eyeshadow, and tinted lip balm. When I'm satisfied with my makeup, I straighten my hair. My hair is already fairly straight, but I think it looks better when I use my straightener.

Glancing in the mirror one last time, I stand up to get going. I grab my purse and phone then head to the living room.

It's only 8:30 now, so nobody else is ready to go yet. I sit down on the couch and scroll through Instagram until Blair shows up about fifteen minutes later. She is wearing black leggings and a green low-cut tank top. It compliments her tan skin and chocolate brown hair nicely. She joins me on the couch as we wait for Marc.

Marc arrives a few minutes later wearing khaki shorts and a plain t-shirt. I don't miss the way he subtly checks Blair out.

"You guys ready to go?" I ask eagerly.

"Yeah, let's go meet your friend," Blair replies with a perfunctory nod.

We grab our keys and head to the elevator. When we reach the lobby, I see Grace in the common room, waiting for us. I steer Blair and Marc in her direction. 

"I love your outfit!" I announce when I get closer. She is wearing a black bandeau top with a blush pink shirt.

"Thanks, girl!" she says with a smile. "Love yours too!"

The four of us exit the lobby and go to the parking lot. Marc offers to pull up the car and leaves us standing outside the revolving door. I politely introduce Blair and Grace to each other while we wait.

When Marc gets back with the car, Grace and I carefully slide in the back seat as Blair sits in the passenger seat.

"Fancy car," Grace says as she looks around the SUV. "Whose is it?"

I see Blair and Marc exchange a look. We don't know how to explain this.

"Our parents' are friends, so they all chipped in to get a far for the three of us," I offer.

Blair and Marc nod in agreement, so I assume that answer was adequate. Grace bobs her head in assent.

Marc pulls the car out of the parking lot, and we're on our way to campus. We mutually decided to park in a parking lot semi-close to the frat house, so we don't need to walk far. A brief walk would be ideal if anyone is inebriated on the way home.

As we arrive, Marc advises me to create a group chat so we can check in with each other throughout the night to be safe. We all agree to meet up somewhere around 11:30 to head back, considering it's a school night.

Stepping out of the car, Grace and I link arms and start walking towards Theta Alpha. Blair and Marc trail behind us, conversing quietly in French.

oOoOo

Thanks for reading chapter 4! Don't forget to vote, comment, and share! <3

Sorry this chapter is a bit short. I was planning on including the party, but the chapter would have been disproportionately large compared to the other chapters. I just decided on making the party its own chapter and making it more detailed.