Chapter Text
If there was one thing I was certain about in this world, it was that I hated Cardan Greenbriar. The stuck-up, arrogant, lazy, rich kid who I had every class I did.
Not only did his personality irritate me, but he is my biggest competition academically despite leaning back in his chair and staring at the ceiling all class. I get to class ten minutes before it starts, I study for hours for each quiz and test, and I start my papers the day they are assigned. Meanwhile, Cardan would write his papers a day before they were due, still meet the page limit, and have all his sources elegantly cited. It infuriated me.
And I had him in every. Single. Class.
One of the things I enjoyed about college is how you can pick your own timetable. Before the semester began I had mine completely laid out. The holy grail of all schedules. I could fit my work around it and even had time to relax. Perfection.
Well, perfection until I reached the first week of class.
To my annoyance, Cardan was in my first class of the semester. Already it was off to a bad start. He and his black, unruly hair and pale skin showed up two minutes before our lecture began, just to ruin my day. I had spent all summer break trying to forget he existed, and suddenly he was right there.
One class with him is manageable, I told myself, I can easily avoid him on campus and I don't have to talk with him if I don't want to.
Then he showed up in my next class.
And the next.
And the next.
Suddenly every class I had was with Cardan Greenbriar.
The first week he sat behind me, then every week following he sat in front of me. Not just that, but he sat directly in front of me, two rows down. If I wanted to look at the board or the teacher I had to do so through Cardan.
"I wish he would drop out," I lay on my sister's bed in her dorm. She went to the university a couple blocks down from mine. Whenever I needed someone to talk to I would march on down to her campus and wait by the gates until she came to let me in. She pretended to be annoyed by my sudden and frequent visits, but I know she secretly enjoyed it. Twin intuition.
"He's the smartest kid in your year, he won't drop out," Taryn looks up at me briefly while she folds her laundry. I narrow my eyes at her, and she rolls hers in return, "Sorry, the second smartest kid in your year. Second to you. Happy?" I turn my attention back to her chipped ceiling, satisfied.
Her dorm was nicer than mine by a long shot. Other than the occasional chip of wall paint the bed frames were sturdy, the desks had no cuts in them, and her view was spectacular. She also had a bathroom in her room. I had to use the community bathroom down the hall. A girl stole my towel once and I had to wait until I air-dried to put my pajamas on. It took a good half hour.
"Still, if I never have to see him again it will be too soon," I throw my arms up over my head and let them rest on her pillows. She brought her stuffed animals from home, they were old and worn but clearly loved. I was surprised Madoc, our adopted dad/biological mom's ex (long story), didn't taunt her about it. Every time I tried to bring my stuffed snake, he told me I needed to face the world on my own. Looking back on it now was such a stupid thing to say. I should bring the snake anyway.
"What did he ever do to you to make you so angry? Is it his money? He can't control that his family is loaded," Taryn comments. Her clothes are all folded and she's started to put them into their respective drawers.
"No, it's not his money. I'm not that low. It's his personality, which could be a product of his wealth now that I think about it," I furrow my brow, "He's always rude to people, never apologizes when he bumps into them in the halls, steps on the papers they drop, and he always has this awful glint in his eyes. Whenever we make eye contact I can feel his hatred towards me, it comes off in waves," I stretch my arms out into the air to emphasize my point.
"Have you ever talked to him?" She finally sits down. She's been on her feet ever since we came back to her room.
"Unfortunately. He was rude then too," I grunt.
I had passing conversions with him during our freshmen year. Basic introductions, icebreakers, class questions, etc. His class behavior annoyed me greatly, but his academic success was widely known. In my head he became my competition, having a challenge made me work harder.
Then came Sophomore year, and the infamous PowerPoint project happened. We were paired up in our English class to create a ten-minute presentation on a random short story. Cardan and I were put together. I didn't think it would be bad working with the smartest kid in class. (Second smartest really). (Second to me).
I was so very wrong.
He made fun of every little thing I did. Said my clothes were tacky, my handwriting too bubbly, my thought processes too simplistic, and my writing too airy. He spent more time ridiculing me than working on our project.
While I hate his guts he did pull his weight on the project and we got the best grade in the class. But the price I paid for that grade was worse than I would have imagined.
My life mission became being his rival, and to avoid him at all costs. That very rivalry had been what fueled my academic rage for the past year. Now it was my junior year, and I would not lose my spot as the best to that rich, pretty boy, snob.
"It's just this semester, next semester you will have different classes, with different students, and you might never have to see him again. Graduation isn't that far away, maybe you'll be rid of him for good the second you get your diploma," Taryn says, arms crossed. She's heard every complaint about Cardan that I've ever had. From his small physical traits that bugged me to his terrible personality, he flaunts on a daily.
I sigh, "Yeah, I guess you're right. It doesn't change the fact that I still have to deal with him now though."
"You can either look at the glass as half full or half empty. I can't force you to see it one way or another. It's completely up to you," She stands again, "Well, I have homework. So you need to go."
I roll onto my side to face her, "Can't I just sleep here?"
"Not tonight, I need to focus. I wasn't gifted with the same brains as you despite having the same looks," She grabs my wrist and tugs at me. I groan and reluctantly get up.
As I put on my shoes and make my way to the door, Taryn follows me. "Hey, I'm going to karaoke with some friends this weekend. Did you want to come?"
I pause in front of the door. "Which friends?"
"Locke, Narcissia, and maybe one or two more." I don't need to look at her to know she's biting her lip.
I sigh, "I told you I'm not a big fan of them. I respect you if you want to hang out with them but that doesn't mean I have to."
"They're not that bad, Jude."
"Locke tried to kiss me the last time I went to his party." I'm facing her, arms crossed. She knew all too well I hated that ginger-haired devil.
"He was drunk, and we're identical twins! He explained later he was trying to kiss me, not you. Besides, you said some nasty things to him then turned around and made out with his friend," Her arms are crossed too. It's a twin standoff.
"I'll admit I was a little 'under the influence' when I kissed his friend, but I only did it because I was angry at the whole situation," I scoffed at her.
"Not just his friend, but one of his best friends. That guy, what's his face? With the snake tattoo? They've known each other since infancy," She reminds me.
I remember very little from that night. Locke trying to kiss me was probably the clearest memory I had, and then me yelling at him of course. After that I vaguely remember drinking, then some guy approached me and we exchanged a few words. Suddenly I was making out with him. I don't remember what he looked like in the slightest, except for his snake tattoo. He wore a button-up shirt that had been unbuttoned down to his navel throughout the party. For some reason, I can clearly picture the black snake inked on him that slithered out from his hip bone and then crawled up to the middle of his abdomen. He gasped when my fingers tugged at his hair, and his fingers were hesitant as they held my waist. I haven't seen him since.
"Locke isn't your biggest fan either, you two should at least try to get along," She adds.
I turn back towards the door and reach for the handle, "I can't believe you're dating him. He seems like a flirt."
"He likes drama, but he is loyal to me and I like that about him. He's better than the other guys who've cheated on me," She points out.
"Yeah, yeah," I agree as my hand twists the knob and pushes open the door. I look back to wish her goodbye. It's hard not to notice the dejected look on her face, it's enough to pull at my heartstrings.
I sigh and cave into her request. "Send me the details and I'll think about it," We both know that means I'll go.
Her smile is wide, if this was a cartoon I'm sure she'd even jump for joy. "Great! I'll send you the location and the time once I'm done with my homework," She's pushing me out the door now, "Get back safely! Text me when you get back so I don't worry."
I roll my eyes, "I always do."
-
The karaoke session was set for Friday night. Today was Thursday, which meant I had two full days of Cardan and work before I had to hang out with my sister (who I love) and her boyfriend and friends (who I hate).
To make matters worse, my history professor put us in groups to discuss the significance of the civil war. It seemed like an easy enough topic to discuss, except Cardan and I were put in the same group.
He was nothing sort of cocky throughout the entirety of our discussion. Cardan even tried throwing in random facts to make him look educated and me look stupid. My patience with him was running thin.
As if dealing with him wasn't enough, my job at the local café started soon after my last class. It's a small, four-hour shift, but after my encounter with Cardan, it feels like it drags on forever. I keep thinking about wiping that stupid grin on his face while I smile and make coffees for customers.
My coworker, a girl named Heather, helps me pass the time. She points out odd-looking characters and gives them outrageous backstories for us to chat about.
"You see that guy there? Tall, balding, but muscular?" She nods her head in the direction of the man to avoid pointing. "I bet he works out to compensate for what he lacks."
"Hair?" I ask, motioning to my head to reference his big bald spot.
"Hair and inches," She replies, separating her pointer finger and thumb to make a shot glass-sized gap. I can't help but laugh.
It's my turn now, I look to a woman who's been sitting down for quite some time. She's wearing leggings, an oversized sweatshirt, and a beanie while she types madly into her laptop. I grin as I think of what to say.
"That girl there, by the window on her computer. She might look like a regular college student but she's a hacker wanted by the FBI. She's stealing money from big corporations using public wifi. She picks a different coffee shop every day. Then when she's been to them all she moves towns," I explain.
Heather laughs at my description. Some customers turn to look and I have to shush her to avoid the extra attention. Her pink hair was already pushing it for our manager, if he thought we were creating a disturbance she'd be the first one to go.
"Okay, okay my turn um," she looks around at the crowd to pick her next victim. She gasps when she finds them, "There, straight ahead. He just walked in with his 'cool kids' possy. The ginger in the green sweater and Gucci belt."
I look up to find the guys she's talking about, and my jaw drops.
"I bet he has daddy and mommy issues. That's why he's flaunting his money."
"Heather." I gasp, grabbing onto her arm. I scan the group before me as they get closer and closer to the register.
"I bet his friends all have some sort of parental issues too. That's why they stick together," Her voice is quieter now so only we can hear.
"Heather," I whisper harshly. She pauses her story to look at me, confusion on her face.
"Jude Dautre, in the flesh, what a surprise," Locke speaks first, a fox-like smile smeared on his pale face.
"Locke!" I put on my best customer service smile, "Long time no see."
I see Heather cover her mouth in surprise upon finding I know them. She gives me an apologetic smile but I try not to focus on her. My attention is on the people in front of me.
Locke, Narcissia, some blond guy I've only met once before named Valerian, and the man I hated most. Cardan Greenbriar.
"It has been a long time, hasn't it? Taryn tells me you've been avoiding me," He says it without any animosity like it's an inside joke between us.
"Taryn likes to stretch the truth. I've been quite occupied with school and work as of late," I smile like he didn't just call me out in front of everyone.
"Oh really? What a shame, I haven't been able to hang out with you since my party this summer," Again, he says it's like it's nothing. Like he never tried to make out with me and lied about thinking I was Taryn and like I never turned around and made out with his childhood friend.
"I'm going to Karaoke tomorrow. You'll see me then," I divert the topic to something more friendly.
His face lights up, "That's excellent!"
I notice Cardan watching us, his gaze flickering between Locke and me. I ignore it as best I can.
"Is there anything I can get you guys?" I ask, motioning to the menu behind me to change the conversation.
They all place their orders individually. Starting with Locke and ending with Cardan. Cardan tries not to look at me directly as he orders and instead focuses on the menu above me. I'm glad we're pretending not to know each other, but I'm also pissed he can act so casually after trying to embarrass me in class mere hours beforehand.
Heather is at my side again the second they finish paying for their orders. As they move to sit down she whispers in my ear, "Jude, I am so so sorry. I had no idea you knew them, I wouldn't have made fun of them if I knew," she explains, desperately trying to make up for her actions.
I lift my hand to get her to stop, "Heather, it's fine. I don't like any of them that much, if anything I enjoy making fun of them."
"Really?" Heather's face visibly lights up, she's more than relieved to hear me say that.
"Really. You see that boy there? The ginger?" I quickly tilt my head in Locke's direction. Heather nods once she spots him, "You were right about parent issues. His mom died and his dad left when he was a kid. Now he spends his time creating drama and watching the mess he made spiral out of control from the sidelines. He's also dating my sister," I inform her.
She gasps at the last detail, "He's dating Taryn?" She sounded just as baffled as I did when I found out. I nod to confirm. "But how? Taryn is so sweet! Why would she date a guy like that?"
I bite back my tongue to avoid telling Heather all the stories I have about Taryn that would label her as anything but 'sweet.' Instead, I say, "She says she feels like she's the main character in a story when she's with him. Something's always happening around him, he hates when things are dull."
Heather whistles, "What a guy, life's just one big adventure when you're rich, huh? Must be nice being able to live life and not worry about student debt," she scoffs as she says it. It was no secret Heather hated working at the coffee shop, all the fake smiles and angry customers drove her insane. She's told me many times that I'm the only reason she's stuck with this job and she didn't want to leave me here by myself. She says that to make herself sound cool, I know it's really because she likes spending time with me. That and she likes it whenever my sister Vivi comes to visit me.
"Don't I know it. It's sickening seeing their whole group saunter around and not worry about part-time jobs. The worst part is that guy with a slim face and black hair," I tilt my head to the group again, "He's the second best in my year. Second to me, of course, but it's still something he can brag about," We had gotten used to making coffee and gossiping. It was a dance we had perfected over the months. It was now second nature for us to move around each other to pump the syrups we needed and use the different machines.
Heather does a double take of their group to see who I'm talking about, "He's quite the looker. And he's smart you say? Maybe you should try to seduce him, he might give you a full ride."
I laugh out loud at that, some of the customers turn their heads, including Cardan, "Yeah he's smart, rich, and hot, but he's insufferable. I worked with him on a project and he insulted my every move and looked down on me. Just last week I brought a coffee to school to push me through and he took it from me and drank the rest."
Heather gasps at my story, "What a prick," she lifts the half-made coffee in her hand, "This is his order, should I spit in it?" We chuckle at her daring idea, but in the end, we both know we can't afford to be fired.
I call out the names of the orders as we finish them. Heather offers to hand Cardan his cup but I decide against it. As tempting as it would be to have someone else deal with him I can't afford to be a coward.
When I yell his name out into the cafe he looks over at me. Then with a grin, he makes some comment to his friends and comes to collect his coffee.
I set it closer to his side of the counter so I don't have to hand it to him personally. He picks it up and observes its shape, "Did you make this? He asks.
"No, Heather did," I informed him.
He shakes his head with a sly smile, "Shame, I was looking forward to tasting your handy work," he lifts the cup of hot coffee towards his mouth and blows at it to cool it down, "Guess I'll just have to come again. Do you usually work Thursdays?" He inquires.
I have to resist the urge to tighten my hands into fists, instead, I smile politely at him, "I think your friends are waiting for you," I reply. Then I promptly turn around and make for the cash register to take the orders of the new customers that walked in. I don't give him the satisfaction of watching him walk away.
Locke and his group of friends hang around for about an hour. Cardan came up again during that time to order a muffin. I let Heather take his order this time seeing as I had reached my limit of Cardan interactions for today.
When they finally leave I can't help but feel a weight has been lifted off my shoulders. It bothered me how they all just sat there laughing away while I worked for minimum wage. Seeing them finally walk out the front door was such a huge relief. I could finally breathe again.
The rest of my shift went smoothly and I thankfully was able to leave at a decent time instead of working overtime.
Heather and I parted ways shortly after locking up and returning to our respective dorms. She went to the same college my sister did which unfortunately was in the opposite direction. I walked back alone, my hand gripped tightly around my key on the off chance I needed to use it as a weapon. Never hurts to be prepared.
-
My roommate was already in the room by the time I came back. Liriope and I had been friends since the moment we met. We were forced to be roommates our first year, but ever since then, we have voluntarily lived with each other. My other friend, Van, was her boyfriend, and I was often the third wheel when we hung out. I didn't mind too much, they were my two closest friends after all.
They were quite an odd match, but they were also perfect for each other. Liliver was beautiful in every way, both her form and personality gained her much attention. Her bright white hair and dark skin made her stand out easily amongst the crowd while Van was the opposite. He blended in a little too well with the crowd and if you didn't know him personally he wasn't worth sparing a second glance to. His personality was his most pleasurable feature.
They were two pieces from two very different puzzles that somehow fit together perfectly. When they first started dating I was worried they might break up and leave me in an awkward position, but almost three years later I wouldn't be surprised if they married each other someday.
At this point, it's not surprising to me whenever Van is in our room. For instance, today he's already here. It takes me a second to notice him since he's hidden behind Liriope, but he's there alright.
They both greet me with a hello when I enter and I give them a respectful nod of acknowledgment.
Liliver makes small talk by asking me how my day went as I gather fresh clothes to change into after my shower. I tell her how Cardan and his posey showed up and about Locke trying to push my buttons. The two laugh at my story, both finding it very amusing how riled up I can get.
The bathroom is empty, thank goodness, and I'm able to shower in peace. I try to calm myself by letting the water rush over me and letting my thoughts slip away, but I can't shake the ill feeling in my gut about karaoke tomorrow night. It would be a night filled with people I despised and my sister acting all lovey-dovey with one of them. I was fully content with the idea of sitting at the edge of the room and watching the whole ordeal instead of being a part of it. Knowing my luck though I was destined to run into some drama.
I run my hand through my hair and ring out the rest of the water it's holding onto.
I would survive tomorrow. After all, if there was one thing in this world that I excelled at it was surviving.