BAD INFLUENCE

THE BROWN'S RESIDENCE*

A loud bang on the door nearly made Hailey drop the towel she was using to dry her damp hair.

Before she could react, the door flew open.

"Hailey!" Cecilia yelled out the name.

Hailey barely had time to pull her towel tighter around herself before her aunt stormed into the room, her arms crossed, her eyes burning with the usual disdain.

"What on earth have you been doing in here while the whole house is a mess?" Cecilia barked, her gaze raking over Hailey with pure irritation.

Hailey swallowed hard. She had done the chores...all of them.

"I already finished everything" Hailey said softly, keeping her voice calm, knowing that arguing never helped.

"Oh, you think so, do you?" She took a step closer, her presence suffocating.

"Then why is the laundry still outside? And why is the sitting room still covered in dust?"

Hailey's lips parted. She had washed the clothes early in the morning and had been waiting for them to dry before bringing them in. As for the dust, she had cleaned the sitting room thoroughly. but she knew Cecilia would always find something to complain about.

"But I-"

"Don't you dare talk back to me!" Cecilia snapped.

"You think just because you got that scholarship, you can start acting lazy?!"

Hailey lowered her gaze, gripping the towel tighter. She had barely been able to sleep last night, too nervous about starting Hillsworth College today. The scholarship had been her only way out of this miserable house, and now that she had it, she refused to let anything ruin it.

But Cecilia... Cecilia was determined to make her life hell before she even set foot in that school.

"Get dressed, you're not leaving this house until every single chore is done. Do you hear me?"

Hailey's heart sank. She had an entire first day of school ahead of her, and now she was at risk of being late before it even started.

But what choice did she have?

"And another thing, I hope you're not planning to stay in that school's hostel"

Hailey's heart sank again. She had been considering it. Staying on campus would mean freedom...an escape from this house, from her.

"Because who exactly is going to do the chores if you're not here? You think you can just run off and leave everything behind? You better throw that idea out of your head. You're coming home every day after school" she said.

Hailey swallowed hard, her stomach twisting.

She wanted to argue, to say that the scholarship covered accommodations, that staying on campus would help her focus on her studies.

But she already knew the answer.

Cecilia wouldn't allow it.

"Now get dressed and make sure everything is spotless before you leave" Cecilia said before turning on her heel and marching out.

The door slammed shut behind her.

Hailey exhaled, staring at her reflection in the mirror.

'One year. That's all I need. I'll find a job, save up, and finally get out of here'

With that thought pushing her forward, she quickly got dressed and hurried out the door.

She refused to be late on her first day.

•••

HILLSWORTH COLLEGE*

Hailey stepped out of the public bus, gripping the straps of her worn-out backpack.

Hillsworth College was even more intimidating in person. The campus was massive, the buildings tall and elegant. Luxury cars lined the parking lot, and students strolled through the gates, dressed in trendy outfits.

She didn't belong here.

At least, that's what it felt like.

Her clothes were simple. Jeans and a plain sweater, nothing compared to the rich students who walked with confidence, their shoes clicking against the pavement like they owned the ground.

But she squared her shoulders. She earned her place here.

The scholarship wasn't handed to her on a silver platter like everything Brielle got. She worked for this, stayed up late studying while doing chores, fought for this chance.

Sometimes she wondered how Cecilia afforded Brielle's exorbitant school fees. That's none of her concern anyway.

She checked the small paper in her hand, where her dorm assignment and class schedule were written. Even though Cecilia refused to let her stay in the hostels, she still had to visit to see her assigned room. She had no idea who her roommate was, but she was curious to find out.

BUMP.

Her shoulder hit someone else's, sending her stumbling back a step.

"Watch where you're going, scholarship girl" a familiar voice said.

Hailey's stomach twisted before she even looked up.

Brielle.

Dressed in a skimpy gown, her long hair falling perfectly over her shoulders. Her usual smirk tugged at her lips.

"Didn't expect to see you here so soon" Brielle continued, folding her arms.

"What, did you beg your way into Hillsworth?"

Hailey clenched her fists.

"I earned my way in" she said simply.

Brielle let out a fake laugh. "Right. Of course, you did"

She leaned in slightly. "You know, just because you got lucky with that scholarship doesn't mean you belong here"

Brielle tilted her head, eyeing her up and down.

"Let's see how long you last" she murmured before flipping her hair and walking off, her friends distance away from them giggled.

Hailey exhaled slowly, pushing down the lump in her throat.

She suddenly felt an uncomfortable pressure built in her stomach.

She needed to find a restroom.

Badly.

Her eyes darted around, searching for a sign, but the school was huge, and she had no idea where to go.

Taking a turn down a quieter hallway, she spotted a door slightly ajar. A restroom.

Relieved, she hurried inside.

The thick scent of smoke filled her lungs the second she pushed the door open. The air was dense, intoxicating. Her breath hitched when she saw him.

A dangerously handsome guy.

He leaned lazily against the sink, a cigarette dangling from his lips, his sharp eyes flickering toward her. Tattoos curled around his arms like inked secrets, and silver rings glinted from his eyebrow and tongue. A dangerous smirk lifted his lips as he exhaled a cloud of smoke.

"Lost, princess?" He asked with a smirk, raking her with his eyes from head to toe.

Hailey 's heart pounded. This was the boys' restroom.

Her entire body stiffened as her wide eyes locked on the guy leaning lazily against the sink. The cigarette dangled between his fingers, its ember glowing dimly as he exhaled another thick cloud of smoke.

She should leave.

Right now.

But for some reason, her legs refused to move.

Xavier smirked, tilting his head as he took in her shocked expression.

"Did you lose your way, princess?" He asked huskily.