*Lily*As soon as the bedroom door closed behind us, Adrian's arms wrapped tightly around me, instantly melting away any remaining tears and igniting a wave of longing within me. His kiss was fervent while his hands roamed with purposeful intent, cupping my ass and solidifying his hold on me. He moved with a blind confidence toward the bed, each step he took resonating with an unspoken urgency.My arms were tightly entwined around his strong, broad neck as I leaned into him for support. His muscles flexed and rippled beneath my touch, providing a solid foundation for me to lean on.With a fluid motion, Adrian tossed me onto my back on his bed, and I bounced slightly upon the mattress. My eyes drank in the sight of him as he hovered above me, his presence commanding every ounce of my attention. He pressed his face against my neck, his warm lips tracing a scorching path along my throat, igniting fire with every touch and nibble of flesh. I squirmed beneath him in an instinctive
*Lily*Two months had flown by since the exposé went viral and Elysium turned into a scenario of apocalyptic chaos. Each day that passed ever since pulled Adrian and me even closer together.So much changed ever since that it was hard to keep track of everything. The more important thing was that the Order of Elysium was now part of a dark past, no longer active thanks to Adrian, Chris, Jenna, and everyone else who accepted to risk their lives to end that madness.I was so proud of everyone that it was hard to put into other without shedding a tear.I felt proud of myself too, although I hadn't done the dirty work of gathering evidence and exposing anyone. But knowing I had encouraged Adrian to start this, somehow was enough for me.Lots of students were expelled and many people--parents, professors, members of the board, staff--were arrested for several crimes such as corruption, defamation, harassment, forgery, to name a few.Adrian didn't win the Festival with the exposé, bu
*Lily*When I set foot into Elysium University that morning, I had no idea how much my life was about to change.The chill of the autumn breeze greeted me as I stepped out of the taxi, clutching my backpack and pulling my luggage behind me. The classic buildings, weathered by time, stood tall with intricate details etched into their stone facades. Vines, like nature's artwork, adorned the walls, adding a touch of wild beauty to the historical charm. An intoxicating mix of excitement and anxiety bubbled within my chest as I surveyed the campus, my heart quickening at the thought of what awaited me here.Having just transferred from another college, this was more than a simple change of scenery for me. Financial struggles had forced my father and me to pack up and move to a new city in pursuit of a more affordable life. Taking in the grandeur of Elysium University now, I couldn't shake the weight of responsibility that rested on my shoulders. The scholarship I had earned through
*Lily*Excitement boosted my mood as I slipped into the classroom on Monday morning for my first class of the week—Bioethics and Medical Law. My gaze flitted across the room filled with students from both Bronze and Silver Wings until it found Rachel in the middle row, waving a hand at me discreetly from her seat. "Excuse me," I repeated as I slid past knees and backpacks to claim the spot beside her. The cushioned chair received me with a soft sigh, and I immediately got my notebook, smoothing a stray lock behind my ear and fixing my gaze forward.Professor Caesar stood at the lectern, his presence commanding silence, the sort that fell heavily upon the room as he cleared his throat. "Welcome to Bioethics and Medical Law," he began, his voice resonating through the room. "Here, we will navigate the treacherous waters of morality that often surround the advancements of biological sciences."My pen poised above the page as I prepared myself. Professor Caesar checked us out, lik
*Lily*"Miss Everhart," Professor Caesar's voice was steady, yet there was a glimmer of a warning in his tone, reminding me of where and who I was. "I believe the collaboration of such passionate minds can only yield exceptional results." I turned to look at Adrian, whose expression was unreadable. Was that a spark of challenge in his eyes? Or perhaps amusement? Whatever it was, it inflamed my pride and set my nerves alight. Within minutes, this man had managed to ruffle my feathers in a way no one else had before. And I hated it.Adrian shrugged, leaning back in his seat, his arms crossed over his chest–a picture of indifference."Fine," I muttered under my breath, forcing myself to look away from him. "Very well." Professor Caesar clapped his hands together with finality. "I will now group the rest of you, and we can proceed with the project in the next class. We won't have time to discuss strategies today, but you can conduct some research as homework."As he continued t
*Lily*My mind was a jumble of thoughts as I strolled out of the library that evening. Clutched in my hands were the notes I had compiled during my research for Professor Caesar's joint project with Adrian next Monday—a day I was already dreading.I pushed open the heavy oak door, stepping out from the echo of my own footsteps into the embrace of the cold night. A silver glow enveloped the campus' manicured lawns and ivy-clad buildings, the moon standing sentinel in the night sky. The path to Bronze Wing was like a ghost town at this hour, shadows having a dance party under the rustling leaves. As I dragged myself toward my dorm, suddenly feeling exhausted and hungry, a hushed conversation tugged at my ears. It was like stumbling upon a forbidden secret, the hushed tones of their conversation dripping with clandestine urgency. I halted in my steps, afraid they would hear me if I carried on. For some reason, I knew I shouldn’t be listening to their conversation–I should just m
*Lily*I applied the final stroke of mascara as I peered into the mirror, my own reflection surprisingly leaving me satisfied. Even though I wasn't eager to go to this party, now that Rachel and I were getting ready, I was starting to feel the change in the air and in my mood. Rachel's deft fingers worked through her dark curls, pinning them up with an expertise that belied her casual demeanor."Tonight's going to be so much fun," she declared excitedly.I nodded, adjusting the delicate strap of my black dress, feeling the fabric cling to every contour of my body like a second skin. "I've never been to one of these campus parties before," I confessed, the flutter in my stomach betraying both nerves and exhilaration."Seriously? Not even before you got transferred? Ah, Lily..." Rachel sighed when I shook my head at her, fastening an earring with a practiced click. I was never a popular girl in school, much less in college. Before I got transferred, I was one of those people wh
*Lily*"Looks like the dynamic duo is back," Rachel quipped from beside me, nudging me with her elbow, her voice holding a teasing lilt.My eyes drifted from Professor Alan and a group of five loud and squeaky girls chatting lively, to find Adrian reappearing, this time flanked by a new figure. The guy beside him was all athletic grace and easy charm, and I recognized him from the baseball team. He had a wide smile that seemed genuine and infectious.His eyes crinkled at the corners as he laughed at something Adrian said. His presence was as commanding as it was amiable—a stark contrast to the brooding intensity that Adrian exuded."Who is that?" I asked, ignoring the odd flutter in my stomach by seeing Adrian again. Now, with the room a bit less dark, I realized I hadn’t paid much attention to how good-looking he was tonight. The guy managed to turn jeans, a white T-shirt, and a jacket into an outfit that seemed to have stepped right off a catwalk."That's Chris Harrington, Adr