THE TRIBID HOCKEY GOD & HIS OBSESSION

EVELESSA

It takes everything in me to convince my father and brothers to let me change schools. After bouncing in and out of high schools for over five years, all I want is one university I can actually stay in till graduation.

So, despite being far ahead of me, my brothers, both third-year students, and my dad, an art professor, uprooted their lives and moved here with me.

"Eve, slow down," Richard mutters beside me, shifting his backpack. "Why are you acting as if you're on your way to take a life?"

"That's what your sister looks like every other day" Emmanuel adds with a smirk. "Resting bitch face: elite intimidation level. Doesn't work on us, though."

I glare at them.

"It's called determination," I correct. "And confidence. You two should try it."

Richard snorts. "You have lived for all of nineteen years, live a little sis."

" So easy for you to say as boys since you get most things easy".

As we walk through the part, I see students flirting, taking first day pictures,having fun but I don't want any attention so I adjust my hoodie to keep my face covered. My curves push against the fabric, and I already feel eyes on me.

Great.

Day One and the attention is ridiculous already.

"You should have allowed us to drop you at your dorm Eve, he complains for the fifth time... Dad's going to be pissed if we leave you on your own."

"Dad is teaching a lecture," I remind him. "And you two have hockey practice. I'm fine. I'm a big girl."

"You're outrageously beautiful with a dangerous body," Richard says. "Beautiful girls attract trouble."

"That makes no sense."

"Girls like you attract dudes," he clarifies. "Dudes are trouble."

I groan loudly. "I came here for a normal life. Can we pretend I might actually get one?"

They fall silent.

Normal.

Human.

Safe.

Everything Dad wants for us since the night Mom-

No. I refuse to revisit that memory.

"Anyway," I say quickly, exhaling. "I'm only trying out for cheerleading. I have been dancing for years. I need something normal."

Emmanuel makes a face. "Cheerleaders have beautiful bodies and rotten characters, don't let them bully you."

I hit the back of his head.

We make a stop in front of the athletic center which is covered with glass and watch as students move in and out.

"There better not be any supernatural crap today," I mutter.

Emmanuel laughs. "Eve, we moved three states away. No vampires. No wolves. No fated mates. No kings. You're safe."

But my stomach twists anyway.

Every town we've moved to... every time I've said those words...

Fate laughed in my face.

"Go," Richard says gently. "Knock 'em dead."

I nod, leave them behind, and walk inside.

Hours later I change and walk to the main gym where the cheerleading tryouts are happening. The moment I step inside, I am overpowered with the smell of sweat and perfume. Every face around stares unabashedly