After that one-on-one showdown with the drill instructor during freshman orientation, Citrine’s name was on everyone’s lips at Crestwood University.
When the fall break ended, curious students from all over campus started drifting past the medical school, hoping to catch a glimpse of the so-called legend in the flesh.
Most people, aside from those who actually knew her, imagined Citrine as some burly, intimidating tomboy. But the moment they saw her, they were completely thrown off guard.
Far from being a tough, muscle-bound brute, she was breathtaking—stunningly beautiful, with an elegance that seemed almost otherworldly.
Within a week, Citrine’s backpack was overflowing with love letters, and her popularity had even surpassed that of Crestwood’s celebrated “queen bee,” Kali.
Friday night rolled around.
The university was holding its annual Freshman Welcome, a campus-wide event out on the athletic field, open to anyone who wanted to join.
To make everyone feel at home, the school had put together a spread of cake and snacks and lined up a series of fun performances.
Citrine and her roommates weren’t exactly fans of large gatherings, but they definitely loved free food. They slipped into an inconspicuous corner, loaded up on treats, and dug in with gusto.
They tuned out the buzz of voices and gossip swirling around them.
The emcee for the night was none other than Kali, a language and literature major.
From the moment Citrine arrived, Kali’s eyes had been on her.
She shot her a subtle glare—look at her, eating like there’s no tomorrow, worse than a pig, what a waste.
Kali fumed inwardly. She had no idea how this so-called nobody had managed to catch the eye of the upperclassman everyone worshipped. He was always so cold and distant, yet somehow, he’d warmed up to Citrine. What did she have that Kali didn’t?
It’s just that face, Kali thought bitterly. She looks all innocent, but who knows what she’s really like underneath.
The main event at Crestwood’s Welcome Night was always the “talent solo battle.” If you had a skill and enough nerve, you could get up on stage and challenge the best.
At the end of the night, whoever racked up the most votes would be crowned Solo King or Queen—winning a cash prize and a direct spot in the student council’s inner circle.
Tempting? Absolutely.
“Seriously, I only came for her. None of the others even compare.”
Kali couldn’t help but smile as she soaked up the admiration. She’d been groomed for this her whole life by the Glenwood family—dancing, singing, always in the spotlight.
That was part of why everyone called her Crestwood’s Golden Girl.
The moment she took the stage, freshmen and upperclassmen alike were spellbound.
She launched into a jazz routine—every move was magnetic, sultry, impossible to look away from.
“She’s incredible. Every beat goes straight to my heart.”
“She’s too gorgeous—how am I supposed to watch this?”
“That’s my girl. I just know she’s going to be in my dreams again tonight.”
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