I'm Ember Rose, nineteen years old.
I was raised by my foster parents—an elderly couple who gave me more love than I ever thought I deserved. They were kind, gentle, and never once made me feel like I didn't belong.
Their two sons had long moved away, settled in different countries with families of their own. So for years, it was just the three of us in that small, cozy house filled with warmth, home-cooked meals, and stories by the fireplace.
They didn't have much, but they gave me everything.
And when I got the scholarship to the most prestigious university in the country, they cried like I'd just won the world.
During my first year at university, life wasn't easy.
Coming from a humble background, I stuck out like a sore thumb among the wealthy elite. The designer clothes, the fancy cars, the exclusive parties—I didn't belong. And some of them made sure I knew it. The bullying was subtle at first, then cruel, and often isolating.
But I stayed focused. I had a scholarship to protect, a future to build. I kept my head down and let my grades speak for me.
By the time I reached my final year, things had changed a little. I wasn't invisible anymore—at least, not to the faculty.
One day, the principal personally called me in. That's when he asked if I'd be willing to tutor a student in math. Not just any student.
Damian Hart.
He was everything I wasn't—rich, popular, charming, and heartbreakingly handsome. Everyone knew him. Everyone wanted him.
And now… I had to teach him math.
I agreed, of course. I needed the extra credits, and I truly loved studying—especially chemistry. There was something fascinating about how different elements reacted together, how something volatile could become stable with the right bond
As days passed, things started to shift.
Damian, the once untouchable golden boy, became my closest friend. He was surprisingly easy to talk to—funny, supportive, and nothing like the arrogant image he carried around campus. Through him, a few others from his circle began warming up to me too.
For the first time, I felt like I wasn't alone.
I had real friends. People who saw
Of course, not everyone was happy about it.
Some girls couldn't stand seeing me beside Damian—the Damian Hart. The jealousy was obvious, their stares sharp and cruel, but I had learned to ignore them. I had come too far to let envy shake me.
Now I was staying in the college dorms, but only barely managing. My scholarship covered tuition, but I still needed money for books, food, and everything in between.
So, I took on small project assignments for other students—essays, lab reports, anything that paid. It wasn't much, but I saved every penny.
Eventually, I was able to rent a tiny one-room apartment just off campus.
A knock echoed through my tiny apartment, sharp and unexpected. It was late—maybe around nine—and I wasn't expecting anyone.
I pulled the door open cautiously… and there he was.
Damian Hart.
Still in his usual designer hoodie and jeans, a sheepish smile tugging at his lips.
"Hey," he said, scratching the back of his neck. "I know it's late, but I need your help. The math exam's tomorrow and I… honestly don't even know where to start."
I blinked at him, surprised. "You came all the way here for that?"
He shrugged. "You're the only person I trust to explain without making me feel like an idiot."
That made me smile. I stepped aside. "Come in."
We spent the next two hours hunched over textbooks and practice papers. I explained each concept slowly, and he listened—really listened. It was one of those quiet, rare nights where everything felt easy.
As he scribbled out his final solution with a triumphant grin, I walked over to my tiny stove and whipped up something quick—nothing fancy, just noodles with leftover vegetables and a touch of homemade sauce.
When I placed the bowl in front of him, he hesitated, then took a bite. His eyes widened.
"This is… really good," he said, chewing like he hadn't eaten in days. "Seriously, this might be the best thing I've ever tasted."
I laughed softly. "It's nothing special."
"No," he said, setting down the fork. "It's warm. It's real. It tastes like something I never knew I missed."
After finishing the last bit of his noodles, Damian stretched with a satisfied sigh and glanced at his phone.
"I should head out," he said, standing. "But hey—come by my apartment tomorrow night."
I blinked. "Why?"
"Just a small get-together," he grinned. "You helped me big time tonight. Exam's gonna be a breeze thanks to you, so... I owe you. No excuses, Ember."
I hesitated. "I have my part-time job tomorrow."
He rolled his eyes. "Then ditch it for one night. Come on, you deserve a little fun. Bring your friends if that makes you feel better."
I bit my lip, considering.
Damian wasn't someone who took no easily. And honestly, after everything I'd been juggling—school, rent, jobs—it didn't sound too bad to unwind for just one evening.
"Fine," I said, rolling my eyes back. "But only for a little while."
The next day, just like he said, the exam was surprisingly easy for him. He actually looked proud when he turned in his paper—something I'd never seen before.
That evening, I grabbed my bag and met up with Natasha, one of the girls in Damian's group who had become something of a friend to me over the months. She was loud, confident, and dressed like every room she entered was a runway.
"He actually invited you personally?" she teased as we walked. "Wow, Ember, you've officially earned your cool pass."
I laughed, brushing her off. "Stop it."
As we neared Damian's apartment, music pulsed from the windows, lights flickered from inside, and a small crowd was already gathering.