Chapter 1

Victor Barden University.

Standing proudly for centuries at the small, lush green town of Bartholomew Cross. It's a five hour road trip up north from Louisiana by car but the long travel is all worth it once one reaches the wrought iron gates of the prestigious university. Inside, people have never failed to gape at the vastness of the campus, acres and acres of land filled with huge, tall trees all over the place as it is right in the middle of Winter forest. They line the whole pathway until one reaches the administration building, the heart of the university. It's also best to take note of the distance from the gate to the building and thus, refrain from getting down the car to go by foot unless one is a health buff and is planning a non-stop twenty minute run.

Built almost a thousand years, making it one of the oldest in the world, the university's structure, at a glance, looks like it has seen everything, every memorable occasion, every generation's fashion, and a millennium's worth of secrets ranging from all forms associated with love and rivalry—rivalry which is usually due to love of course. But despite the student's jest about the university looking like an old cathedral instead of a school, make no mistake about the structure's sturdiness for its stone walls have withstood a millennium of natural calamities, calamities made by humans against other humans and a thousand years' worth of cursing from students every exam week.

Today, Victor Barden University may seem like any typical university with the same courses, same boring classes, at least two boring professors, same special festivities every year, same sororities and fraternities, well, maybe the food and facilities are more high class than the rest of universities in the country, given that it's a university of the wealthy, however, one would find it highly peculiar to find that the university is divided into two, the East and the West Wing.

Doesn't sound so peculiar?

It doesn't until one realizes that the students of the East Wing had never once seen the people from the West Wing and vice versa. Complicated it may sound but see, the thing is, the East Wing begins classes in the morning until six in the evening followed by the West Wing from seven in the evening to six in the morning. It's been a strict rule ever since the university has been born that no student assigned in a specific wing, either the East or the West, should be in campus after the bell rings to signify the end of their time. Campus security would religiously ensure that the every nook and cranny of the buildings of each wing is empty and all students are in their manors, the dorms of the students. With cameras installed in every corner of the campus, no one has ever successfully broken the rule. At least, no one in this century. No one would dare, to be honest. Rule breakers are always caught without fail, no matter how good you are in infiltration and espionage. The idiots who do try are faced with immediate expulsion, effective immediately. Mommy and daddy could be the richest in the world but unfortunately, no amount of bribing and threats cannot save your dumb ass. It's part of the contract that every student and their parents sign before enrolling in Victor Barden University.

The East manor, like the West manor but on the opposite side, is located a bit far from the class buildings. Golf carts on stand-by all day are the main source of transportation. Entering both the East and West manors is also tricky. It's like living in a highly secured posh neighbourhood. Security check-points are found in every entrance and of course cameras watching in every corner of the East and West wall—yes, there is a wall. Every student is given an ID to be scanned at every check-point. Lost ID? Not to worry, there is facial recognition and thumbprint scanners for that while your ID is being set for replacement. Admittedly, this is one of the reasons why a lot of parents would push their children to enrol in Victor Barden. The security of their children isn't going to be a problem. Taking all these into consideration, it's a fact that even until graduating, students from both wings have never once caught a glimpse of the opposite sides of their territories.

The division of the university seems so complicated that one would think of about a dozen of issues regarding this strange compromise. One of them is the library. Everyone who has been to college knows that every student at this point of their life would be spending late nights in the library cramming for exams and would be buried in piles and piles of paperwork needed to be submitted on their respective deadlines. At Victor Barden, the East and West have their own libraries, both massive, located near the manors for easier access. And before one would go on to ask, yes, they also have separate cafeterias, cafés, restaurants, bars and shops. Basically, it's like a small town in each dorm area. Being far from the city, students won't have to worry about internet, cable and good food. Victor Barden University will take care of you like no other, going even beyond to give the best for their students and therefore, every individual studying at Victor Barden is ensured a comfortable campus life.

So, how does one get assigned to which wing? Or does one have a choice as to which wing they would like to be in? Well, not everybody could be assigned in the West Wing. Now, this is where it gets interesting. There is so much mystery surrounding the infamous West Wing. If taking classes from seven in the evening until six in the morning isn't already very strange, there are more questions to be questioned about the West. Basically, the people of the West Wing live at night, the total opposite of the norm. Which isn't really practical because if they do graduate and join the work force, they would basically have to turn their worlds upside down, experience jet lag symptoms and see the sun for the first time in a long time—depending on the course of choice. To even choose that kind of life is very strange indeed. Which is why the people of the East Wing have made numerous speculations and various rumours regarding the West.

Now, it is believed that the students of the West Wing were from the wealthiest of the wealthy and have an IQ that beats Einstein's. And although some people from the East Wing are offended by this, as they believe to be qualified enough to be placed in the West Wing based on the first fact alone, many could not help but speculate so. It is noticeable how people of the West Wing come and go in heavily tinted limousines and limited edition imported cars. Rumour is, that students from the West Wing are highly gorgeous, tall, blue-eyed ethereal beings with glossy hair and perfect pearly white teeth. This lead the West Wing to be fondly coined as the Dark Hollywood of Victor Barden due to its exclusivity and god-like features of said students. But then if you do take into account the real facts, the rumour may have been born because most of the students from the West Wing aren't only composed of students from this country, most of them actually come from different parts of the globe. This would then answer some of the questions as to why their lives revolve around the night time. Being from different countries and time zones with a majority of them coming from Europe and Russia could be the reason why so. Even the West Wing faculty is a combination of nationalities. And yes, again, the West Wing has its own mysterious faculty members and its own set of deans that all only work at night.

One must also take note that all of the mentioned above are the more popular rumours and facts going around about the mysterious West Wing. The rest are the more exaggerated and absurd rumours made probably as a joke like the students of the West Wing being vampires who can't walk in the sun for too long, drink human blood with their fangs, have pale skin, red eyes and are gifted with abilities in speed, fast healing, super strength, heightened sense of smell, hearing and visibility and live up to two hundred years.

It's funny really how far-fetched that particular rumour has gotten through the years. What's even funnier is when one does enter the west wing one shall realize that it's actually not a rumour.

It's the truth.

Emilia Mitchell-Stein or Emily as she is fondly called is a freshman at Victor Barden and will soon be residing at the West wing manors. Specifically, her family manor which she will be sharing with her relatives currently enrolled this year, the Mitchells, the Conrads and the Swansons, all of which belong under the Du Pont family bloodline, one of the five elite bloodlines. Having graduated from Constantine Albert High School, another prestigious institution, just like her relatives, Emily will now begin her university life in Victor Barden.

Like every freshman, Emily has high hopes and expectations in regards to the prospect of trying things for the first time on her own, although, not entirely since she's still living in the presence of family who can still rat you out to the elders if ever you make the mistake of annoying them. But then again, there are lots of secrets made between siblings and cousins that never reach the parents, especially since loyalty is very prominent between her kind. Right her kind, a secret from the rest of the world, hidden in the shadows of the night, embraced by the moon and an enemy to the sun.

"How are you feeling, sweetheart?" her mother, Katherine asks, placing a comforting hand on her arm, making Emily tear her gaze from the greenery outside and into her mother's concerned eyes. They were dark blue, a contrast to her light brown orbs which she got from her father.

"Excited and a little nervous at the same time," she admits and this earns a squeeze on her arm.

"A little is fine. It's normal. I remember my first day at Victor Barden," her mother recounts with a smile. "I met your father here," she smiles widely and it's infectious enough as Emily's own lips break into one.

"I knew he was the one after our first meeting," her mother gushes.

"How did you know he was?" Emily asks curiously.

Her mother then places a hand towards the center of her chest, right at her heart. "This will tell you," she says. "Your heart will choose whom it would want to bond with for the rest of your life. Trust it, Em,"

At this time, their limousine stops right at the reception building of the West Wing manors before naturally being opened by Edgar, the family butler who has worked for them for more than a hundred years. He was like family to Emily as she considers him as an uncle.

"Have a fantastic school year, pup," Edgar says, looking at her proudly before offering his fist for a fist bump, something Emily had taught him recently. She smiles before bumping his fist with hers. But then a sinking feeling swells in her chest and the realization that she'd be away from home for so long.

"I'll miss you, Ed," she sadly says as she embraces him.

"I'll miss you more, pup," he tells her before they break apart and he quickly wipes a tear from the corner of his eye. Emily knows that if she doesn't cut the goodbyes short she'd end up crying like a baby any time soon and that's not cool.

So, with the promise of seeing each other at the end of the year for winter break, Emily then turns to her equally teary-eyed mother—and this isn't going to be as easy as she initially thought no matter how excited she was.

"You're father and I are very proud of you," she says in a shaky voice and soon Emily is engulfed in another hug. "If only your father hadn't had to take care of a business emergency, you know he'd be here,"

"So both of you can weep on the cobblestones of VBU because your only daughter is leaving the nest?" Emily groans yet her smile breaks the sarcastic façade. There's just nothing like family. So, she hugs her mother tighter than ever. It would have been perfect if her mother wouldn't have to go break down a series of reminders and precautions about the consequences of irresponsibility and such—mothers, of course. Just then three similar limousines bearing the Du Pont bloodline's red insignia, pull over one by one behind them.

The first one carried the Swanson brothers, sons of Cole and Jessica Swanson. Stepping out first are the inseparable identical twins, Nickolas and Nathaniel, incoming seniors in Victor Barden followed by Jesse, the youngest and incoming sophomore. The boys immediately greet Katherine with a hug and unfortunately for Emily some hair ruffling, much to her irritation. But what else is new? Being one of the babies of the family it is inevitable. It's another story though when someone messes with her because then they'd have to suffer unmeasurable pain from the brothers. Beware, they can make anything look like an accident.

Take Bobby Atkinson from high school for example who made the mistake of putting his foot out in front of her to make her trip. Today, Bobby might never be able to use his right foot ever again. Might. But then that was high school and high school is far from college. This is where teenagers like Emily slowly start to transition to adulthood.

The next limousine carries Stella, the youngest Conrad and also an incoming freshman like Emily. With her, are her parents, Stephen and Louisa Conrad who are both present to send her off. They all exchange hugs and as usual talk about family matters.

Stella immediately links arms with Emily as they interchange excited looks, quickly planning on how they'd finalize the interior of their room. They've already decided to share one since their last year in high school and had eventually sent someone a month ago to style the room to their taste. It now only lacks a few personalized touches.

Finally, the third limousine drops off the final members of the Du Pont bloodline, Stacie Conrad, Stella's older sister and Beca Mitchell. Both girls are incoming sophomores just like Jesse which is why those three quickly group together to share distaste about everything and anything they find, well, distasteful.

Eventually, the cousins join Emily and Stella to fill them all about what to expect. After a series of important pointers like what menu to avoid in the cafeteria and professors or subjects that make you want to kill yourself from boredom, the discussion finally moves to the other elite families. Even Nick and Nate, as they are fondly called, break away from scoping out some eye candy to join the short lesson on Family Bloodlines 101 for Beginners.

"The Ortega bloodline, one of the five elites," Nick says with a smirk as Emily's attention directs over to the loud group, laughing and howling at each other.

"The Hispanics," Nate comments with the similar smirk. "They throw the wildest parties," he nods appreciatively.

"And have really hot bodies," Stacie adds playfully and the sly knowing look she throws Beca doesn't escape Emily. Those two really get along with those kinds of things. But then again it's also no secret how much the Du Ponts love to party and mingle intimately. Being in a relationship with a Du Pont promises a wild kind of ride from start to finish.

"Okay, moving on!" Nick cuts in, tearing his eyes off the Latinas and towards the next elite group.

"The Mori bloodline," he introduces, a brow rising up amusedly at the females whose skirts rival Stacie's when it comes to decency.

"The Asians, highly talented and most probably coming second to us in terms of being the coolest creatures of the West," Nate again adds in, licking his lips as his eyes immediately travel towards the same direction as Nick's.

As always, as if they are in tune by telepathy, the twins turn their head towards their baby brother with amused faces.

"But then Jesse knows more about them than we do," Nate teases in a slow tone, giving emphasis to each word.

"He knows them rather intimately," Nick pushes, copying his twin brother's tone.

The youngest Swanson, who seems to have already sensed that he was going to be the center of the joke ever since they started talking about the Moris, throws his head back and puffs out air in frustration. Emily has been fully aware that he has indeed dated a Mika Takagawa, thus the teasing.

"Fuck off!" Jesse mouths towards his sniggering brothers since their uncle and aunts are standing behind them and even though are all currently in deep conversation amongst each other, every Du Pont child knows that no matter how much you whisper you must never test the hearing abilities of their elders. After all, the more a vampire ages, the more powerful and sensitive they become.

"Stop it guys, let's all not hurt Jesse's feelings," Stacie warns as she wraps her arms around the brooding Swanson and smoothens the back of his hair gently like a mother to her three year old son. The sentiment and gesture may be sweet but anyone could hear the sarcasm in it. And sarcasm after all is such a prominent and infamous Du Pont trait. Which also means that one must never partake in a word battle with their bloodline. Nobody has ever been known to survive the sting of insecurities and has left hearts crying in pain.

On the other hand, Jesse, who tries to move his head away from Stacie's touch can only exhale in frustration as he cannot escape the tall female's long arms. Besides, there's just no point avoiding it since Beca joins in on the fun and reaches to pat him lovingly on the head. Emily could already tell the mocking look Beca is sporting behind those dark sunglasses accompanied by the trademark Du Pont smirk.

"Wait, which one is she?" Stella suddenly asks out loud and much to Jessie's horror, all four of the older cousins point shamelessly towards a petite Japanese short-haired girl with a single streak of pink highlighting a small portion her black locks.

Fortunately, before Mika, who is talking happily with her group, could even notice the special Du Pont attention being thrown her way Jesse frantically lowers their arms like his life depended on it. Well, it probably does and at this point, Emily feels lucky to have only received hair ruffling from her teasing older cousins. Their family has, unfortunately, also has a reputation for savagery. Be it medieval or the 21st century emotional style savagery.

"I thought she was my match but it didn't really work out, okay?" he says in a tone in between whining and pleading. "Now can we please move on?" he sighs, hoping to end the discussion.

The whole group goes silent, Stacie raising her hands as a sign of peace but her arm remains draped around Jesse's while the others look away, finally dropping the topic to continue on with Bloodlines 101.

"Next up, the Niculae bloodline!" Nick gestures grandly over to the left as they all turn towards the direction of most probably the tallest group in the West Wing.

"Composed of families scattered all over Europe, mainly originating from Romania, well, most of us have originated from Romania including our beautiful bloodline," he adds in a matter of fact tone.

"Direct descendants of the famous Count Dracula," Nate comments in the infamous Dracula accent.

The twins break into a series of chuckles as the rest of them shake their heads and sigh. If there was one thing that every vampire agrees on, it's the over-exaggerated view of the world has of them because of that damn novel.

"Good old great great grand uncle Vlad, bless his soul," Nate dramatically says with a hand on his chest.

Based on the old books and the history of their origin, there really was a Vlad Dracula who later became the popular Count Dracula. Despite the famous belief, Vlad wasn't a vampire. At least, he wasn't born one. He was just some sadistic ruler who had an addiction to blood. Apparently, he loved the taste of it and drank it along with his wine. He even made all of his new-born children drink it. The horrid act had then caused "defects" among his next of kin. They shied away from the sun as it hurts their eyes and weakens their body. However, they also found out that drinking blood of the purest beings like virgins, children and young animals had increased their senses and gave them youthful appearances despite old age. As horrible as it sounds, Vlad's descendants have kept the gruesome tradition until they became the vampires whose bloodlines have been passed into present generations—and that last fact is what the world doesn't know about.

Fortunately, at this time and age the blood of the innocent and pure are no longer needed to create vampires. The change had been permanent after two generations have passed from Vlad's family. And unlike what Bram Stroker had written, it is possible for vampires to have children and live as normally as anyone else—take that, Bram! You know nothing.

"They bring in the best liquors and anything that screams illegal," Nate eagerly continues about the Niculae's, rubbing his hands together and looking like some opportunistic hyena waiting to pounce on its prey. Emily is already guessing that the Niculae manor is where her twin cousins would be hanging out often for the rest of the year. Besides, among all the bloodlines, the Niculaes are the strongest ally and closest friends to the Du Ponts for centuries. Intermarriages between the two bloodlines have been common ever since. Although, at this time, a—hot-blooded—Du Pont, with the exception of the head of the bloodline, would be open to marrying any of the bloodlines, elite or not, literally, everyone.

Or… maybe not quite everyone.

Another set of limousines with the stylized cursive gold letter 'V' on the front and a gold insignia embossed at the side of the vehicles. The sight instantly wipes off the smirk from the Du Ponts faces. Even the mischievous twins fall silent, faces changing into that of a sinister glare. The cars line up to park a couple of meters in front of the Du Ponts own limousines, assistants rushing out to open the car doors all at once. Stepping out with an air of arrogance and class, prominent shades of bright golden blonde and light auburn tresses and waves greets its way towards the Du Ponts' line of vision.

This time, Emily and Stella need no further introduction to this particular bloodline. As a matter of fact, by the time a Du Pont child learns how to talk and walk, they've been made to immediately acquaint themselves of this particular bloodline, that and the bad blood between the families. This is to practically avoid any sort of relations, especially, intimate relationships with that specific bloodline in the future.

"The Vanderbilts," Emily breathes out softly as she eyes the ever formally dressed elite bloodline across from them.

It doesn't take long until the Vanderbilts fix their gaze towards them. Even the parents from each family eye each other warily despite the cordial greeting, heads dipping down lightly towards each other in respect. The tension is strong and thick that every vampire in the area pauses, hushing down into silence as they watch the two bloodlines with interest.

"They are allies but they are no friends of ours either," Nick says through gritted teeth, breathing heavily as his gaze zoom towards the tallest Vanderbilt. Thomas Vanderbilt or Tom as he is popularly known. Nick's greatest rival when it comes to swordsmanship.

Tom doesn't wither or flinch at the look and clenches his jaw as he glares back, standing tall and proud like he was opening a challenge towards the older Du Pont. Nick motions to take a step forward but doesn't continue due to a hand on the back of his lower arm. It was Beca's. And although she doesn't look at him, her eyes behind those sunglasses never breaking contact towards the Vanderbilts, her grip on his arm tightens, giving him a warning squeeze and Nick reluctantly simmers down a bit.

A couple of months ago, Emily recalls finding out from her parents about the duel between the two men. It almost got bloody at one point when they took the sport out of the arena and into real life. No protective gears on and real sharp blades unsheathed in their hands as they attack at each other. The story was, Nick cried foul play on Tom's part inside the ring and things escalated quickly when Tom is proclaimed winner by only one point. Strong words have been exchanged and soon both men are out at the empty lot behind the Ortega manor fighting for real.

Thankfully, both bloodlines were quick to stop them before they could cause serious injuries on each other and grave consequences from the school's board members. It literally took Nate, Jesse, Stacie and finally Beca to hold Nick down from jumping at an equally furious Tom. All Du Ponts wrestling arms and limbs down the ground. The commotion only cooled down for a bit when security came in. However, when the graduating Vanderbilts and Du Ponts returned from their graduation practices, another fight almost ensues which has the younger Du Ponts and Vanderbilts wrestling relatives down the ground for the second time. It was only when deans threatened to expel graduating members from both bloodlines does the fight come to an end.

The famous confrontation has instantly made its way down the history books of the Du Pont-Vanderbilt feud as it had been exactly ten years since the two bloodlines went physical against each other. Which is why there's a running joke that the next feud will definitely happen in another ten years. This year, as the two rivals have one more year at Victor Barden, no one can blame the whole West Wing for expecting another season of undoubtedly the best reality show in the vampire world.

Anyways, Tom isn't the only one the Du Ponts need to watch out for this year. Next to him stood Claire Vanderbilt, the self-proclaimed Ice Queen of the West Wing. Unlike her brother, the incoming sophomore had light auburn hair but was born with the same icy blue orbs as her brother. Those very icy blue orbs that are now eyeing the youngest Du Ponts. The gesture is truly intimidating but Emily hopes it doesn't show on her face. She could tell that Stella was doing the same. They are Du Ponts, an elite family and cowering down the enemy is something they were taught not to do.

But then again, if there was one thing the Vanderbilts were taught since birth, it would be perfecting intimidating stares. It's a must have for every Vanderbilt as is smirking devilishly for every Du Pont. And if intimidating is what we are talking about, Claire isn't the only one who has perfected the trait. Next to her is Aubrey Posen, one of the proud over-achievers of the family. An incoming junior, leader of the Barden Bellas sorority and top, straight A student which is why it's not surprising that the emerald eyed blonde female is already taking advance subjects and is already a strong candidate for Valedictorian. Behind her, her brother Arthur Posen who inherited the same golden blonde hair and emerald green eyes is no stranger in the dean's list either. The incoming sophomore is obviously following his older sister's footsteps with his achievements in the debate society. He also bears the same arrogance as Tom and holds the belief that they are better than any bloodline as he eyes them with disgust. Emily's blood boils at this and she wishes that he choke on his own spit while debating on stage.

Once her eyes land on the next blonde Vanderbilt member, instead of feeling the pile of hatred grow, Emily finds shy ocean green eyes that quickly avoid hers. Scott Vanderbilt-Collins, an incoming freshman and to Emily, the only Vanderbilt that doesn't look at her the way they generally do. She remembers him being the first one to silently pick up her things when that idiot Bobby Atkinson made her trip—yeah that idiot Bobby from high school. Despite the history between their families, Scott had looked at Bobby with eyes that could burn someone alive as he stood in front of Emily, shielding her from the obnoxious bully. Before even thinking, she grabs on to his sleeve to stop him from getting into a fight. She later realizes that, that would be the first time she made physical contact with a Vanderbilt.

The moment breaks however, when her cousins arrive at the scene as soon as they heard the small commotion. When she looks back, Scott has quietly disappeared without even a word or a chance for Emily to thank him. But then when she picks up her bag, she finds a piece of candy placed on top of her now properly organized stuff, the same candy the young Vanderbilt is always seen eating.

If Emily were to be truly honest, she secretly wishes that the feud between bloodlines finally disappears because she believes that whatever the old Du Ponts and Vanderbilts were fighting about centuries ago is extremely unfair to the younger generation who are being pitted against each other because of it, whatever it is.

But then again, as Emily notices Beca finally taking off her sunglasses, those piercing deep blue orbs connecting with striking bright blue irises and soft beach waves with the same auburn hair colour as Claire's, all hope for peace and friendship between bloodlines instantly crumbles down the ground, pathetically.

It's no secret that Nick and Tom aren't the only rivals between both families. In fact there's one more and this one has been silently brewing for years now, its impending explosion is due any moment now and Emily is worried that this year could be the moment it does.

A smirk finally finds its way into Beca's face before her lips part for the first time that night.

"Chloe Beale,"

Her words even though done subtly doesn't come unheard and the response doesn't take long. And even though it is done just as subtly, the spiteful tone cannot be mistaken.

"Beca Mitchell,"

A/N:

Hello loves, I did a thing again. And fuck I might have dug a really deep hole for myself in this one.

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