Chapter 2

Peace.

That's all incoming freshman, Scott Vanderbilt-Collins, hopes for as he steps out of the vehicle to be welcomed by the sight of Victor Barden. The young Vanderbilt had always been one to avoid confrontation as much as possible and had constantly sought solace in places where he could be alone to his thoughts. He'd actually been able to get through Constantine Albert without any problems, well, except that one time where he almost made the biggest mistake he could ever make. Almost. But then, the peace he painstakingly built shatters even before his feet had been fully planted down the ground and that's when he realizes that unfortunately, his campus life in Victor Barden won't be any different from Constantine Albert. Especially if your family has a bloody history with the Du Ponts. The Du Pont bloodline, a bloodline to which the Vanderbilts had been cursed to painfully live alongside with.

Truthfully, Scott doesn't even care about the Du Ponts. It's already too exhausting having to keep up with all the drama between families. He believes that it's completely useless because what's the point? Sure, there's tons of history behind the ongoing rivalry but Scott couldn't figure out why they had to drag it on for so long. It's been years, centuries actually.

Isn't it time to let it die?

But he knew the answer, it won't and it might never will.

Not when his cousin Tom is looking murderously at Nickolas Swanson who in turn is looking like he'd be puffing smoke out of his from his nostrils any moment now. His twin brother standing next to him, Nathaniel Swanson, is probably plotting scenarios on how to plan out their revenge against them.

Other than a knack for trouble, the infamous Du Pont twins have also been known as the dangerous Casanovas of Victor Barden's West Wing. Despite that kind of reputation, people still continue to line-up in front of their doorsteps. As a matter of fact, the men of the Du Pont bloodline have generally been known to frolic around campus, partying and getting laid as much as they want, anytime they want.

But if you think that the Du Pont women are any different then you thought wrong. Especially if Stacie Conrad is part of the family. The leggy brunette probably holds the title for the most seductive Du Pont in this century. If the twins have people lining up in front of their door, Stacie has almost everyone fighting for even just a spot in her radar. Apparently, it's already in the Conrad DNA to score high in the sexual charisma department so it's no surprise that Stacie's younger sister, Stella, is following in her footsteps.

Like her sister, Stella Conrad has always been first in when it comes to everything that required beauty and appeal. She'd been so popular in Constantine Albert that the school had given her a second locker every time special occasions happen like her birthday, Valentine's Day and Christmas season since the gifts she receives from friends and suitors would eventually spill along the hallway.

However, if one would think that the Conrads are all beauty and no brains, the sisters would quickly prove you wrong. Scott was fully aware that the older Conrad was smart enough to make his cousin, Aubrey, feel threatened, which rarely happens by the way. Aubrey's top spot had almost been in danger of being snatched away by none other than Stacie Conrad. But that didn't happen and Stacie couldn't really care less, something which infuriated Aubrey even more since the incoming sophomore would rather be dancing in a club late at night than study for the final exams yet, still managing to garner the third highest exam score. Aubrey says that it's clearly cheating. But when a person is constantly placing top, cheating is out of the question. On this note, Stella doesn't come short in terms of class standing either. The younger Conrad was class salutatorian in Constantine Albert which only proves that their family has no reason to cheat.

Being already on the subject of introducing the Du Ponts, let's move on. Scott's eyes land to the next Du Pont standing in between the Conrad sisters, a spot everyone is extremely jealous of. Jesse Swanson, the youngest of the Swanson brothers. If the twins are the Casanovas of Victor Barden, Jesse is the notorious heartbreaker of Victor Barden. With that sweet guy-next-door look, those soft and gentle eyes, a contrast to his brothers' chiselled and sharp features, people are easily drawn to the younger Swanson whose words and gestures are enough to make even the manliest men swoon. And that's exactly the problem. If anyone analyses it closely, Jesse is actually worse than his brothers. At least with Nick and Nate everyone already knew what to expect which is, short-lived hook-ups filled with extreme fun and pleasure. But with Jesse? Expect serious heartbreak and life shattering pain. Thus, the infamous title.

But what's funny is, this title comes with its setbacks.

There was a time, 2 years ago to be exact, when one of his former relationships, a girl named Danielle Johnson, heiress of a huge conglomerate company had caused a scene on top of the Du Pont hotel in Paris as she attempts to kill herself with a dagger aimed to her chest. The cause of this extreme desire to end her life? Jesse breaking up with her, of course.

Scott even remembers the exact time that it had happened. Even though they were at Maryland the news had travelled as fast as a click on social media since any news about the five elite bloodlines are sure to travel like the speed of light within the community.

Fortunately, Danielle didn't end up killing herself. With Jesse's gentle words and hypnotizing persuasion the commotion had come to a positive end. They remained good friends until today but almost everyone can tell that the poor girl is sadly still in love with him. Jesse, on the other hand, has seemed to have long moved on. Rumours of him breaking another heart, one belonging to Mika Takagawa from the Mori bloodline have spread during the school break. What has been circulating around hushed tones is that Mika had been spotted every night at various clubs in the Roppongi district in Tokyo, dancing and drinking the pain away. Nevertheless, Jesse Swanson always finds a way to befriend his exes and in the end everyone lives in harmony.

Now harmony isn't exactly the word to describe the next Du Pont.

And this one deserves a longer introduction because it's none other than the heir to the Du Pont high seat.

Rebecca Olivia Du Pont or as she prefers to be addressed, Beca Mitchell. Now, the reason behind why the daughter of the current head of the Du Pont bloodline and chairperson of the blood council declines to use her father's surname, opting instead to take her mother's maiden name, is because it's been rumoured that father and daughter don't get along well. Beca is in fact, the one true heir to her father's seat as head of the bloodline. It's her birthright. But then the rebellious sophomore has been said to slam down the claim and refused to be swayed otherwise, infuriating her father even more.

Scott is aware of how heavy the position of being a bloodline's leader is. Tom himself is next in line to the Vanderbilt seat and is being rigorously trained in all important matters regarding politics and issues within the community especially if you are expected to represent the family in the blood council. Being the leader meant that not only does he have to be wise, strong and responsible with all his decisions as he will be the one that every member in the bloodline would look up to, he is also the protector of the bloodline, having to be able to be the best in physically protecting and ensuring that the family is kept safe at all costs. Thus, ruthless combat training is included in preparation for his ascent to the high seat. With such a sacred position, even his future is being greatly secured. Meaning, he'd have to carefully choose the perfect partner. Something which is most definitely asked of Beca as well. Her husband or wife must be worthy enough to share the burden of being the bloodline's head, worthy enough to carry half of the crown's weight. They eventually have to share the same principles of the bloodline and therefore, if Beca does choose her lifetime partner, her match, from any bloodline, must eventually, without a doubt, become a Du Pont, leaving his or her own bloodline and swearing loyalty forever to the Du Ponts. This itself, isn't really an issue unless Beca chooses someone from among the five elite families. That would require a very long process between the two prominent families with regards to setting up terms before the official union of two elites.

To be honest, anyone would be honoured to sit beside a leader of the first five bloodlines.

The Vanderbilts take these matters really seriously, even more than any of the other elites. Known for strictly keeping the bloodline pure, they've had the most marriages within the family. Unlike the world outside of theirs, this fact isn't really surprising or taboo. Every elite bloodline has been known to practice such traditions, only that nowadays it isn't as strict or forced upon, unless you are of course, a leader of any of the five elite families. Generally, it happens between cousins like Tom for example.

In the Vanderbilt family his role as the future heir of bloodline's high seat means that he is most definitely expected to marry a Vanderbilt or at least one of the four elites, three for a Vanderbilt considering the fact that a Du Pont is just out of the question. But then as of last summer, Tom wouldn't be having any problems regarding that issue. Everybody knows that Tom is in a relationship with the university's sweetheart, Chloe Beale and as you've all guessed correctly, Chloe is a Vanderbilt.

Now, the perfect way to describe Chloe Beale would be comparing her to the Du Pont's famous heartbreaker Jesse Swanson in terms of charm. The gorgeous redhead is sweet, in gesture and in words, bubbly with that unwavering bright energy, easy to get along with, irresistible with the brightest bluest puppy eyes that would make anyone give in to her easily, smart, kind-hearted with her numerous charity projects for underprivileged children and abandoned animals, highly talented, being part of the university's theatre troupe and all—basically, Chloe Beale is a hundred and one percent wife material and everyone envies Tom ever since their relationship became known. They are, as a couple of months ago, now the golden couple of Victor Barden.

But then that's not really the hottest issue about Chloe Beale.

Beca and Chloe.

Okay, now that's one searing topic nobody wants to get caught in between of. Scott doesn't exactly know when it started but what he did know was when the bomb started ticking.

It started at Constantine Albert. Both girls were at their third year and somehow ended up being a part of the annual grand race relay during the school's anniversary. With the sole intention of fun and camaraderie, emphasizing the importance of teamwork and unity despite differences. Ironically, the event, despite the initial and much more positive objective, eventually sparked what is now described as intense rivalry, blood wars.

The whole course of the race spreads across the open field of Constantine Albert and all the way into the Blackwood forest. There are a lot of obstacles, physical and mental, for the teams as they run on damp soil, crawl in enclosed spaces, climb a couple of elevated trails or trees until they circle back to the open field where a messy wresting battle ensues at the cargo net. The cheers go loud when the players reach the final obstacle, the climax of the whole race. In the center, surrounded by a muddy water filled trench, a sturdy and smooth platform had been built. On said platform, right smack in the middle is a small circular table where the lonely trophy, a gleaming, golden image of a woman wearing a crown upon her head, looking upwards and holding a sword pointing downwards in her middle, is found. First player to grab the trophy wins for their team.

And so, it just so happens that out of the three teams with ten players each, it has gone down to two individuals and much to the crowd's delight those said individuals turn out to be a Du Pont and a Vanderbilt. Popular high school princess Chloe Beale of the obviously strongest team, team Snowe climbs up the platform breathing heavily only to face team Candrick's secret weapon and wild card, Beca Mitchell, who has gotten past team Snowe and team Harper's taller and bigger players. It would probably surprise people more if they found out that the tiny brunette had been the leader and brains of their team's brilliant strategy. Rather than just going ahead using strength and blindly running around like the rest, Beca opts for smarts over speed, leading her team into the final obstacle like a true queen by suddenly blindsiding the enemy after coming quietly from behind and wasting no time attacking with her loyal army behind her. And only after her team mates sacrificed themselves into the mud pit, barricading around her like a shield and pushing her into safety despite her protests, does Beca make up her mind and climb up the opposite end of the platform.

There was a visible three second pause between the two females. Chloe visibly pales and Beca's usual emotionless look slips into that of uncertainty for a tiny second but it was gone as quick as it came. A switch has then been turned back on with the sight of the trophy right in between them, snapping both girls to life. They move in a flash at the same time and it seemed as if Chloe would get to it first only to be caught in surprise as the table gets knocked down, the trophy along with it, just before the tips of the redhead's fingers reach it. Chloe's face goes from disbelief to anger in seconds as she glares at the smirking Du Pont who had wittily slid down instead, swiping her foot across the base of the table to bring it down knowing that if she didn't, Chloe would have won then and there.

Beca quickly leaps towards the direction where the trophy rolled off to but grunts at the sudden impact of a body tackling her from the side, her reach going far from her prize. In seconds two bodies hit the surface of the platform unglamorously, the structure shaking at the impact. The crowd reacts in shock at the scene as they anxiously look on with baited breaths. The two prominent families rising up from their seats in concern.

Scott even remembers catching it all on video as he films the whole thing from the front area of the audience seats. He remembers glancing over at the other end where the Du Ponts are all on their feet filled with excitement and nervous anticipation except for one. Darius Corbin Du Pont, Beca's father. Strangely, the head of the Du Pont bloodline and chairman of the blood council, whose presence in public, especially when it comes to school affairs such as this had been rare until now, sat calmly, legs crossed, face emotionless as he watches his daughter scrambling up and wrestling with Chloe in order to get the trophy. Every time Beca falls to the ground, Darius merely taps a finger against the top of his cane, the ring representing their bloodline bumping against the metal handle of the stick. Back on to the platform, both girls start rolling on top of each other, fighting for the upper hand. Obviously, despite having a 'no intentional aggressive attack' rule, this competition is about to get really physical if nobody is going to stop it and Scott is expecting blood to spill any time soon. School security must all be nervously watching by now.

Only, blood doesn't spill and Scott's brows furrow as he studies how careful Beca's movements were. He's had his own martial arts trainings, much less rigorous than Tom's, of course, but still he could tell, the brunette was holding back. It's already clear that Beca was winning with how quickly she pins Chloe down on her back in just a few smooth moves. However, his cousin isn't one to back down easily and is putting a really good fight, moving her body into an angle that could help her pin Beca back, almost trapping the Du Pont in a choke hold for a dangerous moment there. Chloe has always been active in outdoor sports. Tennis, volleyball, swimming and even rock climbing are actually only a few of her hobbies. Her amazing discipline and fondness for learning has made her a good athlete.

But then Beca isn't labelled the wild card for nothing. Whatever sport Chloe has a background of isn't enough to topple down the Du Pont. Scott could see how Beca manoeuvres her body in a calculated and precise manner, every move geared towards her advantage. It's as if she's been doing this her whole life. And if punching, kicking and violently hurting the opponent were allowed, Chloe probably wouldn't have stood a chance from the position she was currently in.

With the Vanderbilt's wrists restrained in Beca's hands, body down on the ground as the brunette sits on her stomach, no matter how Chloe tries to wriggle her way out, remains useless. Without even going in on the offense, Beca would always have a counter defense. Always. Clearly, she's simply draining all that's left of Chloe's energy. It won't be far from now, given the way that Chloe's chest heaves up and down. All that's left is the Du Pont's triumphant win as she slowly drags Chloe to the edge of the platform inch by inch where, Scott guesses she is about to push Chloe off to. The trophy now only a few steps away from them.

Or maybe, it was just too soon to tell.

It all happened so fast. One moment there it seems as if Chloe's struggling arms go limp in defeat and it really does only take a second before the Vanderbilt releases one last full burst of energy. But instead of aiming for a counter attack, she aims for the fabric of Beca's mud stained 'Team Candrick' black shirt, right at the neckline. Chloe's fingers grasp the fabric, pulling it down along with Beca's upper body with it.

It seemed like another attempt for a choke hold, which Scott would predict Beca could eventually get out of, but that doesn't happen as Chloe lifts up her head upwards, meeting Beca halfway, lips crashing against another. Strawberry connects against, surprisingly, sweet mint. Amongst the crowd, jaws slacken, eyebrows rise up in amusement and wolf whistling takes place.

Everything just stops.

The surprise becomes evident in Beca's wide eyes after only a couple of seconds when she finally realizes what is currently happening because the probability of Chloe Beale kissing her is as real as a marriage between Bigfoot and the Loch Ness monster. The Du Pont is quickly stunned at the unexpected move that before she could regain her bearings, Chloe takes the opportunity to use whatever strength she had left to push Beca off the edge of the platform. Beca gasps at the attack, body seemingly still frozen up from the kiss as she falls off but doesn't hit the muddy waters. She looks up to see Chloe gripping on to her wrist to keep her from falling. The redhead lifts her up a bit for her to be able to hold on to the platform's edges. Only when Beca has a good grip on the platform does Chloe release her hold with a sly smile that says 'gotcha!' before dashing towards the trophy, the golden statue being proudly held up in the air in seconds.

Chloe's team goes wild from below, the Vanderbilts cheer with pride and out of the corner of Scott's eye Darius Du Pont gets up silently with a monotonous expression on his face as he adjusts his tie and straightens his dark suit, his jaw clenching as he turns around to leave with his subjects quickly following him into the dead of the night. When Scott glances at Beca still hanging by the edge, he catches her looking at her father's back before quickly averting her eyes elsewhere. The change came quick, her expression goes cold, detached, and unreadable.

He watches as she slowly relaxes her fingers, choosing to fall down the muddy waters instead. He continues to follow her path to descent before she climbs out of the trench, body and face stained with dirt yet she walks with her head held high towards her team mates who look at her with a great amount of respect despite their loss.

Something deep inside him feels that same sense of respect for the Du Pont whom everyone seems to think of as uncaring and rude as she scans the area to help team mates up from the ground and even slinging one team mate's arm over her shoulder to help them walk, possibly a sprained ankle injury. And sadly, as it always is, nobody notices all of that as everyone's focus is towards the winning team. Nobody but him and a pair of baby blue eyes watching from the top of the platform.

And thus, the bomb began ticking, counting down towards the unavoidable end. Its explosion looming dangerously closer every second as this school year starts.

Scott knows there's more to that rivalry before that story happened but whatever reason that started it all has been left on hold, growing every year, worsening by the day, and piling up every moment it is left untreated. It doesn't even help that ever since then Beca has made it her hobby to retaliate and piss the redhead off, making Chloe's almost perfect life in high school hell. Scott has actually had the misfortune of hearing Chloe's complaints, Beca Mitchell's name in her lips followed by every negative adjective known in the book. Unfortunately for his cousin, it seems she's going to have to deal more on the smirking Du Pont. The one Du Pont everyone should know never to cross, ever.

That, Chloe knows now.

On that note, it's time to continue that long introduction.

There are actually a lot more things one should know about the future heir of the Du Pont high seat, whether Beca likes it or not. One might mistake her for being weak and frail. Being short of height, standing almost two inches shorter than Chloe, a petite feminine body that seemed too soft with all the right curves in all the right places. One might even call her delicate but then life's a bore without a little twist, at least that's what the Du Ponts believe in. There's a reason why the rebellious Du Pont is being called unpredictable, the wild card. The brunette might not want the claim her father shall pass unto her but as it seems, there are qualities in the young Du Pont that could possibly make a good bloodline leader, maybe even the head of the blood council as well. Even Scott agrees to this. They maybe subtle and sometimes they go unnoticed if you don't stop to observe carefully. Beca herself may not even realize it yet but it shows even amongst the older Du Ponts. She has this ability to hold everyone's attention easily, commanding deep respect and unconsciously leading in times when a leader is needed.

It was Beca after all who snapped Nick from his clouded anger months ago, a hand tightening around her cousin's throat as she looks him straight in the eye to tell him that it's not worth killing Tom, not until they both graduate and make it look like an accident.

And yes, it's probably the most unconventional method and a very disturbing choice of words, if you think about it, but still it's a smart move as it does the trick, calming Nick down by giving him something to think about until they graduate college. It is also noticeable that whenever the Du Pont children are together planning something crazy the final decision would always be up to Beca, Beca whose words are rarely heard as she literally sleeps around, lazily looking at anything and coldly turning away disinterestedly to everything that she deems a bore. Everything except for one.

Chloe Beale.

Beca's pretty little toy, Chloe, and she takes delight in well, playing around with her. Considering that Beca's fun includes, partying all night, illegal racing and bringing home random bodies to warm her bed, the redheaded Vanderbilt being added to that list can't be good at all. At least, not when bullying and harassment is attached to it. Beca would probably even admit enjoying the thought of making Chloe suffer without any hesitation. It's nothing physical though and that's probably not any better at all because mental mind games and negative emotional turmoil is actually worse.

A good example of which is, the great class debate back on their last year in Constantine Albert. With the class being divided into two and the topic revolving in sex education. And if Chloe were to count the worst or most humiliating moment of her life, it'd be when Beca, who suddenly takes interest in actually participating in class, brutally takes a jab on her lack of experience on the topic before proceeding to take advantage of the flustered look on her face and easily dragging her arguments down without any remorse.

Chloe went home crying that day.

But Beca should know by now that Chloe isn't one to be shoved and pushed around. The proud daughter of Markus and Alessandra Beale bounces back up all the time, much stronger than ever before. The Vanderbilt certainly has fire inside of her that blazes harder when people try to put it out.

One could say that Chloe Beale is the sweetest and kindest soul to have walked this earth. The redhead has spearheaded charity events and projects for a good cause, always willing to extend a helping hand and brighten anyone's day with those disarming smiles. But one must also know that it's the nice girls that you should look out for because once you push a good girl over the edge and to her limits you'll be wishing you were never born instead. Besides, there's always two sides to a person and Chloe is not an exemption. If Beca continues to push further she just might get acquainted to that side of Chloe that nobody wants to be acquainted with.

However, as pointed out, Beca is smart, the kind of smart that knows when to push and pull. Making Chloe's blood simmer but stopping it in time before it reaches boiling point.

Just like this exact moment of seething silent exchanges between the two elites as they stand across each other in front of the West Wing's student hall. Scott notices Beca take off her sunglasses, a devious glint in her eye as her focus zooms in on the obviously irritated redhead. The smirk on Beca's lips grows as she formally acknowledges Chloe by her name, whilst the Vanderbilt does the same.

"Let's go," Aubrey commands sharply and places a warning hand on Chloe's arm with all intention of pulling her away.

"Chloe, leave it," Aubrey hisses again, finally cutting the intense stare between the two women.

Chloe reluctantly relents but pauses mid-turn when she sees Beca mockingly sending her a flying kiss and an annoyingly graceful light motion of her fingers resembling a cocky wave that has even Aubrey glaring at her with vexation and disgust. Tom would have joined in on the glare fest against Beca if he hadn't be so pre-occupied with his own personal war with Nick to notice the special attention Beca is showering towards his girl.

Finally, after a few more tense seconds, the heir to the Vanderbilt high seat decides that starting a fight on their first day at Victor Barden is just highly impractical and would get them in trouble which isn't a legacy he doesn't want to leave in Victor Barden and everybody knows, legacy and reputation is exactly what Tom Vanderbilt considers important. The guy basically lives off of his laurels and accolades.

The rest of the Vanderbilts start to then move in the opposite direction. Chloe naturally finds Tom's hand as they start to make their way towards the waiting golf carts that will take them to their manor. The Du Ponts do the same, turning to walk towards their ride as the two manors between families are strategically placed at the farthest opposite ends of the West Wing dormitories. Believe it or not, it is a good thing. Whatever the reason, it's definitely placed that way to avoid having the two families bumping into each other and start practicing genocide, or something like that.

Scott was just about to follow suit but unconsciously feels a strong pull towards the other end, unintentionally making his eyes meet hazel coloured orbs to one of the younger Du Ponts, Emily Mitchell-Junk. By instinct, he immediately averts his eyes, awkwardly shifting his weight before feeling a heavy hand coming up to his shoulder. It's Arthur, Aubrey's brother and Scott finally turns to join them all the while trying to stop his thoughts from being consumed by chocolate coloured locks and curious innocent gazes.

A Vanderbilt and a Du Pont must never mingle with each other and won't ever do so for most likely the next hundred million centuries or never.

It's an unspoken rule.

It's forbidden.

It's bullshit.


A/N:

Oh. Wow. Wasn't expecting this enthusiastic response from you guys.

So, clearly it deserves an update!

So we have a little 'meet the Du Ponts' from Scott's point of view this time. About Scott, uhm, I thought of Benjie Applebaum first but I just couldn't see adorkable Benjie as a vampire. Which is why, I created Scott. What does he look like? Well, a younger, blonde Sebastian Stan (go to google images and type young, blonde Sebastian Stan for photos), you're welcome.

As for the Beca-Chloe rivalry, well, yep some history they have there and they even shared a kiss back then too! My fingers are itching to press the detonate button for them both.

By the way, thanks for participating in the red panda poll (I really just want to see a lot of people typing in yes baby bear yes 'cause it's fun! I mean look at the beautiful comments section! Cute, right? okay now type in, 'I love baby bear hugs' in the comments section for virtual hugs! ...or not)