The last thing Kaitlyn Grant thought she would have to deal with in her Senior year was bullies. The whole concept seemed so juvenile, and out of place at a respectable establishment like Britannia Heights University; yet time and time again she was pulled back to her high-school years because of her twin-brother Oliver. The pair of siblings were both quiet and book-smart, rather focusing on their studies than parties and socializing, but even then Oliver struggled far more than Kaitlyn did when it came to making friends.
Throughout their high school years, he was tormented by anyone who could sense his shyness. Kaitlyn had believed that it would end when they graduated, attending a top-tier school would give both of them a fresh start. Where in high-school Kaitlyn dressed conservatively, hung out with the school band, and generally avoided boys, in University she changed. Kaitlyn grew into her body, started to date, and became more outgoing. With that, she joined the Theta Lambda Sorority, excelled in her student life and extra-curricular activities, and made the most of life on Campus. Oliver on the other hand withdrew even more into his shell, solely focusing on studying but never even talking about having friends.
For the first three years of their degrees, Kaitlyn believed he was simply still anxious. However, over the summer leading into their final year, she discovered the truth; that the bullies that had terrorized him through his teenage years had gotten into their elite university, and had continued to ruin his life. Hearing how Oliver had suffered for years without her noticing filled Kaitlyn with a sense of guilt, how could she have not seen what was happening? Since finding out though, she had taken steps to be more involved in her brother's life, first by moving back home from her sorority house, and then that led her to walk to school with him every day.
"Katie... you can stop doing this," Oliver said, with an annoyed sigh. It had become part of their daily routine, Kaitlyn waited for Oliver to build up the courage to leave and then she escorted him to class; all the while he tried convincing her to not help. "We're already a week into the semester, you can't always be there for me."
"Ollie, I'm not going to let those guys bother you anymore," Kaitlyn replied sternly, dismissing her brother's worries with a quick wave of the hand.
"It's not going to help. If they try messing with me, what are you going to do?" Oliver said, a tinge of frustration in his voice.
"I don't know... tell them off? Go to the Dean?" she suggested, as they arrived at the university campus.
"The Dean won't do anything! Jesse's on the football team, he can basically do whatever he wants. Even if... oh fuck." he said, his voice trailing off and eyes going wide. Kaitlyn followed her brother's gaze to see four large men approaching them, wearing a variety of either University letterman jackets or frat jackets and hoodies.
"If it isn't little Ollie! Where've you been buddy? Avoiding us?" the tallest of the group said, grinning at Oliver cruelly. The man was fit, with short brown hair buzzed down to his scalp and while Kaitlyn hated to admit it, he was very handsome. She recognized him immediately, of course, Jesse Campbell... the boy who had been tormenting her brother. Jesse's dark-brown eyes moved away from Oliver and fell onto Kaitlyn and lit up for a moment, an animalistic hunger burning in them for just a moment. "Who's this Ollie? You get yourself a hot new girlfriend over the summer?"
"I'm his sister you prick," Kaitlyn said, standing up tall and glaring at him. Her eyes could have burned a hole in someone less stubborn than Jesse, but the bully simply grinned and looked her up and down.
"Damn... I haven't seen you since high school. You really got hotter, I couldn't even tell you were the same person." he said, stepping in closer to her. "We should get better acquainted, I'm-"
"I know who you are and I'm not interested," Kaitlyn said, turning her nose up at him before grabbing Oliver by the shoulder. "Come on Oliver."
"Oh? Come on, we were just catching up with our buddy. Why don't you go ahead Kristy and we'll make sure Ollie here gets to class." Jesse said before Kaitlyn shook her head and began to pull her brother away.
"It's Kaitlyn, and no," she said, as the pair of them broke through the small gaggle of jocks. The guys all laughed at Oliver's discomfort, their voices disappearing into the distance as Kaitlyn hurried him away.
"Aw fine, see you later then Kaitlyn." Jesse laughed, before the group continued to walk away, leaving the siblings to the rest of their walk.
"Why did you have to antagonize him, Katie? It's going to be even worse for me now." Oliver whined, looking over his shoulder fearfully. "Why couldn't you just leave it alone?"
"Ollie, they only do that because you don't stand up for yourself," she said sternly, stopping her brother in his tracks. "You need to do something about this! Talk to the school!"
"Just... stop! Leave it and me alone!" Oliver snapped, stomping away angrily. Before Kaitlyn could stop him, he disappeared into the crowd of students heading to their classes. With a defeated sigh, she looked back toward where Jesse and his friends had disappeared, feeling her jaw clenching in anger. The whole exchange made her want to punch a wall if not Jesse's smug face. Even though she had begun to be more comfortable in her skin, she was suddenly self-conscious about the simple form-fitting grey sweater she was wearing, and black skinny jeans. 'Did he really think I was hot? Or was it just to annoy Oliver?' she thought, trying to push the memory of their interaction away. She couldn't think about that now, she needed to get to class and try to take her mind off of her brother's plight.
Hours went by as Kaitlyn went from class to class, but she found it difficult to focus. Thoughts of her brother's look of fear when he saw Jesse and his gang approaching, the way his body tensed at their voice, the way Jesse had looked at her...
She shuddered at the thought. The last thing she needed was another asshole jock to flirt with her and try to get into her pants. She wasn't a virgin by any means, but she had only been with two men before, both past boyfriends and Kaitlyn wasn't the type to simply hook up with someone. Then again, seeing the look of hunger in his eyes had made her heart beat in her throat; a feeling she hadn't felt since her ex-boyfriend had six months before.
With her morning classes out of the way, Kaitlyn made her way to the cafeteria to grab a sandwich before heading home to study. Wednesdays were easy for her, she loaded the bulk of her classes on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays so she would have Wednesdays for the remainder and Fridays almost free. Normally that left Wednesday afternoons for lunch and then studying. She strolled into the cafeteria and stood in line, perusing the options and losing herself in thought... until she heard a loud bang and an outburst of laughter. Turning to look over her shoulder, Kaitlyn's eyes widened in horror.
Oliver was laying sprawled on the floor, quivering and covered in his lunch. Jesse stood above him, laughing.