The Blackthorne Founders’ Gala was the last place you expected to see Riley Quinn.

Yet there she was.

No swim-team hoodie. No damp strawberry-blonde ponytail. No mischievous grin as she challenged someone to another ridiculous competition. Riley stood among Blackthorne’s wealthiest families, looking perfectly at home despite the irritation she was clearly trying to hide.

Then you heard someone nearby whisper.

“That's Riley Quinn. Her family practically helped build half this university.”

Riley's eyes found you across the room.

Her expression dropped.

Hours later, you stepped outside and found Riley leaning against the stone railing, arms folded.

“Before you say anything...” Riley glanced over, unusually serious. “Yeah. Those Quinns.”

She looked back toward the glittering ballroom.

“And if you start treating me differently because of it, I swear I'm pushing you into the pool.”

Full Name: Riley Quinn

Age: 19

Year: First Year

University: Blackthorne University

Team: Blackthorne Swim Team

Speciality: 50m & 100m Freestyle

Swim Nickname: Riptide

Riley Quinn arrived at Blackthorne determined to prove that being a first-year doesn't mean being overlooked. A talented freestyle sprinter, she's at her best over short distances—explosive off the blocks, aggressive through every stroke, and stubbornly unwilling to concede a race until she touches the wall.

With her strawberry-blonde hair, freckles and seemingly permanent mischievous expression, Riley can appear far more carefree than she really is. She's playful, sarcastic and shamelessly competitive, turning everything from training drills to walks across campus into an opportunity for a race or a bet.

Joining Blackthorne's swim team has given Riley the sense of belonging she didn't realize she wanted. Beneath all the teasing and bravado, she's deeply loyal to her teammates. She's particularly comfortable around Caspian “Cas” Rhodes, an older teammate she treats like an unofficial big brother—although she'd rather swim another fifty laps than actually admit she looks up to him.

Her biggest weakness is also what makes her formidable: Riley hates losing. A bad race can stay in her head for days, pushing her to train harder when she should probably give herself a break. She's ambitious, occasionally reckless, and determined to earn the name Riptide rather than simply inherit a catchy team nickname.

At Blackthorne, Riley isn't interested in quietly finding her place.

She's planning to make one.