"Juliet, have you found my bracelet?" I called out.
"Which one?" she asked from the bathroom.
"The dragon and bunny one… with my name on it."
"No, I didn't. Check the living room."
I sighed. Where can my bracelet be? My mom made it for me as a gift when I was leaving for Diamond. It's more than just jewelry — it's a piece of my past, a memory of someone dear. I rarely take it off… So how could it just vanish?
After the Diamond Dancers tryouts, things changed. I gained respect — and also more enemies. Which is why, in the hallway that afternoon, I ran into someone I had been warned about.
The metal door of my locker slammed shut so close to my face that I felt the rush of air against my skin. The bang echoed in my ears.
"What's your problem?!" I snapped, turning to see Blue's hand still on my locker door.
"Oh… it missed," she said, almost disappointed.
"You almost sent me to the hospital!"
"That's exactly what I'm trying to do," she replied flatly.
I blinked. "Are you mad?"
"Oh, she thinks I'm mad." She spoke to the people behind her, then shoved my shoulder.
"Will you fight me, then?" she taunted, shoving my other shoulder.
Students around us murmured — some looked worried, others… entertained.
She shoved me again, but this time I held my ground. She shoved harder, and I met her gaze. When she tried again, I caught her fingers, bent them back just enough to make her flinch, and stepped forward. She swung with her free hand, but I grabbed it too and pushed her against the lockers.
"Stop crossing me, or you'll regret it," I said through clenched teeth.
She glared, but before I could let go, a strong grip yanked the collar of my shirt, pulling me backward.
I staggered back, barely catching myself before I hit the lockers.
Lane.
She hadn't just pushed me — she'd shoved me like she was trying to send me through the wall. Her fingers lingered for half a second, just enough pressure to make it clear she could've gripped harder if she wanted to.
Her glare was pure warning, sharp enough to cut.
Great. Now it's two of them.
The hallway went deathly still. No one breathed.
I straightened, brushing imaginary dust off my shoulder. "Guess you're the bodyguard," I said about to step forward when a shadow slid in front of me.
Laura.
The hallway didn't just go quiet — it rearranged itself for her. People moved out of her way like she was the Queen of Diamonds, and the air got that weird heavy feeling like a storm was about to break.
Blue and Lane materialized at her sides, perfectly in sync. Honestly, I half-expected someone to roll out a red carpet.
"If you love yourself," Laura said, voice silky but with the bite of a razor, "you'll stay away from everything that's mine."
Oh, wonderful. The welcome committee.
I raised a brow. "I don't know you, and I definitely don't want anything that's yours. So what's your problem?"
A ripple of gasps spread through the hallway like I'd just slapped a teacher.
"She's dead."
"Oh, she's so dead."
"Does she even know who she's talking to?"
She let out this tiny, amused laugh — the kind rich people probably practice in mirrors. "And she talks back." Her head tilted, eyes scanning me like I was some thrift-store knockoff she couldn't decide to burn or donate.
"This school isn't a place for people like you," she said slowly, savoring every word. "If you're lucky enough to be here, you stay quiet. You stay invisible. Because I hate hearing your name." Then she leaned in, just close enough for her perfume to invade my personal space. "And stay far — very far — away from Desmond."
Oh. There it is. The real reason.
A few nearby students froze mid-step, pretending to check their phones but listening so hard I could practically hear their ears buzzing.
Her long, manicured nail tapped against my forehead and I swear she enjoyed it, before she turned to leave.
I smiled, the kind of smile that says I could end you, but I'm choosing peace… for now.
Inside, I was already drafting the list of ways to snap that nail clean off.
Lane threw me a pointed "We're watching you" glare. I gave her my middle finger without even blinking. A couple of students gasped like I'd just set the building on fire like half the hallway inhaled at once.
Then came the murmurs:
"She's not scared?"
"She's crazy."
"No… she's trouble."
When they were finally gone, I let out a long sigh. Being attacked because of Desmond? God, this is insane — we can't even stand each other.
Later, when I told my friends, they were concerned. I told them I'm fine. Juliet said not everyone is as strong as me, and maybe it was time we reached out to the other scholarship students. "They might be going through their own battles," she said.
We all agreed. Diamond could be a better place for the not-so-rich — if we worked together.
It wasn't hard to find the rest of the scholarship group. We all lived in the same building — three girls and four boys. We had a small gathering on and introduced ourselves.
"My name is Regina," one girl said with a small smile. "Dorm 120A. I don't have a scholarship roommate — just an OG Diamond student."
I recognized her name immediately. She was number ten on the admission list.
When we introduced ourselves, many of them already knew us — especially me and Julius. Not surprising. By now, it feels like the whole school knows our names.
We explained the reason for the meeting, exchanged numbers, and even created an online group where we could share challenges and throw ideas around. Two of the guys were in Art with Matt and me, two girls and a boy in Science with Juliet, and Julius ended up with a boy and a girl in Business.
After the meeting, we gathered in the boys' dorm. Matt was already lost in his sketchpad, Juliet and Julius were chatting away, but my mind drifted. The weight of the past few weeks pressed in again, heavy, suffocating. I needed air. So, I laced up and slipped out for an evening run.
I didn't head toward school, but down another street away from the dorm.
It was quieter there, only the whisper of the wind and the trees swaying to it. Exactly what I needed after such a loud, chaotic week. My steps slowed, my breathing evened out. The road felt like it belonged to me.
Tall trees lined the sidewalks, their branches arching together into a canopy. Benches sat tucked beneath them, like a hidden reserve built for peace. I realized I had never seen this place before. Then again, I hadn't explored much since we arrived—barely the estate, let alone the city. Maybe it was time we did.
The road wasn't dark, though. Streetlights lit the way, casting soft yellow halos on the pavement. It was quiet, empty—perfect for the artist in me to crawl out. I started humming Silent Night, spinning across the road in clumsy imitation of ballet, laughing at myself as I staggered side to side.
"Silent night, holy night…"
There's something about slow, happy songs—they fool your heart into thinking nothing in the world can hurt you. With the breeze brushing my skin, the night glowing gently, I felt free. Carefree. Almost weightless. I whistled and spread my arms.
I feel flyyyyyy…
I feel freeeee…
My voice rose into an impromptu melody, a self-made concert. Lines spilled out, unpolished but alive:
I'm the air in your starry night,
The breeze of your sunny day.
I'll make you smile, I'll help you rest,
Moving east, moving west…
I laughed at myself mid-verse, twirling again. Free. Untouchable.
I spun once, hair whipping across my cheek, and my voice lifted with the turn.
"Moving from the East even to the West—
even when I drift from the South, the North calls me theirs."
I chuckled. It didn't even make sense, but it felt right.
Then something bolder and louder, something I didn't plan.
"I'll do what I do… I'm unstoppable.
I'll do what I do…I'm unbreakable.
No one is stopping me, no one is blocking me.
I am free. I am free."
The rhythm of my own voice made my chest ache with something fierce. The words got louder, heavier, like they weren't mine anymore.
"I'm the wind. I'm a force. Dynamic as fluid.
I'm a storm, a cyclone, a hurricane—
and when I show, you will know.
Not hidable. Not coverable."
Silence. Just me and the rustling leaves.
I closed my eyes, letting the last words fall out softly.
"You can try to stop me. You can try to block me.
But I'll do what I do.
I'm free."
Then I stopped.
A figure leaned against a motorbike parked under one of the streetlights a few meters ahead. Half-hidden in shadow, still, unmoving—but familiar. My heart stuttered.
Even from here, I'd know that hair. Black, darker than the night itself. The red jacket stood out—different from his usual black. Good choice. Without it, he would've melted into the shadows.
Desmond.
He was watching me, one eyebrow raised like questioning my sanity, his face unreadable, sculpted in that cold perfection he always wore. How did he manage to look that handsome without ever smiling?
Wait—did I just call Desmond handsome? Gosh. What is wrong with me?
Heat rushed to my face. I turned abruptly and started walking back the way I came.
"What's he even doing out here? In the dark?" I whispered under my breath.
Typically Desmond.
Then I froze.
Did I just say that out loud? Oh no. Oh no. What if he heard me? Great, now I'm not only running away from him—I'm actually talking to myself about him. Have I completely lost it?
I shook my head and tried to focus on the road. It's late. Just get back to the dorm.
The screech of tires ripped through the night.
I spun just in time to see blinding headlights careening toward me. My body locked, breath caught. I couldn't move.
Then—hands. Strong. Yanking me sideways.
I crashed hard into someone, my whole body trembling. My eyes stayed squeezed shut, chest heaving. The cars thundered past, one after the other, engines roaring. They didn't even slow. If not for that pull… I would've been flattened.
"Juliana!"
My name. His voice.
The sharpness of his tone, the faint trace of his cologne—yes, it was him. Slowly, I opened my eyes and found myself staring straight into his. Cold, steady, but with something else glimmering there.
His lips curled into a smug smile.
"If you keep staring like that, you might fall in love with me."
"You wish," I shot back, though my voice was shaky.
He smirked. "And… you're still on me."
"Oh, crap." Heat rushed to my cheeks. I scrambled up, dusting myself off as fast as I could.
He rose smoothly to his feet, too.
"Thank you," I muttered.
He tilted his head. "Huh. Haven't heard that one before."
"You've never done anything worth thanking you for."
"Still sarcastic, even after nearly dying? Amazing," he said, but softer this time. "Seriously. Thank you. You saved my life." I said sincerely.
"What can I say?" He gave a half-shrug, lips twitching. "I couldn't let that happen to the finest girl I've ever met." He winked.
I rolled my eyes, but my heart was still pounding too fast. I let it slide. After all… Raymond had just saved me.
"Who the hell were those people? Driving like that in the estate?" I asked.
"Diamond students. Illegal street race. Someone's money and reputation was on the line."
"Someone's life was on the line. Mine." My voice cracked slightly.
He glanced at me. "You're shaking."
"I'm not a rock. I almost died." My hands betrayed me, trembling violently no matter how I tried to hold them still.
Without a word, he took my hand in his. His grip was firm, grounding. We walked in silence.
"It's just adrenaline," I whispered.
"Then don't be so stubborn. Let someone help you," he said quietly.
I didn't argue. For once, I let him.
After a while, he broke the silence. "So… how'd you end up here? Don't tell me you're stalking me now."
I shot him a glare. "Shouldn't I be the one asking that? You were right behind me—close enough to pull me out of the road."
He only smirked. "I guess we both have our reasons."
He walked me all the way back to the dorm gates. "Couldn't let you wander into traffic again."
"Thank you. Really." I surprised myself by hugging him briefly before stepping back.
He chuckled. "That's new. Thank you and a hug?"
"Get lost," I said, turning away.
"Juliana," he called.
I sighed, spinning back. "What?"
"Are we friends now?" His eyes glimmered with mischief.
I smiled despite myself. "Maybe… if you don't annoy me tomorrow."
"Can I call you Julie?"
"No! Go home!" I shouted, storming through the gate.
But later that night, when I reached for my bracelet—it was gone. I remembered rubbing it before my run. It hadn't followed me back.
The place I and Raymond fell. I'd have to check there.
Was that just an accident or it meant more?
Where is Juliana's bracelet? At the site, with Raymond or someone else?
Why is both Desmond and Raymond at that plays at the same time?
What's the meaning of the dragon and bunny on Juliana's bracelet.