The morning air at Goldridge Academy buzzed with excitement, louder than the usual chatter of students and clatter of lockers. It was Festival Day, and for once, the rivalries and cliques were drowned beneath the hum of anticipation.
Banners in the colors of each branch draped across the academy courtyard. The UK branch's navy and silver fluttered opposite the US branch's bold red and gold, while the Sweden branch's blue and cream shimmered softly in the morning light. Parents, donors, and even local journalists poured into the campus grounds, phones flashing, ready to witness what the students had spent weeks preparing.
The Opening Market
The first half of the festival was the open market, where each branch displayed food stalls, cultural exhibitions, and creative presentations.
Mabelle stood near the UK branch's stall, clipboard tucked under her arm, scanning the setup with her usual sharp eye. The scent of cinnamon tea and spiced pastries floated around her. Celeste was already posing for pictures with classmates, while Mikey and two others hustled trays of baked goods to parents who looked more like investors at a trade show.
"Keep smiling, keep moving," Mabelle whispered to herself. She had coordinated for weeks, and now it was all about execution.
Across the courtyard, the US branch's booth looked like a carnival. Loud music blasted from speakers, balloons bobbed above flashy banners, and Jonah stood on a stool shouting slogans that made parents laugh. Amara strutted around like she owned the place, her nails flashing as she took credit for every minor detail.
Meanwhile, the Sweden branch opted for subtle elegance. Their stall was lined with handmade ornaments, polished wood carvings, and trays of delicate pastries. Elias stood behind the table, his calm presence pulling in curious onlookers who were tired of the US branch's noise.
Zion's Entrance
Though Zion hadn't been on the preparation list, he walked into the courtyard dressed sharply in his UK uniform, hands in his pockets, and immediately turned heads. He wasn't working a stall or carrying boxes, but he didn't need to. His presence drew whispers from both parents and students alike.
"Finally," Celeste muttered to Mabelle, rolling her eyes, "the king arrives."
"Focus," Mabelle shot back, though her lips twitched with the smallest smile.
Zion strolled past the stalls, exchanging a few words with Mikey, and even stopped at the Sweden booth to taste a pastry. Elias raised a brow at him, but Zion only smirked and nodded. It wasn't arrogance—it was casual, almost careless charm.
Still, Mabelle noticed something. Zion wasn't immune to nerves. His shoulders tightened briefly when someone snapped a picture too close, and when a donor asked him a question about the UK booth, he hesitated before answering. For once, he wasn't untouchable. He was just another student trying to play the game.
Tensions Brewing
As the market went on, rivalries began to creep beneath the surface.
Mikey vs. Elias: When Mikey saw a crowd forming around the Sweden stall, he jumped into action, offering free samples of UK pastries. Elias countered by lowering his prices, his calm smile daring Mikey to compete harder. Celeste had to step in before Mikey started shouting.
Amara vs. Mabelle: Amara, strutting past the UK booth, leaned in close to Mabelle. "Cute setup. Really… minimal." Her tone dripped with sarcasm. Mabelle didn't flinch.
"Sometimes less is more," she replied coolly, adjusting her clipboard without looking up.
Even parents seemed to notice the undertones, whispering among themselves about which branch seemed "more polished" and "more professional."
Performances Begin
By noon, the market shifted into the presentation phase. Each branch was given the main stage to showcase a performance—music, drama, or a cultural act.
The US branch went first. Their act was flashy: a choreographed dance number mixed with spoken word poetry, all set to pounding music. The crowd cheered loudly, but some parents looked unimpressed at the lack of depth.
The Sweden branch followed. Their performance was a traditional piece—students in embroidered costumes playing instruments and singing harmonies that hushed the crowd. It was elegant, emotional, and earned a standing ovation from some parents.
Then came the UK branch.
The UK Branch's Performance
Mabelle paced backstage, keeping the students in line. "No mistakes," she whispered, her voice sharper than usual.
Zion, though he hadn't been part of preparations, stood among the performers. He had volunteered at the last minute, surprising even Mabelle. When she asked why, he had only shrugged and said, "Wouldn't feel right watching from the sidelines."
Their performance combined drama and music: a modernized retelling of Shakespeare's Hamlet. Mikey took the role of Laertes, Celeste played Ophelia, and Zion stepped into Hamlet's shoes.
The moment Zion stepped on stage, the courtyard went silent. His voice, calm and deep, carried effortlessly as he delivered the opening soliloquy.
But here's the thing: he wasn't flawless. He stumbled once over a line. His hand shook briefly when he drew his prop sword. And yet, those imperfections only made him magnetic. He wasn't some untouchable idol—he was human, and the crowd leaned in closer for it.
Celeste shone in her role too, her emotional breakdown as Ophelia drawing gasps from parents. Mikey surprised everyone with his intensity, his usual laid-back vibe vanishing under the stage lights.
By the time the UK branch bowed, the courtyard erupted in applause.
After the Stage
The students regrouped at their stalls, buzzing with adrenaline.
"You killed it out there," Celeste told Zion, punching his arm lightly.
"Not bad yourself," he said with a small grin.
Mabelle approached him quietly. "You weren't supposed to even be part of this, Carter. Why did you—?"
He cut her off, his gaze meeting hers. "Because you worked too hard for me to sit it out."
Her chest tightened, but she masked it with a quick nod, moving on to check her clipboard.
Evening Glow
As the sun set, lanterns lit the courtyard. Students from all branches mingled, some shyly, others boldly. Snacks were shared, selfies taken, and beneath the glow of fairy lights, new connections sparked.
Mikey ended up laughing with a group of Swedish students, his competitive edge softening. Celeste exchanged numbers with a boy from the US branch, though she kept her distance when Mikey glanced over.
And Zion? He sat at the edge of the fountain, Mabelle beside him, both sipping tea from paper cups.
"You don't always have to be perfect, you know," she said quietly.
"I'm not," he replied, surprising her with the honesty in his voice. "I just don't like letting people see when I'm not."
For once, his smirk was gone. It wasn't triumph or arrogance—it was vulnerability. And Mabelle liked him even more for it.
Closing Fireworks
The festival ended with fireworks bursting above the academy. Students cheered, parents clapped, and the courtyard shimmered with light.
But beneath the celebrations, questions lingered:Which branch had truly won the day?Which rivalries had just been ignited?And what secrets still waited to unravel in the shadows of Goldridge Academy?
For Zion, for Mabelle, for Mikey and the rest—it wasn't the end of anything. It was only the beginning of a new kind of war.