Eva~
I wake up to the sound of birds chirping. Weird.
Even weirder? I'm up. Before Bella. Without snoozing my alarm seventeen times and dragging myself out of bed like a zombie crawling out of emotional debt.
That alone feels like a miracle.
But the strangest part? I feel energized.
At six in the freaking morning.
No groaning. No collapsing back into bed. Just... awake. Alert. Possibly possessed. Who knows.
Maybe today's actually going to be my day.
With that suspiciously optimistic thought, I freshen up and decide to take over breakfast duty. Bella deserves a break. I've got this.
Since I've got time to kill, I step onto the terrace to water the flowerbeds. The early morning air is crisp, fresh, just the right amount of cool to make you feel alive. There's a kind of calm here—the city still stretching awake, rooftops bathed in golden light, the streets soft with shadows.
Bella was right. Moving here? Total win.
I breathe in the silence and get to watering.
Then I hear it.
A motorbike.
I lean slightly over the terrace railing, mildly curious.
And nearly drop the watering can.
It's him.
Greek god. Sports room. Mystery flame bag. My walking fever dream of a crush.
What. Is. He. Doing. Here?
I freeze, blinking like maybe the early light is playing tricks on me. But nope. It's definitely him. Helmet under his arm, dark hair perfectly messy, standing right outside the flower shop next to our building.
I duck.
Yes, I'm three floors up. No, he probably can't see me. But self preservation doesn't care about logic when your crush is in public buying flowers.
Flowers.
He's picking them out carefully, not just grabbing a random bunch like a clueless boyfriend. No he's intentional. Focused. Like this bouquet matters.
And now my brain has entered full soap opera mode.
Who are they for?
Why do I care?
Because he's hot and mysterious and setting impossible standards for every man I'll ever meet again, that's why.
He turns slightly, and I duck again, slamming the watering can into the wall with a loud clang. Smooth. Real ninja behavior.
I peek over again, heart pounding like it's in a horror movie, but he's gone.
Gone.
Flowers. Him. Bike. Poof.
I stare at the now empty sidewalk like it personally betrayed me.
"Where the hell did he—"
"...Are you okay?"
I nearly launch myself off the terrace.
Bella's standing behind me, coffee mug in hand, bed hair like a lioness, and judgment in her eyes.
"You're hiding," she says, smirking. "From who?"
"I'm not hiding," I insist, straightening like someone who has control over her life. "I was… watering the plants. Passionately."
Bella sips her coffee, unimpressed. "And the plants told you to crouch like a startled possum?"
I sigh. "He was buying flowers."
Bella's expression sharpens. "He?"
"My new crush," I mutter.
And that's all it takes.
She grins like she just won a bet. "Oh, this is going to be fun."
"STOP."
"Start getting ready then, garden goblin. You're going to be late again."
"It was one time."
"Yeah. On the first day. You got kicked out of class. A legacy."
I groan but obey.
By the time we're dressed and ready, I've shoveled a piece of toast into my mouth and declared war on the clock once again. Bella's already waiting by the door, arms crossed like she's my parole officer.
"You act like time's a personal enemy."
"It is. A capitalist invention designed to stress me out."
"Cute. Let's go, time rebel."
At Edelmare Academy
The campus is already buzzing shoes clicking against stone, bags slung over shoulders, the hum of conversations and caffeine fueled chaos. The landscaping is suspiciously perfect. The air smells like expensive cologne and destiny.
We follow the crowd into the Grand Hall, its ceiling soaring, banners drifting like ancient whispers above us.
A bell chimes low and deep, like it's ringing from under the earth.
"Okay," I mutter. "That's not ominous at all."
Bella grins. "Bet it's cursed."
Then she stops grinning.
Because the headmistress walks in.
Tall. Silver hair braided like a crown. An aura that says she could command dragons or assassinate you with a glance.
"Welcome, students," she begins. Her voice doesn't need a mic. It carries like it owns the room. "To your first week at Edelmare Academy."
A hush falls.
"This week, you will not attend your assigned classes. Instead, you will explore the many disciplines we offer—academics, combat, strategy, arts, diplomacy... Find what stirs your gift. And find the people you trust."
Bella leans in. "Wait, we get to sample everything? This school's like a buffet."
I nod slowly. "Yeah. Which means there's definitely a catch."
The headmistress smiles.
As if she heard me.
"Your power," she continues, "is only as strong as the alliances you forge. Choose wisely."
"Power?" a chill curls down my spine.
That wasn't just advice.
That was a warning.
"And," she adds, "to mark the end of your first week… we will celebrate our annual Founders' Festival—an evening of history, challenge, and a Vintage Night dance."
The hall bursts into murmurs and excitement.
Bella's eyes light up like she's won the romantic lottery. "Did she say dance? In vintage theme? Corsets, cloaks, slow dancing with masked strangers and accidental soul bonds?"
I blink. "Why are you this hyped?"
"Because this is the exact setup where people fall in love, get cursed, or both."
She's not wrong.
I open my mouth to reply, but something shifts.
The air changes.
Like cold fingers brushing my spine.
I turn.
And there he is.
Leaning against the far pillar like he owns the shadows. Expression unreadable. Eyes scanning the room like none of this matters until they find me.
And stay there.
My breath catches.
Bella follows my gaze. "Oh, he's here too? This week just got dangerously interesting."
But then...
He looks away.
Sharply.
Like he didn't just burn a hole through me with one glance.
Like I'm… no one.
My chest tightens.
We're not enemies. Not exactly. But even for a stranger, that reaction feels like... rejection.
Like something unfinished.
Or broken.
The crowd starts spilling out of the Grand Hall like a river of uniforms and chatter, but I hang back, my thoughts trailing behind.
Why did he look at me like that?
More importantly, why did it feel like he meant something… and then looked away like I didn't?
I'm still half lost in my thoughts when I hear a soft voice beside me.
"Hey."
I blink out of my haze and turn.
"Nyra!" I grin, instantly feeling better. "Where'd you disappear to after art class yesterday?"
She shrugs gently. "Practice. And then Jake dragged me to fencing. He's... persistent."
I smirk. "I'm starting to get that impression."
We fall into step together, slipping through the doors and back into the courtyard's golden light. The campus is buzzing again flyers on notice boards, groups forming by affinity or curiosity. But I'm not focused on any of that.
I glance sideways at Nyra, trying to be casual and failing spectacularly.
"So… random question."
She blinks. "Okay?"
"That guy. The one by the pillar in the hall. Tall, looks like he could kill a man with a stare?"
Nyra tilts her head, clearly amused. "You'll need to narrow it down. This school has a few of those."
"Okay, fair. He was wearing the uniform like it was tailored to his soul. Black hair. Golden brown eyes. Greek god vibes. You know… him."
Nyra lets out a quiet laugh. "You mean Reano Madriff?"
Reano.
Even his name sounds like it carries a curse.
"Yeah. Him," I say, trying not to sound too interested and failing again. "What's his deal?"
Nyra's expression shifts slightly still friendly, but cautious now. Like she's choosing her words carefully.
"He's… complicated."
Oh boy. That's code for there's trauma and danger involved.
"How complicated?"
She hesitates. "He's top of the advanced combat program. Kind of… intense. No one really messes with him."
"That's it?" I press. "He just broods in corners and terrifies people for fun?"
Nyra gives a tight lipped smile. "Some say he's descended from one of the Old Families. Like, very old. But most of that is just school rumor."
My eyebrows shoot up. "So he's, what… combat royalty?"
"Something like that," Nyra murmurs. "But he keeps to himself. Doesn't really do… people."
And of course, my dumb heart finds that interesting. Of course.
Before I can ask more, a familiar voice cuts through the noise of the courtyard.
"Well, well, if it isn't my favorite wallflowers."
I turn to see Zade, gliding down the courtyard steps like the pavement was rolled out for him. Hoodie unzipped over his uniform, hands in his pockets, that signature smirk already locked and loaded.
Bella~
I've been quiet this whole time, trailing just ahead of Eva and Nyra as they chat with him.
Zade Morgan.
Human golden retriever in the shape of a walking ego.
Of course he'd show up just as things were starting to calm down.
I sigh and keep walking, not really in the mood to join the chaos brewing behind me. Eva's too enchanted to notice he's wrapping her into whatever trouble he's cooking up next. Typical.
Behind me, I catch snippets of their conversation.
"Eva," Zade says, "my almost enemy thanks to Bella," he says definitely staring at my back
"you looked like you could use a tour."
I roll my eyes so hard I nearly trip over the curb.
Eva responds, dry as ever, "Why do I get the feeling this isn't an act of charity?"
"Deeply hurt," Zade gasps. "I'm practically dripping with goodwill."
"Translation: he's bored," Nyra mutters.
"Also true," Zade agrees cheerfully.
I'm tempted to walk faster, but I hear Eva ask, "Is he actually helpful?"
Nyra's voice floats up, "Shockingly, yes. He knows... most things."
I scoff under my breath. That's debatable.
I slow slightly when I feel them catching up. Zade's doing the whole "tour guide with a secret agenda" act, pointing out buildings and describing campus spots like he lives for this.
He waves toward a glass paneled building with a serious looking banner that reads: Strategic Theory & Mental Combat.
"This," Zade announces, "is where they teach you how to win without throwing a punch. Tactical games. Debate. Mental marathons."
Eva makes a face. "Sounds... exhausting."
"Exactly," says a new voice behind us.
I glance back.
Jake.
The boy Nyra always says isn't as careless as he looks.
Hair tousled, lazy smile, one bag strap half off his shoulder like he's too cool to commit to carrying it properly. He gives Nyra a nod and smirks at Eva.
"You giving them the scenic tour, Zade?"
"More like babysitting," Zade replies. "Making sure they don't walk into a closed practice hall and get yelled at by a sword instructor."
Jake chuckles. "Yeah, wouldn't want them getting stuck in one of the locked wings. Some of them still have, like… weird old training stuff inside."
Eva squints. "Okay, what is with this school? There are locked wings? And rooms that sound like they belong in a spy movie?"
Nyra laughs, but it's a little too quick. "It's just... old. This place is like a legacy museum with a school attached."
"Right," Eva says, not sounding totally convinced.
Jake throws a sideways look at me. "You okay, Bella?"
I shrug. "Just watching the circus unfold."
Zade throws a hand over his heart. "Come on, Bella. Don't act like you're not enjoying this."
The audacity.
The actual audacity of this guy to just waltz up here and act like last night's text exchange—where he was flirting like it was a competitive sport—never happened.
I shoot him a flat look. "Don't call me that."
He grins wider, completely unfazed. "Fine. Bellarina?"
Oh, so that's the game we're playing today.
I narrow my eyes. "Try it again and I'll introduce your face to the pavement."
Nyra coughs into her sleeve to hide a laugh. Eva looks between us, clearly catching the tension.
Zade just raises his hands in mock surrender. "Noted. Sensitive subject. We'll workshop the nickname."
'Workshop the nickname.'
This man is impossible.
But I don't rise to it not completely. He wants the reaction. That smug little twitch at the corner of his mouth tells me as much.
I groan, turning away so I don't start yelling in front of the polite students nearby.
Zade claps once. "Okay, team. Onward. We've got dueling to observe, training halls to check out, and a suspiciously intense fencing coach to avoid until lunch."
Jake raises an eyebrow. "We're skipping fencing?"
"Temporarily," Zade says. "Newbies first. Weird school secrets later."
I glance at Eva. She's still trying to make sense of everything wide eyed, fascinated, a little off balance but pretending she's cool.
I know that look.
It's the same one I had yesterday.
Because this school is weird.
But not in a haunted house way. It's more like… no one tells you the full story. Everyone here knows something. They just don't say it out loud.
Nyra and Jake exchange a look. Zade catches it but doesn't comment. Eva definitely misses it.
But I don't.
Something's being kept quiet.
And I'm going to find out what.
Still, I force a smile and say, "Alright. Lead the way, Captain Chaos."
Zade does a dramatic bow, and the four of us head toward the next building.
Whatever this place is hiding, it's going to take more than secretive glances and vague explanations to keep me in the dark.
Let's see how long they can keep up the act.
Things are heating up, and secrets are unraveling fast. Bella's caught in the middle—what will she do next?
A) Follow Zade and find out.
B) Confront him right away.
C) Doesn't care.
D) Warn Eva.
Vote your pick in the comments!