As the sun began to set, casting a golden hue over the Lifetime College campus, the matriculation ceremony slowly wrapped up. Outside the hall, Austin turned to his younger brother and John, flashing his charming smile.
"It was really nice seeing you both," he said warmly, pulling them each into a quick hug. "But I've got to head out , work early tomorrow."
"No problem ," Justin replied, nodding. "Thanks for showing up. It meant a lot."
They dapped each other up, and Austin made his way to his car,eased out of the school premises, blending with the evening traffic.
Justin and John stood there for a moment, watching his car fade.
"You ready?" John asked.
"Man, I'm starving," Justin said, exhaling. "Let's bounce."
They walked to John's car, both drained but in good spirits. The event had been long, full of surprises, camera flashes, and noise. Now, all they wanted was peace, food, and maybe a little sleep.
Pulling into their apartment complex, John parked, and they both shuffled out of the car like two tired soldiers returning from battle.
"No way I'm cooking," Justin groaned as he flopped onto the couch, pulling out his phone.
"Same," John replied, already kicking his shoes off.
Justin opened the food app. "Pizza sounds good?"
"Perfect."
He placed the order, a large box of pepperoni pizza, wings, fries, and two bottles of soda. They switched on the TV, mindlessly scrolling through shows while waiting.
Exactly 30 minutes later, the buzzer rang. Justin hopped up, grabbed the food at the door, tipped the delivery guy, and returned inside.
"Bro," John said, eyes lighting up. "You're a lifesaver."
They both dug in, eating like they hadn't seen food in days.
Silence filled the room except for the sound of chewing and the occasional "damn, this hits" from one of them.
Finally, Justin leaned back, wiping his hands.
"That matric today... mad."
John nodded. "And Bella? Bro, she shut it down."
Justin smirked, hiding a deeper feeling behind his casual tone. "She always does."
The room fell quiet again, both of them full, relaxed, and lost in thought. The night had ended , but they could feel something shifting in the air. Something deeper was coming. They just didn't know what yet.
While they ate, Justin suddenly paused and asked, "Hey, did you see Chloe at the matric today?"
John shook his head. "No, man. I heard she's been really sick, hospitalized a few days ago. That's why she didn't show."
Justin frowned, concern creeping into his voice. "Ah, that's rough. I'm gonna text her, see how While they ate, Justin suddenly paused and asked, "Hey, did you see Chloe at the matric today?"
John shook his head. "No, man. I heard she's been really sick—hospitalized a few days ago. That's why she didn't show."
Justin frowned, concern creeping into his voice. "Ah, that's rough. I'm gonna text her, see how she's doing."
He pulled out his phone, typed a quick message, and hit send:
"Hey Chloe, heard you've been unwell. Hope you're feeling better. Let me know if you need anything."
As they continued eating, John glanced at Justin and asked, "is Kathy Bella's blood sister or something?"
Justin shook his head. "No, they're not related by blood. But they live together because Kathy's parents passed away. Mr. Stephen took her in and looks after her like she's his own daughter."
John nodded thoughtfully. "Makes sense. She seems really close to Bella."
Justin smiled softly, "Yeah, they're like sisters. Bella's always protective of Kathy, and Mr. Stephen treats her like family too. It's why Kathy's so comfortable around all the luxury and events,they're both practically raised in that world now."
John leaned back, chewing his pizza. "Must be tough, losing her parents, but at least she's got a family now."
"Exactly," Justin said, "And it's clear Mr. Stephen cares deeply about both of them. You can see it in how he involves them in everything, especially now with the matriculation and all."
John nodded again. "Yeah".
***
Back in their room, Bella and Kathy were exhausted as they kicked off their shoes and peeled off their dresses. The balcony windows were wide open, letting in the soft glow of the setting sun. Just then, a gentle knock came at the door. A waiter entered quietly, carrying trays piled high with food, a thoughtful delivery from Mr. Stephen. He placed the dishes down and left without a word.
"Omg, I'm so hungry," Bella exclaimed, grabbing a piece of chicken lap as she settled at the table.
They freshened up quickly and joined each other to eat, the warm food comforting after the long day. Between bites, they gossiped and laughed about the matriculation ceremony earlier.
Finally, they pulled out their phones and scrolled through the endless flood of messages and notifications. Their names were everywhere, Bella and Kathy were trending. The buzz was real, and the world was watching.
Bella and Kathy's phones buzz incessantly as they scroll through social media and message groups. Their eyes widen at the flood of comments and posts about them.*
Bella sighed, "Kathy, look at this… people are debating whether we're sisters or just friends. Can you believe that?"
Kathy laughed, "Of course they don't believe it. I mean, look at us , they see us hanging out, but no blood ties? That's hard for them to swallow."
Bella tapped on a trending hashtag: #BellaAndKathy a thread buzzing with rumors, questions, and opinions.
Bella read aloud, "Listen to this one: 'They're just besties. There's no way Mr. Stephen would treat two random girls like his daughters. Kathy's probably just his employee's kid or something.'"
Kathy rolled her eyes, "People love drama"
Bella scrolled further, "Here's a heated one: 'If Kathy was really his daughter, wouldn't she have the same last name? Why isn't she Bella's sister? This is fake.'"
Meanwhile, on a popular student chat group, the messages were going back and forth fiercely:
User1: "So, I saw Bella and Kathy all over the news, but I don't buy that they're sisters. Just friends posing as family."
User2: "Come on, have you seen how Mr. Stephen dotes on Kathy? That's not something you do to just a friend's friend."
User3: "Last time I checked, Mr. Stephen's last name is not Kathy's last name. What kind of family is that?"
User4: "Maybe Kathy's parents died and Mr. Stephen took her in? It happens. People don't have to share the same last name to be siblings or family."
User5: "Even if that's true, why keep it so hush? If she's really family, why not just say it outright?"
User1: "Maybe because it's not true."
User2:"I don't buy it. Bella's the star, Kathy's just along for the ride."
"Mr. Stephen's daughter? That's Bella alone. Kathy's background is shady."
Kathy scrolled, trying not to let it get to her. But Bella's eyes were fixed on the screen, a mixture of sadness and frustration settling over her.
For a long moment, neither spoke. The only sounds were the gentle clinks of glasses and the distant murmur of hotel guests.
Finally, Bella put her phone down, voice soft but firm.
Bella looked over at Kathy, her eyes warm and steady. "Hey, don't let any of those words get to you, okay? We're sisters, no matter what anyone says."
Kathy gave a small smile, a weight lifting off her chest. "I know, but sometimes it just feels like the world's against us."
Bella chuckled softly. "Let them talk. They don't know what we have. Blood or not, I love you like my own sister."
They shared a light laugh, the tension easing between them.
Kathy reached out and squeezed Bella's hand. "Thank you for always being there."
Bella grinned. "Always. We've got this."
*****
Back in their cramped hostel room, the heat buzzed through the faulty fan as darkness swallowed the small space. The only light came from their phones, casting sharp shadows on the peeling walls. Melanie paced angrily, her frustration boiling over.
"This is ridiculous! We spent all that time getting ready, and for what? No one even noticed us!" she snapped, slamming her hand on the rickety desk.
Rina flopped onto her bed, fanning herself with a worn notebook. "I know, right? Everyone's talking about Bella and Kathy like they're the queens of the matriculation. And us? Barely a glance."
Talia, sitting cross-legged by the window, muttered, "Their dresses, Bella's dad, their luxury... it's like we don't even exist."
Melanie spun toward them, eyes blazing. "We worked hard, and they just stole the spotlight! It's not fair. They get all the attention, and we're left here in the dark."
The three girls exchanged frustrated glances, simmering with jealousy as the heat and silence pressed down on them.
Melanie sat up suddenly, the glow of her phone reflecting in her annoyed eyes. "You guys, look at this," she said with a bitter chuckle, turning the screen towards Rina and Talia. "#BellaAndKathy is trending... again."
Rina leaned over, squinting at the flood of pictures and videos. "Ugh, it's everywhere. The red carpet, the convoy, Bella hugging that politician... Look! They're calling Mr. Stephen 'father of the year.'"
Melanie scoffed. "Please. We all know Bella's the only real daughter there. Kathy? She's just tagging along. Maybe her dad works for Mr. Stephen, driver, security, who knows? Poor girl doesn't even have a car of her own. She's always squeezing into Bella's ride like a house help."
Talia, eyes still on her screen, sighed. "But Bella's dad... he's everywhere. He was literally on the news today. Lifetime College has never had that kind of presence before. That man shook the whole school."
Rina added, "Did you see that press photo of Bella, Kathy, and Mr. Stephen with all those big men? Ministers, senators... that circle is too powerful. And we're here, sweating in this rat cage."
Their eyes returned to their screens, scrolling endlessly through post after post of Bella and Kathy glowing in luxury. And no matter how much they hated to admit it, it burned.