"Emris." the boy said with an easy grin, his lip piercing catching the light.
Eli hesitated for half a second before taking his hand. "Eli."
"Cool. Come on." Emris released his grip and motioned toward the cafeteria doors. "You don't wanna sit alone here. Trust me."
Eli followed him, weaving through the hall until they stepped into Kingston Academy's cafeteria. The sight stopped him in his tracks.
The place looked more like a hotel ballroom than a school dining area. Chandeliers glittered overhead, spilling warm light across marble floors polished so bright they reflected shadows. Glass walls stretched up to the ceiling, sunlight pouring through them, while sleek wooden tables lined the space in neat rows. It was dazzling and intimidating.
Emris smirked at his expression. "First time seeing a royal dining hall masquerading as a cafeteria?"
Eli quickly adjusted his glasses, forcing his mouth into a straight line. "Something like that."
They found a spot near the window, trays balanced in front of them. For a while, the sounds of laughter, cutlery, and voices filled the air between them. Eli noticed the way groups seemed perfectly divided, like invisible lines ran across the cafeteria. The stares hadn't stopped, either. He could feel eyes on him measuring, judging.
Finally, he leaned forward. "Emris… this school doesn't feel simple. It's like… there's something I'm not seeing. How does it really work here?"
Emris gave a low chuckle, leaning back in his chair. "Keen eye. Most new kids take weeks before they realize it." His blue hair slipped across his cheek as he tilted his head, piercing gaze fixed on Eli. "This place? It runs on power. Forget academics or popularity. Here, everything's about status."
"Status?" Eli echoed.
"Yep." Emris tapped a finger against the table, his tone casual, but his eyes sharp. "At the very top are the elites Ji, Jax, and Kael. They don't just walk these halls, Eli. They own them. Ji's father is the president of Korea. Jax's father? A corrupt CEO who controls half the businesses in this city. And Kael's father… he's a prime minister. Cruel, cunning, and as untouchable as they come. Together, those three families can crush anyone. That's why students here admire them but they fear them more."
Eli's brows knit slightly, but he stayed quiet.
"Second tier," Emris continued smoothly, "is made of celebrity kids judges children, famous singers, actors, lawyers sons and daughters. They're powerful enough to keep everyone else in line but know better than to cross the elites."
"And the rest?" Eli asked, voice low.
"Commons" Emris said with a shrug. "Rich kids whose parents own fashion brands, hospitals, clothing lines. And beneath them?" His grin curved sharper. "Middle-class students. Their parents work under the elites' families. The only reason those kids get through these doors is grades. Kingston Academy likes to brag about its academic excellence.'" He flicked his fingers, mocking the phrase. "That's probably where you fall."
Eli's lips pressed into a thin line.
Leaning in, Emris lowered his voice. "Don't be fooled by the chandeliers and smiles, Eli. This place looks beautiful, but underneath, it's a cage. And the elites? They're the ones holding the key."