The bell rang loudly, signaling the end of the class.
Students immediately began packing their bags and chatting excitedly as they stood up. Some rushed out of the classroom while others gathered in groups.
Amara quietly closed her notebook and placed it in her bag.
She stood up quickly, hoping to leave before anyone started talking to her.
But as she stepped into the hallway, she felt eyes on her again.
Whispers followed her as she walked.
"That's the scholarship girl."
"She's the one who talked to the prince."
"Why was he sitting behind her?"
Amara kept walking, pretending not to hear anything.
Just get through the day, she told herself.
Eventually, she followed the crowd toward the school cafeteria.
The moment she stepped inside, she froze slightly.
The cafeteria was enormous.
Huge glass windows let sunlight pour into the room, and elegant tables were spread across the space. Instead of the usual school food, there were multiple food stations that looked like restaurants.
Students laughed loudly while eating expensive-looking meals.
Amara suddenly felt even more out of place.
She grabbed a simple tray of food and looked around for somewhere quiet to sit.
Finally, she spotted an empty table in the corner and walked toward it.
She had barely taken two bites when someone slammed a tray down on the table across from her.
Amara looked up.
Vanessa Cole.
The head cheerleader stood there with her arms crossed, her group of cheerleaders standing behind her like bodyguards.
Vanessa's perfectly styled hair fell over her shoulders as she looked down at Amara with a small, mocking smile.
"So," Vanessa said slowly, "you're the scholarship girl."
Amara stayed calm.
"Yes."
Vanessa looked her up and down.
"I heard you bumped into Adrian this morning."
Amara sighed quietly.
"It was an accident."
Vanessa leaned slightly forward on the table.
"Let me give you some advice," she said sweetly, though her eyes were cold.
"This school can be very… difficult for people who don't belong here."
The cheerleaders behind her giggled softly.
Amara remained silent.
Vanessa's smile faded.
"And stay away from the crown prince," she added.
"He's not someone a scholarship student should get close to."
Amara finally spoke.
"I'm not trying to get close to anyone."
Vanessa didn't look convinced.
Just then, whispers began spreading through the cafeteria again.
"Look."
"He's here."
"The prince."
Vanessa immediately turned toward the entrance.
The room grew quieter.
Adrian had entered the cafeteria with his friends.
Just like earlier, students moved out of his path as he walked.
Vanessa quickly straightened her posture and flipped her hair confidently.
She smiled brightly, clearly expecting him to come over.
But Adrian didn't even glance at her.
Instead…
He walked straight past her table.
And stopped beside Amara.
The entire cafeteria fell silent.
Amara looked up in shock.
Adrian calmly pulled out the chair next to her.
Then he sat down.
Vanessa's smile disappeared instantly.
Adrian picked up a fork from Amara's tray and looked at the food thoughtfully.
"This cafeteria food isn't that bad," he said casually.
Amara stared at him.
"Your Royal Highness… that's my lunch."
Adrian glanced at her with the smallest hint of amusement.
"I know."
Across the table, Vanessa's face had turned bright red with anger.