Introduction

Zara's POV 

The Kingsley family are currently the 3rd richest in the whole of Glasgow– Scotland. My dad, Mr Kingsley owns a huge Green energy company – Verda Nova Energy. And my mother Nicole, owns a huge fashion company–Maison Caledonia– gifted her by her father; Mr Pruitt Vincent, still the richest man in all Scotland, he was proud and aloof like my mother. 

I am Zara Kingsley, a 19 year old and yes you guessed right, I am the unfavoured twin, at least not by my father. I know my Father loves me and is willing to do anything for me but he doesn't have the power to because my mother was in control. My father was forced into an alliance by his father to marry into the Vincent family. 

My grandfather's company was going bankrupt at that time and the only chance he had was to marry my dad off to Mr Vincent’s daughter –Nicole, my mom.

Sorry to bore you with all this boring information but this is exactly my life, boring and unlucky. Hated by my mom for no good reasons.

 My sister Zuri, poised and flawless, had silky soft blonde hair like Mom and deep blue eyes like dad. She was perfect compared to me; I had messy black hair like dad and sea green eyes, My mother hated the color of my eyes. She said it resembles her mother's and she hates her mother.

Mom keeps letting me know that I was a mistake, that I wasn't supposed to be born, even though I was the first to take a peek of the world before Zuri. And Zuri takes advantage of that. 

CHAPTER 1

The Kingsley's

Zara's POV 

I was sitting on the sofa holding my favorite book that Dad got me, in my room that felt like a prison, the walls like cages holding me back till school hours when I was set free. 

I taught about my life. Where was I heading from here? What would be my next move?. 

I was mostly a sadist due to the lack of attention I got at home. At school it was almost the same but at least I had 3 friends to always cheer me up; Tracy, Havilla and Sharon. They were all rich and most times spoiled. Sometimes I just couldn't relate to them. They treated my sister like she was an egg but they still said nice things about me and cheered me up.

But there was this one person, he made me believe in love and he made everything so easy for me. Like life wasn't hard at all, Liam– Liam Conrad 

He is handsome and smart. Has a cool body and above all he was my first fan. He always tells me how much he likes me and how he wants to see me grow. He even helped me create a channel where I could sing and post my videos.

I felt special and seen with him.

My phone rang snatching me from my reverie, only for me to find out that it was him calling.

“Hello Zara”

I paused for a second, his voice always threw me off guard, I was totally in love with this young man. 

“Hello, Liam, how are you doing?” I managed to greet back after I mustered the courage.

“I'm cool just wanted to check up on my favorite person”

If anyone had told me that one day my heart was going to do a flip for a boy, I wouldn't have believed them. But here I was– heart flipping over a boy.

“I'm cool Liam just writing down some lyrics” I tried sounding cool but I knew how weird that sounded even my cat Shine-shine purred oddly at me. I gave her a ‘shut your kitty mouth’ sign.

“ That's my girl, I'm really looking forward to seeing you perform at the school's winter gala next Friday”

I almost forgot about it, seriously it was a big day for the school as it was supposed to be an interschool occasion where different talents gather from different schools.

“I was born ready, I am totally prepared for the Gala thanks to you. You never let me forget about it” I blushed stupidly. 

“Alright, you know I trust you and I'm rooting for you. Anyways, how's your sister Zuri?”

My heart shattered. I almost forgot, Liam also cared about Zuri, well this was his nature he was caring and kind, like prince charming. I kept telling myself. 

I wouldn't blame him either, Zuri always acts all nice to me like a caring twin sister whenever Liam is around. Most times I wished Liam was always around so she could pretend forever.

“Zuri's fine, she's probably with Mom right now at the store”. I said my heart was in turmoil.

“Aww that's Zuri, always so thoughtful. Anyways see you at school on Monday bye”

My heart was about to burst at his compliment for Zuri. I wanted to scream “no Liam, don't be brainwashed by her, she's a witch” but rather I sounded happy when I said “bye see you on Monday too” and hung up first.

I went straight to pick Shine-shine to stroke her fur, at that moment I needed somebody or something to hold.

“Don't worry Shine-shine, soon Liam would know the kind of person Zuri is and he wouldn't even want to say her name”

Shine-shine just purred at me and majestically walked away from me  to her kitty space as if to say “that's your own cup of tea owner, I'm off to my kitty business” 

I laughed because she was funny. Dad gifted her to me on my birthday – more like on Zuri's birthday when no one remembers I was born that same day, even first.

I just couldn't shake off the feeling that something was off about Liam's compliment but I don't know what it was yet. Or maybe it was just me being jealous of Zuri again. You can't blame me. I mean have you seen the girl, you would do the same if you were me.

Zara's POV

The morning skies stretched endlessly over the rugged highlands, mist curled around ancient stone walls and wild heather swayed in the chill breeze. In the heart of Glasgow, nestled between weathered cliffs and restless sea, stood a centuries-old Academy, Highland Crown Academy—Symphony hall— my favorite spot in the school. Its ivy-clad facade, brooding talents as deep as the lochs nearby. The beauty of Scotland, my country.

This isn't how I normally describe my school, but I'm extra excited today, in fact every school day, since Liam came into my life.

I always arrive earlier than usual to school so I could use the music room. That place is my healing spot. In the room sat a big Piano that has probably seen many talents both great and small.

...****************...

The door was slightly ajar. Meaning someone was inside. How? Who could beat me to coming early?

I stepped in—and froze.

A guy sat at my—sorry—the grand piano, hoodie up, headphones pushed back over a head warmer. His fingers glided across the keys like the notes were his second nature. I was moved but not moved to talk to him. I knew the song he was playing and as I wanted to hum along he stopped abruptly.

“You’re not supposed to be here,” he said without looking back at me.

I blinked. “Well neither are you.”

I haven't seen him around here before. Not like I knew everyone in my class though.

He finally glanced at me. He had the most gorgeous onyx eyes anyone has ever seen, but something in the way they flicker made my skin tingle, they were sharp, emotionless and unreadable.

“I’m here early. You’re just in the way.” he said crossing his arms

I stiffened. Was he really talking to me like that? Now I was really scared of this gangster vibe whoever

“I didn’t mean to interrupt….”

I didn't get to finish my sentence.

“Then don’t.” He gestured to the door for me to leave.

How rude, I scoffed at this new boy I had never seen before.

“No I'm not leaving, I come here always even the teachers can tell” finally I spoke my mind out to someone, Havilla was right; it felt good.

He raised an brow.

“Wow rich girl vibe. Cute.” then he turned back to playing the keyboard totally ignoring me.

I flinched, what did he even mean by that? Was it supposed to be a compliment or an insult? Judging from his behavior, it wasn't a compliment.

“Please could you move away so I can play”. I was already loosing it and I wasn't in the mood for early morning spoiler.

Our eyes locked—mine burning from exhaustion. His, just so emotionless. Then he stood up and bowed sarcastically to me gesturing that I could sit at the piano.

"The piano is all yours princess"

As good as it looked, I was offended. But I had to stand up for myself, I'm not gonna let this guy bully me.

So I ignored him and went on to play the piano with my head high.

***

He walked past me to the door, and paused only to add, “Your key is off. C sharp. Try again.”

And just like that, he was gone—leaving me angry, embarrassed… and strangely curious.

***

The bell rang, it felt too soon because I only had to sit and play the piano for just 7 minutes and that was it. All because of that meanie.

I walked all the way to class. My sit was in the middle line, my teacher says he keeps me there for inspiration—I still don't get it too— because I liked to sit at the back. I looked around, my eyes searching for Liam. But he was nowhere to be found.

“Hey girl, what's up? Tracy greeted and Havilla and Sharon followed suit.

“I'm fine girls, how about you”

“We've been good too, why do you have that tired look on your face? Sharon asked me . She's the most observant of the 4 of us and most caring too.

I smiled “I'm not tired Sharon, just a little annoyed. You know I always come early to school….

“Yes to play the grand piano, because it washes away all the sorrows of your past day and fills the rest of the day with Joy and laughter” my friends quoted me— I normally say that, I guess they've heard me say it so much, that they memorized it. We laughed hard after that.

“ So you know my reasons already?”

“Yeh so tell us, why the long face earlier?” Tracy asked.

I was about to tell them what transpired between me and the rude boy from the hall, before my teacher walked in with the principal.

And all three of my friends scurried off to take their seats.

“ Good day everyone” the principal greeted and everyone responded to him.

“ I know it may be odd to have me here. But I have come to introduce someone new to your class, Kade please step forward”

Then I saw him, the rude boy from the hall. My blood boiled— why? In my class of all places. Why didn't he go to drama class or art of words class? I asked myself grimacing.

There was chattering in the whole class, most of them were admiration from silly girls, talking about his hair, eyes and demeanor, like they've known him before. I simply rolled my eyes towards them and their silly comments.

“Quiet down everyone. I know it's quite too late to have a new student now you're in your final year. He's a transfer student all the way from Ohio in the US, I will urge you all to treat him fairly and kind.”

“Yes sir” everyone chorused.

The principal bowed and took his leave.

Now my teacher's turn. Mr Orran our music instructor and class teacher— he looked excited to welcome the rude boy.

“So everyone this is Kade Neill, and he has all good grades in Music. I'm excited to have him here in our school.” he turned to Kade “Please feel at home, Or more like feel at school” Mr Orran joked and everyone in class cracked up into laughter.

Mr Orran is my favorite teacher, he is lively and jovial. This Kade boy only smirked at my teachers lively jest— how rude. “ You can have your seat Kade”

And if I wasn't lucky enough, the only empty seat in class was at my right hand side. Wow so now we're seat mates too. Great.

He leisurely walked to his seat and sat down without even sparring me a glance. Which is a great start.

...****************...

Liam walked in immediately after— quickly shifting my attention from rude boy. He quickly apologized to our teacher and explained that there was a slight accident that happened on to one of the students as he was on his way to school, but luckily he saw her and he had to help her.

We all gasped but I had a bad feeling about who she was. Then I searched around for Zuri and I didn't see her in class either. My heart sank.

Then I saw her. My twin sister Zuri, smooth blonde hair and sharp lip gloss. She was holding clutches. How dramatic —she only had a little bandage on her leg.

“Sir Orran, please don't be mad at Liam, He only stopped to help me get some treatment even when I told him to ignore me. He even offered to carry me here but I refused.” Zuri sounded very innocent but her eyes kept shifting to me with a funny spark.

I was enraged. The fact that Zuri would have been on his arms being all the way here.

I instinctively stood up.

All eyes turned to me.

Great, now everyone sees me as a caring, angelic sister.

“Zara don't worry your sister's okay, I took her to the get her wound dressed myself” Liam added.

Great as if that would help me.

I sat down back feeling ashamed “oh okay thank you Liam”

“Alright Liam and Zuri please have your seats now the class is about to begin and you two are causing a distraction” Mr Orran said. And Liam walked down to his seat, still supporting Zuri.

Honestly I didn't even know what to feel anymore, I was numb.