The shadow behind the smoke-covered window disappeared the moment the academy lights came back. But the image stayed in Daze’s head all night like a scar she couldn’t scratch away.
The next morning, Valmere Academy acted normal again. Students laughed through the halls, gossip spread faster than truth, and teachers pretended yesterday’s fire never happened.
Only the rumors survived.
"They said the cameras stopped working before the fire started."
"Someone saw blood near the east wing."
"Heard the injured student kept repeating the same name."
Daze Lorian walked through the corridor silently while Celeste Arden followed beside her with coffee in hand.
Celeste sighed.
"Why does this school feel like a damn crime scene every week?"
Daze shrugged lazily.
"Rich people get bored easily."
Before Celeste could reply, someone slammed a locker shut near them.
Viviana Laurent.
Perfect jwellery. Expensive perfume. Rotten personality.
Three girls stood behind her like backup dancers as she looked Daze up and down with open disgust.
Viviana scoffed.
"You seriously came back after yesterday looking like that?"
Daze raised an eyebrow.
"Sorry. I forgot psychopath chic was your thing."
A few nearby students laughed quietly.
Viviana’s smile twitched.
"You know, for a girl with no status, you talk too much."
Daze leaned against the locker calmly.
"And for a girl with everything handed to her, you’re still painfully insecure. Tragic."
Celeste almost choked trying not to laugh.
Viviana stepped closer.
"Keep acting smart, bitch. One day someone’s gonna humble you."
Daze smiled faintly.
"Maybe. But it definitely won’t be a spoiled Barbie with daddy’s credit card."
The hallway instantly went silent.
Even Viviana’s friends looked shocked.
Viviana’s face darkened with embarrassment.
"You think people actually like you?"
Daze answered immediately.
"No. But unlike you, I don’t beg for attention like a damn stray dog."
Celeste whispered under her breath.
"Jesus Christ..."
Viviana glared at Daze before turning away aggressively.
"This isn’t over."
Daze picked up her bag.
"That line only sounds cool in movies."
By afternoon, sports period started outside near the academy field. Cold wind moved through the tall trees while students stretched lazily under the cloudy sky.
Daze stood near the back of the line, completely uninterested in existence itself.
Meanwhile, Viviana barely exercised. She spent most of her time staring toward the basketball court nearby.
Because Ares Valren was there.
Black uniform sleeves rolled slightly upward, headphones around his neck, one hand spinning a basketball effortlessly.
Even from far away, nobody approached him casually.
Not because he looked angry.
Because he looked untouchable.
Viviana fixed her hair instantly.
Celeste noticed and muttered quietly to Daze,
"She’s one compliment away from proposing marriage."
Daze snorted softly.
"She’d sell a kidney for his attention."
Unfortunately, Viviana heard that.
She walked directly toward them with narrowed eyes.
Viviana crossed her arms.
"You jealous or something?"
Daze looked genuinely confused.
"Of what?"
Viviana smirked.
"Please. Every girl here wants Ares."
Daze looked toward the basketball court once before looking back.
"He looks emotionally exhausting."
Celeste burst out laughing.
Viviana’s expression hardened immediately.
"You act like you’re above everyone, but honestly? You’re just some damaged freak with attitude problems."
For the first time, Daze’s expression lost warmth completely.
The air turned colder around her.
Then she smiled.
Slowly.
Daze stepped closer.
"And you’re just a pretty girl desperately trying to convince people you matter. See? We both have issues."
The girls behind Viviana went completely silent.
Before Viviana could explode.
A basketball suddenly rolled across the field and stopped directly between them.
Silence followed instantly.
Everyone turned.
Ares Valren walked toward them slowly, dark eyes unreadable.
Viviana straightened immediately.
But Ares didn’t even glance at her.
His gaze stopped on Daze for one brief second before he picked up the basketball again.
Then, without a word he walked away.
"-"
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