The Princess Of Westbridge

Westbridge High was already alive with noise that morning.

Students filled the courtyard in groups, laughter echoing through the large campus while expensive cars lined the entrance gates. The cool morning breeze carried the scent of coffee and perfume through the air, blending with the endless chatter of teenagers preparing for another school day.

But the moment Lila Brooks stepped through the gates, everything changed.

Heads turned instantly.

Conversations paused.

Whispers spread faster than fire.

"Wow… she's really here."

"That's her?"

"The girl Julian Carrington was with yesterday?"

"They actually look good together."

"I heard he walked her home."

"No way. Julian doesn't even look at girls."

Lila tightened her grip around the strap of her bag and lowered her head slightly as she walked faster.

She hated attention.

Especially this kind.

It felt suffocating.

Like invisible hands were pressing against her skin while everyone watched her every movement.

Ever since yesterday's rumor started spreading around school, her life had become a nightmare overnight.

And the worst part?

She still didn't fully understand how things escalated this quickly.

Yes, Julian spoke to her yesterday.

Yes, he drove her home after the rain.

But that was all.

At least… that was all she thought it was.

Now the entire school was acting like they were secretly dating.

Lila exhaled shakily as she climbed the stairs toward the main building.

Please let today end quietly.

For once.

But deep down, she already knew Westbridge High wasn't the kind of place where rumors disappeared.

Especially rumors involving Julian Carrington.

The Julian Carrington.

The richest student in school.

The untouchable golden boy everyone admired.

Teachers respected him.

Students feared him.

Girls obsessed over him.

And somehow…

Lila Brooks had become connected to him.

By the time she reached her classroom, the atmosphere became worse.

The moment she stepped inside, conversations immediately lowered into whispers.

Some students openly stared at her.

Others pretended not to.

A few girls near the windows were already holding their phones up.

Recording her.

Lila's cheeks burned in embarrassment as she quickly walked toward her seat.

She just wanted to disappear.

But the moment she reached her desk, her steps stopped completely.

Someone was already sitting beside her.

Julian Carrington.

He looked completely relaxed, leaning lazily against his chair like nothing around him mattered.

His black uniform blazer hung perfectly over his shoulders, his sleeves slightly rolled up, revealing a silver watch around his wrist.

Everything about him screamed effortless perfection.

And that only made Lila more nervous.

For a second, she simply stared.

Julian barely glanced up.

"You're late," he said calmly.

Lila blinked.

"I'm two minutes early."

"Still late."

She frowned slightly before sitting down beside him.

Immediately, the whispers around the room became louder.

"Oh my God."

"They're sitting together again."

"This is definitely real."

Lila wanted to bury herself alive.

She avoided eye contact with everyone and pulled out her books quickly, pretending not to notice the attention.

Beside her, Julian remained completely calm.

Like this didn't affect him at all.

Like he was used to people staring.

Maybe he was.

During class, Lila couldn't focus on a single word the teacher said.

Her mind kept drifting back to the rumors.

To the whispers.

To Julian sitting beside her like none of this was strange.

Every time she accidentally glanced at him, she noticed something unsettling.

He looked… comfortable.

Too comfortable.

As if he wanted this.

As if the rumors didn't bother him at all.

The thought made her stomach twist uneasily.

Halfway through class, Lila felt her phone vibrate inside her pocket.

She carefully pulled it out under the desk.

Unknown Number: Look outside.

Her eyebrows furrowed.

Slowly, she turned toward the classroom windows.

And froze.

Several girls across the courtyard were staring directly at her classroom.

At Julian.

At her.

One of them pointed excitedly the moment Lila looked over.

Another lifted her phone.

Taking pictures.

Lila's face paled instantly.

This was getting worse.

Way worse.

"You look scared," Julian suddenly said quietly beside her.

Lila quickly locked her phone.

"I'm not scared."

"Liar."

She turned toward him with frustration burning in her eyes.

"This is your fault."

Julian raised an eyebrow lazily.

"How?"

"You know exactly how."

For the first time that morning, a faint smirk appeared on his lips.

And somehow…

That annoyed her even more.

The final bell rang loudly through the classroom.

Students immediately rushed outside, filling the hallways with noise again.

Lila stayed in her seat, packing her things slowly.

If she waited long enough, maybe everyone would leave first.

Maybe she could finally breathe.

But before she could stand—

"Lila."

Her breath caught slightly.

Julian was already standing beside her desk.

"We need to talk."

Her heart sank immediately.

"No we don't."

"Yes, we do."

Before she could argue, Julian grabbed her wrist gently and pulled her out of the classroom.

"Julian—wait!"

Students immediately noticed.

Of course they did.

Whispers exploded around them as he walked down the hallway without looking back.

Lila's embarrassment grew with every step.

"Why are you dragging me around like this?" she hissed.

Julian ignored her completely.

Only when they reached the quieter hallway near the old music rooms did he finally stop.

Lila quickly pulled her hand away.

"What is wrong with you?" she snapped. "Do you enjoy making my life difficult?"

Julian leaned casually against the wall, sliding his hands into his pockets.

"You care too much about what people think."

Lila stared at him in disbelief.

"Easy for you to say. Everyone worships you."

"That's not true."

She laughed dryly.

"Right. Because being Julian Carrington must be so hard."

Something unreadable crossed his expression briefly.

Gone almost instantly.

Then he looked back at her calmly.

"The rumors aren't stopping anytime soon."

Lila crossed her arms tightly.

"I noticed."

"So stop fighting it."

Her eyes narrowed.

"What?"

Julian stepped closer slightly.

"Pretend to date me."

The hallway suddenly felt silent.

Lila stared at him like she misheard.

"…What?"

"You heard me," Julian said calmly.

"This is insane."

"It's simple. We pretend to date. The rumors become useful instead of annoying."

Lila crossed her arms angrily.

"And if I say no?"

Julian's expression didn't change.

"You don't have a choice."

Her eyes narrowed instantly.

"Excuse me?"

He stepped closer slightly, lowering his voice.

"I know about your mother."

Lila froze.

For the first time since meeting him, fear flashed across her face.

Julian noticed immediately.

"I know she's sick," he continued quietly. "And I know the hospital bills are becoming too much for you."

Lila's throat tightened painfully.

"How do you know that?"

"That doesn't matter."

Silence filled the hallway.

Lila looked away quickly, embarrassed.

She hated talking about her family situation.

Hated looking weak in front of people.

Especially him.

Julian studied her carefully before speaking again.

"If you agree to this relationship…" he said slowly, "I'll move your mother to my father's hospital."

Lila's eyes widened.

"What?"

"She'll get proper treatment."

Her heartbeat started racing.

"And I'll personally take care of all the bills."

For a second, Lila genuinely thought she misheard him.

"Really?" she asked softly, shock written all over her face.

Julian nodded once.

"Deal or no deal?"

Lila stared at him speechlessly.

This was impossible.

People like Julian Carrington didn't help people like her.

So why was he doing this?

But then her mother's exhausted face appeared in her mind.

The unpaid hospital bills.

The medicine they could barely afford.

The nights she stayed awake terrified something would happen.

Her hands slowly tightened around her bag.

Then finally—

"…Deal," she whispered.

Julian smirked faintly.

"Good."

Lila exhaled shakily, still trying to process everything.

But before she could speak again—

"One more thing," Julian added casually.

She frowned immediately.

"What now?"

"You're leaving the apartment you currently live in."

Her eyes widened.

"What?!"

"I already prepared another place for you."

Lila stared at him like he lost his mind.

"You can't be serious."

Julian shrugged lazily.

"I don't want people saying my girlfriend comes from a poor background."

Lila rolled her eyes instantly.

"There it is."

A small laugh almost escaped him, but he stopped himself quickly.

"You'll move in this weekend."

"You're unbelievably controlling."

"And you agreed anyway."

Lila opened her mouth to argue—

But stopped.

Because annoyingly…

He was right.

And somehow, that irritated her even more.

Before she could say another word, voices suddenly echoed from the end of the hallway.

"There they are!"

Lila turned sharply.

A group of students stood frozen near the corner, staring directly at them.

One girl gasped dramatically.

Another immediately raised her phone.

Flash.

A picture was taken.

Lila's eyes widened in horror.

"Oh no…"

Within seconds, whispers exploded again.

"They're alone together!"

"Julian looks so protective of her."

"This is definitely real."

"We need to post this."

Lila panicked instantly.

"This is bad," she whispered.

But beside her, Julian looked completely calm.

Almost amused.

Then slowly—

He stepped closer to her.

Close enough for his voice to brush against her ear.

"Get used to it, princess," he murmured softly.

"From today onward…"

His lips curved into a faint smirk.

"You belong to me."

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