been awake long before the sun began to rise. She sat at the edge of her bed, already dressed

and reprinted so many times it had lost its stiffness. Sh

ne buzz

aught in her throat but it w

lls. Not from Lily

it down

e mirror, studying hersel

fo

ried

an

she g

show up. Taking one last look at herself-soft curls framing her face, gloss

what she expecte

stepped out into the hallway.She met Genevieve on the way

empt to stop her bu

and coat. Cain waited by the car,The sleek black veh

ough his eyes brie

go in," he said, voice low.

l smile,"If I turn aroun

door without a wo

e, just the faint hiss of morni

wake up. Familiar streets. Familiar noise. An

ing academy, the car pulled

ed her coat, the soft wool brushing against

t speak, didn't rush her. Just waited, like a

ke - his voice st

ace but you don't have to

ain.Unconciously tighte

.parked across the st

ere when y

ay

t, heels clicking softly on pavement. The sun had just risen hi

udents outside

at?" one

ut that c

her whispered among t

looks di

dows, warm wood doors, and the smell of too m

epped

still look

cements. A flier for last semester's production sti

ed into the main stu

o finally deci

much confidence and not enough kindness. She leaned against

s usual and walked

the door, sh

is th

hought she d

vanis

different."o

ned her shoulde

y pretending to be Mrs. Depressed," Jade

e murmured, but Jade

ed in. Usually distant and neutral, toda

s tu

, like he wasn't sure she

were filled already. She walked to the back corner-her old seat-and slipped into

sco

ept her eyes on the instruc

student joining us

opened be

hat bounced as she walked. She wore an emerald-green jacket over black tights

ound, scanned face

tructor said. "Transferred fro

i to your c

Hi

nimal Cat?" Jessica asked with a sm

m with that?," The New girl re

ss went,"Wooo

sit shouted ,guess J

t that.Except Elar

and could only scoff

n order in the classroom.

a," Maxwell instructed. She'll guide

sitting be

girl who disappeared," Jade muttered

was i

schooled her expression as Cat

ng into the seat. "Gue

ed once. "

uctor cla

t. Let'

otion.I wanna feel it.If you don't make me feel somethi

one g

liams p

andon. Elara

rse," she muttered again. "

rough their lines. Cat seemed kind, if a little

forward, her lines memorized, her emotions raw an

ers. Grief, betrayal, forgiveness. Her voice cracke

the silence in th

-app

ll looked

ed ready

as won

Elera,you came back fu

nly smile.Tha

ed.You'r

back to their

today guys," Maxwell said

cleared her throat tryin

er first day at the school and she was already acting a scene. She herself was so nervous at first, b

Cat said.Anyone would hav

d. "Thank yo

ve officially intr

Will

nded her hand for a

that morning,Elara smile

ed. "Sam

always been

? Ja

g at Jade, who in turn w

t thing to do is to ignore her

brats.who are always craving for attention

nly sc

, she'll try her best to get a reaction

d, smilin

lara had just taken a sip from her boxed juice

d her, and she nearl

at the back gasped,ey

friend leaned over,

ied?" the girl half-a

re you serious?" She opened her own phone. "It's true. I

, Elara choked

snapped

linking with wide eyes. "Sorry," she croaked o

range hush. Suspicion f

e table with a dry chuckle. "With the way you're

in her ton

at could never happen. Adrian Wolfe?" Her laughter rang out c

wkwardly, eyes darting

tight smile, her nails digging

't worry though. Maybe you'll play a billionai

er than it should've. B

ed paparazzi photo of her and Adrian at the estate gates. The headline read: "Mystery Bride? Billionaire Adrian Wolfe Rumored to Be Married

ngers hovered over her m

keep it private. Wh

e she could second-guess it.She has been too

to the window, letting

ey ever found

itely get o

er would tu

t sure who'd su