The sun was beginning to set, casting long shadows over the grounds of Hera Academy as students filtered out after a long day. Felix made his way to the sleek car waiting for him in the parking lot, the driver opening the door with a polite nod. He hesitated for a moment, his gaze drifting across the campus, wondering if he'd catch another glimpse of Faerie before leaving.
Meanwhile, Faerie adjusted her bag over her shoulder, ready to make the walk to the bus stop like she did every day. She moved through the courtyard, her mind already drifting to the evening ahead, when she spotted Aaron lingering by the edge of the campus, scrolling through his phone.
She changed her course, striding over with a confident smile. "Hey Aaron, how are you?" she asked, her tone friendly, but her eyes sharp, reading his every reaction.
Aaron barely glanced up, a sneer twisting his lips as he pocketed his phone. "Look, it's the charity case again."
Faerie rolled her eyes but kept her smile intact. "Well, I'm not gonna give you a bitch pass just because you're rich, you know. I'm just being friendly."
Aaron's expression hardened, but he didn't rise to the bait. "I have enough friends," he shot back coldly, crossing his arms over his chest.
Faerie cocked her head slightly, the smile fading into something more serious. "Is that so? Or do you just have people who tolerate you because they're afraid of your daddy's influence?"
Aaron's jaw tightened, a flicker of irritation passing over his features. "Watch it, Faerie. You might think you're tough, but you're still just a scholarship kid who doesn't know when to keep her mouth shut."
She let out a short, humorless laugh. "And you're still just a spoiled brat who thinks he's untouchable because of his last name." Her eyes glinted as she took a step closer, her voice dropping lower so only he could hear. "But here's the thing, Aaron: even the richest brats can fall when they least expect it. Maybe you should keep an eye out."
He frowned, taken aback by the edge in her voice. "What's that supposed to mean?"
Faerie shrugged, stepping back with a casual smile that didn't reach her eyes. "It means you should learn to be a little nicer to people, or you might end up regretting it one day."
With that, she turned and walked away, leaving Aaron staring after her with a mix of confusion and irritation. As she made her way toward the school gates, she spotted Felix's car pulling away from the parking lot, his eyes catching hers for a fleeting moment before he disappeared around the corner.
Faerie's smile returned, softer this time, a private satisfaction settling in her chest. She still had a long way to go with her plans, but she could already see the cracks forming in the perfect façades around her. She glanced back at Aaron one last time, his figure still rigid with anger, and couldn't help but think that he, like the others, had no idea what was coming.
Faerie was just a few steps from the gate when she felt a hand seize her forearm, pulling her back sharply. She spun around to find Aaron gripping her arm tightly, his face twisted in anger. His hold was rough, his fingers digging into her skin, but she met his furious gaze with unflinching calm.
"Who the hell do you think you are?" he snapped, his voice low but seething with barely contained rage.
Faerie's lips curled into a wicked smile, a glint of mischief in her eyes. "I'm Faerie, just a fairy," she replied, her voice lilting with mock sweetness, the kind that only made Aaron's expression darken further.
His grip tightened, and he leaned closer, eyes narrowing. "If I see you around me one mor—"
Before he could finish, Faerie suddenly closed the distance between them, stepping in so close that there was barely an inch of space between their bodies. Aaron froze, caught off guard by the shift, and before he could react, Faerie pressed a finger to his lips, silencing him. Her smile deepened, taking on a dangerous edge as she looked up at him through her lashes.
"Be a good boy and close your mouth for a second," she whispered, her tone smooth and mocking. "Why are you so pressed that I only said hi?"
Aaron's eyes widened, shock and confusion mingling on his face as he processed the unexpected proximity and the boldness in her voice. He could feel the heat of her breath, see the glint in her eyes that hinted at a challenge, a provocation that he wasn't sure how to answer. For a moment, the bravado he always wore slipped, replaced by something more uncertain.
Faerie held his gaze, the pressure of her finger still against his lips, as if daring him to push her away. But he didn't move, caught off guard by the way she so easily turned the power dynamic on its head.
"You know," she continued, her voice barely a murmur, just for him, "you really should work on your temper. It's not a good look, especially for someone who has to uphold the perfect Blackwood image."
She stepped back just as suddenly as she'd closed in, leaving him standing there, momentarily stunned, his mouth slightly open where her finger had been. Faerie flashed him a final smirk before turning on her heel and walking away, her steps unhurried as if she hadn't a care in the world.
Aaron remained rooted to the spot, his mind racing to process what had just happened. His grip on control, usually so steady, felt shaken, and he clenched his fists, trying to regain his composure. But even as she disappeared through the gates, a part of him couldn't forget the audacity in her smile or the way she had managed to leave him speechless.