Three days pass in a blur. Between adjusting to my study schedule, managing my part-time job, and keeping up with the assignments, it's been exhausting. Still, the routine gives me something to cling to, a reason to breathe on this earth. Thankfully, Richard has been by my side. Having him with me makes navigating this place a bit easier. By following the ridiculous rules and minding our own business, we've managed to stay off their radar. But today, Richard's absent, which means I'm having lunch alone.
I step into the cafeteria, scanning the room as I head toward the counter to order a frappe, a loud thud catches my attention-a girl stumbles sending her books flying across the floor. I recognize her from my class.
"Shit!" she groans already crouching to gather her scattered books.
I step over and kneel beside her. "Need a hand?"
She glances up, offering me a grateful smile. "Yes, please."
Together, we quickly gather the books, and as I hand them back, she straightens, brushing her chocolate hairs out of her face. "Thanks. I've seen you in class, right? You're new?"
I nod. "Yeah, I'm Liessa."
"Stella," she introduces herself. Her eyes flick around the room. "Want to grab a seat before this place gets too packed?"
"Sure," I agree, and we head to a corner table, away from most of the crowd.
As she bites into her sandwich, she looks at me with curiosity. "So, how're you finding this school so far?"
I shrug, taking a sip of my frappe. "It's... different. Not what I expected, but then again, I'm just a scholarship student. Guess I can't ask for too much. The first few days were fine though."
Before Stella can reply, the air in the cafeteria shifts. The low hum of conversation dwindles into hushed whispers. I don't need to turn around to know why-it's them. I glance over my shoulder anyway, and there they are, striding into the cafeteria with their usual arrogance. The black-haired girl is draped on the blue-eyed one like a leech, though he looks like he couldn't care less about her presence. They don't glance in our direction, heading straight for the table across from us.
Stella notices my gaze. "I'm guessing you already met them on your first day?"
I tear my eyes away from them and face her again. "Yeah. Who are they exactly? From the speech they gave, I got the idea they're rich, their parents throw money at the school, and the teachers turn a blind eye to everything they do?"
Stella chuckles, her eyes flicking back to them briefly before she leans in. "You've got the basics right. But here's the full story." She tilts her head toward the boys. "That one there," she points subtly at the icy-eyed one, "is Brian. His parents run one of the most successful businesses in LA-his father and mother both. Next to him is Tristan," her gaze moves to the boy with the unruly hair and cocky smirk, "his dad's a big-time politician. And the last one, Asher..." her voice drops slightly, "his family owns this school. his parents built this whole place and yeah they also run some successful businesses in LA."
I nearly choke on my drink. "Wait, what? His family owns the school?"
Stella nods, a grim look on her face. "Yep. That's why they walk around like they own everything. Because, well, they kinda do."
She gestures toward the black-haired girl who's still clinging to Brian like a second skin. "That's Jenna. Her dad's business is partnered with Brian's family. She and Brian are... I guess you'd call it 'dating,' though it's mostly Jenna acting like it. Brian doesn't seem too interested, but she clings to him anyway. The other girls with her are Ana and Mia. Her loyal shadows."
Stella leans back, her tone becoming more serious. "This school's divided into three circles: Lords, Inner Circle, and Civilians. The Lords-Brian, Tristan, and Asher-they rule. The Inner Circle are the ones who suck up to them, desperate for their approval. People like Jenna, Ana, and Mia. Then there's the Civilians, which used to be the lowest rank until the school started accepting scholarship students. Now, you guys are considered the lowest of the low."
I glance back at Brian, watching as he rolls his eyes at something Jenna says. "So... we're at the bottom of the food chain now?"
"Basically," she says with a resigned shrug. "And before you ask, I'm a Civilian too. I don't bother with the ranking crap that god knows who made but it's unavoidable here. Most people are either obsessed with moving up the ladder or terrified of falling down."
I raise an eyebrow. "And you don't have a problem talking to someone like me? A scholarship student?"
Stella laughs softly, shaking her head. "Nah, I'm not like them. A few of us here are normal, but the rest? It's all about jealousy, betrayal, and bullying. And here's the thing, bullying's only allowed if the Lords sanction it. If they target someone, that person's life becomes a living hell. The Lords rarely get their hands dirty though. They just give the signal, and the whole school will jump to tear that person apart. So, my advice? Stay out of their way. If you can avoid crossing paths with them, do it."
This time I actually choke on my drink, coughing I reply, "Well, I might already be too late for that..." I mutter.
Her eyes widen in shock. "What? You've already crossed paths with them? What happened?"
I sigh, "I... bumped into Brian. He didn't say anything, just walked off. No big deal."
I don't mention the way his eyes had swept over me, the brief flicker of something dark in his gaze. Stella sighs shaking her head. "Girl, you're lucky he didn't react. But seriously, from now on, watch your step. One wrong move with them, and you're done."
"Yeah, yeah, I get i-." I'm about to say more when my phone buzzes on the table. I glance at the screen and freeze.
Aunt Rosa.
I excuse myself from Stella, offering a quick smile as I gather my things and head out of the cafeteria. As soon as I step into the hallway, the world feels smaller-quieter. I find myself standing next to a row of lockers, leaning against the cool metal as I pull out my phone, staring at the name glowing on the screen: Aunt Rosa. My father's younger sister. My hands tremble as I accept the call. We only talk twice a year. It's our rule-one meant for safety.
"Hello..." My voice comes out softer than I intended, shaky even, as I glance around to make sure no one is listening.
"Hey, sweetie. How are you doing?" Aunt Rosa's familiar voice is gentle, but there's a tension beneath her words, something I recognize too well.
I take a deep breath, feeling the weight of what's coming. "I'm... I'm okay. How are you? How's... Sam?" His name is like a punch to my gut. Even after all this time, the guilt gnaws at me. The memory of the accident, of his face, of everything that happened, sends a shiver down my spine.
Aunt Rosa's voice wavers slightly, and I know she's holding back tears. "I'm alright, sweetie. And Sam... well, the doctors are still trying their best, but there hasn't been much change."
Three years. It's been three years since my cousin Sam slipped into that coma. Three years of being trapped in that sterile hospital room, all because of me. My heart constricts as the familiar wave of guilt washes over me, pulling me under. I bite my lip, hard, tasting the sharp sting of pain.
"Aunty..." My voice cracks, betraying the storm swirling inside me. "Was it worth it?"
There's a pause on the other end, a heavy silence that says more than words ever could. "What do you mean, Liessa? What are you asking?"
I let out a shaky breath, the weight of everything pressing down on my chest. "Me. Was I worth it? Sam has been lying in that bed for three years because of me. I've been running ever since... hiding. I am feeding off other people's lives just to survive. First Kai... now Sam. What's the point? I feel like... like a monster."
My fingers instinctively drift to my side, tracing the hidden scar beneath my shirt-the delicate '𝒦' tattoo etched into my skin, a constant reminder of another past I can't escape. Not that I want to.
Aunt Rosa is quiet for a long moment, the soft sound of her breathing is the only thing I can hear. When she finally speaks, her voice is firm but laced with emotion. "Listen to me, Liessa. You are not the monster here. You've been framed, hunted, and forced into hiding because of their actions-not yours. I don't blame you, and neither would Sam. He's fighting-I know he is-and he'll wake up one day. And when he does, he'd be heartbroken if he knew you were giving up now. You are not the monster, sweetheart. They are. You've been fighting this long-don't let them win by giving up."
Her words cut through the numbness, but I can't cry. I want to-I want to let everything out, but the tears won't come. They haven't in a long time. It's as if the weight of everything has hollowed me out, leaving nothing behind but a shell.
"I'm tired..." I whisper, my voice barely audible. "I'm tired of running, tired of hiding. I miss you. I miss Sam. I miss Mom and Dad." The mention of my parents names stings, reopening the wounds that never really healed.
"I know, Liessa. We miss you too." Her voice cracks, and I can tell she's trying to hold herself together. "But you have to stay strong. For us. For Sam. For your parents. Promise me you'll stay safe, okay?"
I close my eyes, swallowing the lump in my throat. "I promise. I love you, Aunt Rosa."
"Love you too, sweetie."
The call ends, leaving me standing there in the empty hallway, staring at my phone as the silence settles back in. For a moment, I let myself drift, lost in the sea of memories and guilt that constantly swirl around me. But eventually, I push off the locker and head to my next class, forcing myself to keep moving forward, one step at a time.