---
Kayla's shoulders sagged slightly as she spoke, her voice soft yet firm.
"Now, if you'll excuse me, I have an early class to attend."
Without waiting for a response, she turned on her heel and walked away, her footsteps echoing faintly in the silent hallway.
The corridor stretched out ahead, empty and still. Looks like everyone's already in class, she thought, glancing around cautiously.
She let out a shaky breath, only then realizing she'd been holding it in.
"Gosh," she muttered tiredly under her breath, running a hand down her face.
But her fleeting moment of peace didn't last long.
"Well, well, well. Look who we have here."
The voice, sharp and dripping with mockery, pierced through the silence, startling Kayla. She froze. There was no need to turn around to know who it was.
Ashley. And trailing behind her like two obedient shadows were Golda and Clarissa.
These girls...
"Oh, Kayla," Ashley drawled, stepping closer with a cruel smile playing on her glossy lips. "I almost didn't see you there. Maybe you're just... too short?"
Kayla clenched her fists but forced a calm smile.
" Tah. Tah. Tah enough with this nonsense rivalry of ours "
Ashley said with her head tilted, eyes glittering with something sharp. "Anyway, do you know the guy who walked you out of my party the other night?"
Her slender fingers reached out, landing lightly on Kayla's shoulder. Kayla stiffened and immediately shrugged her off, stepping back in disgust.
Ashley's lips curled upward in an almost charming smile. "You know, we could actually be... friends. If you just gave us a chance."
Kayla wanted to laugh. Friends? Really?
If there was one thing she'd learned about Ashley, it was that she was cunning—like a fox in silk gloves. She had no limits when it came to getting what she wanted. She'd smile sweetly at you while plotting your downfall behind your back. And right now, Kayla could see right through her act.
Because what Ashley wanted wasn't a thing. It was a person.
Roman Scott.
And that was something Kayla was never going to hand over to her.
But she had to play along.
"So… what about the guy?" Kayla asked casually, tilting her head as if genuinely curious.
Ashley's brows lifted slightly. "You mean… you don't know who he is?"
Kayla shrugged nonchalantly. "Why would I? It's not like I live with him or anything."
Ashley studied her carefully, her sharp lemon-blue eyes scanning Kayla's face for any cracks in her facade.
"Wow," Ashley said softly, almost in disbelief. "And here I thought you two were living together or... you know, something, considering how cozy you were the other night."
She turned slightly, glancing at Golda and Clarissa. "You girls saw that too, right?"
The two nodded eagerly, like bobbleheads desperate for approval.
Kayla resisted the urge to roll her eyes.
"But you do know where he stays, don't you?" Ashley pressed, her manicured fingers brushing an imaginary speck of dust from Kayla's forehead.
Kayla clenched her jaw, holding back the urge to slap Ashley's hand away. Instead, she smirked.
"Yeah. I can take you there if you want."
Ashley's smile widened, satisfaction gleaming in her eyes. This is going to be so easy, she thought smugly.
But Kayla had her own plan forming—a trap Ashley was about to walk straight into.
"So… can we go now?" Ashley asked eagerly.
Kayla frowned slightly, letting her expression turn thoughtful. "No."
Ashley's smile faltered. "No? Why not?"
Kayla's lips curved into a sly grin. "Tonight. I'll take you there tonight."
Golda stepped forward, suspicion etched across her face. "Why not now? Why specifically tonight?"
Kayla's sharp gaze locked onto Golda. "Simple. It's not safe during the day. The area where he lives is crawling with thugs—boys who won't think twice about harassing strangers. You wouldn't want to risk that, would you?"
Ashley immediately nodded, her excitement overriding any doubt.
But Golda wasn't convinced. Her eyes narrowed slightly as her mind turned over Kayla's words. Dangerous during the day but safe at night? Yeah, right.
"Be outside at nine o'clock," Kayla said firmly, turning away and walking off before they could respond.
A hidden smirk played at the corners of her lips.
Checkmate.
---
"I think—"
"What do you think, huh?!" Ashley snapped, spinning around to glare at Golda. Her voice was sharp enough to cut glass.
Golda flinched but held her ground.
"Do you realize how close you came to ruining everything with your stupid questions? My perfect plan could've fallen apart because of you!"
Golda's lips pressed into a thin line, her face flushing with embarrassment.
Ashley jabbed a finger at her. "You're lucky Kayla's as clueless as she looks, or I would've dropped you right here, right now."
With a furious huff, Ashley spun on her heel and stormed away, leaving Golda and Clarissa standing awkwardly in the hallway.
Clarissa shuffled her feet. Golda just clenched her fists, her expression unreadable.
---
Kayla entered her English classroom quietly, hoping to slip in unnoticed.
"Miss Kornels, isn't it about time?"
The teacher's voice was sharp, her almond-shaped eyes narrowing as she regarded Kayla with an icy glare.
Kayla gulped, her stomach knotting with anxiety. If looks could kill...
"Miss Kornels, please take a seat next to Miss Bernade," the teacher continued, flicking her hand dismissively.
Kayla's eyes followed the gesture until they landed on a girl sitting by the window. She had raven-black hair cascading over her shoulders, her profile sharp and elegant.
Kayla slid into the seat beside her, pulling out her books as quietly as she could.
The girl turned slightly, her dark eyes meeting Kayla's.
"I'm Raven Bernade," she said softly, extending her hand for a shake.
Kayla hesitated, then simply nodded politely and focused back on her bag, ignoring the offered hand.
Raven's hand lingered for a moment before she pulled it back, a faint smile on her lips as she looked away.
Kayla stared blankly ahead, her thoughts drifting once again. Plans, traps, and secrets swirled through her mind like a storm.
"Miss Kayla," the teacher's sharp voice cut through her haze. "What did I just say?"
Kayla blinked, scrambling to piece together an answer.
The room was silent, every eye fixed on her.
Focus, Kayla. Don't mess this up now.
She swallowed hard, her heart hammering in her chest.
The storm in her head was only just beginning.