TWO

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"everything i know brings me back to us."

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NIA SALAZAR'S HEART had been broken at least twice in her eighteen years of living. At the age of nine, she learned to keep her heart intact by blocking out anything to do with Renee Salazar. Her father had made it easy. Any trace left of her mother, her father had made sure to eliminate after the woman had left her child and husband for another man.

That had been the first time her heart had been broken.

The second time it had been broken was when she had gotten involved with the Beauforts. She should've known better.

Now, she definitely knew better.

Nia rubbed her temple as she observed the lab work in front of her. Biology had always been her best science, but Chemistry was definitely something she knew she'd have to study for. Even she knew she would have to put her pride aside and admit this.

Nia sat at her usual spot in the cozy corner of Maxton Hall's library, her chemistry textbook open in front of her. The content looked a bit foreign to her but she wasn't about to let that stump her. Her brow furrowed in concentration as she worked through the equations, trying to make sense of the intricacies of chemical reactions.

Just as she was about to solve for the unknown variable, the peaceful atmosphere of the library was shattered by the arrival of Ruby. She plopped down in the chair opposite of Nia, setting her book bags down and her infamous planner.

Nia eyed the planner and a small smile played on her lips. Ruby was always scribbling away in that planner that held her plans, her checklists, and goals. She once tried peeking into it but Ruby was adamant that her privacy be respected.

But Nia really knew it was because Ruby didn't want for Nia to get a glimpse into her studying tricks and tips. After all, in addition to being friends, they were also academic rivals.

And Nia was about to tease her friend about it when she noticed the expression on Ruby's face. Ruby looked appalled, almost in shock.

Nia tapped her friend on the hand. "Hey, you okay?"

Still there was no response and Nia snapped her fingers in front of Ruby. That seemed to break Ruby's trance because she flinched and looked dazed for a split second before collecting her bearings. "I'm sorry, what did you say?"

"I asked if everything was okay. You look like you've seen Mr. Bentington's crack."

Ruby shook her head. "I wished I had."

Nia laughed but quieted down immediately when she noticed the tension in Ruby's posture. "Are you sure you're okay?"

"I'm fine."

Lie. Nia thought. She knew when her friend was lying. Her nose would crinkle just a tiny bit around the corners. And crinkling it was.

"I call bluff. So spill, what's going on?." Nia folded her arms and leaned back in her seat, settling a look on Ruby.

Ruby let out an irritated huff. "Nothing. Like I said I'm fine."

Nia narrowed her eyes but she didn't push the subject. She knew better than to keep pressing Ruby's buttons. It would only lead to the girls fighting and Nia didn't like it when they fought. She was stubborn as it was, but Ruby was double that. Perhaps even more.

So instead, she changed the subject. "How was Sutton's class?"

Ruby stiffened once more and it didn't go unnoticed by Nia. "As it always is." She took a deep breath and stood up, collecting her things. "You know what, I actually need to get going. Told Kieran I'd meet with him."

And without another word, she scurried out the library and out of sight.

Nia shook her head at her friend's weird behavior but dismissed it as she turned back to her chemistry assignments.

Weird Ruby would have to wait.

└── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──┘

"Jesenia, please share your thoughts on Ophelia. Do you think she holds any relevance to today's world?" Mrs. Duval prompted as she paced back and forth in front of the classroom.

Nia cringed at the usage of her full name but bit back a retort. The English professor was one of her favorite teachers and people here at Maxton Hall. She always found herself at ease in Duval's class but unlike everyone else, Mrs. Duval referred to Nia as Jesenia.

"Well, to claim that Ophelia has no relevance today would be to say white is black." She sat up straighter as she continued. "Meaning, it'd be inaccurate."

Mrs. Duval arched her eyebrow. "And why would that be?"

Nia glanced around the classroom and noticed he wasn't present. Neither was Alistar. She turned back to Mrs. Duval. "Because similar to Ophelia, many young women in modern day are manipulated by the men they trust."

She cleared her throat and waited to be stopped but when she wasn't, she kept going. "Her father tried to control her, her brother tried to use her, and her lover dismissed her entirely."

"Even after her death, she's deemed as a fool who was blinded by love. Blinded to the extent that she's blamed for her own downfall. If she were living in this world, she'd probably be even more so bashed and judged by others."

Mrs. Duval looked at Nia with a proud smile. "Well said."

The rest of the class added tidbits here and there until the bell rung. As her peers rushed to leave the room, Nia shoved her notebook in her bag and made her way to Duval's desk.

Without looking up, Mrs. Duval began signing papers and acknowledged Nia. "With what can I assist you today, Ms. Salazar?"

"I wanted to follow up on my previous email and see if you would be able to write one of my letter of recommendations."

At that, Duval finally looked up. There were pronounced stress lines on her forehead as she rubbed her temple. "Right. I meant to get back to you." She claimed as she stood up and sat on the edge of her desk. "I'm going to be honest, Jesenia. I know you are an excellent student. In fact, one of the best in all my years of teaching."

Nia began to smile.

"But that's just it. You've only got the grades. There's nothing else. No extracurriculars. No clubs. No achievements outside academics. Nada."

Nia felt her stomach fall. She had gone out of her way to get nothing but good grades. Her father had always told her to bring home only hundred percents. Sure, through the years, she had thought of joining some clubs to bring character to her portfolio but she'd deemed the option of clubs childish and never really committed.

She must've been wearing her thoughts on her face because Duval's gaze softened. "I'm only bringing this up because if I am to write a letter of recommendation, I want to write about who you are, not what your grades say."

The English teacher laid her hands gently on her lap. "So let's make a deal. You join the party committee that your friend Ruby leads and after, you have contributed to one event, we come back and discuss it again. Does that sound fair?"

Nia smiled at that. "That sounds fair. I won't let you down."

Duval nodded and gave a small smile. "I believe you won't."

After saying goodbye, Nia walked out of the room and down the hallway with hope swelling within her chest.

She was going to get that letter. Of that, she was going to make sure and nothing was going to get in her way.