ＤＥＳＩＲＥＥ

I slipped into the backseat of the sleek black car, grateful for the soft hum of the engine beneath me. The plush leather seats offered a small comfort after a long week at Fictus Academy. My shoulders sagged, the tension of pretending to be perfect starting to fade now that I was alone. I was more than ready for my Friday escape with Franko. We'd made it a ritual ever since I transferred schools, a sacred tradition that reminded me of simpler times. Even though we no longer saw each other every day, this one evening felt like a breath of fresh air, a brief chance to feel normal again.

As the driver pulled away from the mansion, I let my gaze drift out the window, watching the sprawling city blur into streaks of light and shadow. The evening sky was painted in deep purples and navy blues, the last traces of daylight fading into the horizon. The streets were already quiet, the distant hum of traffic blending with the rhythmic pulse of the city's heartbeat. I could feel the weight of the past week lifting slightly, the endless parade of forced smiles, shallow conversations, and suffocating expectations slipping away as the car glided down the road.

My eyes flickered down to the folder in my lap, the reason I wasn't entirely at peace. Wallace Aldridge. My fingers traced the edges of the file almost absentmindedly. The file had been waiting for me, a grim reminder that despite the brief escape tonight, my life was still entangled in a web of politics and power plays. This wasn't just some casual interest in a boy. It was part of a game, a game I never asked to play.

With a sigh, I flipped open the folder and skimmed through the neatly typed pages inside. His face stared back at me from a black-and-white photo, and I found myself lingering on his features longer than I intended. There was something about the way he carried himself, even in a still image—something I couldn't quite put my finger on. I brushed the thought aside and focused on the text.

ISFP... I paused for a moment, thinking about how different we were. Introverted. Feeling. Perceiving. All the things I wasn't. But that wasn't why I was here. Understanding him on a personal level wasn't the point. This was about strategy, about knowing the pieces on the board and how to move them.

As I scanned through the details of his background, something caught my attention. Musically talented, it said. I smirked to myself. Of course, he was. Another golden boy was born with the world at his feet. But the next line stopped me in my tracks.

Skilled in street fighting.

My eyebrows shot up in surprise. Wallace Aldridge, the polished son of a politician, brawling in back alleys? The image was so incongruous that I couldn't help but chuckle. Maybe he wasn't as one-dimensional as I thought. Maybe there was more to him than just the spoiled rich kid persona he wore so well.

But none of this changed the fact that we were on opposite sides of this arrangement. I turned the page.

Relationships and Conflicts with His Father.

There it was, the real reason I had been studying his file so closely. I read through the section quickly, scanning for the details I needed. Wallace's father, a strict and unyielding man, had crushed his dreams of becoming a musician. He'd tried to show his father who he really was through his music, hoping for approval. But all it had led to was conflict. Fights. Disappointment. A childhood dream shattered beneath the weight of parental expectations.

I stopped, staring at the page in front of me. The more I read, the more it felt like I was reading a reflection of my own life. I wasn't expecting to relate to him. But the pain of having a dream taken from you? That hit closer to home than I cared to admit. The familiar sting of bitterness prickled at the back of my throat.

The car turned a corner, and I glanced up to see the familiar streets of downtown coming into view. The world outside the tinted windows felt distant, like a memory half-forgotten. I closed the folder and set it aside, but the thoughts it stirred wouldn't leave me. Wallace Aldridge, the boy who seemed to despise me since day one, suddenly seemed a little too familiar. A little too close to the version of myself I kept hidden from everyone else.

The car slowed to a stop, and I caught sight of our usual spot which is a quiet, tucked-away café nestled between two towering buildings. The warm glow of its windows beckoned me, promising an hour of peace before I had to return to the chaos of my life.

I stepped out of the car and made my way inside. The smell of freshly brewed coffee greeted me, along with the soft murmur of conversations and the clink of ceramic cups. It was a small café, cozy, with dark wood furniture and soft lighting that made it feel like a bubble of calm amidst the bustle of the city.

I found a quiet table near the window, the light from the streetlamps outside casting long shadows across the polished floors. I slid into the chair and glanced at my phone. Franko was late. Again. Normally, I would've been annoyed, but this was Franko. He operated on his own time, and somehow, it never really bothered me. I let myself relax, enjoying the quiet as I waited for him to arrive.

The folder still sat on my lap, its weight reminding me of the decision I had yet to make. I tapped my fingers against the table, my mind drifting back to Wallace. For the first time, I found myself unsure. I didn't know if I wanted to push him away, understand him, or something in between.

The soft chime of the doorbell pulled me from my thoughts. I looked up to see Franko strolling in, his signature grin plastered across his face. He spotted me immediately and waved, his eyes twinkling with amusement.

"Finally! I was about to order everything on the menu without you."

"Babe, I'm so sorry! Forgive me, hmm?" Franko said, all dramatic as usual, holding his hands up in mock surrender.

I rolled my eyes, crossing my arms. "Don't push it. You made me wait."

He chuckled, sliding into the chair across from me. "You? Wait patiently? Now that's something I'd pay to see."

Shaking my head, I couldn't help but laugh. "One day, I'll actually leave when you're late."

"Yeah, yeah. But you didn't today, so I must still be your favorite."

Ignoring him, I opened the menu and glanced over it. "I'm ordering before you make us both late again."

Franko grinned, leaning back in his chair as I waved down the barista. I ordered my usual, while Franko added something sugary and ridiculous to his list, as per usual.

As we waited for our drinks, I pulled the folder from my lap and set it on the table between us. Franko raised an eyebrow, intrigued.

"You brought homework to our date?" he asked, flipping it open.

"Not homework. Information," I say in a deadpan tone.

When he saw Wallace's name on the first page, his grin widened. "Oooohhh, you've come to the right person. Let me give you some tips on seducing—"

"I need suggestions on how to stop the engagement," I interrupted.

That shut him up for a moment. He blinked, caught off guard by my seriousness. He glanced up at me, studying my expression. "Wait... you're serious? You want to stop it?"

I nodded, the weight of the decision settling over me once again. "Yeah."

He stared at me for a long moment, clearly trying to make sense of this sudden change. "Des, this is the first time you've ever thought about defying your mom. What's going on? Do you... like him or something?"

I hesitated, unsure of how to answer. "I don't know," I finally admitted. "I don't know if it's a crush or just curiosity. But whatever it is, I don't need an arranged marriage to get him. Especially not one he clearly despises."

Franko leaned forward, smirking like he always did when he thought he had me figured out. "So you want to figure him out first, huh?"

I shrugged, trying to sound casual. "I just want to confirm what this thing about him is. And if it turns out to be nothing, I'll have still gotten rid of someone like him. You know how much I despise boys like Wallace who have no future."

Franko raised an eyebrow. "No future? Des, he's Wallace Aldridge."

"Exactly." I leaned back, crossing my arms. "A guy who spends more time rebelling than building anything real. That's not someone I want."

"And yet," Franko said, amusement dancing in his eyes, "here you are, plotting how to get rid of him after figuring him out. You're sure it's not more than curiosity?"

I didn't answer. I didn't need to. Franko and I both knew there was more to this than I was willing to admit. But for now, I wasn't ready to admit it not even to myself.

I excused myself from the table, making my way to the restroom. When I returned to our table, I paused, the scene before me causing my brows to rise.

Franko had his arms casually draped around the shoulders of a waitress, her auburn hair cascading over her uniform. But just a few feet away, another girl stood, tears streaming down her cheeks, looking distraught as she spoke to him.

"Why would you do this, Franko?" the girl asked with a shaky voice. "I thought we had something special..."

Franko, ever the master of theatrics, leaned in closer to the waitress, whispering something that made her fight a laugh. "Come on, babe, lighten up! We just had a little fun," he replied, his tone playfully dismissive, as if he were trying to defuse the situation with charm.

I shook my head with a sigh, a familiar mix of amusement and exasperation settling in my chest. This was classic Franko, his way of playing the field, using a random waitress as a prop to escape his latest drama. He thrived on the attention, creating scenarios that would leave hearts broken and minds spinning, and I had long since gotten used to witnessing his antics.

I went back to my chair, picked up my phone, and pretended I didn't know him.

Franko was always there. The one person who didn't expect me to be perfect. He just... saw me as me. And in this crazy world of expectations and arranged schedules, he was the only real thing I had left.

He comes from a prestigious family with deep roots in business and politics. His father is a successful entrepreneur, and his mother is a high-profile lawyer. Despite growing up in an environment of privilege and high expectations, Franko has always been a lost boy, who drifts through life, uncertain of his purpose. I know because every time someone asks him what his ambition is, he always says he doesn't know.

He does excel academically and I can see his passion for science, technology, and all things geeky but I wanted him to figure it out himself.

He might appear as a playboy to other people even to his parents, but for me, he's a lovable nerd with a sharp wit and a quirky sense of humor. He's the kind of guy who can talk for hours about the latest advancements in quantum computing or the hidden layers of a classic sci-fi movie. He has a knack for making even the most complex subjects sound interesting and fun.

But for a boy who stands at 5'10", he's just too talkative it'd make you want to tape his mouth shut. I'm grateful to have a friend like him, it's just that there are days when I wish I didn't know him. Today was one of them.

Only a few minutes passed and he sat back down in his chair.

"You should really audition for the role of heartbreaker."

"You think so?" His hazel eyes sparkled with mischief.

I couldn't help but roll my eyes. "Maybe you should consider a less dramatic method next time," I suggested.

We spent another thirty minutes talking before I decided to go back home.

The drive back home felt longer than usual, though Franko's promise to email me a detailed list of "foolproof" ways to stop the engagement kept me entertained. He had been so sure of his advice, teasing me about seduction techniques until I had to remind him, once again, that I wasn't trying to win Wallace, I was trying to get rid of him.

As the car slowed in front of the house, the warm glow of the mansion's lights greeted me. I slipped out of the backseat, the cool evening air brushing my skin as I made my way inside. The house was quiet, as it often was when my mother wasn't home. She was still away on one of her business trips, no doubt working till midnight.

The weekend passed in a blur. Saturday was spent dealing with my usual schedule. I attended the obligatory brunch with other girls from wealthy families, nodding at their gossip and feigning interest in their shopping plans. Sunday was more of the same, with some time spent reading in my room and half-heartedly glancing at Franko's email, which was far too long and filled with unnecessary jokes about how to make Wallace run for the hills.

Still, I felt ready for Monday. The weekend had done little to soften the tension of the upcoming confrontation with Wallace, but I wasn't backing down. My mind had already made up a strategy to deal with him.

๋࣭ °࣪ ִ⭑․𓃠⭒˚.• ݁

As I walked into my first class on Monday morning, I could immediately sense a shift in the atmosphere. The usual chatter was replaced by hushed whispers surrounding me as I made my way to my seat, and I could feel eyes darting in my direction. I didn't have to wait long to understand why.

"Desiree!" Alaia's voice called out from the back of the room, a bit too loud for comfort, instantly drawing everyone's attention. I turned to her with a practiced, gentle smile, acting as if I didn't already know what was coming.

"Yes?" I asked, my tone sweet, and I made sure to make her feel like she had my full attention.

"Is it true?" Alaia continued, her eyes wide with excitement, her question hanging in the air, loud enough for the entire class to hear.

I tilted my head slightly, feigning innocence. "True about what?"

The room seemed to lean in, waiting for the answer. Ember, seated at the front, turned around, her curiosity unmistakable as she joined in. "About you and Wallace," she said, her voice filled with the kind of gleeful anticipation that came with juicy gossip. "Is it true you're getting engaged? Like, officially?"

I could feel the weight of their stares intensify, and for a brief second, I allowed myself to blush, just enough to sell the act. A small, almost bashful smile crept onto my lips, as though I were embarrassed by the attention.

"Well," I started softly, lowering my gaze, "nothing is official yet until the engagement announcement... but there are discussions." I let out a little laugh, light and breezy as if the subject itself made me shy.

Their reactions were immediate, gasps, exchanged glances, and whispers. It was all they needed to confirm their suspicions. They were practically hungry for the daily dose of elite academy drama, and my engagement to Wallace was prime material. It wasn't every day that the daughter of Eveline Hart and the son of a high-profile politician were rumored to be tying the knot, after all.

"Wow," Alaia breathed, as though she had just witnessed something monumental. "That's... huge."

"I had no idea it was so serious," Ember added, her eyes bright with interest. "I mean, I heard some things, but I wasn't sure."

I shrugged gently as if trying to downplay the situation. "It's complicated."

The murmuring around me grew, but I kept my expression calm and pleasant, the way I knew I had to. I'd learned long ago how to play the part of the perfect student, someone everyone liked and admired. The girl who could be friends with everyone and still keep her distance. That's what they expected from me, perfection and I gave it to them every day.

Then, just as I thought the topic might fizzle out, someone spoke up from the back, slicing through the gossip with a new revelation.

"I heard Wallace was seen with some girl over the weekend," a voice said, sending a ripple of surprise through the room.

I felt a flicker of something inside me, though I quickly pushed it down.

I looked at the girl with a dimpled smile. "Come again?"

𓇢𓆸

Hiii!!

Ughhh, another girl? And Frankoooooo!! Seriously, wish I had a guy friend like him.

But hey, I already have my very bestie, 𝓐.𝓒𝓞. The one who's always there, cheering me on through everything—whether it's the silly moments or the tough ones. I'm so lucky to have her in my life 𖹭 So, if by chance you are reading this, know that I'll always be grateful to you for being my constant support, my confidant, and my true rock. Honestly, I could never thank you enough for all the times you've helped me stay grounded and reminded me to keep going. Love you to the moon and back!

So, anyone here have a cool friend as well? A solid bestie?

ᴍᴇʟᴏᴅʏꜱʜʜʜ