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The Student Council meeting had run smoothly as usual, held in the prestigious glass-walled conference room on the third floor of Fictus Academy's administration building.

Early morning sunlight filtered through the tall windows, casting a warm glow on the polished mahogany table where the council members sat. The faint hum of the air conditioning and the soft rustling of papers lent a professional atmosphere, while the neatly arranged plaques on the walls spoke to the academy's long history of academic excellence. My fingers rested lightly on the meeting agenda as I glanced at the time, noting that we were running slightly ahead of schedule.

Each member of the council, neatly dressed in the academy's immaculate uniforms, listened attentively as we discussed the upcoming charity auction and the much-anticipated annual school singing contest on Foundation Day. The contest had always been a highlight of the year, but this time there was an unspoken tension surrounding it, likely due to Wallace's unexpected involvement. Though no one dared mention it directly during the meeting.

My eyes flicked to the clock. 6:53 AM.

"That concludes our agenda," I said with a polite smile, dismissing everyone a few minutes early so we could all prepare for our first class.

"Thank you for your hard work. Let's aim to finalize everything by Friday." Ethan added.

The council members nodded, gathering their things as the sunlight caught the gold details on their blazers. After a few words exchanged about some last-minute details, I stood, my chair gliding back smoothly, and left the room.

The grand hallways of Fictus Academy were bathed in light from the massive skylights above, giving the school an open, almost cathedral-like feel as I headed toward my first class. My shoes echoed against the marble floors as I walked. The familiar sounds of lockers slamming and chatter formed the background noise of another day in the elite academy. Students milled about, most of them chatting in groups by their lockers, others focused on their phones.

I walked calmly, head held high. Everyone noticed me. They always did. Their gazes followed me like a ripple in the sea of students, whispers, nods, and knowing glances.

I was halfway to my first class when I felt a tap on my shoulder. I turned to find Harold, a boy from the year above me, standing behind me with a slightly awkward smile. His tousled brown hair and the ever-present glasses slipping down his nose gave him an air of casual charm. He adjusted his glasses before speaking, his smile faltering as if unsure of his next words.

"Hey, Desiree," he greeted, running a hand through his hair. "I wanted to talk to you about the charity auction. I was thinking of volunteering, but I'm not sure where to start."

I internally scoffed. He's a senior. Shouldn't he already know how things work by now? Yet I maintained the sweet, approachable expression I was known for. "That's great, Harold. We could always use more volunteers. Hasn't Blake handed out the flyers to all seniors yet?"

He scratched the back of his neck, sheepishly. "I probably wasn't around when he did."

How convenient. I kept my smile intact, masking my annoyance. "No worries. I'll ask Sophie to send you the details later today."

His smile faltered slightly and shifted uncomfortably, as though the thought of dealing with Sophie, the Student Council's Secretary, wasn't as appealing as speaking to me.

"Can't we discuss it now?" he asked, leaning in just a little too close for my liking.

I kept my distance with a polite step back, glancing at my watch and sighing internally.

"Sorry, I have class right now. How about at lunch?" I offered, knowing it would push the conversation to a more convenient time.

His face lit up with relief. "Lunch works! Thanks, Desiree."

I gave a nod, my mind already drifting away from the conversation. As Harold disappeared into the crowd, I caught a glimpse of someone familiar in the distance, a tall figure with disheveled, dark blonde hair leaning lazily against the entrance of the school.

Wallace?

I blinked, but when I looked again, the figure was gone, swallowed by the throng of students. My heart gave a small lurch, but I brushed it off.

A trick of the light? Or was my mind playing games with me again? Either way, it unsettled me, lingering like an afterthought in the back of my mind.

Why am I thinking about him again?

The first-period bell had already rung a minute ago and I'm already at my usual seat in front. The large classroom was flooded with natural light, the spacious design giving it an almost serene atmosphere. Rows of polished wooden desks sat in neat lines, with students whispering softly as the teacher entered.

Our teacher, Mrs. Wilkins, stood at the front, clearing her throat. "Before we begin today's lecture, I have an announcement to make." She paused, her sharp gaze sweeping the room. "We have a new student joining our section today, though, I'm sure many of you already know her."

The whispers grew louder, some curious, others amused.

The door creaked open, and there she was, Audrey. Her presence seemed to command attention, even in its simplicity. Her neatly pressed uniform, that cheerful smile.

"Audrey has proven herself worthy of a scholarship and has been transferred to this section, our Honors class, due to her academic excellence. I trust you will all make her feel welcome," Mrs. Wilkins added, motioning for Audrey to take a seat.

A murmur rippled through the room. Whispers of surprise, jealousy, and gossip followed her as she walked down the aisle, all eyes tracking her every move.

I watched her with a measured gaze, though something inside me twisted when one of my classmates leaned over and whispered to another, "I guess Desiree has a new rival for the top spot."

Rival? Audrey?

The very notion was laughable, yet the mere suggestion gnawed at me. It wasn't her transfer into my class that bothered me. It was the insinuation that someone like her, a girl with no standing, no name, no history could ever rival me, Desiree Hart, daughter of Eveline Hart.

The class went on, but my thoughts drifted. I played the perfect student, participating just enough to maintain my image. Yet every glance toward Audrey twisted the knife deeper. And somewhere in the back of my mind, the fleeting image of Wallace lingered like a ghost.

I couldn't stop the unease that crept through me. Something about today felt...off. Like the calm before a storm.

The minutes ticked by slower than usual, and I fought to keep my expression neutral.

Just as Mrs. Wilkins was about to assign the next reading, the bell rang, signaling the end of our last class of the morning. The soft hum of students gathering their books filled the air, and Mrs. Wilkins dismissed us with a final reminder about tomorrow's quiz. I stood from my seat, smoothing the fabric of my uniform as the other students began to file out of the classroom.

Just as I reached for my bag, the door opened. Wallace strolled in with that same casual confidence he always carried, his dark blonde hair slightly tousled as if he'd just run a hand through it. He scanned the room, his gaze immediately locking onto Audrey, who had just risen from her seat across the aisle.

"Ready for lunch?" His voice cut through the murmur of students packing up, loud enough for everyone to hear.

Audrey's face lit up, a playful smile tugging at her lips. "Wallace! I didn't think you'd come pick me up!"

"Oh, I couldn't resist," Wallace replied, stepping closer, his grin widening as he leaned slightly toward her. "Besides, I wouldn't miss a chance to have lunch with my favorite girl."

Audrey, standing next to him, blushed ever so slightly as Wallace gave her a playful nudge. She giggled, and the entire room seemed to turn into an audience for their little performance.

I could feel the eyes of my classmates darting between the two of them, whispering and giggling at the obvious display. Some of the girls shot glances at Audrey, their jealousy thinly veiled.

I stayed where I was, my fingers calmly adjusting the strap of my bag as I moved toward the door. It was funny, really. If anyone knew how to act perfectly here, it was me. The acts they were playing were so blatant, so transparent. Publicly flirting with Audrey right in front of me. I knew what they were doing, trying to provoke a reaction from me. I could see the way Wallace's eyes flickered to me now and then, as if waiting for me to react, to show some kind of emotion. But I wasn't going to give him the satisfaction.

I maintained my pleasant smile, even as the whispers grew louder.

"Desiree, are you coming to the cafeteria?" Maddison asked, stepping up beside me.

"Of course," I replied smoothly, casting a brief glance toward Wallace and Audrey, who were now walking side by side, their shoulders brushing as they exited the room together.

I wouldn't miss it.

As we made our way toward the cafeteria, Wallace and Audrey led the way ahead of us. I could hear snippets of their conversation, mostly Wallace teasing Audrey about something trivial like her classes, the way she tied her hair, anything to keep their charade going. His laugh was light, easy, and too loud to be genuine.

They weren't fooling anyone, least of all me. My friends beside me were whispering about the scene we'd just witnessed.

We reached the cafeteria, the familiar scent of food and the sound of clinking trays filling the large room. Wallace and Audrey found a seat by the window, a spot conveniently in my line of sight. I noticed how Wallace pulled out a chair for her with exaggerated charm, continuing his act. The usual crowd of students had already gathered, and I could feel the eyes of half the room glancing between me and them.

I settled down with Maddison, arranging my food carefully and pretending not to notice as Wallace leaned closer to Audrey, whispering something in her ear that made her giggle, casting a glance my way as if to gauge my reaction.

Wallace was still keeping up the act, his voice carrying over the chatter of the cafeteria.

"Are you sure you can finish all that?" he asked, pointing to Audrey's tray, piled with various dishes. "I might have to help you."

Audrey swatted his arm playfully, laughing. "You wish. I'm starving today."

As Wallace continued his performance, I felt a slight pang of annoyance. I picked at the edge of my lunch tray, the colorful array of food hardly appealing. The lively chatter around me faded as my thoughts turned inward. But my smile remained intact, my posture relaxed. This was a game, one I knew all too well. And I had no intention of losing.

Suddenly, I spotted Harold near the entrance of the cafeteria, awkwardly glancing around as if searching for someone. Then I remembered my promise to talk to Harold about the charity auction. I took a deep breath and refocused on the Student Council's plans rather than getting lost in my emotions. Determined to maintain my reputation as the ever-approachable council member, I called out to him.

"Hey, Harold!" I waved him over, forcing a bright smile despite the turmoil of thoughts racing in my mind.

He made his way to our table, his eyes lighting up as he approached. "Thanks for calling me over, Desiree." He adjusted his glasses again.

"Of course! Take a seat." I gestured for him to sit beside Maddison, opposite me. The girls momentarily stopped talking to greet him before going back to their conversation.

I glanced back at Wallace and Audrey, who were still deep in their own world. I fought the urge to roll my eyes.

"I wanted to talk about the charity auction. You mentioned volunteering, right?" I kept my tone light and friendly.

"Yeah," he replied, visibly relieved.

As I chatted with Harold about the charity auction, I couldn't help but notice Wallace glaring at me from across the cafeteria, his eyes hardening each time they met mine. I swallowed my irritation and forced myself to maintain a friendly demeanor.

"The auction is a big event, and there's a lot to coordinate."

Harold nodded, his excitement evident. "I was thinking I could help with the decorations or setting up the tables."

"Great idea!" I encouraged. "I'll ask Sophie to send you the details later. She's great at keeping everything organized."

He scratched the back of his neck again, a sheepish grin spreading across his face. "I appreciate it, but I really want to make sure I'm doing my part."

"That's the spirit!" I said, genuinely impressed by his enthusiasm. "If you have any ideas for the event, don't hesitate to share. We want it to be perfect."

Harold leaned in slightly, his eyes bright with determination. "I was thinking we could incorporate some sort of theme this year. Something that really resonates with the cause."

"That's a fantastic idea!" I smiled, all the while feeling Wallace's gaze like a weight on my shoulders.

Why is he staring at me like that?

I fought the urge to roll my eyes as I glanced at him. "I'll see if we can gather a few more volunteers to help with the planning."

Harold's expression lit up. "Thanks, Desiree! I really appreciate your help."

As our conversation wrapped up, I caught Wallace glaring at me again, his jaw tense as he took another bite of his food.

He'd been flirting with Audrey a moment ago, so what was his problem now?

Suddenly, Sophie nudged me slightly, her eyes darting toward Wallace and Audrey. "You okay?" she whispered.

I shrugged, giving her the same polite smile I always wore. "Let them be," I said, my voice even.

The scene would've been endearing if it wasn't so blatantly staged. I sipped my drink, keeping my expression composed even as some students' eyes flicked between Audrey, Wallace, and me. They were expecting a reaction, but I wouldn't give them one.

Let them wonder. Let them speculate.

I knew better than to fall for this act. Wallace could continue his playful flirting all he wanted, it didn't bother me. I had more important things to worry about than a fake relationship.

As the lunch hour dragged on, I tuned out their ongoing charade, focusing on my own plans instead.

They could play their little game. I had a much bigger one in mind.

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After lunch, I made my way to the girls' changing room. By the time I entered, only a couple of girls were left, chatting while fixing their hair in the mirrors. I politely smiled at them before heading to the back corner to change into my PE uniform.

Once I was dressed in the school's standard PE attire, a white, short-sleeved tee that clung slightly to my figure, and green shorts that skimmed my thighs, I took a moment to brush out my hair and double-checking the laces of my shoes before heading out.

But as soon as I opened the door, I stopped dead in my tracks.

There, leaning against the wall opposite the changing room door, stood Wallace. He had his hands casually tucked into his pockets, his eyes downcast, and his stance far too relaxed for someone who seemed to have been waiting. And yet, there was no mistaking it.

He had been waiting.

𓇢𓆸

Ooooh, things are heating up! With Wallace and Audrey's blatant little act, how long can Desiree keep her composure? And what's Wallace even playing at with all this staring? What's going on in that head of his? 

Drop your predictions ➳➳➳➳➳➳➳➳➳➳➳

Can't wait to hear what you think!

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