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Part 33 – The Masked Smile
The cafeteria was loud with chatter, laughter, and the clinking of trays. Anna sat at the center table with Ethan and his friends, her perfect smile never slipping. To anyone watching, she looked like the dream girlfriend—always cheerful, always supportive. Ethan loved it. He loved the way people's eyes turned toward them, admiring their picture-perfect couple act.
But Anna wasn't as simple as she looked.
Over the weeks, she had learned to adapt. She no longer bothered about books or grades—those things didn't hold her interest anymore. Instead, her sharpness showed in different ways: she knew who was talking about whom, which girl was secretly crushing on Ethan, which teacher could be manipulated with a little charm, and which boy might cause trouble later.
It wasn't studying, but it was a different kind of intelligence. A street-smartness Ethan never noticed.
"Babe, are you even listening?" Ethan nudged her playfully, bringing her back to the table.
Anna giggled, resting her chin on her hand. "Of course I am. You were talking about the basketball match, right?"
Ethan grinned, satisfied. He didn't realize she hadn't been listening at all—she had been busy watching the subtle glances from across the cafeteria, piecing together small details like a puzzle.
Later, as they walked down the hallway, a group of girls passed by. They smiled at Ethan, lingering a bit too long. Anna noticed instantly. She didn't react, though. Instead, she leaned into him a little more, her laughter ringing out louder than before. Not because she was happy, but because she knew how to play the game.
What Ethan never understood was that Anna wasn't the innocent girl clinging to him out of love. She was learning, slowly but surely, how to control her own world. How to protect herself. How to keep Ethan convinced she was his, while never letting him see the cracks in her mask.
Her life wasn't about books anymore. It was about survival. About playing roles, reading people, and staying three steps ahead—just clever enough to keep her secret safe.
And no one—not even Ethan—could see the truth behind her bright smile.
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