Ayla's POV
I stayed in the restroom stall longer than I probably should have, waiting for the coast to clear and making sure I wouldn't walk straight into another crowd of students. I was also trying to gather the pieces of myself.
My wrist throbbed, still red and tender from the cafeteria chaos, and my tears refused to stop falling. I touched it gingerly, wincing as the pain shot up my arm.
"Get it together, Ayla," I muttered to myself. "Just two more years. You'll be done. You don't want to make Mom worry again by switching schools because you couldn't cope."
Slowly, I took a deep breath, trying to calm the storm inside me. My hands were still shaking, but I pushed myself off the toilet lid, brushing imaginary dust off my skirt.
Maybe it was time to leave the stall and face the world again.
I unlocked the door and stepped out.
And immediately, another trouble, wrapped neatly in a Solaria uniform, was waiting for me.
Eden stood by the wall opposite the sinks. Calm. Quiet. One leg crossed over the other, her phone in her hand, tapping her foot softly against the tiled floor.
Immediately our eyes met, she smiled at me, but I frowned instantly.
I wasn't ready to smile, not after what I'd just heard from those girls in the restroom.
So instead of returning her smile, I turned my face away and started walking out.
I didn't even want to breathe the same air as both of them at that moment.
Without saying a word, I turned to the side and started walking away, wanting to leave before she said anything.
Still, as I tried not to look at her, I couldn't help but notice how different she was from Elena. The girls in the restroom had said they were rivals, but now that I saw her properly, I could tell why. Except that they were both good-looking, they were complete opposites in character.
Eden looked like the calm before a storm that might never come.
No sharp edges. No fiery aura. No death stare.
Just quiet concern and soft eyes that felt like they didn't belong in this cruel school at all.
Too bad I'd already heard everything about what lies beneath that gentle smile and look.
As I brushed past her, she gently reached out and stopped me.
"Ayla, are you okay?" she asked softly, her voice like a slow breeze brushing through the hallway.
I ignored her.
She tried again, a little more worried this time.
"Ayla, are you fine?"
I turned to leave, but I could already hear the low murmurs starting behind us.
Students had begun turning their heads, whispering and giggling.
"Are they doing that love scene again?"
"Maybe round two of the cafeteria drama?"
"Is she here to beg her partner?"
One even added, "Oh God of Solaria, bless me like you blessed this new girl."
Great. I never even knew I was getting popular already, or that my problems were now someone's prayer point.
To avoid another public circus, I stopped walking and turned to her.
"I think I would be more fine if you and Elena stay far away from me," I said, my voice low but sharp. "Maybe then I could live a normal student life."
Her brows drew together. "What do you mean? Am I bothering you?"
"It would have been better if it was just bothering and not using."
I paused, taking a deep breath to let the anger in me rest a little. Because if I had said it the way it was boiling inside me, I might've landed on her hate list like I already became number one on Elena's.
"Don't you rich kids ever get tired of keeping puppets and minions?" I asked. "It's like a hobby for you people."
Eden blinked, confused. "Puppets? Minions? I don't get what you're talking about."
"Exactly," I said. "You don't have to get it. Just please, leave me alone. I'm already trapped in Elena's mess. I don't need yours too."
I turned to leave, but she caught my wrist.
"Ayla, wait, I don't…"
"Ah!" I hissed through my teeth as the pain shot through my arm like fire.
Her eyes widened. She immediately let go, her face filled with worry. "Your wrist, what happened?"
I gave a bitter laugh. "Thanks to you and the Ice Queen, I finally have something to nurse this early in the morning."
Her expression softened, but I was too angry to notice.
I snatched my hand back, holding it close.
"Ayla, I didn't mean to…"
"Just stop," I cut in, my voice breaking a little. "Stop pretending to care. I heard it all. And just so you know, I'm just a poor girl from Ohio. I have no interest in your school's political power games. Please and please, keep me out of it."
Before she could say another word, I walked away.
Behind me, I could already hear the murmurs starting again.
"Are they having couple fights?"
"Wish I had someone to look at me that way in Solaria."
"Solaria's turning into a drama show this year."
"I guess I'm so popular with a lot of fans. Maybe I should sell tickets next time," I murmured as I shamefully dragged myself away.
I didn't look back. I just kept walking fast, like the floor was made of lava and stopping would burn me alive.
My wrist still throbbed, my eyes stung, and my chest felt heavy.
I can't even explain why I felt so bad.
Maybe because I was disappointed.
Because when I finally start to believe there's at least one angel in this school, it turns out to be just another snake hiding in the grass.
And right now, I don't trust anyone enough to find out which ones are real.