Just like a scene pulled straight from a movie, the dusky rays of sunset painted two figures in gold. Valentine blinked softly as she met the vice president's piercing gaze, her heartbeat fluttering somewhere between awe and confusion.
Clearing her throat, she straightened her posture and replied calmly, hiding the emotions that wanted to show.
"Yes, Vice President."
"Good then." His voice was smooth, carrying that air of effortless authority as his eyes lingered on her—almost as if he was sizing her up—before he turned and walked back toward his colleagues.
"How dare he summon you to his office?!" Rachel hissed, clenching her fists, glaring after the retreating figure of the Vice President.
"Why? Is anything wrong with it?" Valentine asked, her brows knitting slightly at Rachel's disgusted tone whenever Louis was mentioned.
Rachel sighed—her best friend was just too innocent sometimes.
"From now on, check out Poppy's videos. That's where you get information about everyone in this school."
"Poppy?" Valentine tilted her head. "Who's that? A gossiper?"
"Not exactly." Rachel chuckled. "She's more like an influencer. Big online, but inside Malcolm, she's what we call a Forerunner. She knows everything—sees everything. Never trust those ears and that mouth. She looks innocent, but she spreads every single secret she hears."
Rachel stopped suddenly, her words cut short as she spotted Lira walking toward them.
"So how does that relate to what I asked you?" Valentine started, but her question trailed off when she noticed Lira waving.
"Hey!" Lira smiled, waving at Rachel.
"You two know each other?" Valentine asked, blinking in confusion.
"Yeah," Lira said easily. "She's my younger sister."
"What—wait, then why did you tell me—"
"'Good luck surviving her'?" Lira finished with a smirk, her voice dripping with authority and mischief. "Well, as her friend, I had to warn you about her messy room. You looked like a neat freak."
"Must you put it like that?!" Rachel frowned, glaring at her sister while silently pleading with Valentine for backup.
"Heh…" Valentine chuckled awkwardly, pretending to answer a call on her phone as she quietly stepped aside, leaving the two sisters to bicker.
Lira chuckled. "Come on, let's tease that friend of yours," she whispered, looping her arm around her sister's neck as they walked up to Valentine.
"So, Val," Lira started with a grin, "I saw your little performance back there on stage."
"My… what?" Valentine asked, blinking in confusion.
"The piano playing. And that look you shared with our President," Lira said, dragging her tone playfully.
Rachel joined in, her expression mischievous. "Yeah, what was that? I told you—the Myst Boys are trouble!"
"Rachel," Lira said warningly, "you can't talk about the highest-ranking students like that."
"Seriously? You said—"
"Not when we're outside," Lira interrupted in a low voice.
The three girls exchanged glances and broke into laughter. For a brief moment, everything felt light.
Then Rachel suddenly remembered. "Oh yeah! About the Vice President—there are rumors that every girl he invites to his office either ends up dating him… or leaves dazed, not remembering a thing—ow!"
Lira smacked her lightly on the head. "Stop feeding her nonsense."
"What?! Everyone says it!" Rachel protested.
"Just because everyone talks doesn't mean you should too."
"Why are you defending him? Don't tell me it's because of what happ—"
"Don't you dare!" Lira snapped.
Sensing the tension thickening, Valentine stepped between them.
"Hey, hey, calm down. You'll both regret it if you fight over something so silly. It's my fault for asking. You're sisters—don't let anyone ruin that, okay?"
The sisters exchanged a long look before Rachel finally sighed.
"I'm sorry… I didn't mean what I said."
Lira's gaze softened. "Me too."
Valentine smiled, wrapping an arm around both of them. "Now that's better."
They walked back to the dorms together, laughing again—until Valentine accidentally bumped into someone.
A golden-haired girl turned sharply, her beauty dazzling and cruel all at once.
"Move out of my way, slut!" she hissed.
Valentine froze, stunned, as the girl brushed past her with a glare sharp enough to cut glass.
"Talk about a wolf in a sheep's clothing," Valentine muttered, shaking her head.
Rachel and Lira burst into laughter, nearly doubling over.
"I just love your sense of humor," Lira said, wiping her eyes.
Valentine sighed helplessly. "Can you at least tell me who she is and why she looked at me like I murdered her in my past life?"
Rachel composed herself enough to answer. "That's Aurora—the head cheerleader. Not just any cheerleader. She's famous worldwide. Gorgeous, perfect, but behind that face? Pure evil."
"And the reason she glared at you…" Lira began, unlocking her phone and showing Valentine a video from Poppy's account.
Valentine blinked at the clip—it was a montage of Louis inviting her to his office and André smirking as she pinned her badge.
"When did André smirk at me? That's clearly edited," Valentine frowned.
"Two things," Lira said. "First—Poppy doesn't edit. I saw it with my own eyes. He really smirked. And that's huge. He's never shown interest in any girl before."
Rachel nodded. "And second—Aurora used to be Louis's girlfriend."
Valentine stared blankly at them. "So, André smiled at me, and now I've offended Louis's ex?"
"Exactly."
Valentine groaned, rubbing her temples. "Then I guess my life at Malcolm won't be peaceful after all."