The hallway felt colder than usual.
Valentine's steps were slow, hesitant, the echo of her shoes falling into an uneasy rhythm against the marble floor.
"André said follow him," she reminded herself, but her heart thudded like a warning drum. His tone had been too calm, too heavy—like a storm before it breaks.
Louis followed beside her, his expression darkened, eyes shadowed with something she couldn't read. Valentine glanced at him once, but he said nothing—only fixed his gaze ahead, jaw tense.
The office door opened before she could knock. André stood there, tall and still, his gaze unreadable. Without a word, he stepped aside for her to enter.
The air inside felt different—charged. She walked in, clutching her iPad against her chest like a shield.
Then—
BAM!
André's fist slammed against the table. The sound cracked through the silence, making Valentine flinch. Her heart jumped to her throat, her fingers tightening around the iPad.
"I told you," André's voice was low, calm—but every word carried danger, "to come to my office after your work at the library. Didn't I?"
Valentine's lips parted, but no sound came out at first. Her tongue felt heavy. "I— I did," she stammered, voice small. "I was there… I wasn't late."
She dared not look at him. His tone wasn't loud, but it was the kind that made people obey.
Inside, her thoughts ran wild. Why is he angry? I just came with Louis. Shouldn't he be grateful the Vice President even offered me a ride?
André's eyes flickered—something unreadable crossing them. He leaned back against his desk, exhaling slowly, the tension leaving his shoulders. His voice dropped lower, calmer. "You're right."
Valentine blinked.
He undid the top two buttons of his shirt, revealing a faint glimpse of skin. A breeze from the open window ruffled his dark hair. The faint sunlight that filtered in seemed to gild him in gold.
Valentine's pulse raced.
He looked sinfully beautiful.
"Come forward," he said.
She obeyed, but stopped halfway.
"Closer."
Her throat bobbed as she swallowed, and before she could step further, his hand reached out and pulled her closer—his touch firm but not harsh.
Her breath caught. His hand lingered just a heartbeat longer than necessary.
"Much better," André murmured, his voice smooth. "How do you expect me to talk to you if you're miles away?"
Valentine could barely think straight. "W-What… did you want to say?" she asked, her tone trembling.
André looked at her, then turned to the desk, pulling out a sleek silver device. "Your thumbprint," he said simply. "You'll need it for digital access to the library. Your points were delivered. You won't have to report here again."
She nodded dumbly, unsure whether to feel relieved or disappointed.
He took her hand, his fingers brushing against hers as he placed her thumb on the scanner. For a moment, both froze.
The soft hum of the machine was the only sound in the room.
Her skin tingled where he touched her.
Her heart thudded too loudly in her chest.
When he finally released her hand, she had to look away, her face warm.
"I'll be going, then," she said quickly, clutching her iPad.
"Wait."
His voice stopped her in her tracks.
André walked around his desk, picking up a folder. "Teacher Lorentz asked me to submit your answer sheets. You have them?"
Valentine blinked, caught off guard. "Yes—yes, I do." She opened her iPad, fingers tapping the screen. "If you give me your email, I can send them right away."
André raised a brow. "No. Hand me the iPad."
She hesitated, then passed it to him.
As he scrolled, Valentine's mind wandered. Why won't he just give me his email? Does he think I'd use it for something else?
André's eyes scanned the screen quickly. Then he nodded. "These are impressive," he said, tone unreadable. "You'll join our team for the science cruise competition."
Valentine's head shot up. "Team?" she echoed.
His lips curved slightly. "You didn't know?"
She shook her head. "Teacher Lorentz said if I solved those problems, I'd qualify—but I never signed up."
André folded his arms, his voice calm but curious. "So you solved them just because?"
Valentine bit her lip, thinking. "I… wasn't sure yet. I wanted to try first."
He tilted his head, almost smiling. "Interesting."
There was a pause, heavy and thick.
Then André's tone shifted—low, teasing, but commanding. "Do you know what you're joining?"
She blinked. "You mean, the competition?"
He nodded. "We'll be representing the academy. Competing with other elite schools. It's a national event."
Her lips parted in awe. "Then… what do I get if we win?"
André's lips twitched into something that wasn't quite a smile. "Always about rewards, hm?" He stood, towering over her. She had to tilt her chin up to meet his gaze.
Her breath caught again. His heterochrome eyes—one deep silver, one blue —looked at her like they could see through her.
"You'll get points—enough for a full month," he said quietly. "And your rank will rise."
Valentine blinked. "So I can't switch classes anymore," she muttered, half to herself. "I've already been nominated as class rep."
André's brows lifted faintly. "So you're running against Alice?"
The corner of her mouth tightened. "Apparently."
He gave a soft chuckle. "This should be fun."
Valentine frowned, unsure what he meant, but ignored it. "Fine. I'll join," she said firmly.
André nodded in approval. "Good."
She turned to leave—
But again, his voice stopped her.
"You'll attend strategy meetings at my house," he said casually, as though it were normal.
Valentine froze. "Your house?"
He smirked at her reaction. "Yes. That's where we plan."
Her eyes widened. "That's impossible! The school doesn't allow us to leave campus!"
André gave her that look again—the kind that said she should know better. "Council members have privileges."
She blinked. "Of course they do," she muttered under her breath.
He leaned slightly closer. "I'll send you the address and time."
Before she could reply, his hand rose—and knocked gently on her head.
Valentine's mouth fell open in disbelief.
"Maybe next time," André said softly, a ghost of a smile on his lips, "you'll learn to stop walking into trouble."
She rubbed her head, glaring. "Why do you do that?!"
He only chuckled, turning away. "You can go."
Valentine huffed, straightening her hair as she stormed out. Unbelievable, she muttered under her breath. What's wrong with this man?
---
The campus arcade was alive with laughter and noise. Valentine walked briskly, still fixing her hair, muttering complaints to herself.
Her phone buzzed—Rachel: "We're at the arcade. Hurry!"
She sighed. "Fine."
But as she turned the corner—her foot caught on something.
She stumbled—
—and fell.
The sharp sting of pain shot up her knee as it scraped the ground. "Ow—!" she hissed, blood beading where the skin broke.
When she lifted her gaze—her breath hitched.
Alice.
Surrounded by her usual entourage, arms crossed, an amused smirk playing on her lips.
"Well, look who tripped over reality," Alice said sweetly.
Valentine froze. The air around them tensed, sunlight spilling across the marble like a spotlight on stage.
Not now, Valentine thought. Please, not now.
She wasn't Rachel. She wasn't built for catfights and drama. Sure, she'd learned a few self-defense moves—but not enough to use them in front of the entire arcade.
She clenched her jaw, trying to stay calm.
Alice tilted her head mockingly. "Didn't your precious fans say you were composed?"
Her followers snickered.
Valentine bit her tongue. Stay quiet. Don't give her satisfaction.
Then—
"STOP RIGHT THERE, YOU BULLIES!"
The voice was sharp, clear—and much younger.
Everyone turned.
Standing at the entrance was a petite girl with long black hair tied into a ponytail, fire burning in her eyes. She looked too cute to be intimidating—but somehow, she was.
Alice blinked in disbelief. "Who's this? The lost kindergarten patrol?"
The girl marched forward, hands on her hips. "Touch her and you'll regret it!"
Valentine stared, caught between confusion and embarrassment.
Her savior looked… familiar.
That face. That confidence. Where had she seen her before?
Then it hit her—
"Oh no," she whispered under her breath, realizing exactly who the girl was—
And that was how the entire arcade turned into a silent, shocked stage.
💬 Author's Note:
Things are getting complicated—André's gaze, Louis's shadow, and now… who's this bold mystery girl? 😳