The morning sun filtered through the tall arched windows of Malcolm College, spilling gold over the marbled hallways. The air, however, wasn't warm—it buzzed with rumor.
As Valentine walked beside Rachel and Maysha, she could feel the weight of eyes on her again. Every whisper, every stifled giggle seemed to echo louder than footsteps.
"Isn't that her?"
"President's favorite girl…"
"Guess some people fall in style."
Rachel's head snapped up. "Say that again and I'll record it—let's see how you like trending on the forum."
Maysha sighed, tugging her sleeve. "Rachel, don't. We'll just make it worse."
But Valentine only smiled faintly. "It's fine. Let them talk. I'll live."
She said that, but her palms were sweating.
Just as they reached their classroom, the murmurs suddenly cut off.
Alex—the President's assistant—stood at the door, hands in his pockets, posture sharp and intimidating.
The class went dead silent. Even the ticking clock sounded louder.
Someone whispered, "Oh no, she's so done for."
Alice smirked, leaning back in her chair. "Told you she'd get summoned sooner or later. Some people don't know their place."
Her little group giggled.
Alex's voice cut through the silence. "Valentine Loraine. The President requests your presence."
Rachel stood. "She didn't—"
Valentine gently held her arm, forcing a calm smile. "It's okay. I'll go."
As she walked out, the class collectively exhaled, as if they'd just survived a scene in a drama.
---
In the hallway, just before they could turn toward the council building, a familiar figure stepped into view—hands in pockets, shirt half unbuttoned, and that lazy but expensive smile.
Louis.
He was the only one in Malcolm College who could make the corridors feel like a runway.
"Alex," Louis drawled, eyes on Valentine, "I'll handle it from here."
Alex frowned. "President Andre said—"
"That was an order," Louis interrupted smoothly, eyes flashing for a second. "And it's not a request."
Alex stiffened, then sighed. "Fine. But make it quick."
As Alex walked off, Valentine fiddled with her fingers, her gaze falling to the polished floor. She didn't dare meet Louis's eyes—he was too observant, too calm, too much like someone who could see right through her.
Louis chuckled softly, stepping closer. "You don't need to look like that. I'm not here to interrogate you."
"I just…" Valentine swallowed. "Everyone's saying things. And it's not true."
"I know," Louis said simply, his tone sincere. "That's why I came."
Her eyes shot up in surprise. Louis smiled faintly and took her hands, his warmth disarming. "Valentine, you don't have to explain yourself to people who don't deserve it. But I'd still like to hear what happened—from you."
Her heart stuttered. The gentle strength in his voice made something flutter in her chest, and for a second she forgot how to speak.
Just as she opened her mouth—
"Louis."
Andre's voice was deep and steady, cutting through the hallway like cold steel.
Both turned. Andre stood there in his black uniform jacket, expression unreadable.
He glanced at Louis's hand still holding hers, then at Valentine's startled face. "She's supposed to be in my office."
Louis didn't move. "She was—until you interrupted."
A brief, electric silence. Two powerful men, two unreadable gazes.
Valentine stood frozen between them, trying to look calm while screaming internally.
Andre's tone lowered a notch. "Let go."
Louis's jaw flexed. "You're overreacting."
"Then stop giving them more rumors to work with." Andre's eyes flicked to their joined hands.
Valentine, panicking, gently pulled away. "It's fine. I'll go with him. I was… already heading there."
She looked at Louis and whispered, "I'll talk to you later."
Louis's expression softened for a second, but his eyes lingered on Andre before he turned and walked away.
---
Inside the President's office, silence reigned.
Andre leaned against his desk, watching Valentine who stood by the door, uncertain.
"You've been quiet," he said finally.
"I don't have much to say," she muttered, avoiding his eyes.
"You always have something to say when you're angry," he said dryly, crossing his arms.
Her lips twitched despite herself. "You noticed?"
Andre's mouth curved slightly. "Hard not to."
That moment of humor faded as his tone turned serious again. "You know this rumor didn't come out of nowhere. Someone's targeting you. Do you have any idea who?"
Valentine shook her head. "I… thought it was Alice, but I'm not sure anymore."
Andre's eyes darkened briefly, thoughtful. "Then we'll find out."
Valentine blinked. "We?"
"Do you think I enjoy seeing my student council dragged into gossip?" He pushed off the desk and walked toward her. "You're under my care. That means this is my problem too."
His voice softened slightly at the end, and she felt that same warmth from before, creeping into her chest.
"Still," he said, tilting his head, "next time, try not to get carried by me in public. It's… troublesome."
Valentine gaped at him. "You—! You're blaming me? You're the one who—"
He smirked. "I was saving you. Don't tell me you didn't enjoy the attention."
Her jaw dropped. "Enjoy—?! You're impossible!"
Andre chuckled quietly, and for a moment, the air between them was lighter. Until a knock sounded at the door.
"President," Alex's voice said from outside, "Louis is waiting."
Andre's smirk vanished. "Tell him to keep waiting."
Minutes later, Louis left and André finally let Valentine head back to class.
As Valentine finally left the President's office, her heart hadn't quite caught up to the rest of her. Every word, every glance between Andre and Louis still played in her head, looping like an unsolvable puzzle.
She pressed a hand to her chest as she walked through the corridor, trying to steady the flutter in her heartbeat.
"Get it together, Valentine," she muttered under her breath. "It's just… student council business. Nothing else."
But her lips betrayed her with the tiniest smile.
At the far end of the hallway, sunlight spilled in from the window—gold and calm—but someone else stood in its shadow.
Aurora.
Her phone glimmered faintly as she recorded something, her gaze sharp and calculating. When Valentine turned the corner and disappeared, Aurora's expression shifted into a slow, satisfied smile.
"Let's see how long your little peace lasts, Valentine," she whispered, tapping her screen before slipping away into the light.
---
Author's Note:
Aurora really said "let chaos begin," huh? 😌 The girl's playing chess while everyone else is still finding the board! Poor Valentine just wanted peace and classes, but at Malcolm College… peace is a myth 💅
Andre's giving "bossy but protective," Louis is out here melting hearts, and Aurora's just sipping tea watching it all unfold.
So tell me — if you were Valentine right now, whose side would you choose… or would you just run for your life? 😂💔