CHAPTER 6 — Navira's POV
"Welcome to School, Sweetheart."
Morning.
The sun is too bright, the house is too cheerful, and Agnes is already whining somewhere in the distance.
Ah, yes. A perfect start.
I walk into the dining room and instantly feel the atmosphere change.
Everyone stares.
Mom smiles warmly. "Good morning, Navira."
Dad nods. "First day of school. Big day."
Alden lifts an eyebrow like he's observing a suspicious lab experiment.
Alastair waves awkwardly.
Agnes freezes mid-bite.
She looks at me like my ghost just wandered downstairs.
"Oh," she says, voice sugary. "You're… awake."
"I do that sometimes," I reply, sitting down.
Breakfast is tense. They're all trying not to act like they're inspecting me, but they are:
The pale skin, white hair, red-tinted eyes — the albinism stands out in this family like a neon sign.
And then there's the other detail:
They still don't know how smart I am.
I like it that way.
"Navira," Dad begins gently, "we had the school send over a placement test last night. Just something to check where you fit best."
Agnes perks up instantly.
Oh no, she's excited.
That's never a good sign for her.
"Dad," she says quickly, "Navira didn't go to a normal school for years. Maybe she should start from the basic—"
Mom cuts her off. "She passed into the advanced class."
Agnes chokes on her juice.
I sip my tea politely. "Advanced? Really? How surprising."
Dad beams. "You scored exceptionally high."
Alden's jaw tightens.
Agnes goes pale — which is impressive, considering she already looks like a discount porcelain doll.
Alastair mutters, "Damn."
I shrug. "Orphanages have libraries. Who knew?"
Agnes clenches her jaw like I just kicked her puppy.
Lovely.
We get to the foyer.
Alden is already putting on his backpack.
The car is waiting.
And then it happens.
Agnes blocks the door.
Full dramatic stance.
Trembling lip activated.
Wide eyes ready to spill fake tears.
"Mom," she whispers, "I'm scared."
Alden sighs.
Alastair mutters something under his breath.
Mom looks alarmed. "What's wrong, darling?"
Agnes glances at me like I'm a demon hitchhiking in her backseat.
"I just—" she sniffles— "I don't think… Navira should go with me. People will stare. They'll ask questions. What if they judge her? What if they judge me? What if—"
There it is.
What if people compare us?
Dad steps forward. "Agnes. Enough."
She flinches.
Mom crosses her arms. "Your sister is going with you."
Sister.
She hates that word.
"I—I can take her later!" she tries again. "Maybe she needs her own car—"
"She's going with you," Dad repeats, firm.
Alden steps past her and opens the door for me. "Let's go. We're already late."
I smile at Agnes sweetly.
"Don't worry, sis. I won't embarrass you."
I will, however, outshine you so badly you might evaporate.
Agnes stomps to the car, face red and furious.
I slide in beside her.
Alden sits in front, glancing back at us through the mirror.
Agnes whispers harshly, "Don't try anything today."
I smile.
"Agnes," I say softly, "you're the one who tries things. I just succeed."
She goes silent.
Alden snorts quietly like he's trying not to laugh.
The car starts moving.
First day of school.
New environment.
New stage.
New battlefield.
And Agnes?
Already losing.
Perfect.