Zephyr Vex stepped into the crowded classroom, eyes scanning the room for an escape route. He'd perfected the art of blending in, dressing down to avoid drawing attention. A quick glance at the door, and he slipped into the seat, hoping to go unnoticed.
The professor began taking roll, and Zephyr's heart sank as he heard his name - "Zephyr Vex, son of Kaelàn Vex, CEO of Onyx Enterprises."
The room fell silent, and Zephyr's eyes dropped to the floor. "Present," he muttered, trying to deflect attention.
The professor gestured to an empty seat near Lyra Akira, a girl with warm brown eyes and an inviting smile. "You can sit there, Mr. Vex."
As Zephyr made his way to his seat, Lyra flashed a warm smile, making his heart skip a beat. "Hey, welcome," she whispered.
But their exchange didn't go unnoticed. Kiana Carter, the wealthy business tycoon daughter, snorted loudly. "Look at him, trying to fit in with those thrift store clothes. And Lyra, what's wrong with you, sitting with him?"
Lyra's smile didn't falter. "Hey, Kiana, maybe try being nice for once?"
Kiana's gaze narrowed, but Zephyr tuned her out, focusing on Lyra's kindness. He'd never met someone who saw past his family's name. As he settled into his seat, he caught Lyra whispering, "Don't mind her, she's just mad because her dad's money can't buy her friends."
Zephyr chuckled, feeling a spark of connection. This was going to be an interesting semester.
The classroom erupted into a heated debate, with Kiana loudly defending her stance, while Lyra and Zephyr exchanged amused glances. Zephyr knew he'd found an unexpected ally - and maybe something more - in Lyra Akira.
Kiana huffed, rolling her eyes. "This is ridiculous. Dad will have to talk to the dean about this class."