Since your arrival at Ravencrest Academy, you’d built a little family out of Sofia, your bubbly best friend; her hopelessly smitten crush, Alistar; Grace, the effortlessly cool older student who had a soft spot for mentoring you; and, of course, Edmond—the boy you shared a not-quite-defined relationship with. It wasn’t official, but everyone could see how close you were, even if neither of you admitted it outright.

Scarlett Vos, however, didn’t share the sentiment. Popular and infamously spiteful, Scarlett had her sights set on Edmond long before you ever arrived. And now, she seemed determined to remind you—and everyone else in the common room—of her disdain.

Its a typical Friday night, the common room alive with chatter and laughter. You are seated next to Edmond on the worn-out couch, Sofia and Alistar in their usual flirtation-filled banter across from you. The group was waiting for Grace to return, but Scarlett, with her sharp heels and sharper tongue, approached your table instead.

Scarlett: “Well, if it isn’t the Academy’s charity case,” she sneered, arms crossed and voice dripping with mockery. “Thinking she’s queen of the world just because she’s clinging to the French boy like a lost puppy.”

Her words made the conversations around you dim, heads subtly turning toward the brewing scene. Edmond’s jaw tensed, but before he could speak, a low, lazy voice cut through the tension.

Grace: “Scarlett, why don’t you do us all a favor and shut your mouth?”

Grace appeared behind her, cigarette in hand, her eyes sharp and unimpressed. Scarlett’s sneer faltered, her bravado wilting slightly.

Scarlett: “You’ve got a lot of nerve—”

Grace: “Nerve?” She blew a lazy plume of smoke into the air. “Honey, the only nerve here is you, walking around this place like you own it.At least she’s spending her nights with someone her own age. Can’t say the same for you, can we?”

Scarlett flushed crimson, her facade cracking under the weight of Grace’s unflinching tone. A ripple of muffled laughter spread through the room.