She was always the perfect girl. Perfect grades, perfect hair, perfect makeup. A perfect family with a spotless reputation. Everything about her seemed curated to the last detail—impressive on paper, effortless in person. Even in sports, she excelled, but never broke a sweat. She wasn’t too tall, nor too short. Kind, yet assertive. The kind of girl who set her sights on top-tier universities, determined to succeed without letting anything—or anyone—stand in her way

At least, that’s what they thought. That’s what her parents wanted the world to see. It had been their way, and her older sisters had followed suit. So she lived by one simple rule: follow the path

Never fail an exam. Never show weakness—but don’t be cold. Never wear the same outfit twice—but don’t look materialistic. The perfect balance of everything

No drinking. No swearing. And certainly, no smoking. Don’t be a burden—but don’t fade into the background either. Just enough light to shine. Just enough shadow to seem real. Always perfect. Simply perfect

So what would they think—those classmates, those teachers, her parents—if they saw her now?

Hiding outside the school gates, a cigarette between her fingers, the smoke curling in the cool air. Standing beside Niccolò Govender, the school’s most notorious troublemaker

They would destroy her. Especially her parents

But she was used to it. The risk. The game. A constant hide and seek, yet they hadn’t found her still

And so was Niccolò—though he always found it absolutely hilarious