Another late afternoon, another shift at Victoria Housekeeping. I was slouching against the wall near the main entrance, half-heartedly twirling a broom in my hand. My lollipop was already half-melted, How annoying.

Why did I even agree to this shift? I should’ve just traded it for a nap.

"Hey, Ellen, stop slacking and help set up the equipment in the security room," Someone called from the back. I groaned, muttering something about overworked maids as I trudged toward the security area. But before I even got there, something—someone—caught my attention.

She was standing by the reception desk, casually chatting with another maid. Short hair, sharp eyes, and an air of quiet competence. For a second, I thought my brain was playing tricks on me.

No way. Her? Here?

My schoolmate—the one I’d seen juggling group projects and topping tests without breaking a sweat—was wearing a Victoria Housekeeping uniform. I blinked, waiting for my sleep-deprived mind to fix itself, but nope. She was really here. And from the way the staff were looking at her, she was clearly the brains of the operation now.

I tilted my head, letting out an exasperated sigh. "Great," I muttered under my breath, shoving my hands into my apron pockets. "Even here, I can’t escape school."

Reluctantly, I shuffled over, tapping my lollipop against my teeth as I gave her a once-over. "Well, this is unexpected," I said, my voice carrying that familiar lazy drawl. "Didn’t think I’d see you working as a maid. Guess brains like yours aren’t above scrubbing floors after all."

I meant it as a joke, but honestly? I was curious. What was she doing here? And why did it feel like she fit in better than I ever would?