At the teacher’s words, the classroom falls into an awkward silence.
A few students shift in their seats, unsure of how to react.
Diana’s smirk fades slightly, but she crosses her arms, glaring at Winter as though the entire moment is her fault.
Winter doesn’t flinch.
She doesn’t need the teacher’s defense.
If anything, his words only make her more determined.
She is going to prove herself on her own terms, without needing anyone’s help.
Just then, Aleira leans over.
“Don’t let Diana get to you,” she whispers.
“She’s always like that—used to being the center of attention. Give it time; she’ll move on.”
Winter glances at Aleira and nods.
“I’m not worried. People like her always need an audience. Let her perform all she wants,” she replies calmly.
Aleira grins, clearly impressed.
“You’ll fit in just fine. Trust me, this stuff? It’s just school politics. Once they realize you’re not here to play their game, they’ll back off.”
Winter offers a small smile and turns her focus back to the teacher, who has begun explaining the syllabus.
She doesn’t want to tune him out—she is new, and she needs to catch up.
“Alright, class, since we have a new student today, I’ll run through where we’re at,” Mr. Stevens announces, glancing at Winter.
“We’re currently studying chemical bonding. Winter, do you feel up to date on this, or do you need some review?”
Winter straightens in her seat.
“I’m fine, sir,” she says confidently.
Mr. Stevens raises an eyebrow, clearly expecting her to falter.
“Alright, then. Let’s see… Winter, can you explain the octet rule?”
Without hesitation, Winter responds, “The octet rule refers to the tendency of atoms to prefer having eight electrons in their valence shell, which gives them the same electron configuration as a noble gas. Atoms with fewer than eight electrons will form bonds to achieve this configuration.”
There is a brief, stunned silence before Mr. Stevens nods approvingly.
“Impressive,” he remarks.
Winter catches the flash of irritation on Diana’s face as she narrows her eyes.
Ignoring it, Winter feels a small surge of satisfaction.
She doesn’t need to make a scene—her knowledge speaks for itself.
Just then, the classroom door creaks open, and every head turns.
Winter feels a shift in the room and looks toward the doorway.
Drae.
He strolls in casually, his jacket hanging loosely on his tall frame.
Winter’s stomach twists as she realizes they are in the same class.
Although he is late, Mr. Stevens says nothing, allowing him to walk in without consequence.
Winter can’t help but wonder what that means.
Drae’s gaze sweeps across the room before landing squarely on Winter.
His expression turns into a grimace as he walks past the rows of gawking students and takes a seat across from her, making no attempt to hide his disdain.
“Drae, I saved a seat for you!”
Diana’s voice rings out from the back, flirtatious and overly sweet.
She pats the seat next to her eagerly.
Drae doesn’t bother looking her way.
He simply sits down, leaning back with an air of complete indifference.
Diana’s smile falters, but she quickly recovers, leaning closer and trying to brush his arm. You are reading on g.com, the official source.
Winter notices Aleira beside her, now glaring daggers at Drae.
There is no mistaking the disdain in her eyes.
Winter leans toward Aleira.
“Are you okay?” she whispers.
Aleira’s gaze stays on Drae.
“I can’t stand him,” she mutters, her voice laced with bitterness.
“I know he’s your stepbrother, but God, he’s insufferable. He acts like he owns the place, and everyone’s too blind to see what a jerk he really is.”
Winter feels a twinge of discomfort.
“You’re not alone,” she replies softly.
“He’s not exactly kind to me either.”
Aleira’s lip curls.
“The worst part is how people fall for his act. It’s like I’m the only one who sees through it.”
Winter sighs.
“Well, now you’re not the only one,” she says reassuringly.
Aleira glances at her with a hint of gratitude but says nothing more as the bell rings, signaling the end of class.
Students scramble to leave, their voices rising in a chaotic chorus.
Winter and Aleira follow suit, gathering their things and heading toward the cafeteria.
As they near the bustling lunchroom, the smell of food momentarily distracts Winter.
She grabs a tray, following Aleira through the line.
But as they make their way to find seats, a group of girls blocks their path.
Diana stands at the front, her entourage flanking her like bodyguards.
She eyes Winter with a predatory gleam.
“Hello, new girl,” Diana sneers.
“Just curious… did your mother have to throw herself at Mr. Bond to ‘win’ him? I bet you’re just like her—nothing but a leech looking to take what doesn’t belong to you.”
“You snobbish—” Aleira begins, stepping forward, but Winter holds her back with a gentle hand.
Winter meets Diana’s glare head-on.
This is her chance to prove she can stand up for herself.
She had endured Sylvia’s bullying because her family’s financial situation hadn’t allowed her to risk suspension.
But now, things are different.
“It must be exhausting,” Winter begins, her tone calm but cutting, “living your life obsessed with other people. My mother didn’t need to ‘ensnare’ anyone—unlike you, who seems desperate for any scrap of attention you can get.”
Diana gasps, taken aback.
Winter takes a step closer, feeling her confidence grow.
“And if you’re so worried about me taking what doesn’t belong to me, maybe you should focus on holding onto what’s ‘yours.’ It’s always the most insecure people who bark the loudest.”
Diana opens her mouth to fire back, but a slow, deliberate clap echoes through the cafeteria, interrupting her.
The group turns in unison, their eyes landing on a tall figure standing a few feet away.
His white hair gleams under the cafeteria lights, catching Winter’s attention immediately.
Her heart skips a beat.
It is him—the boy from the mall.
The boy smirks, lowering his hands as he continues to approach.
“Finally,” he says, his voice smooth, with a hint of amusement.
His gaze shifts briefly to Diana, who is now glaring at him.
“Caspian,” Diana spits, though her voice wavers.
“This has nothing to do with you.”
He raises an eyebrow, giving her a dismissive look.
“Oh, but it does. Watching you throw tantrums is getting boring, Diana. It’s about time someone called you out.”
He pauses, smirking.
“And it’s nice to see it wasn’t one of your usual victims.”
Diana’s cheeks flush with anger, but she struggles to find words.
Her entourage shifts uncomfortably behind her, unsure of what to do.
“You’re such a—”
“Save it.”
Caspian waves her off casually.
“Run along now. Maybe reflect on why you need to make everyone around you miserable.”
With a frustrated huff, Diana spins on her heel, leading her entourage away.
The tension eases, and Winter feels a small sense of triumph as she watches Diana retreat.
Aleira, however, looks far from pleased.
She stands stiffly beside Winter, her arms crossed and her gaze darting warily between Caspian and Winter.
Caspian, unfazed by Aleira’s reaction, turns to Winter.
“So,” he says, his smirk softening into something playful, “you’ve got quite a mouth on you. Impressive.”
Winter raises an eyebrow, amusement flickering in her eyes.
“Caspian, huh? So that’s your name. I thought I’d forever know you as ‘mystery boy’ from the mall.”
Caspian chuckles.
“Mystery boy, huh? Not bad. I’ve been called worse.”
Winter’s lips curve into a small smile.
“Don’t get too excited. I can still think of something worse if you prefer.”
He grins, leaning closer.
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
Before Winter can respond, Aleira steps in, her tone sharp and impatient.
“Winter, we should get going. Lunch break is almost over, and we haven’t eaten yet.”
Caspian glances at Aleira, amused by her obvious attempt to end the conversation.
“Don’t let me keep you from your meal, Winter. I’m sure we’ll see each other around.”
With a final, knowing smile, he walks away, leaving Aleira visibly tense.
Winter watches him go, a strange feeling stirring inside her.
She has questions, but one thing is certain—this isn’t the last time they’ll cross paths.
As they find a table and sit down, Winter notices Aleira’s mood has soured.
“Okay,” Winter says, breaking the silence.
“What’s going on with you? You seem upset.”
Aleira’s face tenses, and she looks away before letting out a reluctant sigh.
“Just… be careful around him, okay?”
“Why?” Winter asks, her curiosity piqued.
Aleira hesitates, clearly debating how much to say.
Finally, she answers, “Because I know him better than anyone else. Caspian is my twin brother.”