The bell rang with a lazy screech as students poured into the marble-floored halls of Westview High—where the children of CEOs, socialites, and quietly scandalous elites smiled for yearbook photos while stabbing each other with words.
Vale Black walked through it like she belonged. And maybe she did.
Silver rings glinted on her fingers. A dainty chain danced at her collarbone. Her uniform was pristine, blazer fitted just right, her hazel waves caught in a loose braid that looked effortlessly perfect—though she'd redone it three times this morning.
"People are staring," Hanisha muttered, walking beside her with a latte in hand. "Again."
Vale offered a breezy smile. "Let them."
It was the first day of senior year. The day where everything felt the same, but you were supposed to pretend it all mattered more.
"Any big goals for this year?" Hanisha asked, tapping her phone without looking up.
"Graduate. Survive. Not fall in love with the wrong person again," Vale replied lightly.
Hanisha snorted. "Three for three, huh?"
Vale didn't answer. She just kept walking, eyes scanning the halls as if looking for something that wasn't there.
Until he was.
Leaning against locker 118, arms crossed, eyes unreadable—Kian Adams looked like he'd walked out of a fashion campaign and into a teen drama. Sharp jawline, hair tousled like it hadn't tried (but definitely had), and an aura that screamed don't talk to me even as three girls lingered near him, laughing a little too loud.
Vale's steps faltered. Just slightly. Not enough for anyone but Hanisha to notice.
"That's new," Hanisha murmured, sipping her latte.
Vale kept her voice steady. "Is it?"
"He wasn't here last semester."
"Maybe he's just visiting."
"Nope," Hanisha said, eyes narrowing. "That's his name on the updated roster. Kian Adams. Transferred in. Guess who his mother is?"
Vale didn't answer. She already knew. The name Amanda Adams had been said in her house enough times, usually in a sharper tone than was polite.
"Drama alert?" Hanisha asked, eyebrow raised.
"Possibly," Vale said, and turned toward her locker. "But I'm not in the mood to care."
Not today. Not when the mask was already getting heavy and it wasn't even second period yet.