Mirror Crown
As Xavier stepped further into the grand lobby of the school, trying his best to keep his composure, he felt the weight of his new identity bearing down on him with every passing second. He couldn't believe how much he didn't know. How much he wasn't Christian Classic. His mind was still spinning from the fact that he was walking through a world he was completely unfamiliar with.
Suddenly, a soft voice interrupted his thoughts.
"Christian?"
Xavier froze mid-step. His body tensed as he slowly turned to see a young woman walking toward him, her expression a mix of confusion and concern. She was dressed in a sleek black dress, her hair falling in soft waves around her shoulders. Her eyes were wide with something that resembled uncertainty, but she still moved toward him as though she had every right to.
Who is this? Xavier thought, panic flaring in his chest. Is she another friend? A classmate? He tried to act natural, hoping she wouldn't notice how out of place he felt in his own skin.
"Yeah, hey," Xavier said, forcing a smile, hoping it didn't come off too awkward. Stay calm, just stay calm, he reminded himself. Act like you know her. Be Christian.
"Are you okay?" The woman stopped in front of him, her gaze searching his face with a sense of genuine concern. "You're... not yourself today."
Her words hit him like a slap. Not yourself? What does that mean? Xavier's mind raced. He had no idea what she was referring to, but he knew better than to ask. Instead, he cleared his throat, trying to mimic the confident tone Christian would have used.
"I'm fine," Xavier said, though the words felt like they didn't belong to him. "Just... tired, you know? A lot going on."
She didn't seem convinced, but after a moment, her lips curved into a small, uncertain smile.
"Okay, if you say so," she replied, still scrutinizing him like she wasn't entirely sure she believed him. Then, her eyes softened a little. "I was just worried, that's all. You've been acting a little... off lately."
Xavier swallowed hard, suddenly realizing how much pressure was resting on his shoulders. He had to keep this up. He had to keep pretending.
"Thanks for checking in," he managed, feeling his palms begin to sweat. Keep moving. Don't let her get too close. Don't give anything away.
But just as he thought he had regained some semblance of control, she stepped a little closer, her voice low as she spoke again.
"Christian…" Her hand brushed his arm gently, as if trying to reassure him. "Are we still on for dinner tonight? Your place?"
Xavier's heart dropped. Dinner? His place? He had no idea what she was talking about.
The woman's face softened, her expression now a mixture of affection and curiosity. "I know you've been busy, but I miss spending time with you. It's been a while since we had a quiet night. You and me... just like old times."
Xavier could barely focus on her words. His mind was racing with a million questions. Dinner at his place? He had no clue where Christian lived or what he'd done with her in the past. He didn't know how to respond. How could he when everything about Christian's life, from the small details to the bigger picture, was completely alien to him?
Trying to force out something that resembled confidence, Xavier just nodded. "Right. Yeah, I'll... see you tonight."
She smiled again, but this time, it didn't quite reach her eyes. She studied him for a beat longer, as though waiting for something, but eventually, she let out a small sigh and stepped back.
"Well, okay," she said softly, her voice laced with concern but also a hint of uncertainty. "I'll see you later then. Take care of yourself, alright?"
Xavier watched her walk away, his heart still pounding in his chest. He barely had time to process what had just happened before he found himself once again alone in the hallway, feeling more lost than ever.
What is this? He couldn't shake the feeling that he was barely scraping by, pretending to be someone he wasn't, someone whose life was entirely out of his reach. He wasn't Christian. He wasn't even close to understanding who Christian was.
But as the woman disappeared from view, Xavier realized something else.
She didn't suspect anything.
That was the terrifying part. Not only was he playing a role in a life that didn't belong to him, but no one—no one—seemed to know.
He was Christian Classic, at least to them, and as long as he kept up the act, no one would ever question it. No one would ever know the truth.
And that truth... Xavier thought, feeling a chill run down his spine, ...it might be the one thing that could destroy everything.
With one last glance at the school's imposing corridors, Xavier continued on, unsure of where this day would lead, but knowing that he couldn't stop pretending now.