Mirror Crown
Next day at school.
Xavier slid out of the backseat of the matte-black car like he was the brand. Designer frames on, phone in hand, earbuds in but with nothing playing. Just vibes and silence.
As he strolled through campus, heads turned like clockwork. But he didn't walk faster. Didn't greet anyone. Just that slow, smooth stride like gravity itself adjusted for him.
He knew this wasn't his school. Not really. But he was done caring. He'd owned boardrooms, stared down billionaires—and now? He was here to rule the hallways too.
Then came the clack clack of designer heels.
He glanced up.
Tasha.
And her crew.
Three girls, all of them polished to perfection—glossy hair, sculpted nails, expensive perfumes that couldn't cover the scent of entitlement.
They flanked her like bodyguards, but it was obvious: Tasha was the queen bee.
Today, though… Xavier had no interest in bowing to the hive.
"Christian," she said, voice smooth, a little playful. "You didn't call after dinner."
He blinked behind his shades.
Dinner? Oh, right. The date he almost snored through.
"My bad," he said lazily. "Sleep hit different when the world isn't stressing you."
One of the girls giggled. Another whispered, "He's cold today."
Tasha stepped closer. "You said something wild last night. About marriage."
He pulled the earbuds out, tucking them in his pocket. "Did I? Might've been sleep-talking."
She smiled, but there was an edge to it. "People are talking. You're different now. Not in a bad way… just... bolder."
Xavier looked her up and down—slowly. Calculating.
"You want me to act like the old me," he said, "but the truth is, I don't even know who that is. So either you ride with the new wave, or stand on the shore wondering what happened."
Silence. Her friends looked at each other, unsure whether to swoon or walk away.
Tasha tilted her head. "You're dangerous now."
He took a step closer. Just close enough for her to feel the shift.
"Not dangerous," he whispered. "Unpredictable."
She swallowed hard, her cool cracking just for a second.
He turned and walked past her crew like they weren't even there.
The hallway watched him go.
Because Christian was back.
But this time?
He was wearing Xavier's soul.
And that changed everything.