Sarina's POV
The moment I stepped through the gates of Starlight High School, I felt it—but I didn't falter.
Fear had never been something I allowed to control me.
I lifted my chin, adjusted the strap of my bag, and walked forward with calm, steady steps. I had faced monsters, shadows, and futures written in blood. A new school couldn't break me.
Just Sarina Hart, I reminded myself.
Not Lumina.
Not the guardian of powers.
Just a brave girl carrying secrets the world wasn't ready for.
The corridor buzzed with voices and footsteps. Whispers followed me, curious eyes traced my movements—but I didn't shrink. I met attention with quiet confidence.
Then my gaze lifted.
And my breath paused.
He sat near the window, sunlight catching in his hair like sparks waiting to ignite. Calm. Controlled. Strong.
Lukas.
My heart didn't race with love—it steadied with recognition.
Fire always felt familiar to me.
He hadn't noticed me yet, but I felt his presence like a flame banked low, powerful and restrained. There was history there. Mystery. Nothing romantic—not yet.
"Class," the teacher announced, "we have a new student today. Please welcome Sarina. She's transferred from London."
London.
Research.
Masks.
Decisions made for the greater good.
"Take the empty seat," the teacher said, pointing ahead. "In front of Lukas Blake."
I didn't hesitate.
I walked down the aisle with measured confidence and sat down, shoulders straight, spine strong. I didn't turn around.
I didn't need to.
Classes passed. Notes were taken. Answers were given. I focused, alert and aware, senses sharp beneath the surface. I could feel it—the quiet hum of power in the room.
Fire.
Water.
Air.
Earth.
They were here.
The future was aligning exactly as I had foreseen.
"Hey," a voice said beside me. "You okay?"
I turned to Jordan. His smile was warm, easy—like water flowing around obstacles.
"I'm good," I replied honestly.
"If you need help around here, just say," he added.
I nodded. "Thanks."
He didn't know why something about me felt familiar.
None of them did.
The lunch bell rang.
Jordan stretched, then looked at me. "My friends and I usually sit together," he said. "You wanna join us?"
I paused—not out of fear, but calculation.
Across the room, fire stirred.
I made my choice.
"Sure," I said.
And deep within me, Lumina watched silently—because bravery wasn't loud.
It was choosing to walk toward destiny instead of away from it.