Under the Spotlight
Serena hadn't planned on stepping onto a runway again.
It started as a simple announcement pinned to the school board:
ANNUAL ELITE FASHION SHOW
Open to all students.
She stood there longer than necessary, fingers tightening around her notebook.
"You should do it."
Serena turned.
Evie beamed up at her. "You've always wanted to. And you'd destroy everyone."
Serena hesitated. "It's been years."
"So?" Evie shrugged. "You were born to be looked at."
That night, Serena filled out the form.
Quietly.
Without expectations.
The auditorium buzzed on the day of the show.
Spotlights warmed the stage. Music pulsed through the air. Backstage was chaos—models fixing hair, adjusting outfits, practicing walks.
Serena stood near the mirror, dressed in a sleek ivory dress that hugged her perfectly. Her blonde hair was styled loose, soft waves cascading down her back.
She barely recognized herself.
"You're going to end lives," a girl whispered.
Across the room, Cassandra Vale watched from her seat—jaw tight, nails digging into her palm.
That spot had been hers.
Until Serena Blake stepped in.
Lucien skipped class without hesitation.
Damien raised a brow. "You sure about this? Coach will kill you."
Lucien was already moving. "Worth it."
They slipped into the auditorium just as the lights dimmed.
Lucien leaned forward in his seat.
Then Serena walked out.
The room fell silent.
She moved like she belonged there—each step confident, graceful, effortless. Her expression was calm, distant, elegant.
The Ice Queen.
But under the lights, she burned.
Lucien forgot how to breathe.
Damien muttered, "Yeah… I'd commit crimes for her."
Lucien didn't blink. "Get in line."
Phones lifted. Whispers rippled.
Cassandra's jealousy curdled into something sharp.
She watched Serena's heels.
And smiled.
Halfway down the runway—
Crack.
Serena felt it before she heard it.
Her heel snapped.
The world tilted.
Gasps echoed through the auditorium.
Time slowed.
Lucien was already on his feet.
"Serena!"
She stumbled—
And Lucien was there.
He jumped the barrier, caught her around the waist, steadying her effortlessly.
The crowd erupted.
Serena's breath caught as she looked up at him.
"Are you okay?" he asked, voice low, urgent.
She nodded—barely.
Lucien glanced at the broken heel, then at the stunned audience.
He smirked.
"Well," he said into the mic someone thrust at him, "guess I'll walk with her."
He slipped off his jacket and draped it over her shoulders.
Then, without hesitation, he picked her up.
The auditorium went feral.
Cameras flashed wildly as Lucien carried Serena down the runway like it was the most natural thing in the world.
Cassandra stood frozen.
Humiliated.
Erased.
Lucien set Serena down at the end of the stage, eyes locked with hers.
"You were perfect," he murmured. "Even when the world tried to trip you."
Her throat tightened.
Backstage was chaos when they returned.
"Are you hurt?" Evie rushed over.
"I'm fine," Serena said, still dazed.
Lucien crouched to inspect her ankle. "You scared me."
She touched his hair softly. "You skipped class."
"For you?" He smiled. "Always."
Across the room, Cassandra turned away, fury burning in her eyes.
Serena Blake hadn't just returned.
She'd claimed the spotlight.
And Lucien Reed stood right beside her.