The next morning came faster than Amara expected.
School was already buzzing when she arrived.
But something felt… different.
People were talking more than usual.
Glancing.
Whispering.
Looking in her direction.
Amara frowned slightly as she walked into the classroom.
"What's going on?" she murmured under her breath.
She took her usual seat.
Kian was already there.
He looked at her briefly.
"You're trending," he said calmly.
Amara paused.
"…What?"
Before she could ask more, a group of students suddenly entered the classroom.
Leading them was a girl.
Confident walk. Perfect posture. Expensive-looking accessories.
Her presence immediately changed the atmosphere.
"Is that her?" someone whispered.
"Yeah… that's her."
The girl's name was Brielle.
She stopped at the front of the class and scanned the room.
Her eyes landed on Amara.
And she smiled.
Not a friendly smile.
A knowing one.
"Long time no see," Brielle said aloud.
The class went silent.
Amara's expression changed… just slightly.
Recognition.
Kian noticed it immediately.
So they knew each other.
Amara stood up slowly.
"…What are you doing here?"
Brielle tilted her head.
"I heard you transferred here… so I thought I'd come say hello."
Her tone was sweet.
But her eyes told a different story.
Then Brielle walked closer.
Step by step.
Until she was standing right in front of Amara's desk.
She leaned slightly forward and lowered her voice.
"So… you're still pretending?"
That sentence hit differently.
Kian, who was watching closely, narrowed his eyes.
Pretending?
Amara didn't respond immediately.
Her expression remained controlled.
"I don't know what you're talking about."
Brielle laughed softly.
"Oh… you do."
The class was completely silent now.
Everyone could feel it.
This wasn't a normal conversation.
This was history.
Brielle straightened up and spoke louder again so others could hear:
"Class, meet Amara… or should I say—"
She paused dramatically.
"The daughter of one of the richest families in the city."
Gasps filled the room.
Kian's eyes widened slightly.
So the car yesterday…
The reaction…
Everything made sense.
Amara clenched her fingers slightly.
Not fear.
Annoyance.
"Stop," Amara said firmly.
Brielle smiled wider.
"Why? You were hiding it anyway."
Kian leaned forward slightly in his seat.
Now things were getting interesting.
Brielle crossed her arms.
"You left your world behind and came here to play normal student… but people like you don't stay hidden forever."
Her eyes locked with Amara's.
"And I'm here to make sure of that."
Silence.
Heavy silence.
Amara finally spoke, her voice calm but sharp:
"If you came here just to create attention, you can leave."
Brielle chuckled softly.
"Oh, I'm not leaving."
She turned slightly, glancing at Kian.
"Especially now that you've made a new friend."
Kian raised an eyebrow.
Now he was part of this?
Brielle looked back at Amara.
"This is going to be fun."
She turned and walked out of the classroom as quickly as she came.
Leaving behind confusion… tension… and questions.
Students immediately started talking.
"Wait… is that true?"
"She's rich?"
"Why was she hiding it?"
Amara sat back down slowly.
Her calm expression had returned.
But inside… something had shifted.
Kian finally spoke.
"So… you really are hiding something."
Amara didn't look at him.
"…It's none of your business."
Kian smiled slightly.
"Now it is."
Amara turned to him.
For the first time… there was a hint of warning in her eyes.
"Stay out of it."
But Kian didn't look away.
Instead, he replied quietly:
"I think it's already too late for that."