The next morning, Selene arrived at school earlier than usual. The sky was still pale, the halls quieter than they would be later, and for a moment she almost enjoyed the stillness. Almost.
Despite the ache in her body and the hollow feeling from the night before, there was something different in her steps today—something steadier, more grounded.
Like she was slowly learning how to stand even when the world kept pushing her down. She spotted Lili near the lockers, scrolling through her phone, and called out softly, "Lili."
Lili looked up instantly, her face brightening. "Selene! I was looking for you. Are you okay?"
Selene hesitated for a fraction of a second before nodding. "I'm fine." It wasn't entirely true, but it was easier than explaining everything she didn't want to say out loud. Lili, however, wasn't easily convinced.
She studied her carefully but didn't press. Instead, she smiled and bumped her shoulder lightly. "So… boss of the ball. What's the first command?" Selene let out a small, genuine laugh despite herself. "We start with the theme. Everything else follows after that—decorations, catering, music, seating…"
Lili raised an eyebrow. "And what about dealing with your fan club of snakes?" Selene sighed, but there was no real irritation in it.
"We ignore them and focus on the work." Lili clicked her tongue. "Too peaceful. I would've added revenge somewhere in that plan." That earned a real smile from Selene this time.
"That's why I need you. To stop me from overthinking everything." Lili grinned. "And to protect you from idiots." For a moment, it felt normal. Light.
Almost like they were just two girls planning something exciting, not navigating a world that constantly tried to pull Selene down.
Over the next few days, Selene threw herself into preparation with everything she had. She met teachers during breaks, reviewed budgets during lunch, and stayed behind after classes to coordinate with the catering team.
Slowly, her name began to circulate in a different way. Not as that girl, but as the planner. Some classmates started approaching her hesitantly. "Selene, do you need help with decorations?" "We can handle invitations if you want." She didn't fully trust it at first, but she accepted help cautiously. It felt unfamiliar, like stepping into a version of life she had never been allowed to touch before.
One afternoon, she and Lili sat in the courtyard, papers spread across the bench between them.
The sun filtered through the trees, casting soft patterns over their notes. Selene tapped her pencil lightly against the page. "I keep thinking about a moonlight theme," she said quietly. "Silver, deep blue, soft white lighting… something that feels like a dream." Lili leaned closer, studying the sketch Selene had drawn.
"That's not just a theme. That's a whole atmosphere." Selene smiled faintly. "I want it to feel like people are stepping into another world for one night." Lili glanced at her. "You're kind of scary when you're focused." Selene blinked.
"Is that bad?" "No," Lili said quickly. "It's impressive."
Later that day, as the final bell rang, Selene and Lili stepped out of the school building still talking through ideas.
The evening air was cooler now, the streets slightly busier as students headed home. Selene was mid-sentence, explaining seating arrangements, when it happened. She turned too quickly, distracted, and collided hard into someone walking past.
Her books slipped from her arms and scattered across the pavement. "Ah—sorry!" she gasped immediately, dropping down to gather them.
A shadow fell over her.
"Watch where you're going," a cold voice said.
Selene froze slightly before looking up.
Alex.
One of the twins.
He stood above her, expression unreadable, eyes sharp but detached.
There was no warmth there, no concern—just distant annoyance, like she had interrupted something insignificant.
Selene quickly looked back down, embarrassed. "I didn't see you… I'm sorry." She hurried to collect her books, hands slightly unsteady.
Alex didn't move to help. He just watched. After a moment, he gave a small, indifferent nod. "Clearly." Then he stepped aside. That was it. No more words. No emotion. Just emptiness where kindness could have been.
Selene swallowed the discomfort rising in her chest and stood up carefully.
Before she could fully regain her balance, she felt it—a sharp shove from behind. Her body lurched forward again, and this time she barely stopped herself from falling completely. Her breath caught as she turned, already knowing before she saw her.
Amara.
And Lysandra right beside her, smiling like she was watching entertainment.
"What do you think you're doing?" Amara snapped immediately, her voice sharp and loud enough to draw attention.
Selene blinked, confused. "I—what?"
Amara stepped closer, eyes narrowing. "Don't act innocent. I saw you."
"I was just—he bumped into me—" Selene tried to explain, but her voice faltered under the weight of the growing attention around them. Students had started watching again, whispers spreading quickly.
Amara let out a cold laugh. "Oh, please. Don't embarrass yourself."
Lysandra tilted her head, smirking. "It's kind of pathetic, honestly."
Selene felt her hands tighten around her books. "It was an accident."
"Accidents don't happen when you're desperate for attention," Amara said sharply.
That word—desperate—hit harder than it should have.
Lili stepped forward instantly. "Enough. You're the ones making a scene."
Amara finally looked at her, expression icy. "Stay out of it."
"No," Lili shot back without hesitation. "You don't get to bully her just because you feel like it."
Lysandra scoffed. "Bully? We're just stating facts."
"And twisting them," Lili said firmly.
The air between them tightened. A few students whispered louder now, sensing drama. Selene stood slightly behind Lili, her heart pounding. She hated this feeling—being the center of attention for all the wrong reasons.
Amara stepped closer again, lowering her voice just enough to make it more dangerous. "Listen carefully," she said, eyes locked on Selene. "Stay away from him."
Selene frowned slightly. "I didn't—"
"I said stay away," Amara repeated coldly. "You don't belong anywhere near people like him."
Lysandra added with a smirk, "Or people like us."
Then, as if the conversation had already been won, they turned and walked away. Their laughter lingered behind them, light and careless, like nothing important had just happened.
Silence slowly returned, broken only by the distant noise of students resuming their conversations. Selene stood still for a moment, staring at the space they left behind. Lili sighed sharply. "They're exhausting."
Selene bent down quietly to pick up the last of her books. "It's fine," she said softly, though her voice didn't fully believe it.
"It's not fine," Lili corrected. "But it will be."
From a distance, Alex still stood where he had been. Watching. Not involved, not emotional—just observing her in a way that lingered longer than it should have. After a moment, he turned and walked away, disappearing into the crowd.
Selene straightened slowly, taking a breath. Her chest still felt tight, but she forced herself to focus.
"No," she whispered under her breath, more to herself than anyone else. "I'm not stopping."
Lili smiled slightly beside her. "Good. Because you're already too far in to quit now."
And as they finally walked away together, Selene didn't notice the faint, almost unexplainable warmth pulsing softly beneath her collarbone—right where her mother's pendant rested, like something inside it had begun to awaken.