Zoe's POV
I wasn't exactly thrilled about school the next day.
Another nightmare clawed its way into my sleep again. The same events of that cold night replaying frame by frame.
Every morning felt the same. Same cold sweat, the pain of that day gnawing at my chest. And tear soaked pillows.
I felt so heavy, like I didn't own my body. Rising up from the bed felt like a job.
Downstairs, breakfast was less awkward than usual. No surprise there, I had warmed up to everyone except Brandon.
He wasn't even there.
Seth sat across me, his eyes glued to his phone. Scrolling with some level of efficiency.
Mr and Mrs Ross were on autopilot—moving with practiced ease around the kitchen, making sure all was in order.
I couldn't help but admire them. Who wouldn't.
Mr Ross practically worshiped the ground his wife walked on. He smiled whenever she walked by. Like a lovestruck teenager with his first crush. They had it all— A beautiful marriage, wealth and three beautiful kids that they adore so much.
A constant reminder of what I'd lost. My once beautiful family.
I felt a tightness in my chest, grief threatening to pull me under–but no, I blinked it away.
I considered myself lucky. I was given a second chance here. A new family. Margaret was godsent. I didn't know where I would have been if she hadn't taken me in. I guess it's a big thumbs up to mum for having such a friend indeed.
She was warm and kind. Treated me like one of her own and always made sure I felt real comfort.
That morning, she guided me to my seat, shooing Madison for being a talkative.
"She's not bothering me," I whispered with a soft smile.
Madison leaned in anyway, eyes gleaming with mischief. "Eat up fast," she said, her voice low and conspiratorial. "We're riding together today. But not with Blondie."
She tilted her chin toward Seth.
I raised a brow. "What mischief are you planning now?"
She was about to answer when Margaret's voice broke in. "Your father and I are heading out of town. It's work related."
She wiped down the already spotless kitchen counter, pulled off her apron, and hung it back in its place.
Madison groaned, clearly displeased with the news. "Seriously?"
"It's no big deal," I muttered within. I could go a few days without adult supervision.
Seth didn't even glance up. "You can just call it a couple's retreat. No judgment here."
Laughter burst through the kitchen. His words lightened the mood instantly
Margaret giggled. "It's a work trip, silly."
Mr. Ross walked over and kissed her on the cheek, arms slipping around her waist.
"Kids these days, you should know your place," he grinned, planting another kiss on her neck. "And I don't need permission to spoil my beautiful wife. But yes—it's work. Mostly."
He gave us a mock-serious look. "Play nice while we're gone. Especially around Chloe."
Margaret's gaze shot toward the staircase almost immediately.
I followed it—and instantly regretted it.
There he was.
Brandon.
Coming down the stairs like the literal storm cloud he always seemed to be. Dressed in black shirt and ripped jeans. His face was unreadable. The moment his boots touched the last step, the mood dimmed.
Madison didn't wait. She yanked me toward the door, and I barely managed to grab my bag before it slipped off my shoulder.
Once in the garage, she leaned in and whispered something that made my stomach twist.
"We're riding in Brandon's truck."
My blood ran cold.
"What? I screamed inside. My eyeballs, popping out.
Why?!"
I felt my heart pounding, my pulse fluttering like trapped wings. I was practically shaking.
"I thought he doesn't like riding with anyone." I asked, worry gnawed at me.
"Oh, he does," Madison grinned. "Don't let the grumpy look fool you. That's just a deliberate performance to be alone. He's actually really sweet."
I tried to process her words, but it wasn't working. My brain is searching for a perfect reason to bail. I nodded, faking a laugh when she giggled, though I had no idea what she was saying. I think I heard the name Pete, but my soul had already left the building.
Then the front door creaked open behind us.
My heart stopped.
Please be Seth.
I didn't dare look.
But I saw the jeans. The rips. The boots. Oh no. Brandon.
He walked past us like we were ghosts. Not a word.
My hand curled into a fist. Was I the only one who thought this guy was spoiled and rude?
I was about to curse him, internally of course but then he doubled back. Like he remembered something
Brandon walked all the way to Madison's side and opened the truck door for her.
My heart totally skipped. One second, I was swearing at him. The next, I was swooning.
Get a grip, Zoe.
A few minutes later, Seth came out looking like a teen heartthrob straight from a glossy magazine. Casual pants, tousled-blond hair, effortless confidence. The sun even shimmered off his hair like a spotlight was following him.
He teased Brandon about the truck, and I could see where the reputation came from. Why was the Ross family so rich, but Brandon insisted on driving a rusted tank?
Ashley once told me their wealth was the real deal—but I hadn't believed her until I lived here.
Mr. Ross practically controls H and M Global : A multinational luxury lifestyle conglomerate that owns multiple high-end brands across fashion, beauty, real estate, and hotels.
So why was Brandon still hanging onto this truck?
I learned it was his grandfather's
So it was sentimental value then?
There had to be more to that story. But with Brandon, feelings were always locked up tight.
The ride to school was a grinding mix of silence and engine noise. Brandon's expression stayed flat. Annoyingly perfect Like he didn't hear the truck clanking beneath us. I felt like I was sitting in a blender, but he looked... composed like it was a white noise for him.
We were almost on the verge of drowning in our own silence when Madison spoke—with the worst possible question.
"Did you know Chloe has a twin?"
I almost leapt out the window.
I should've told her the truth. I should've said something. But the words dissolved in my mouth.
Before I could sink further, Brandon's voice cut through.
Thankfully.
****
"You should tell her about your family." he said.
I froze up
My eyes fixed outside the window.
He knows.
Of course he does. I must seem like the tragic orphan charity case.
"Oh…" I mumbled. My voice felt too small.
He rolled his neck slightly like he wanted to say more. Then he did.
"Mum told us what happened to your family. That's rough. Shouldn't happen to anyone."
I smiled—a tiny, broken thing. I couldn't look away.
Our eyes locked for a brief moment. Steady. unblinking.
I saw something flicker in his gaze. Something I couldn't quite name. Deep sadness, words left unsaid, Buried pain.
That look… I knew it too well. It was grief. Quiet, private grief.
The truck rolled to a halt. We'd arrived.
I heard student chatter in the distance. I tried to open my door—it wouldn't budge. Then, suddenly, Brandon was there. Holding it open.
I stepped down—and froze.
All eyes were on me.
It was like I had stepped into a spotlight with no script. My stomach sank.
Was it the outfit?
Was it too shouty?
My Lemon yellow cargo pants.
It's too late now.
Back at my old school, nobody noticed me. Here, everyone already knew Chloe.
I was living her legend—and completely messing it up.
Then she came.
Casey.
As if I didn't have better issues.
She strutted toward me, her minions flanking her like guards.
"Lemon? Really?" she shrieked. "Were you planning social suicide?" she mocked.
Stepping forward she grabbed at my blouse.
But someone stopped her.
Ashley.
Guz behind her.
Ashley smacked her hand away. "Mind your own business!"
Casey sneered. "This is my business."
My heart thudded.
What would Chloe do?
She wouldn't flinch. She'd own it.
I grabbed Ashley's arm, took two bold steps toward Casey, and looked her dead in the eyes.
"I'm Chloe Hawkins. And I wear whatever I want. If you don't like lemon, that's your problem. It's not a fashion mistake—it's a fashion statement."
Gasps flooded the air. Then claps. A ripple of applause.
Casey's face twisted like she'd bitten into a raw onion.
Behind her, I saw Seth. He smirked at me like I'd just scored a point.
I walked toward class, my friends trailing beside me like a girl gang from a coming-of-age movie.
Then a guy stepped in front of me.
"Hey," he said, grinning. "I'm Jason. We haven't met."
I knew him from the video Guz showed me. One of the Beach Boys.
"You're one of Brandon's bandmates," I said.
His smile widened. He glanced at his crew hanging a few steps behind."I like her already."
Then he leaned in. "You should totally come to my party."
I looked sideways— Brandon stood with his crew looking stern, trying hard to act like he wasn't watching.
"I'm not going anywhere without my friends." I answered, meeting his gaze.
"Bring them," he said. "They're all invited."
He winked at me as he walked away, Ashley squealed.
"We just got invited to a party… with the cool guys!"
"You're a blessing to us," Guz declared, dropping to his knees with his arms raised in the air like I was some queen in a Kdrama.
Then Ashley leaned in, eyes wide and sparkling. "And you, slut!" she whispered, dragging the word "you rode in Brandon's truck."
I shushed her immediately, my cheeks burning with embarrassment.
Why are they being so dramatic?
But deep down, I liked it. I had surprised myself once again
For once, I didn't feel like the fake Chloe.
I felt like someone new.
Someone... powerful.
I was ready to crush it. One day at a time .
Ashley suddenly stopped and spun around to face us.
We are going to crush that party.
How? I asked, more invested than I normally would.
She grinned. "I'll design us the hottest outfits this school—no, this planet—has ever seen."