Ethan stood by his dresser, buttoning up his shirt as the early morning light filtered through the curtains. His backpack sat neatly on the bed, already packed and zipped. Just as he reached for his watch, a soft knock came at the door.
"Come in," he called.
The door creaked open and Liam stepped inside
"Hey"
"Watsup" Ethan replied, slipping the watch onto his wrist
Don't mess with Laura, Ethan," Liam said firmly, standing at the entrance with his arms crossed.
Ethan paused, taken aback. "Sorry?" he asked, shifting his gaze toward him, confusion flickering across his face.
Liam didn't move "you know what I mean" he smirked
Ethan blinked, unsure how to respond. The silence between them stretched, heavy with unspoken things. Anna's voice echoed up the stairs
"Liam, you don't want to be late for school" Anna shouted from downstairs
"Don't mess with her" Liam muttered, turning away
Ethan watched him go, the words still lingering in the air like smoke.
*****
At school, Iva stepped out of her mom's car, smoothing down her skirt as the morning sun warmed her face. As she closed the door, her eyes were drawn to the sleek black limousine pulling up near the gates. The door swung open, and out stepped Ethan. Her heart skipped a beat.
He looked more handsome than ever, the crisp lines of his uniform catching the light, his confidence almost tangible as he adjusted his blazer. Iva froze, caught in the swirl of a strange new feeling—something between admiration and nervousness. A part of her wanted to turn and walk the other way, unsure of what this sudden rush of emotion meant. But instead, she took a breath, gathered her courage, and made her way toward him.
"Hey, Ethan," she said, her voice steady despite the fluttering in her chest.
Ethan turned at the sound of her voice, a small smile tugging at the corner of his lips.
"Oh—hey, Iva," he said, his tone warm and easy. "Didn't expect to see you here this early."
Iva shrugged, trying to seem casual. "Mom had an early meeting. Figured I'd beat the rush."
Ethan nodded, his eyes scanning her face for a moment longer than necessary. "Well, you look... nice."
Her cheeks flushed, but she managed a smile. "Thanks. So do you. The uniform suits you."
Ethan chuckles "what you just seeing it?"
"Thought to appreciate my friend,anything wrong with that?" Iva smiles
"Really, thank you, yours is nice too" he smiles softly "I was actually heading in. Want to walk together?" he asked, gesturing toward the entrance.
"Sure, like we always do" They both smiles and they fell into step, side by side.
The usual school noise fading just enough for the moment to feel... different.
As the school election drew nearer, the atmosphere grew tense—especially between Iva and Laura. What had started as a civil rivalry quickly turned into a full-blown battle for dominance. The student body watched with bated breath as the two girls—both popular, both powerful in their own ways—clashed over the position of student president.
Laura had always been the uncontested favorite in past years. She was wealthy, well-connected, and knew how to charm a crowd when it suited her. But this time, things were different. Iva had stepped into the race with unexpected fire. Determined, focused, and deeply passionate, she wasn't just participating—she was fighting to win fairly.
While Laura leaned on influence and subtle bribes—offering gifts and privileges to members of the electoral committee—Iva took a more honest route. She campaigned relentlessly. Her posters, hand-designed and full of energy, soon flooded the school walls. She spoke to students in hallways, classrooms, and even during lunch breaks, listening to their concerns and sharing her vision for a better school community. Her friends rallied around her, helping her print flyers, hang banners, and spread her message with genuine excitement.
And then there was Ethan.
Though his social status made it risky for him to openly support any candidate—especially with his Mom warnings,he supported Iva quietly but wholeheartedly. He helped her rehearse speeches late at night over calls, gave her advice on strategy, and offered the kind of moral support that kept her going on the days she felt overwhelmed. Every time she doubted herself, he reminded her why she started.
Laura noticed. And it infuriated her.
Used to winning by default, she now found herself scrambling. Her speeches became sharper, her tone more aggressive. Behind closed doors, she pressured students with subtle threats and tempting offers. But despite her efforts, Iva's campaign only seemed to grow stronger, feeding on the authenticity that Laura's lacked.
With the final debate looming and the student body now deeply divided, it was clear—this election would be unlike any the school had ever seen.
Later that evening, Iva opened her locker and found a folded slip of paper resting atop her books. She unfolded it slowly, eyes narrowing as she read the scrawled words:
"Withdraw… or secrets will surface."
She stared at the note, brows knitting in confusion. Secrets? She almost laughed. What secrets? She had nothing to hide, nothing anyone could use against her. With a scoff, she crumpled the paper in her fist and tossed it into the trash without a second thought.
Unshaken.
Unbothered.
Just a few feet away, hidden behind a cold marble column, Faye lingered in the shadows, watching. Her eyes followed Iva's every movement, waiting for a flicker of panic, a tremble of fear. But none came.
Her plan had fizzled before it even ignited.
Disappointment twisted in her gut.
Faye's eyes darkened. Why didn't it work? Had she underestimated Iva's confidence? Or worse — was there really nothing to expose?
Her plan, carefully crafted and timed, had fallen flat. The frustration was electric, burning behind her eyes.
She turned to leave quietly, the click of her heels muffled against the polished floor.
But she wasn't as alone as she thought.
Across the hall, partially hidden behind the library doors, someone watched her — silent, still.
Liam.
He had come looking for a textbook he left behind when he noticed the flicker of movement near the lockers. His curiosity had brought him halfway across the hall, just in time to see Faye lingering too long in the shadows, her eyes locked on Iva.
He hadn't seen the note itself, but her posture, her intent gaze, and the smirk that briefly curled her lips before she turned away — it said enough.
Liam's brows furrowed. Something was off.
He stepped out just as she turned, catching a glimpse of her startled expression before she quickly looked down and walked past him.
"Faye," he called casually.
She stopped, forced a smile, and turned. "Oh, hey. Didn't see you there."
"Locker problems?" he asked, feigning innocence.
Her eyes flickered, just for a second. "Just checking mine. Forgot something."
"Mm," he nodded slowly. "Strange time to hang out near Iva's."
Faye laughed lightly, but it sounded forced. "Iva? I didn't even notice her."
Liam smiled faintly. "Didn't think you were the type to lurk in the shadows."
She stiffened ever so slightly. "Funny. You always have a comment."
"I always notice things," Liam said simply, his tone pleasant — but his eyes sharp.
Faye gave him a look that bordered on a challenge, then turned on her heel and walked away without another word.
Liam watched her go, lips pressed into a thin line. Something about this didn't sit right.
He reached the trash bin beside Iva's locker and glanced inside. Amid a few candy wrappers and scrap papers, he saw it — a crumpled piece of paper, faint ink still visible.
He pulled it out carefully, unfolded it, and read the note.
His expression hardened.
"Withdraw… or secrets will surface."
So this wasn't just high school drama anymore. Someone was playing dirty.
And if they thought Iva was going to be scared off that easily — they didn't know her at all.
*****
The art studio was empty, dimly lit by the early morning sun sneaking through the skylights. Faye stood by the window, arms crossed, eyes darting toward the door every few seconds. Liam had told her to meet him here before classes started. She thought he might be angry.
But when he entered, there was no accusation in his eyes — only calculation.
"You sent the note," he said, voice low and calm.
Faye shifted. "Yeah."
Liam nodded once, as if confirming a fact rather than expressing shock. "I figured."
"I thought you'd be mad," she said carefully.
He gave a half-shrug. "Mad? No. Disappointed it didn't work? Maybe."
She blinked. "Wait… you're okay with it?"
"Iva's a threat," Liam said, walking over to the paint-splattered table and leaning on it. "She's not one of us, and yet she's daring to compete on a stage that wasn't built for her."
Faye let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding.
Liam glanced at her. "She won't back down easily. Clearly. But intimidation? That's step one. She wants to play fair — we don't have to."
"She didn't even flinch," Faye muttered. "It was Laura's idea, by the way. She said if we make her feel like an outsider, she'll walk away on her own."
Liam smirked slightly. "Classic Laura."
"She said the school bends to people like her," Faye added. "That Iva's just a middle-class nobody pretending to matter."
"She's not wrong," Liam said quietly.
But what neither of them knew was that the door to the studio had been slightly ajar.
And standing just beyond it, frozen, was Ethan.
He had come looking for some peace — maybe to sketch, maybe just to clear his mind. What he found instead made his stomach turn.
Every word had hit him like a slap — outsider, middle-class nobody, intimidation. And worst of all, hearing Liam — his own brother — agree to it.
He pushed the door open fully and stepped in. The sound startled both Liam and Faye, who turned around quickly.
"Wow," Ethan said, clapping slowly, sarcasm dripping from his voice. "What a brilliant little strategy meeting."
Faye stepped back, guilt flashing across her face.
Liam straightened, not even bothering to mask his expression. "You were eavesdropping?"
"I was witnessing," Ethan shot back. "Witnessing how low you're willing to go."
"She's not like us, Ethan," Liam said smoothly. "She doesn't belong in that position."
"You don't get to decide who belongs!" Ethan's voice rose, anger flashing in his eyes. "You sent a threat, Liam. You let her"—he pointed at Faye—"do your dirty work. And you're siding with Laura now? Since when did you start acting like her puppet?"
"Watch it," Liam warned.
"No, you watch it," Ethan snapped. "You think manipulating people makes you powerful? All it does is prove how scared you are. Scared that someone like Iva might actually win without money or legacy."
Faye lowered her head, unable to meet Ethan's eyes.
Ethan turned to her. "You've always been desperate to matter. But all you've done is prove that you're willing to betray anyone just to feel seen."
Faye flinched.
Liam took a step forward. "This doesn't concern you, Ethan. Stay out of it."
Ethan shook his head. "It concerns me when you come for the only real person left in this school. You want to play dirty, fine. But if you think I'm going to stay quiet while you destroy someone for having a spine, then you've really forgotten who I am."
He turned on his heel and stormed out, the door slamming behind him.
Faye stared at Liam, her voice barely above a whisper. "He's going to tell her."
Liam's jaw clenched. "Let him. Now it's war."