POV: Zion
Goldridge didn't do drama with noise.
It did it with silence.
And when the mid-term results came out, the silence was deafening.
It happened during morning assembly — the entire school packed into the marble-floored auditorium, blazers stiff, air thick with perfume and performance. Headmistress Caulfield stood at the podium, perfectly postured, voice clipped with pride.
"As always, Goldridge Academy commends excellence," she began. "This term, we've seen several students push beyond their comfort zones. But only one stood at the top across all classes."
Zion sat with one leg crossed, half-listening. His hands were in his pockets. His tie was crooked on purpose.
He already knew.
He didn't need her to say it.
"Congratulations to our first-place student overall: Zion Reid."
A pause.
Then claps.
Scattered, slow at first—like people couldn't believe it.
Not Kevin.
Not the legacy kid.
Not the future CEO.
Zion.
He stood up slowly. No smile. No swagger.
Just cool detachment as he made his way to the front of the hall.
He could feel the eyes.
Kevin's, locked on him like a target.
Isla's, wide with shock.
Mikey's, halfway between impressed and confused.
Celeste's, analyzing everything.
Nyra's, unreadable.
And Mabelle?
She was smiling.
Like she already knew he would win.
The applause grew louder as he stepped onto the stage. The headmistress handed him the plaque — sleek, engraved, unnecessarily heavy.
He took it with one hand.
Still no smile.
"Would you like to say a few words?" she asked.
He nodded once, walked up to the mic, and looked out over the sea of polished uniforms and fake humility.
Then, flatly:
"I want to thank God.
And my parents.
That's all."
He walked off.
Just like that.
The entire hall stayed frozen for a second too long.
Later – Courtyard
"Bro, you actually studied?" Mikey asked, jogging up beside him. "You broke the damn school, man. Kevin looked like someone stole his inheritance."
Zion shrugged. "Guess I was bored."
"That's it?"
Zion glanced at him, eyes cool.
"That's it."
Behind them, Kevin watched from across the courtyard, surrounded by silence.
He hadn't congratulated him.
He hadn't said a word.
Lunch Period – Outer Pavilion
Zion sat alone on the stone ledge behind the rose gardens, away from the noise.
Mabelle found him there.
She didn't say anything at first. Just sat beside him, crossed her legs, and looked out over the field.
"You really didn't smile once."
"Didn't feel like it."
She glanced at him. "You realize what you just did, right?"
Zion turned his head slowly.
"I took the crown."
She laughed, quiet and amused. "And dropped it at their feet."
That evening, Kevin skipped group study.
Isla sent three texts.
He didn't reply.
Mikey said he'd "talk to him later."
Nyra posted a story: "Even ghosts can bleed."
And Zion?
He went to the gym. Then the court. Then the library.
Not because he needed to.
Because they needed to see.