The morning was unusually quiet at the university, but the silence was deceptive. Whispers and glances followed Aria wherever she went.
Rival girl's work, she thought, scanning the hallway. Students were subtly passing notes, giving her curious looks, and murmuring under their breath.
In class, one of Aria's friends leaned over, whispering: "Did you hear? Some people are saying you're only popular because of your idol fame."
Aria's lips curved into a small, confident smile. "Let them talk. Actions speak louder than rumors."
Across the room, she noticed the rival girl smirking. She had clearly planned this social sabotage to undermine Aria's credibility at school.
During a group discussion, Aria handled questions calmly and cleverly, weaving her intelligence and humor into her answers. The class was impressed, even those who had been skeptical before.
Lucien, seated a few rows behind, noticed everything. His eyes softened as he watched her navigate the subtle social attacks with grace.
After class, he walked alongside her to the courtyard. "You handled that beautifully," he said quietly.
Aria glanced up, surprised. "Really? It looked… messy from my side."
He smiled faintly, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "Messy? Not at all. You were brilliant. Calm, composed… inspiring."
Her heart fluttered. He really sees me…
Later that afternoon, Aria had rehearsals with her idol group. They noticed her distracted smile.
"Thinking about school again?" one teased.
"Maybe," she admitted, laughing softly.
"Someone's caught your attention," another added.
Aria felt her cheeks warm. "Maybe," she said again, this time with a shy smile.
Her friends chuckled, teasing her, but she didn't mind. Their support reminded her she wasn't alone, even when school and social drama tried to pull her down.
Back at the courtyard, Lucien lingered, watching her quietly as she gathered her books.
"You're handling everything remarkably well," he said softly. "Not many could do what you're doing—school, fame, rumors…"
Aria blushed slightly. "I… I try. But it's easier knowing someone notices."
He smirked. "Someone like me?"
"Yes," she whispered, her voice barely audible.
For a brief moment, the world seemed to narrow around them, leaving only their shared glance, unspoken understanding, and a hint of something more.
That evening, Aria returned to her dorm, exhausted but triumphant. She realized: school rumors, rival schemes, and even the stress of her double life couldn't shake her confidence—not when she had her idol group, her intelligence, and Lucien by her side.
I can handle anything, she thought. And I'm just getting started.