Lila slumped into her seat, already regretting wearing her favorite blouse. She could feel the whispers even before class officially started. St. Albion's debate club wasn't usually this formal, but today, Mr. Carter had decided to combine debate practice with a pop quiz on political influence.
"Good morning, class," Mr. Carter said, his eyes sweeping across them, lingering on Ethan and Lila for just a fraction too long. "Today, we will practice argumentation and persuasion. Pairs will debate on resource allocation and social mobility. Each side must present facts and defend positions with conviction."
Lila groaned inwardly. "Conviction and Sofia… perfect combination."
Maya leaned over. "Try not to burn down the classroom this time."
"Very funny," Lila muttered.
Across the room, Sofia sauntered to the podium with a confident swing of her bag, all smiles and polished elegance. She shot a look at Lila that could have cut steel.
"And for today's debate," Mr. Carter continued, "I've paired you… thoughtfully." He glanced at the list. "Lila, you're partnered with Ethan. Sofia, you will work with Chase."
Lila felt her stomach twist.
"Partnered… with Ethan?" she whispered.
"Yes," Maya said under her breath. "Try to survive without yelling at him."
Ethan's gaze landed on her as he walked over, tall and composed. "Looks like we're partners," he said, voice low enough that only she could hear.
"Apparently," Lila replied, tilting her head.
He set his notebook beside hers and opened it. His fingers brushed hers briefly. She felt heat crawl up her neck.
"Ready to lose?" he teased lightly, voice teasing but with an undertone that suggested he wasn't joking entirely.
Lila raised an eyebrow. "Excuse me?"
"Nothing," he said, but his lips curved ever so slightly.
The debate began, and Lila quickly noticed how easily words fell from Ethan's mouth—confident, precise, almost rehearsed. She tried to match him, throwing in facts and statistics she'd memorized, hoping he would notice her effort.
"I think the issue isn't just access to resources," Lila said, her voice steady despite the fluttering in her chest. "It's the structure surrounding them. If systems are biased, even the most talented individuals can fail."
Ethan nodded. "Exactly. And that's why your examples are crucial—they prove that the abstract concepts we study have tangible consequences."
Lila caught herself smiling at him. For a brief moment, it was just them, their shared understanding forming something fragile and unspoken.
Then Sofia interjected, her voice dripping honey and venom. "Interesting perspective, Lila. But are you suggesting that your… background gives you insight?"
Lila's hands froze. "My background?"
"Yes," Sofia said, leaning forward slightly. "You come from a line of… interesting people, don't you? I hear stories."
Adrenaline shot through Lila. "I don't think my family history has anything to do with this debate."
Ethan's brow furrowed, a protective edge sharpening in his gaze. "Ignore her. Let's focus on the facts."
Sofia's eyes sparkled with mischief. "Of course, but facts can't exist without context, Ethan."
The debate continued, voices rising and falling, arguments flying across the room. Lila felt herself matching wits with Ethan, their synergy growing despite the tension. She caught herself glancing at the bracelet on her wrist, feeling the weight of its hidden history.
Ethan's eyes flicked to it too, briefly, almost imperceptibly. His jaw tightened, and for a second, Lila saw the same shadow of recognition she'd noticed days before.
During a break, students leaned over to whisper to each other. Lila caught fragments:
"Did you hear about the Grimwood family?"
"Yeah, there's always drama when they're involved."
"She's… somehow tied to that old story…"
Ethan stiffened, his hand subconsciously brushing against his notebook. Lila noticed, her curiosity piqued.
"What is it?" she asked quietly, stepping closer.
"Nothing," he said, almost too quickly. "Just… school gossip."
Lila frowned. "Gossip? I'm not exactly a celebrity."
"Some gossip is unavoidable," he murmured, eyes scanning the classroom. "Ignore it."
Outside the debate, a new pair of eyes had been watching. Vanessa, the editor of the school newspaper, leaned against a column, notebook in hand, scribbling notes.
"So, that's how the top two in class behave," she whispered to herself. "The girl with fire, the boy with shadows. Definitely worth a story."
She didn't notice Ethan's frown as he glanced toward her, his protective instincts kicking in.
When class ended, Lila packed her bag slowly, trying to process everything—the shared debates, the whispers, the bracelet's shadowed history.
Ethan fell into step beside her. "You did well," he said quietly. "Better than expected."
"Better than expected?" she repeated. "Is that supposed to be a compliment?"
"Yes," he said evenly. "And a warning."
Lila looked at him, confused. "A warning?"
Ethan didn't answer immediately. He merely glanced at her wrist, his eyes darkening. "History has a way of showing up… when you least expect it."
She didn't ask him what he meant. She didn't have to. Something about his tone—heavy, careful—made her stomach clench.
As they exited the classroom, Sofia lingered near the doorway, eyes glinting with triumph. "Be careful," she called over her shoulder. "Some stories aren't meant to be uncovered."
Lila felt a mix of defiance and anxiety. She didn't know whether Sofia's warning was about her, Ethan, or… the bracelet.
Maya appeared beside her, nudging her lightly. "She's definitely plotting something. I can feel it."
Lila nodded, tucking her bracelet under her sleeve. "So can I."
Ethan walked a few steps ahead, hands in pockets, thoughtful. Lila noticed how his posture stiffened slightly when he glanced at her. There was something unspoken in the air, something connecting them beyond the classroom, beyond words.
And then, as they turned the corner toward the library stairs, a small piece of paper fluttered down from the ceiling vent—landed at Lila's feet.
She picked it up. In neat handwriting, it read:
"Some mistakes never die."
Lila's heart stuttered. She looked up at Ethan. His jaw clenched, eyes shadowed.
"See?" he said softly, almost to himself. "I told you history repeats itself."
Her hand tightened around the paper. She didn't know what it meant, but one thing was clear: nothing about this year at St. Albion would be ordinary.
And whatever secrets the bracelet held, they were only just beginning to surface.