Seraphina Vale ran through the quiet corridors of her private hostel, her heels clicking against the floor in frantic rhythm. Once inside her room, tastefully decorated space she shared with Elowen,she slammed the door shut and sank onto her bed. Tears streamed freely, tracing hot trails down her cheeks as the reality of the night replayed endlessly in her mind.
She couldn't escape the videos circulating online. Even in the safety of her room, her phone vibrated relentlessly, a cruel reminder of her humiliation. Students she barely knew had already uploaded clips of her confrontation with Liora Wynn. The views were skyrocketing. Comments ranged from mocking to brutal, some praising her bravery, but most…mercilessly cruel.
Elowen entered quietly, closing the door behind her. Without a word, she reached over and switched off Seraphina's phone, removing the source of the relentless reminder. Pulling her friend close, she murmured softly, "It's over now. You've done nothing wrong."
Seraphina buried her face in Elowen's shoulder, sobbing until exhaustion claimed her. Eventually, the tears stopped, and she fell into a fitful sleep, Elowen watching over her until the night slipped away.
The next day, Seraphina remained cloistered in her room. She studied diligently, drowning out the whispers of social media, though the harsh, unkind comments still stung beneath her calm exterior. She ignored calls, texts, and invitations, retreating into books and notes.
As night fell, a soft knock interrupted her concentration. The door swung open to reveal Elowen, radiant and confident in a breathtaking outfit that accentuated her elegance and poise and in her hand a shimmering tube top caught the light, paired with a short matching skirt.
Seraphina's jaw dropped. "You…a party? Since when? How?"
Elowen laughed, a soft melodic sound that seemed to chase away some of Seraphina's gloom. "I figured a party would do us both good. Especially you, my queen. Even when life tries to knock you down, the queen never dies."
Seraphina smiled faintly but shook her head. "I don't think tonight is…me."
Elowen persisted, leaning on the bed and sitting across from her. "You need a break, Sera. You've been cooped up, letting their petty cruelty dictate your mood. You need to breathe, to be seen, to reclaim the night as yours. And besides, we both deserve a little fun."
"Fun," Seraphina scoffed softly, "after what? After being humiliated?"
"Exactly because of that," Elowen insisted. "Because the world thinks it can make you small, we're going to show them you're unstoppable. And I promise, I'll stick by you the whole time."
Seraphina hesitated, her gaze fixed on Elowen's sparkling eyes. The determination, the warmth, and the playful confidence in her best friend's face slowly chipped away at her resistance. As Elowen began to rise, ready to leave without her, Seraphina sat up.
"Wait…let me see that outfit," she said softly.
Elowen spun around, letting the fabric catch the light. Seraphina studied her friend for a moment, admiration and amusement tugging at her lips. "Fine," she said finally, standing. "If the queen insists, then so be it."
Moments later, they were ready and set off into the night.
The party at Thaddeus' residence was lively but not overwhelming. Music pulsed softly through the rooms, and guests mingled in comfortable clusters. At the entrance, Seraphina and Elowen were met by Thaddeus himself, standing smugly with his usual annoying arrogance.
"Nice to see you here, Sera," he said, a thin smile tugging at his lips as he noted the faint swelling under her makeup.
Seraphina returned a calm, sarcastic smile. "And where is your new…catch?"
"So, you're jealous?" Thaddeus replied with mock innocence. "I thought you were never capable."
They walked past him, Elowen casting a subtle but hateful glare, leaving him simmering in quiet frustration.
Inside, Seraphina found no joy in the party. Elowen sat nearby, immersed in a book, quietly attentive yet fully present—a soft elegance in her focus. Her course mate, Callum Reeve, Thaddeus' co‑housemate, approached to speak to Seraphina, but she politely avoided him. As always, he spoke to a wall of emptiness, his words floating unacknowledged.
A sudden yelp broke the monotony. "Oh gosh—my dress!" Seraphina exclaimed. A cold wetness spread across her outfit. Someone had spilled a drink on her.
Elowen turned sharply to the culprit, a young man named Damien Vey, who pointed upstairs. Without hesitation, the two women followed. Seraphina, knowing Thaddeus' room layout, chose another housemate's room to dry off, with Callum agreeing to help.
After two hours of rest, the door opened to reveal Alden Kairo, the room's owner. Seraphina quickly began gathering her things to leave.
"You can stay as long as you want," Alden said, flashing a warm, inviting smile. "I just needed to change."
Seraphina studied him, captivated by the calm authority in his movements, the inviting warmth of his smile, and the subtle, intoxicating scent that lingered in the room.
Alden laughed softly, unbuttoning his shirt as he walked to the wardrobe. Seraphina watched, amazed at the gentle elegance of his movements, the soft strength of his form, and the casual ease that drew her gaze. He disappeared into the shower, leaving Seraphina to scroll through her phone, wiping away a few lingering tears.
When Alden emerged, seated on the couch, he faced her partially, just a little off-center. Clearing his throat, he asked, "Are you fine?"
Seraphina hesitated, words failing her for a moment. Alden began a light, humorous conversation, unrelated to the night's chaos. Their laughter filled the room, genuine and unguarded.
They spoke of books, trivial hobbies, and shared stories from campus life. Seraphina asked him, hesitantly, why he and Thaddeus disliked each other. Alden smiled, deflecting the question with subtle charm, and she let it go. Every sentence was accompanied by his radiant smile and the faint, comforting scent of him that seemed to wrap around the room.
Eventually, Seraphina drifted to sleep mid-conversation. Alden quietly rose, covering her with a blanket, and settled in a chair nearby. Elowen, meanwhile, spoke to Callum for the first time at length, their conversation meandering until the early hours of the morning.
Morning light spilled into the room. Elowen stirred awake, blinking against it, and noticed Callum seated across from her. They laughed softly over the night's conversation and complimented the unexpected depth of their connection. He offered to fix her coffee, Elowen gave a small nod of agreement, and he headed toward the kitchen, moving with that quiet, measured ease that seemed to fill the space around him.
No sooner had he left than Thaddeus walked in, and their eyes met in a long, tense, almost awkward stare. Neither spoke, the air thick with unspoken hostility, before laughter from the stairwell drew their attention. Turning toward the sound, they froze: Seraphina and Alden were descending the stairs, chatting and laughing as if the party, the videos, and the previous night's drama didn't exist. Shock registered on Thaddeus' face, while Elowen's expression slowly shifted from surprise to a faint, knowing smirk.
At that moment, Callum returned from the kitchen, holding a steaming mug. He paused, eyes widening at the scene before him, and handed the coffee to Elowen. She took it gracefully, sipping, the warm aroma grounding her as she watched Seraphina and Alden continue their unbothered conversation at the stairwell's end.
After a few shared laughs, Seraphina turned to Elowen. "Will you come with me?" she asked, still smiling. "Yes," Elowen replied, taking another sip of her coffee, reaching for her purse and phone. She thanked Callum, complimenting the coffee and apologizing for not being able to finish it. "It's nothing," he replied, smiling softly. "Don't worry about it." A few brief words passed between them before Elowen set her mug down and joined Seraphina at the door, ready to leave, leaving Thaddeus still frozen at the bottom of the stairs, staring.