Chapter 1

• "You got this, Emily. You must prove them all wrong," I whispered to myself as I stepped out of the car I rented just for tonight. The air was thick with anticipation, and the moment my heels touched the pavement, I felt the weight of every gaze land on me like a spotlight.
• I had barely taken three steps before the whispers started.
• "Look… Is that Emily?"
• "Hey! It’s Emily! She really has guts, hahaha."
• "Well, it’s gonna be a good show."
• I kept walking, ignoring the stares, the laughter, and the pointed fingers. My breathing was all I could hear, drowning out the murmurs as I focused on why I was here. Questioning if it was really worth it.
• Must I do this? Is it too late to back down?
• Bringing myself to the dungeon… to the devil’s lair, none other than—
• "So, you came," a deep, baritone voice cut through the noise, vibrating in my chest.
• He was seated at the center of the oversized couch, his arm draped lazily over the backrest, dark eyes locked onto me with unreadable intensity.
• "Andre," I whispered, barely sure if he could hear me over the pulsating music. But I knew he did. I saw it in the way his head tilted slightly—a silent acknowledgment, waiting for my next words.
• "I…" My voice wavered as I stood frozen in place, fear creeping up my spine. Before I could finish, he stood, closing the distance between us in just a few strides.
• "WHAT?! You're what?!" His voice was sharp, mocking, eyes blazing with emotions I couldn’t decipher.
• "I’m sorry," I whispered, afraid of what would come next.
• Andre let out a humorless laugh. "Hahahaha! That’s a funny joke, say it again, princess?" His smirk was cold, the warmth in his eyes I once knew long gone.
• Months earlier…
• I was never supposed to be here. A transferee at one of the most elite schools in the city, I had intended to keep my head down, stay out of trouble, and graduate unscathed. But that all changed the day I met Isabelle.
• She was different from the rest of the students—aloof, distant, and seemingly out of place, just like me. Maybe that’s why I didn’t hesitate when I saw her cornered by a group of girls near the cafeteria, their sneering voices taunting her.
• "You think you're so special, huh, Isabelle? Just because you have a pretty face?"
• "Yeah, a nobody acting so high?"
• Before I could stop myself, I had stepped between them. "Leave her alone."
• The girls turned to me, clearly unimpressed by my interruption. "And who the hell are you?"
• "Someone who doesn’t tolerate bullying." I stared them down, heart pounding, praying they wouldn't call my bluff.
• A tense silence stretched between us before one of them scoffed. "Ugh, whatever. Have fun with your charity case."
• They sauntered off, and I turned to Isabelle. "Are you okay?"
• She hesitated before nodding. "You shouldn't have done that."
• "Why not?"
• "Because now you’re involved," she murmured, eyes dark with something unreadable.
• From that day on, Isabelle and I grew closer, but only in secret. We made a pact—no one could know we were friends. It was safer that way as Isabelle says. For me, it meant avoiding unnecessary attention and keeping the bullies at bay. For her… well, she never explained why, only that it was important and any mention of her family made her retreat into silence, her expression turning cold and unreadable. I learned to stop asking, but the mystery of it always lingered in the back of my mind.
• "Bye Bellie! I'll see you tomorrow!" I shout as we bid farewell after a long day at school.
• "See you tomorrow Lily" she smiles as she says back quietly as always. As I watch her got on her family car, I walk and try to catch the last minute bus.
• I waited at the bus stop, the air crisp and eerily still. The streetlamp above me flickered slightly, casting a dull yellow glow on the empty road. I rubbed my hands together, trying to shake off the chill when I noticed a shadowy figure leaning against a lamppost a few feet away.
• A strange feeling crept up my spine. I could sense someone watching me. As I shifted my stance and took a cautious step forward, my stomach clenched. Andre. The school’s star quarterback, resident bully, and the last person I wanted to be alone with at this hour.
• My heartbeat quickened. Maybe if I ignored him, he’d let me be. I turned my gaze forward, pretending not to see him, but as I attempted to walk past, a strong hand suddenly wrapped around my wrist.
• "Are you Isabelle’s friend?"
• I tried to walk past him, but he reached out, grabbing my wrist. "Are you Isabelle’s friend?"
• His voice was low, almost teasing, but there was a dangerous edge to it.
• Shock froze me. How did he know? I blurted out the first thing that came to mind. "Bellie?"
• His smirk deepened. "Bellie, huh?" He repeated the name like it was a secret he wasn’t supposed to hear.
• Realizing my mistake, I quickly shook my head. "Huh? I don’t know what you’re talking about. I don’t know any Isabelle."
• Andre tightened his grip. "Oh no, no, don’t lie now, princess. I think you know exactly who she is. And you… you’re gonna tell me more."
• Panic surged through me. My heartbeat pounded in my ears as I thought fast. "Isabelle!" I suddenly yelled, looking over his shoulder as if she was behind him.
• His hold loosened for just a second as he turned to look. That was all I needed.
• I kicked him hard in the shin and bolted.
• My heart raced as I ran, breathless by the time I slammed the door of my apartment shut. With trembling fingers, I dialed Isabelle’s number. No answer. I tried again. Still nothing.
• Frustrated, I texted her: Are you okay? Andre was asking me about you! I’m not sure how he knows we’re friends. Please tell me you’re okay!
• I paced back and forth, nerves eating away at me. Finally, my phone pinged. I lunged for it.
• I’m okay. I will see you tomorrow at school. Good night, Lily.
• Cold. Distant. Just like always when she didn’t want to talk about something.
• I sighed, trying to shake off the unease curling in my stomach. Okay, see you! Good night, Bellie.
• Dropping my phone onto the bed, I headed to the kitchen to grab a snack, trying to push away the feeling that something was very, very wrong.