Chapter 3: Cracks in the Crown One week had passed at Westbridge High. Another school day was drawing to a close, and students were packing up their bags. Aria gathered her belongings at her desk, preparing for what had quickly become her new daily routine: finish classes, then head straight to the library for review lessons with Adrian. That was the plan—until Lena stepped into the doorway. She stood with an arrogant smirk playing on her lips, making it clear she hadn't come for peace. Breaking the quiet in the room, Lena scoffed, "I heard you've been going to the library every single day. Do you really think doing that is going to give you your crown back?" Lena waited for Aria to snap, but as seconds passed in total silence, her smirk vanished. A deep red flush of anger and frustration crept up Lena’s neck as she realized she was being completely ignored. Storming into the classroom, the sharp echo of Lena's footsteps betrayed just how furious she was. She slammed both hands down onto Aria’s desk to force an acknowledgment. "How dare you ignore me!" Lena spat. Aria didn't flinch. She methodically finished gathering her notebooks, then finally lifted her eyes to meet Lena's with an icy, unbothered stare. "You've finally removed your mask," Aria said, her voice cutting through the room with the sharpness of a razor blade. "Since you're observing my every move, you must already know you won't stay queen for long." Lena froze for a split second, the unwavering confidence in her voice wavering. "During these past five years, I worked hard! How dare you come back and claim my position like that?" Aria let out a quiet, humorless laugh. "Lena, let's be honest. During those five years, I was the one doing all of your and Lucien's assignments—" SLAP! Before Aria could finish her sentence, Lena's hand flew across her face. The force of the strike sent Aria's head snapping backward. Panic was written all over Lena’s face, her breathing uneven and ragged. "Shut up!" she shouted. Aria paused, slowly regaining her composure. Without displaying a single spark of anger, she picked up her bag, stood up, and looked down at Lena. "Don't come talk to me if you aren't ready to hear the truth." With that, Aria turned and walked out. The heavy tension in the empty classroom snapped, leaving Lena to let out a frustrated scream into the silence—but Aria was already far down the hallway. When Aria reached the library, Adrian was already seated at their usual table, study manuals opened in front of him. He looked up from his notes, his voice cool. "You're late." Aria pulled out the chair beside him and sat down. "I was delayed by useful matters," she replied nonchalantly. Adrian turned toward her, but his eyes immediately locked onto her swollen jaw. The cold, guarded barrier in his expression softened for a brief moment. "Who did that?" he asked, a subtle trace of concern hidden beneath his tone. "It was Lena," Aria replied with the same nonchalance, waving a hand dismissively. "Don't worry about it. Let's start the lesson." In an instant, Adrian masked his concern behind his standard professional persona. "Since you came late, there will be twice as many exercises today." "You are heartless," Aria said, her tone dramatic. "I'm not heartless, I'm just professional," Adrian replied smoothly. He paused, his voice dropping slightly—sounding less like a strict tutor and more like a true friend. "Just... don't get into a situation that gets you hurt." He focused back on the manuals in front of him to cover his rare moment of vulnerability. Aria stared at him, caught off guard, before a soft smile touched her lips. "I won't," she promised gently. She opened her notebook and started working alongside him. The heavy drama of the school hallways faded away, replaced by a light, peaceful atmosphere between them.

Cracks in the crown