Chapter 3 - chapter 3

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📘 Chapter Three: Lines Not to Cross

The cafeteria at Lumina Academy was buzzing with energy. Laughter echoed between white tile walls, and trays clattered as students compared bruises—both physical and emotional—from the day's training.

Iris sat alone in the back corner, earbuds in but no music playing. She was watching Ethan again, through the tall windows that overlooked the courtyard. He was outside, pacing slowly with Maya, their silhouettes clear through the glass.

Maya was animated, gesturing with one hand, a half-eaten protein bar in the other. Ethan was still, listening more than talking. But Iris noticed the occasional glance—upward, toward the windows—like he knew she was watching.

She hated how aware of him she'd become.

A ping on her phone broke her stare.

Text from Tasha:

> "Group walk auditions at 4PM today. Heard Ethan's choosing his feature group for the showcase. Get your heels ready, girl."

Her pulse quickened.

This was it—the first major cut of the semester. The students chosen would walk in the Midwest Elite Showcase next month, where scouts from New York, Chicago, and even Milan would be watching.

And Ethan would choose the names.

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4:03 PM – Studio Floor

The room was silent. Ethan stood in the center like a judge in a courtroom, clipboard tucked under his arm. Maya leaned against the mirror wall nearby, chewing gum with quiet judgment.

"All of you want to be models," Ethan said, voice echoing. "But only a few of you are ready to be seen."

He paused. The silence pressed into the group.

"Walk."

The first few students moved confidently. Polished. Predictable.

Then Iris stepped forward.

There was no tremble in her bones this time. No doubt. She let everything fade—the lights, the mirrors, even him—and walked like she belonged in that space.

Like it was hers.

When she stopped and turned at the end, she caught a flicker in Ethan's eyes. Pride, maybe. Or trouble.

He said nothing.

Just scribbled on the clipboard and moved on.

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That Evening – Ethan's Apartment

Ethan poured whiskey into a glass and stared at the list in his hand. Ten names. Only ten. The ones who made the cut.

Iris was at the top.

He didn't want her there.

Not because she wasn't ready.

Because she was.

Too ready. Too good. Too hard to ignore.

He set the glass down and leaned against the edge of the kitchen island, mind spiraling. Maya's words rang from earlier:

> "You can't train her like she's just another student. You're already too close, Ethan. Admit it."

He had nothing to admit.

Except the dream he'd had the night before—of her standing on a New York runway, eyes on him, lips parting like she was about to say something that would break him.

He hadn't dreamed about anyone in years.

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Dorm Hallway – Same Time

Iris opened the envelope slid under her door.

A single card. Her name in bold letters:

> CONGRATULATIONS. YOU'VE BEEN SELECTED FOR THE MIDWEST ELITE SHOWCASE GROUP.

— E. COLE

She stared at the signature for a long time.

Why did his name make her heart feel like a lit match?

She lay back on her bed, staring at the ceiling.

He was her trainer. He was off-limits.

And yet—

His voice lived in her head like a memory