Kate's point of view
I woke up feeling strangely refreshed — lighter, almost happy. After a quick shower and brushing my teeth, I slipped into my favorite outfit and stood before the mirror.
"Oh my God," I whispered, tilting my head, striking a pose. "I am so pretty."
I giggled at my reflection and clicked a few pictures, flipping my hair dramatically.
"Tss, so self-obsessed," a voice teased behind me.
I turned Kalix was leaning against the door frame, grinning.
"Excuse me," I said, wrapping my arms around my waist, "for your kind information, I am pretty."
He chuckled. "Yeah, I know. Stingy."
"Hey! I'm not stingy you're stingy!" I shouted as he walked off laughing.
Rolling my eyes, I took a deep breath. Okay Kate, I told myself, goals for today: try talking to Brother Alex without arguing, don't punch anyone, and maybe just maybe act like a normal girl for once.
When I came downstairs, the maids were setting the dining table. Kalix sat on the couch scrolling through his phone. No sign of Alex.
"Where's Brother Alex?" I asked, sliding into the chair beside Kalix.
"He left for a business trip. Four days," he said casually.
The words hit like a knife. "Oh." I looked down, trying to hide how hollow it suddenly felt. "I just asked."
Breakfast passed in silence. Three eggs, a bowl of rice, four slices of bacon mechanical bites. Then Kalix spoke up.
"Kate."
"Yeah?"
He cleared his throat. "There's something I need to tell you."
I looked up. "What's up?"
"I've… been dating someone since college."
I froze. My fork clattered on the plate.
"What?!"
Kalix's POV
Her face was priceless pure shock and disbelief.
"What?! Is she your type? Is she beautiful? Loyal? Honest? Lovely? Dangerous? Loving?" she fired questions faster than bullets.
I laughed. "Okay, calm down, let me answer at least one."
She crossed her arms, glaring but curious.
"She's beautiful," I said slowly. "Dangerous too. Loving, boyish, honest, and an introvert."
Kate blinked four times. "So you're saying she's boyish like me, beautiful like me, loving—but not like me—honest like me, and introverted unlike me?" She squinted. "That checks out."
I smirked. "What about you, huh? Ever thought about being loving?"
Her eyes darkened. "After getting hated by my father and ignored by my family, do you really think I can be loving?"
That shut me up. I nodded quietly.
I changed the topic fast. "Anyway, she invited us to a fancy restaurant tonight."
Her mood flipped instantly. She jumped from her seat and started singing,
"We're going to a restaurant! Gonna meet my sister-in-law~!"
"Stop it," I said, laughing.
"You don't have to yell, I'm just excited!"
"Just… don't tell anyone, okay?"
"Promise!" she said, grabbing her bag. "Now hurry up — I'm late!"
She ran to the car like a child chasing sunlight.
Kate point of view
I rushed into the car, still grinning — but my phone buzzed.
An unknown number.
Unknown:Hi, my sexy love. Can I have a picture of you? A nude one.
My stomach dropped. "What the f—"
"Kate!" Kalix's voice cut me off as he got in the car. "How many times have I told you no inappropriate words!"
"Sorry," I muttered quickly, my heart racing. I blocked the number immediately, pretending it didn't shake me.
The rest of the ride was quiet until the school gate came into view.
"Kate," Kalix said softly, "please behave in school today. No fights, no suspensions. This is your last chance. I know it's not the school you wanted, but… your dream matters, right?"
His voice was full of hope. That alone made me smile.
"I'll make your dream come true, Brother," I said confidently.
He smiled back, pinched my cheeks like I was five. "Good girl."
That warmth of his pride meant everything.
As I stepped out of the car and waved goodbye, my heart felt light again. Until he appeared.
The donkey.
Kevin.
"Coming with your boyfriend, huh?" he said smugly.
My blood boiled. "He's my brother, for your kind information."
"Whatever. I needed to tell you something—"
"I don't want to hear it." I brushed past him and kept walking.
Kevin POV:
Before she could get far, I grabbed her wrist.
"Just listen for once," I said.
"Let me go." Her tone was sharp, eyes burning.
I tightened my grip. "Not until you hear me out."
Big mistake.
Her expression shifted calm, dangerous. Then she stomped on my foot hard.
"OW what the hell?!"
She leaned closer, smirking. "Told you. Don't mess with me."
Then, as if to add insult to injury, she offered me a hand. "Need help?"
I took it and yanked her down.
She fell, groaning.
Kate POV:
Pain shot through my knees. "You jerk! Help me up!"
He walked off, pretending not to hear. "Can't hear you!"
"Kevin!"
He disappeared into the hallway. I tried to stand, but my legs trembled. Then a calm voice behind me said, "Need a hand?"
I turned a tall boy with chestnut hair and warm brown eyes.
"Do I know you?" I asked bluntly.
He laughed. "Seriously? I'm Michael. Michael Johnson."
That name I couldn't help it I burst out laughing. "Johnson?! Like the shampoo?"
His ears went red. "It's just Johnson!"
"Okay, baby Johnson, help me up then."
He sighed but smiled, slipping my arm over his shoulder and helping me walk. As we moved down the hallway, something in my chest tightened a strange heaviness.
Kevin POV:
When Kate didn't show up for class, I got restless. I told myself I didn't care but my focus was gone.
Then the door opened.
She walked in with him.
"Sir, may I come in?" she asked politely.
"You're ten minutes late," the teacher said.
"I'm sorry," she replied, shooting me a glare so sharp it could cut steel.
I smirked and waved.
Then she turned to him. "Thanks, Michael. I'll pay you back someday."
He smiled… then looked at me like I was dirt.
Something snapped. I stood up and grabbed his collar. "What did you do to her?"
"Kevin!" Kate shoved me. "He was helping me!"
"Did he touch you?" I demanded.
Her jaw dropped. "What are you even—he helped me stand up!"
"You sure?"
"Positive!" she snapped.
"Then why were you holding onto him?"
She glared so fiercely the entire class went silent. "Because I COULDN'T WALK, YOU IDIOT!"
David tried to step in. "Kate, calm down"
She turned on him like a storm. "Don't tell me to calm down! Who even asked you?"
He backed off instantly.
The teacher finally intervened. "Enough. Kate, take Michael's seat for now. We'll sort this later."
She sat in the corner, still fuming, scribbling notes furiously.
Kate POV
By break time, I'd cooled off mostly. I headed to the canteen but had no appetite, so I grabbed an ice cream and went back to class.
As I sat down, I realized I was the only girl here.
"Hey Kate," one boy called. "Why are you here?"
"Got expelled," I said flatly.
"From where?"
"Everywhere," I muttered. "Fifth school so far."
They stared.
"I broke a boy's nose once," I added casually. "Cracked another's head. If anyone bothers you, I'll handle it."
They didn't blink. "She's dangerous," one whispered.
"Yep," another nodded. "Totally."
I smirked.
Then flick.
"Ow!" I looked up. Kevin. Of course.
"What do you want now?"
"To talk," he said.
"I don't." I put my headphones in.
He snatched my phone.
"Give it back!"
"Listen first."
"Kevin!" I jumped to grab it, but slipped.
He caught me arms steady, eyes locked with mine. For a second, everything stopped.
Then he let go, and I stumbled back, heart pounding.
Laughter rippled around us. Someone whispered, "Her cheeks are red!"
I bolted to the restroom, looked in the mirror — my face was scarlet.
"Oh great," I muttered. "Now I look like a tomato."
A girl with ginger curls walked in, eyes full of attitude. "You must be the new girl from 12-D. The only girl." She scoffed and walked out.
I sighed. "Weird school."
Back in class, I caught Kevin and David whispering, eyes darting at me. Whatever they were saying, it couldn't be good.
Kevin POV
After school, the hallway emptied. Even David left early.
I spotted Kate packing her stuff. "Hey, can I ask—"
"I don't want to answer." She brushed past me.
"Wait, I just"
"My brother's here. Bye." She disappeared outside.
As I started to leave, a familiar face stopped me.
Kalix.
"How's Ashi?" he asked casually.
"She's fine," I said, confused.
He smiled. "You look handsome, by the way."
I blinked. "Uh… thanks?"
He walked off like nothing happened.
Weirdest guy I've ever met.
Kate POV
I slid into the passenger seat, still fuming. "From which angle is he handsome?"
Kalix smirked. "Is it wrong to admit he looks decent?"
"Yes! He's an idiot. A stupid, arrogant, annoying"
"Handsome?" Kalix added.
I glared. "No! And stop smiling!"
He grinned wider. "You know what I think? You two are gonna be enemies to lovers."
I groaned. "Ha-ha, so funny. For the millionth time — I will never fall for him. No matter what."
He just laughed quietly, like he already knew better.