The campus was buzzing with chatter as students prepared for the weekly school showcase, an event where each class presented projects or performances in front of the entire university.
Aria adjusted her bag, glancing around nervously. Her rival girl had clearly planned something—Aria could feel the tension in the air.
In class, the rival girl whispered to a few friends and sent subtle glances toward Aria, smirking.
"You really think you can steal all the attention?" she muttered under her breath, loud enough for Aria to hear.
Aria took a slow breath. Calm. Confident. Unbothered. She kept her gaze forward, her expression serene.
Lucien, seated beside her, leaned slightly closer. "Ignore her. Focus on yourself," he murmured.
Aria felt a rush of warmth at his words and the protective presence so close to her. She nodded slightly, feeling steadier.
The showcase began, and Class A-3 went first. Aria's heart raced as she and her classmates presented their project.
Mid-presentation, she noticed the rival girl attempting a subtle sabotage—hiding part of the props and whispering to others to distract Aria.
Aria's eyes narrowed slightly, but she stayed calm. Using her quick thinking, she adjusted the presentation on the fly, incorporating the missing props seamlessly.
The audience applauded, impressed by her composure and intelligence.
Afterward, in the hallway, the rival girl approached again. "This isn't over," she hissed.
Before Aria could reply, Lucien stepped beside her, his presence commanding attention. "It is over," he said, his voice calm but deadly serious.
Aria felt her heart skip a beat. Protective, confident, and steady—he was everything she hadn't realized she wanted so badly.
The rival girl glared but backed off, realizing neither Aria nor Lucien would falter.
Later that evening, Aria returned to rehearsal with her idol group. They immediately noticed her exhausted but triumphant expression.
"You handled it like a queen today," one of them said, ruffling her hair playfully.
Aria laughed, shaking her head. "I had some help."
Her friends grinned knowingly. "Lucien Cross, huh?"
She felt her cheeks warm. "Maybe…"
The group laughed and teased, but she didn't mind. Their support reminded her that she wasn't alone in any of this—whether school drama or life as an idol, they were her foundation.
That night, as she prepared for bed, Aria's phone buzzed. A message from Lucien appeared:
You were amazing today. Proud of you.
She smiled softly, fingers brushing over the screen. He really notices me…
School rivalries, stage performances, and unexpected feelings… she thought. This life is chaotic, but maybe it's exactly where I'm supposed to be.