"I know that signature scent."
The voice came from behind me in the hallway, calm yet annoyingly familiar. I stopped walking. Of course, I didn't need to turn around to know who it was, but I did anyway—just to confirm what my instincts were already screaming.
Aiden.
My annoying, overprotective, ridiculously attractive cousin brother stood behind me with his hands tucked into his pockets, staring at me like he had just uncovered a well-kept secret.
I rolled my eyes before he could even say another word.
"You know," he began, walking closer, "it's actually very rude how you and Dad decided to enroll you in Elites High without my consent."
I scoffed silently.
"Honestly," he continued, his voice softening, "it hurts hearing that my own sister is in the same school as me—from another person's mouth."
I stared at him for a moment, searching his face for guilt, concern, or maybe even excitement. Instead, all I saw was mild annoyance mixed with something dangerously close to protectiveness.
"Well, now that you know," I said dryly, "it would be a great honor if you avoided me for the rest of our days in this school."
I turned to leave, but before I could take two steps, his hand wrapped around my wrist and pulled me back. Hard.
"What's your problem?!" I snapped, yanking my hand away.
His eyes dropped to the jacket draped over my shoulders.
"Already wearing Jason's jacket?" he asked, shaking his head slightly. "Why am I even surprised?"
He let out a humorless laugh.
"Of course—you're Kaliyah. The girl who always succeeds in getting any guy she wants without considering anyone else's feelings."
That did it.
"Is this about Crystal?" I asked, my heart boiling as heat rushed through my veins.
His jaw tightened for a split second, but he quickly masked it.
"Just forget it," I said coldly. "Not like I care."
And with that, I walked away before he could say anything else.
I entered the classroom and went straight to my desk, dropping my bag carelessly. Something immediately caught my attention.
A neatly wrapped box of chocolates.
A red rose—fresh and perfect.
And a small card sticking out.
I stared at it for a moment before slowly turning to my friends. They were already grinning like they had been waiting for my reaction.
"This guy," I said with a smirk, "is seriously crazy in love."
"Come on, Kal," Ivy said excitedly. "He really wants you."
I rolled my eyes and leaned back into my seat. "Yeah, yeah. But I'm not letting him slide in that easily."
"Whatever," Chloe said impatiently. "Just open the chocolates already."
I picked up the box and tossed it in her direction. "I'm really not a fan of dark chocolate."
She caught it effortlessly and gasped dramatically. "More for me then."
Crystal paced back and forth in Aiden's room like a restless shadow. Her thoughts were loud, messy, and unbearable. Jason couldn't possibly ditch her for Kaliyah—her of all people.
She stopped abruptly and collapsed onto Aiden's bed, burying her face in her hands.
Aiden, who had been quietly observing her from a corner of the room, finally walked over. The moment he sat beside her, Crystal leaned into him and broke down, her sobs muffled against his shoulder.
"I can't believe she could do this to me," she cried. "I thought we were friends. How could she break the sister's code so easily?"
Aiden wrapped his arms around her, holding her tightly while gently stroking her hair.
"I really can't believe Jason is doing this," she sobbed between breaths.
She stood up suddenly and walked toward the dressing mirror, wiping her tears. She stared at her reflection, scanning every detail like she was searching for answers.
"Aiden," she called softly.
"Yes?"
She turned to him. "Am I not good enough?"
He stood up immediately. "Come on, don't ask that."
He moved closer. "Have you seen yourself? You're clearly every guy's dream."
Crystal looked down at her fingers, fidgeting nervously, then looked back up at him.
"But compared to your sister," she whispered, "I'm just nothing."
Tears streamed freely down her cheeks.
Aiden pulled her into his arms again. "You don't have to compare yourself with my sister. You're both amazing—just in different ways."
She sniffed.
"I know you're hurting," he said gently. "Please go to bed and rest."
He helped her lie down and stayed beside her, softly stroking her hair until her breathing evened out and she drifted into sleep.
Later that evening, my friends and I sat on the hostel stairs, gisting and laughing like nothing in the world could touch us.
I sat comfortably between Ivy and Jasmine while Ivy combed my hair. She opened my hair oil and gently applied it, massaging my scalp before continuing.
"Honestly, Kal," Ivy said, "I really like your hair."
I smiled. "Thanks."
"It's so unique," Chloe added. "You don't see white hair like this every day."
"And those silver eyes with the long white hair?" Jasmine sighed dreamily. "It feels magical."
I fake-coughed loudly. "Jeez! Can't believe you girls are gossiping about me right in front of me."
We burst into laughter.
That was when Aiden walked past us.
I immediately noticed the way my friends' eyes followed him—especially Chloe, whose dreamy smile was impossible to miss.
I cleared my throat loudly.
"Please don't tell me you girls fancy the dude that just passed," I said.
Chloe snapped her head toward me. "Girl! Do you even know who that is?"
"That's Aiden," she said proudly. "The most popular guy in Elites."
"He's the only student with a private room," Ivy added. "No roommates."
I scoffed. "Good for him."
"I just wish he'd notice me someday," Chloe said softly.
I nearly choked on my apple juice.
"Oh please," I said. "Don't tell me Aiden is the science freak you once said you had a crush on?"
"He is," she admitted. "But that Crystal girl is always around him, and it hurts."
I paused, noticing the sadness in her eyes.
"You really like him?" I asked quietly.
She nodded. "Rumor has it that Aiden and Crystal are dating. He loves her so much that he doesn't even look at other girls."
"Oh please," I scoffed confidently. "Aiden and Crystal are just best friends. Trust me—Aiden doesn't fancy girls like Crystal."
"You sound very sure," Ivy said.
I bit my lower lip. "I just figured it out."
Jasmine's eyes lingered on me suspiciously.
"I hope you're telling the truth," she said.
I smiled sweetly. "Come on, Jasmine. I have no reason to lie."
"Besides," I added, laughing, "my previous school was in England. You don't expect me to know some random guy all the way from England to America, do you?"
The girls burst into laughter.