Alessia left the classroom with her head down, gripping the straps of her backpack so tightly her knuckles turned white. Her heart pounded as she replayed the scene over and over—the laughter, the whispers, Regina's sneer. The lie she'd blurted still sat heavy on her chest, coiling tighter with every step she took.
Why had she lied? She wasn't ashamed of her dad—he was her hero. But in that moment, surrounded by judgmental stares and snickers, she'd panicked. She hadn't wanted to give them more ammunition.
The hallways of Westwood were just as crowded as before, but Alessia barely noticed. Her gaze stayed fixed on the floor as she slipped through the throng of students, desperate to escape.
"Alessia!"
The voice stopped her in her tracks. She turned reluctantly, only to see Caleb Lawson leaning casually against the wall, her books in his hand. His usual infuriating smirk was plastered on his face as he stepped toward her.
"Hey," he said, holding the books out to her. "You left these in the classroom."
Alessia took them quickly, clutching them to her chest. "Thanks," she muttered, avoiding his gaze. Then, with a sharp tone, she added, "Now leave me alone."
Caleb blinked, his smirk faltering. "That's a rude way to express gratitude."
Alessia sighed, glancing around nervously as if someone might overhear. "Sorry," she said, her voice softer but still tense. "It's just... I don't want any attention from you. Or Regina. Please, just stay away from me."
She turned to walk away, but before she could take a step, a familiar voice chimed in behind her.
"Alessia!" Regina's tone was shockingly sweet, nothing like the sharp-edged taunts from earlier.
Alessia froze, turning slowly to find Regina smiling at her. It was disarming—friendly, even—but Alessia couldn't shake the unease curling in her stomach.
"Hey," Regina said, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "Sorry we got off on the wrong foot earlier. You know how it is—so many rumors flying around this place. It's hard to tell what's true."
Alessia frowned, unsure where this was going.
Regina stepped closer, her smile widening. "If you don't have any friends yet, you can join us for lunch. It's always better to stick with people who know their way around."
Alessia glanced at Caleb, who nodded casually.
"Yeah, you could join us," he said, his tone surprisingly genuine. "We'll show you around, help you get to know the school."
For a moment, Alessia hesitated. She wanted to say no, to walk away and keep her distance. But something in Regina's expression—calculated though it seemed—made her pause. And Caleb... he looked almost sincere. Maybe, just maybe, they weren't as bad as she'd initially thought.
"Okay," she said quietly. "I guess I could join you."
***
They led her to the courtyard, where rows of tables were scattered under the shade of tall oak trees. The smell of fresh coffee and grilled food lingered in the air. Students laughed and chatted in tight-knit groups, their polished appearances a sharp contrast to Alessia's understated look.
Regina approached a table near the center of the courtyard. A girl was already seated there, her tray untouched as she scrolled through her phone.
Regina smiled at her, wide and disarming. "Hi, Mindy," she said sweetly.
The girl looked up, her expression shifting from surprised to nervous. Without a word, she grabbed her tray and left, her head bowed.
Alessia's stomach twisted. She wanted to say something, but the words caught in her throat. Caleb pulled out a chair and gestured for her to sit.
"Here you go," he said, his smirk back in full force.
Alessia sat down hesitantly, placing her books on the edge of the table. Regina slid into the chair across from her, crossing her legs elegantly.
"So," Regina said, leaning forward with a curious tilt of her head. "Tell us more about yourself."
Alessia shifted uncomfortably under Regina's gaze. "There's not much to tell," she said cautiously.
Regina's smile didn't falter. "Come on. Everyone has a story. Where are you from? What's your family like?"
Alessia hesitated, glancing at Caleb, who was watching her with an unreadable expression. She thought about the lie she'd already told, the weight of it still pressing on her chest.
"I... my family just moved here," she said, her voice careful. "My dad's a businessman, and we thought Westwood would be a good fit for me."
Regina's eyebrows lifted, her smile stretching wider. "A businessman? That's interesting. What kind of business?"
Alessia's grip on her bag tightened. "Oh, um... he owns a small company. Nothing fancy."
Regina didn't press further, but the look in her eyes made Alessia's stomach churn. Caleb, on the other hand, leaned back in his chair, his gaze flicking between the two girls with mild interest.
"Well," Regina said after a pause, her tone turning syrupy again, "I think you're going to fit in just fine, Alessia. Don't you think, Caleb?"
"Definitely," Caleb said, his smirk deepening.
Alessia forced a smile, but she couldn't shake the feeling that she was walking into a trap.