The school event preparations were already in full swing.
Groups moved around the campus, discussing ideas, assigning roles, and setting up plans.
But in Amara's group…
The atmosphere was different.
Kian stood beside her, reviewing the event outline.
"We need a theme," he said.
Amara nodded slightly.
"Something simple. Clear."
Before they could continue—
A voice interrupted again.
"Not so fast."
It was Brielle.
She approached with two students behind her, holding a projector laptop.
"I've prepared something for the event," Brielle announced.
The surrounding students gathered quickly.
Curiosity spread again.
Kian leaned slightly toward Amara.
"I don't like this," he said quietly.
Amara didn't respond.
Her eyes were fixed on Brielle.
Brielle smiled.
"Since this event is about understanding each other…"
She paused.
"…I think it's only fair we understand our classmates better too."
She connected the laptop to the projector.
A screen lit up in the courtyard.
Students murmured.
"What is that?"
"Is that a presentation?"
The first slide appeared.
"Amara – Background Profile"
The crowd reacted instantly.
Gasps.
Whispers.
Confusion.
Amara's expression changed.
Just slightly.
But Kian noticed.
Brielle continued speaking calmly:
"Some of you have been curious about her… so I did a little research."
The next slide appeared.
Details began to show:
Family name
Business connections
Wealth status
Students leaned forward, reading.
Kian's eyes narrowed.
"This is getting out of hand," he muttered.
Amara finally spoke, her voice low:
"Stop this."
Brielle looked at her directly.
"No."
A silence fell across the courtyard.
Brielle walked forward slowly.
"You chose to hide your identity here," she said.
"So why are you surprised when it's revealed?"
Amara clenched her fingers slightly.
"That's not your decision to make."
Brielle smiled faintly.
"Actually… it is."
She turned back to the screen.
"And there's something else you didn't tell them."
The next slide appeared.
But this time… it wasn't just information.
It was something more sensitive.
Something that caused a stronger reaction from the crowd.
Murmurs turned into louder voices.
"What?!"
"Is that true?"
"No way…"
Amara closed her eyes briefly.
Then opened them again.
Calm returned.
Controlled.
Kian stepped forward.
"Enough," he said firmly.
His voice carried authority.
The crowd quieted slightly.
Brielle looked at him.
"Why are you defending her?"
Kian didn't hesitate.
"Because what you're doing is wrong."
A slight shift happened in the atmosphere.
Some students began to side with Kian.
Others remained unsure.
Brielle's smile faded… just a little.
But her determination remained.
"You think this is wrong?" she said.
"Then ask yourself why she hid it in the first place."
Silence.
That question hung in the air.
Amara finally spoke.
Her voice was calm… but firm.
"I didn't hide it to deceive anyone."
A pause.
"I did it to live normally."
Another silence followed.
Kian looked at her.
For the first time…
He understood something deeper.
Brielle crossed her arms.
"Normal doesn't exist for people like you."
That statement hit differently.
Not just for Amara…
But for Kian too.
Amara looked directly at Brielle.
"If you wanted attention… you've gotten it."
A pause.
"Now stop."
Brielle held her gaze for a moment.
Then…
She smiled again.
But this time, it was different.
Less playful.
More calculated.
"Not yet."
She turned off the projector.
The presentation ended.
But the damage… had already been done.
Students were still talking.
Questions spread.
Rumors began forming.
Amara turned and walked away from the crowd.
Kian followed her.
"Amara—"
She stopped walking.
"Don't."
Kian paused.
She turned to face him.
"This is exactly why I stay away from people."
A brief silence.
Kian replied softly:
"I'm not most people."
Amara looked at him for a moment.
Something in her expression softened… but only slightly.
"Then don't make me regret that."
She turned and walked away.
Kian stood there… watching her go.
And for the first time…
He wasn't just curious anymore.
He was involved.
Behind them…
Brielle stood at a distance, observing everything.
And this time…
She wasn't smiling.
Because now she knew one thing:
This was no longer just a school rivalry.
It had become personal.