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The rooftop of Brighton Wisdom Academy was a wide, breezy expanse of smooth concrete, offering a dizzying view of the city. The sky was an intense, pale blue, contrasting sharply with the three figures standing in tense silence.
Lara stood against the distant guardrail, her figure rigid with unconcealed fury. She wore a uniform white shirt and dark green skirt, but her expression was anything but simple; it was a storm of demanding questions. Facing her, Gabriella was composed in a crisp green blazer over a white shirt . Ajax, in a fitted dark denim jacket, stood slightly to Gabriella's side, watching both girls with an intense, curious focus.
Lara's eyes were locked on Gabriella's. "I want the truth," Lara's voice was strained, seeking an answer that felt due.
Gabriella's face momentarily tightened with panic, a flicker so quick only Ajax might have noticed, but she immediately covered it with a cold, almost mocking smile. She raised a delicate eyebrow. "What? Why are you asking me now?"
Lara took a few sharp steps closer. "I want the truth," she repeated, her voice low and dangerous.
Gabriella's smile was thin. "If I told you that... whatever happened to me in the past..." She paused, staring straight into Lara's eyes, then finished with a straight face, "...will it change anything?"
"No," Lara said instantly. "But I want the truth, as your friend."
Gabriella turned, gazing out over the skyline, the breeze catching her hair. "Some truths are good... if you don't know them. Otherwise, they bring you..." She stopped, cutting herself off.
"Why did you stop? Tell me!" Lara forced.
Gabriella simply smiled, a private, knowing expression that made Lara even more annoyed. "If you won't tell me," Lara snapped, her voice breaking a little, "I know I'm also involved in it." She turned to leave, her shoulders slumped in frustration. "I will find it."
"Lara."
Ajax's voice was sudden and soft. Lara turned back.
"Do you know me?" she asked him coolly.
Gabriella stared at Ajax, suspicion darkening her eyes. He noticed her reaction and offered a casual smile. "Know? No. I just... want to confirm. Is it true that you're the girl whose memories were lost?"
Ajax's smile disappeared as he watched her face. "Is that you, right?"
Lara, already in a bad mood, didn't reply verbally. She only nodded, a tiny jerk of her chin, and then walked quickly away, disappearing down the stairwell.
Gabriella's hands were holding tightly to each other behind her back. She turned slowly to face Ajax, her eyes narrowed.
"Hey, don't get suspicious," Ajax said, noticing her look. "I was just curious, so I asked." He turned his attention to the scenery on the other side of the rooftop.
Gabriella let out a low, humorless laugh. She whispered to herself, too quietly for him to hear, "This guy... is hiding something from me."
In Outdoor Basketball Court
The air hung heavy and warm around the outdoor basketball court, baking the asphalt. Jake was sitting on a hard plastic chair at the edge of the court, a lone figure. He had removed his green school uniform coat and tossed it carelessly over the chair's back. He glanced down at his white shirt—two buttons were conspicuously missing just below the collar. He turned his gaze back to the empty, dusty court.
A warm hand placed firmly on his shoulder made him turn sharply. Ronnie stood there, a smirk on his face. "Hey, Bro."
Jake didn't reply, his jaw set hard.
"What happened?" Ronnie asked, dropping his hand and pulling up another chair. "Why were you that angry in the canteen?"
"Because Selina," Jake said simply.
"I can understand she did something," Ronnie conceded, "but I've never seen you act like this before." He paused, studying Jake's tense profile. "It's about Gabriella, right?"
Jake turned his body fully toward Ronnie, his expression cold.
Ronnie smiled faintly. "I know. You know she's our enemy, right?"
"I know," Jake affirmed.
"Then why are you defending her? If Selina did something against Gabriella, why are you bothering with it?"
Jake's eyes were cold. "You don't know what dirty plan she planned against Gabriella."
"I know she told us," Ronnie countered. "But one thing I don't understand is... you're standing up for that Gabriella, without even knowing why."
"No," Jake denied, shaking his head.
"Yes," Ronnie insisted. "Today, you stood against us, in front of the whole school."
Jake slapped his hand on the arm of the chair and stood up abruptly. "I am angry with Selina because she did wrong. How can she arrange a man to—" Jake stopped, choking on the next word, then finished with rage, "—abuse Gabriella? That's wrong. Even if Gabriella is our enemy, I won't allow it."
Ronnie smiled slowly, a knowing look spreading across his face. "I can say one thing about your behavior..."
Jake waited, listening intently.
"Actually, you've fallen for her," Ronnie said, his tone light and teasing. "Instead of acting to like her ."
Jake's eyes widened. He didn't reply. He watched Ronnie walk away, then sat back down, picking up the small, silver couple bracelet he and Gabriella had won together in a competition. He gripped it, thinking deeply about Ronnie's words.
In Dona House
Gabriella stepped inside Dona's grand house. The entryway was opulent, featuring a crystal chandelier and soft, pale walls. She looked surprisingly casual today, wearing faded blue jeans and a snug, light-grey crop top.
Dona's mother, a graceful woman in a flowing silk dress, noticed Gabriella right away and invited her in warmly. "Fredrick's daughter, right? Dona told lots about you."
Gabriella smiled brightly. "Yes, really?"
"Oh, she always talks about you," Dona's mother chuckled.
"Where is Andrew?" Gabriella asked, glancing around.
"He is in his tuition class," Dona's mother replied.
"Oh," Gabriella murmured.
"Dona is in her room. Go see her," she instructed kindly. "It's upstairs, the corner room." Gabriella nodded and headed for the staircase.
In Dona Room
Dona was hunched over her tablet, rapidly tapping the screen. Her hair was a comfortable, fluffy mess, and she wore an oversized lavender hoodie, looking utterly exhausted. She whispered to herself, "Okay, then. I will write this twist. The readers will like it more."
A knock sounded on her door. She sighed, annoyed at the interruption. "Wait! I'm coming!"
She went to the door and pulled it open, her eyes widening in genuine surprise. "You..."
Gabriella walked right into Dona's room without waiting for an invitation, setting her casual bag down. "Am I not invited to your house?" she asked casually.
Dona, still slightly angry with Gabriella but unable to hide her surprise, mumbled, "No, not like that." She spoke in a lower voice, but Gabriella heard.
Gabriella pretended she didn't hear the mumbling. "What?"
Dona forced a teasing smile, regaining her composure. "Of course, you can. Because it's your father's friend's home, you can come anytime."
Gabriella turned, her face suddenly serious. "What?" she asked with a straight face. "I came here because it's my bestie's house." She smiled warmly.
Dona didn't reply. Gabriella noticed the tablet and leaned in, trying to read the screen. "What story are you writing?"
Dona rushed forward, snatched the tablet, and hid it behind her back.
"Why?" Gabriella asked.
"Nothing! Just... a romantic story," Dona stammered.
Gabriella's eyes widened. "Oh. Actually, you're a famous author, right?"
Dona's face dropped into a straight, sad expression. "Not as famous as you think," she said, her voice emotional. "Actually, I'm an author who is underrated."
"Why? Is your story not getting views?" Gabriella asked, concerned.
"No, I mean... my novel has views, and my readers are supportive, but..." Her tone changed, becoming painful. "My parents aren't supporting me. They want their daughter to be a business woman, not an author. Not follow the passion I love."
Gabriella gently placed her hand on Dona's shoulder. "Don't worry," she murmured.
"Sometimes, I don't get enough views, and I feel so upset," Dona confessed. "Because... how can I ever succeed in this path?"
"I know you are doing well," Gabriella said firmly. "One day, you will achieve your dream."
Suddenly, Dona hugged Gabriella tightly. Gabriella hugged her back. Dona quickly realized what she was doing and stood steady, shocked at her own action.
"Wait... what am I doing?" Dona reverted to a normal, slightly defensive tone. "Why are you hugging me? You don't even consider me as your friend, right?"
"Wait. You're the one who hugged me first," Gabriella countered, raising an eyebrow.
Dona smiled a little.
"I know," Gabriella said, her voice softening. "You can't avoid me." She paused for a second. "And for me, too."
Dona couldn't believe it. This was the first time she had seen the usually cold Gabriella show genuine emotion.
"I'm sorry if I hurt you," Gabriella continued. "And I promise I will never leave you alone in any situation. If any danger comes to you, it has to face me first."
Dona instantly hugged Gabriella again. "Don't say things like that! You're always my bestie! And I forgot everything. We're good." Gabriella smiled warmly into the hug.
In Raina House
Raina was in her massive, luxurious room, leaning comfortably against the pillows of her grand bed. She was scrolling through short videos on her smartphone. The room was silent save for the tinny sounds from the phone speakers.
Suddenly, she received a call from a classmate. She answered quickly. "Okay, I will send it right away. I took a screenshot already."
After the call ended, she navigated to her gallery to find the screenshot. After about ten seconds of scrolling, her movement stopped. She had stumbled upon an old selfie. Her eyes widened in a mixture of shock and utter revulsion. She stared intently at the photo.
In the picture, Raina and Kevin were smiling brightly together, looking close and happy.
Raina whispered, the word thick with venom and betrayal.
"Liar."
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