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🌹 The Garden of Ghosts
The air in the Brighton Wisdom School Garden was heavy with the sweet, cloying scent of late spring. It was an oasis of quiet, tucked behind the old gymnasium, where ancient cherry trees formed a canopy. Gabriella stood beneath one, the dappled sunlight catching the rich emerald green of her school uniform blazer.
She turned.
And her breath hitched.
Jake.
He was closer than she expected, wearing a white, slightly rumpled shirt that made him look exactly like the boy she used to dream about. But the look in his eyes—raw, unguarded, and full of a love she had once trusted—made her heart slam against her ribs.
"You… That's you, Gabriella," he whispered, his voice thick with emotion. "The girl I love."
Love. The word was a weapon.
Gabriella's heart, a frantic drum in her chest, raced. She blinked, forcing the image of a betrayed past out of her mind. At that moment, a gentle breeze swept through the canopy. The cherry trees, past their peak bloom, released a flurry of pale pink petals that descended like silent, beautiful snow. They were caught in an ethereal, fleeting moment—the world reduced to just the two of them, staring at each other.
Gabriella moved, closing the few feet separating them. Her simple, smooth movements were deliberate, and as she came closer, the softness vanished from her face. It became a mask of cold, unwavering resolve.
"I'm not a fool to be trapped a second time in your love trap," she said, her voice low and steady. She started to turn away, the move a final, decisive rejection.
"Gabriella, wait!" Jake's voice cracked. "Yes… I did that before, I admit it. But not now. I'm serious."
She stopped, but didn't look back. Instead, she slowly scanned his profile, searching for any flicker of the deception that had ruined her. Her voice was ice. "Then answer me one question." She turned fully, pinning him with her gaze. "If there is a situation, right now, where you must choose between me and Raina… Who do you choose?"
Jake's eyes fell. He didn't reply. He couldn't even meet her gaze.
Gabriella scoffed, a short, bitter sound. "You can't. Right? Then it's impossible."
She spun around and walked away, her back straight and her pace even. Every step was a declaration of independence. Behind her, Jake stood motionless, a portrait of regret, slowly sinking back into the shadows of the garden.
🖤 The Secret Alliance
The Empty Classroom on the second floor smelled faintly of dust and old chalk. Raina, the reigning queen of the student body, entered alone. She wore an expensive, sleek designer bag strap across her school uniform, making her look less like a student and more like a CEO.
"Show yourself," Raina commanded, her voice echoing slightly in the silence.
From the deepest shadow behind the teacher's desk, Erica emerged. Erica was the silent muscle, the one who executed the dirty work. She smiled—a wide, chilling grin.
"I did everything for you," Erica said. "How are you going to repay me?"
Raina smirked, her eyes gleaming. "I am giving you back your authority. You can do whatever you want… even bully anyone."
Erica's eyes darkened with instant, predatory delight. "I was waiting for that." She then pointed to Raina's blazer pocket. "What's in that pendrive?"
Raina's smile vanished, replaced by a sudden, protective hardness. "It's none of your business."
Erica's eyes widened, genuinely shocked by the sudden barrier.
Raina leaned closer, her voice dropping to a harsh whisper. "Evidence against… our bullying."
Erica stared at her, the sudden realization widening her eyes even further. Raina was keeping leverage against her own ally. The alliance was built on sand.
😈 The Obsession
The School Hallway was a river of students, but for Han and Gabriella, it felt like their own world.
"Where did you go?" Han asked, catching up to her. He was protective, like an older brother, his eyes searching hers with familiar concern. "I've been searching for you everywhere."
"I was in the garden," Gabriella replied, trying to sound casual.
"What happened?" His eyes narrowed, instantly sensing the tension in her posture.
"Nothing," she insisted, pushing her own hair back. "I warned him. Don't act like this again."
"Anything else?" Han pressed.
Gabriella looked confused. "What do you mean? That's it."
"What is your next class?"
"Business Math," Gabriella said. "In the seminar hall."
"Perfect," Han smiled lightly. "I have to go to the Library. I'm going the same way. Come, let's go together."
A few minutes later, as they reached the Seminar Hall, the door opened. Selina stepped out. Selina—all fire and fragile beauty—saw Han. Han saw her, too. They locked eyes across the crowded corridor, a universe of shared history passing between them.
Gabriella, blissfully unaware of the silent storm, didn't notice the look. Selina quickly ignored them both and swept past.
"Are you alright?" Gabriella asked, noticing the slightest hesitation in Han's step.
"Normal," he said, his tone flat. "Yes. Everything ended. I don't regret it."
Gabriella still worried, looking at him sideways as they continued talking.
Just a few steps away, Selina stood, hidden partially by a pillar, watching them. Her fists tightened until her knuckles were white. Her eyes were fierce, burning with a jealous, desperate resolve.
(Flashback)
Selina was sitting on a plush sofa, her eyes red, swollen from crying. Her mother stood over her, an angry, disappointed silhouette.
"Forget him! He doesn't deserve you!"
Selina's voice was cold and firm, despite her tears. "No. I won't. I will make him mine… and make him stand against that Gabriella—the girl he is treating like his sister."
(End Flashback)
Selina snapped back to reality. She whispered to herself, "Yes. I will."
Suddenly, a hand touched her shoulder. Selina spun around. It was Elisabeth.
"You…" Selina said, a flicker of surprise in her fierce eyes.
Elisabeth smiled, a dazzling, cold light. "Yes. Transferred here again."
"Oh," Selina replied flatly.
"You can't take revenge only by staring at them," Elisabeth said, a mocking edge to her smile.
"What are you saying? I won't revenge anyone," Selina hissed, already turning to leave.
Elisabeth grabbed her hand gently, yet with surprising strength. She leaned in, her smile turning predatory. "Really? Not even that Gabriella?"
Selina froze.
"Do you know," Elisabeth continued, her eyes darkening, "she is also my enemy? She stole my fiancé from me." She turned Selina around, her voice a low, irresistible offer. "If we make an ally, we can destroy her."
"No," Selina said immediately, pulling her hand away. "If I want, I do it myself. I can't trust anyone."
Selina turned to walk away again.
"But I have an amazing plan to trap that Gabriella," Elisabeth said, her voice light and tempting. "Do you want to hear it?"
Selina stopped. She looked back over her shoulder, her eyes locked on Elisabeth. The desire for Han was battling her deep-seated fear of trust.
👑 The Final Taunt
The Auditorium buzzed with anticipation, filled with hundreds of students in their crisp uniforms.
Raina came from outside and spotted Ronnie. She stopped him, a mocking smile playing on her lips. "How is everything going?"
Ronnie grinned back, a touch too happily. "More happy than you expected."
Raina's smile disappeared. "It will end soon. Once Lara gets her memory."
Ronnie's eyes darkened instantly at the mention of Lara. He remained silent as Raina walked inside.
"Ronnie?"
A soft voice. He turned and smiled—a genuine, warm expression. It was Lara.
"Aren't you guys still fighting?" Lara asked innocently. "Exactly what happened between you guy's ?"
Ronnie gently touched her nose. "Nothing. Come."
They entered the Auditorium and found two seats.
"Our school arranged a tour," Lara chirped. "For all three—junior and senior sections."
"Yeah, I heard," Ronnie said. "It's trekking, right?"
Lara nodded. "I love adventure!" She looked at Ronnie with bright eyes.
"But I don't," Ronnie sighed. "It's impossible to stay in a jungle, and a risk, too."
Lara's face fell slightly.
"Do you want to go?" he asked.
Lara nodded eagerly. "Yes. Together?"
Ronnie sighed, then broke into a small smile. "Okay."
Lara's face lit up with pure joy.
The program began. Principal John, a stern man with spectacles, handed the gleaming School President Badge to Raina. Raina smiled triumphantly, holding the badge up for the whole school to see.
Her eyes searched the crowd. She looked up, past the sea of faces, to the last balcony row.
There she was. Gabriella.
Gabriella was standing alone, staring down at her.
Raina smirked. I got back my authority. Where I lost. I'm the only queen here, Gabriella.
But as Raina savored her victory, a slow, wicked smile spread across Gabriella's face. It was the smile of someone holding the ultimate secret.
Gabriella hissed, a sound so low only the dark balcony could hear it.
"No. It's all temporary… happiness."
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To be Continued....
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