Next day
Inside a Moving Car.
The city moved past in a blur.
Luxury cars.
Glass buildings.
Early morning sunlight cutting through tinted windows.
Inside the car
Silence.
Rufus sat by the window, elbow resting against the door, eyes distant.
Anastasia noticed immediately.
"…You've been staring out that window for ten minutes," she said casually.
No response.
She tilted her head.
"…That girl."
That got him.
Rufus blinked once.
"…What about her?"
Anastasia smirked slightly.
"Don't play dumb. You've been watching her since we came to that school."
A pause.
"…Esmeralda."
Silence again.
But this time
He didn't deny it.
Rufus exhaled slowly.
"…I've seen her before."
That made Anastasia sit up.
"…Wait. What?"
He turned his head slightly.
Not fully.
Just enough.
"…Eight years ago."
His voice dropped.
Slower.
Like he was walking through something fragile.
"There was a meeting… one of Father's big ones."
"Different country."
"Big hall. Too many suits."
Anastasia listened carefully now.
"I wasn't supposed to be there," Rufus continued.
"…but I followed him anyway."
A faint smirk.
"I got bored."
A pause.
Then
"There was a girl."
Silence filled the car.
"She wasn't like the others."
Anastasia frowned slightly.
"…How?"
Rufus's gaze hardened a little.
"She was insanely beautiful."
"The only girl that got me starring for minutes without moving."
"She was sitting beside her father."
"Quiet."
"Straight posture."
"Perfect manners."
"But her eyes…"
He paused.
"…They didn't match the room."
Anastasia Softens
"…What do you mean?" she asked quietly.
Rufus leaned his head back.
"…She looked like she didn't belong there."
"…Like she hated it."
"I walked up to her."
Anastasia raised a brow.
"You? Walked up to someone?"
Rufus ignored that.
"I asked her why she looked like that."
"What did she say?" Anastasia leaned in.
Rufus's lips curved faintly.
"…Nothing."
A pause.
"She just looked at me…"
"…and then looked away."
The car slowed slightly at a turn.
Anastasia studied him now.
Different.
"…And you're sure that's her?"
Rufus nodded once.
"…Same eyes."
A pause.
"…Same face."
"It's her."
Anastasia crossed her arms.
"…So what now?"
Rufus's gaze turned forward.
Cold.
Certain.
"…Now I know where I've seen her."
A pause.
"…And why she matters."
Anastasia narrowed her eyes slightly.
"…Matters to who?"
Rufus didn't look at her.
"…To me."
Anastasia yawned.
Well good luck with that.
Emirates Academy.
Hockey Field.
The field was already buzzing before the whistle.
Students lined the edges.
Phones out.
Voices loud.
This wasn't just practice anymore.
It was a show.
Marco had already climbed halfway over the barrier like security didn't exist.
"AYYYYY!!! MISHEAL!! FIRST DAY, NO PRESSURE!!! JUST DON'T DISGRACE US!!!"
Maria smacked his arm.
"Encourage her properly!"
"I am encouraging her! I!"
Hugo chuckled.
"You're embarrassing yourself."
Andre smiled.
"Just sit your ass down and watch."
The players were beginning to enter the pitch.
Then,
Misheal stepped in.
Breath steady.
Grip tight.
Marco shouted
"Go sis!"
"Show them what you are made of."
Then
The captain made the last entrance.
Esmeralda.
The moment she stepped in
The energy shifted.
Students whispered.
Some straightened.
Some just stared.
Marco leaned toward Andre.
"…Main character energy just entered the field."
Andre didn't respond.
But his eyes followed her.
The players took their position then the referee blew the whistle
PHWEEEEET!!!
The game exploded instantly.
Sticks clashed. Shoes scraped turf. Whistles cut through the air.
Fast passes.
Sharp turns.
Aggressive movement.
The ball rolled toward Misheal.
She hesitated
Then moved.
Clean interception.
Gasps.
"WAIT SHE GOT IT?!"
Marco screamed:
"THAT'S MY SISTER!!! I DON'T KNOW HOW BUT THAT'S MY SISTER!!!"
Maria laughed, clapping.
"GO MISHEAL!!!"
A defender rushed Misheal
She pivoted.
Then passed.
The ball flew.
Straight to Esmeralda.
No hesitation.
No delay.
She moved like water.
Effortless.
One step.
Two.
She slipped between defenders like they were shadows.
Then.
STRIKE!!
GOAL!!!
The net snapped violently.
The Crowd ERUPTS
"GOOOOOAAALLLL!!!"
Marco nearly jumped onto Hugo.
"Ha ha, my sister gave the assist!!!"
Hugo shoved him off.
"Relax, it's school sports."
Maria was glowing.
"They're amazing…"
Andre's lips curved slightly.
"…I must say I'm impressed."
Play resumed.
This time
Faster.
More intense.
Misheal chased again.
Intercepted again.
This time she didn't hesitate.
She ran.
Full speed.
A defender charged
She sidestepped.
Another came
She pushed through.
The crowd ROARED.
"GOOO!! GOOOO!!"
Marco lost control:
"IF YOU SCORE I WILL BUY YOU ICE CREAM FOR ONE YEAR!!!"
Maria blinked.
"You don't even have money."
"…DETAILS DON'T MATTER IN EMOTIONAL MOMENTS!!!"
Misheal looked up
Locked eyes with Esmeralda again.
That silent understanding.
She passed.
Esmeralda spun
Pulled defenders toward her
Then
Back pass.
Unexpected.
Perfect.
Misheal received
Shot.
GOAL!!!
EXPLOSION
The entire field erupted louder than before.
Even students from other classes were shouting now.
"WHO IS THAT GIRL??!"
"FIRST DAY?! NO WAY!"
Marco dropped to his knees dramatically.
"I RAISED HER!!! I TRAINED HER!!!"
Hugo: "…You've never touched a hockey stick in your life."
But across the field.
Poppy's smile was gone.
Emilia's eyes hardened.
"…She's stealing the spotlight."
"How dare she."
Poppy exhaled slowly.
"…Let's end that"
"…Let's humble her."
Another play.
Misheal ran again
Confidence high.
Momentum rising.
Then
SWEEP.
A leg shot out.
Brutal.
CRASH!!!
She hit the ground hard.
PHEWWWWWW!!
The referee indicating a fowl.
As the field went rowdy.
"That's a bad fowl."
"They did that deliberately."
Maria screamed.
"MISHEAL!!"
Marco jumped forward.
"WHO DID THAT?! I SWEAR—"
Hugo grabbed him.
"Relax"
Andre didn't move.
But his expression changed.
Misheal tried to stand.
Pain flashed across her face.
Poppy stood over her.
Fake sympathy.
"Oops… you should be more careful."
Emilia laughed softly.
"Some people just don't belong here."
Esmeralda stepped forward.
"…You idiots."
"When will you learn to use your head's."
Her presence alone quieted the entire field.
She looked at Poppy.
Then Emilia.
"…Do you think this is a joke?"
No answer.
She stepped closer.
"…You think because it's her first day…"
"…you can play dirty?"
The pressure was suffocating.
She pointed at the ground.
"We are a team, we are one."
They didn't move.
Her voice dropped.
"…She wins we win, she looses we loose. So don't behave like dick heads."
"Do you understand me."
Poppy hesitated
Then stepped back.
Emilia looked away.
"Yes captin."
Esmeralda turned.
Extended her hand to Misheal.
"Can you stand."
Misheal grabbed it.
"Yeah.. I can."
Esmeralda pulled her up.
Stronger.
Esmeralda turned back slowly.
"If I see that again…"
A pause.
"…you won't be on this team."
"Now apologize!!!."
Poppy and Emilia almost peed on their pants as Esmeralda raised her voice on them
"We are sorry."
After some extra minutes the referee the ended the game as the girls went to their changing room
Marco whispered:
"…She just shouted … and the whole pitch went quiet."
Hugo nodded.
"That's real power."
Maria smiled softly.
"She protected her…"
Andre watched her quietly.
"…She protects her own."
"…Not bad Esmeralda."
Changing room.
Esmeralda approached Misheal.
"Are you hurt."
Misheal looked down at her knees
"Just a scratch."
A faint smirk.
"Not bad for your first day."
Misheal wiped her sweat.
"…Yh.. didn't tell me you are the team's captin."
Esmeralda's eyes gleamed.
"…Well now you know."
A small smirk.
"Next time…"
"…don't fall."
Misheal smirked back.
"Next time…"
"…they won't catch me."
" Feels good to have a badass on the team."
Outside.
The field was emptying.
Laughter.
Victory talk.
Sweat and pride lingering in the air.
But not everyone left satisfied.
At the far end.
Poppy kicked a stray ball hard.
"…I hate her."
Emilia crossed her arms, eyes still fixed on where Esmeralda had stood earlier.
"She didn't just embarrass us… she dismissed us."
Poppy's jaw tightened.
"In front of everyone."
A pause.
"…And now she has new pets."
Emilia smirked faintly.
"That new girl… Misheal."
"And those boys."
Poppy exhaled slowly.
"…She thinks she's untouchable."
Silence.
Then
Her lips curved.
"…Let's remind her she's not."
Class E
Andre and the others were talking in the class.
Marco smiling widely.
"You made your brother proud today."
Misheal gave a dry laugh.
"I'm not like you I always make the family proud."
Hugo and the others nearby burst into laughter
Marco then held his chest dramatically.
"Why must you be mean to me."
Maria then patted Marco at the back.
"Don't worry you are still my starlight, don't mind Misheal."
Hugo then looked around
"Speaking of Starlights where Esmeralda."
They all looked to see if she's in class.
Andre stood up
"I think I know where she is."
"I will go get her."
Marco jolted up with energy
"Yeah... Go get her lover boy."
Misheal gave him a hard knock on the head.
"Marco, accept the brain God gave to you."
Maintenance room
Poppy and Emilia stood hidden behind the maintenance block.
Eyes locked on the security post again.
The guard was there.
Poppy crossed her arms.
"… That's the target."
Emilia frowned slightly.
"That's risky."
Poppy smirked.
"That's the point."
A pause.
"…She won't expect it now."
The bell rang.
Students flooded the corridor.
Noise.
Movement.
Confusion.
Perfect cover.
The guard turned trying to control passing students.
That was the opening.
Poppy slipped behind him.
Smooth.
Precise.
The keys slid free.
No sound.
No hesitation.
She walked away like she belonged.
Emilia blinked.
"…You....are a thief."
Poppy didn't even look back.
"…And you are my accomplice."
Basketball Podium
Sunlight streamed through the open windows.
The place wasn't empty this time.
Just quiet.
Peaceful.
She sat alone.
Notebook open.
Pen moving slowly.
Writing again.
This was her escape.
Even in daylight
She carved out silence for herself.
Meanwhile
Andre walked across the courtyard.
Hands in pockets.
Eyes scanning.
"…She said she'd be here."
He approached the podium.
Door closed.
Quiet.
He reached for the handle
Paused.
Something felt off.
But he pushed anyway the door opened slightly It hadn't fully latched yet.
He stepped inside.
Esmeralda turned quickly.
"…Andre?"
Relief flickered across her face
Then she masked it instantly.
"Any problem."
Andre glanced around.
"You weren't in class."
A pause.
"…So I checked here."
She blinked.
Caught off guard.
"…You came looking for me?"
He shrugged.
"…You said this is where you hide."
A small silence formed.
Softer.
More personal.
Outside
Poppy and Emilia stood just out of sight.
Peeking.
Waiting.
Confirming.
"…She's alone," Emilia whispered.
Poppy nodded once.
"…Lock it."
CLACK.
The door fully locked behind him.
Andre turned.
"Did you hear that?"
Esmeralda grinned
"Hear what?"
Andre walked to the door.
Tried it.
Didn't move.
A pause.
"…someone locked the door."
Esmeralda stepped forward quickly.
"…What?"
She grabbed the handle
Pulled.
Nothing.
Her voice dropped.
"…This isn't funny."
She hit the door once.
Frustration rising.
"…They did this on purpose."
Andre leaned slightly against the wall.
Calm.
Observing.
"…If Marco doesn't see me, I'm sure he will come look for me."
A faint smile formed on her lips.
"…Huh."
Andre glanced at her.
"…You're smiling."
She tilted her head slightly.
"…Yup.. because it's just me and you here"
Andre looked at her with a dead smile.
"If not for the surprised look I saw on your face earlier. I would have said you planned this."
Esmeralda chuckled.
"And you fell right into the trap."
Andre tried the handle of the door again.
"This seems more like a joke to you."
Esmeralda walked slowly away from the door.
"…Honestly," she said lightly, "…this is kind of funny."
Andre frowned slightly.
"…Funny?"
She nodded once.
"…I leave for five minutes and someone decides I need isolation time."
A small breath of amusement escaped her.
"…Bold of them."
Andre studied her for a second longer than usual.
"…You're taking this well."
Esmeralda looked at him now.
Really looked.
"…Because it's not the worst thing that's happened today."
A pause.
Then, softer
"…Not even close."
Andre turned back to the door again.
But Esmeralda didn't.
She stayed where she was.
Watching him.
Not the situation.
Him.
"…You know," she said casually, "…I expected you to leave already."
Andre looked over his shoulder.
"…I never knew I could pass through walls?"
A small pause.
"… I'm surprised you are not panicking now."
Esmeralda replied simply.
"…It's just a door."
That got her.
A faint laugh.
"…Of course you'd say that."
She stepped closer.
"…So what now?"
Andre answered without hesitation.
"…We wait."
She nodded.
"…That sounds like you."
A pause.
Then
"…But not me."
Andre glanced at her.
"…What are you like?."
She smiled a little more now.
Not teasing.
Not sharp.
Just real.
"…What I'm I like?."
Esmeralda moved closer again.
Now the distance was noticeably smaller.
Not accidental anymore.
Intentional.
"… I'm wild and unpredictable."
Andre didn't respond immediately.
"…Are you?"
She nodded slightly.
"…Especially when less… guarded."
A beat.
Then
"…With nobody around I can do what I want."
"…What you want, like what?."
Esmeralda didn't deny it.
"…Kissing you."
A faint pause.
"…You already know I'm crazy about you right."
Andre's voice lowered slightly.
"…I highly doubt that."
That made her smile.
"…You mean I look like a liar."
A beat.
She stepped half a step closer.
Now the air changed again.
Andre took a deep breath.
"Isn't that too close."
Esmeralda's voice dropped.
"Didn't know I could make you nervous."
Andre then stepped closer.
"I'm not nervous."
Esmeralda put her hand around Andre's neck.
"So tell me do you like me?."
Andre replied quietly.
"…Does it matter?"
A small pause.
"…No."
Now there was no more distance left to pretend.
Her eyes lingered on his for a second longer than usual.
"…You make things… interesting," she said softly.
Andre answered just as quietly.
"…Really?."
She closed the space left between them.
"Yeah."
Then,
She leaned in slightly and licked her lips.
"Don't move, just stay put."
Andre didn't step back.
Neither did he move forward.
Just still.
Balanced.
Right at the edge.
Then.
"THEY DIDN'T EVEN REALIZE THE DOOR IS OPEN."