"Why isn't our teacher here yet?" Evadne asked, her voice soft and lazy as she reached for another chocolate almond from the tin Casadin had brought.
She was partially draped over him, her upper body leaning against his as he slept at his desk, completely unbothered by the noise around them. One of her hands was busy fishing for chocolates, the other gently combed through his hair with rhythmic fingers, as if it was the most natural thing in the world.
Eyes were constantly darting toward the back row, watching them with poorly disguised curiosity, envy, and fascination. Her position alone, so comfortably close to Casadin, was enough to erase any lingering rumors about her being involved with Hades.
If anything, it solidified what Evadne had already claimed…
She wasn't trying to break Cieryl and Hades up.
She was never interested in Hades to begin with.
Everyone in school knew Casadin had no girlfriend. Amanda and Bea were more like family to him, ride-or-die sisters.
And Casadin? Casadin, who wasn't exactly an academic genius, was infamous for his passion. If he was loyal to you, he'd fight for you even if the entire world turned against you.
And lately?
Everyone had seen his subtle, but very intentional, My Day updates.
Sweet little notes. Cropped screenshots of flirty iMessage banter.
A photo of a sleeping girl with a heart emoji over her face.
A late-night video call with only the lips and collarbone visible.
Mysterious. Romantic. Possessive.
Now, there was no mistaking it anymore.
That girl was Evadne.
"First day of school is basically a free day," Flynn said lazily as he and Delvin flicked almond chocolates at each other, catching them in their mouths like stoned rich kids with too much time.
"Later we'll have the orientation in the theater," Delvin added, catching one midair. "They'll introduce the teachers and announce the top student for the year. Which basically means the king or queen of the entire school."
"Wait, isn't the top student usually the senior running for valedictorian?" Evadne asked, genuinely curious.
"Nope. Not in NYE," Bea replied, tossing an almond into Amanda's palm. "Here, the student with the highest VMC becomes top."
"VMC?" Evadne raised a brow.
"Voluntary Monetary Contribution," Amanda deadpanned.
Evadne blinked. "Seriously? What if the richest one's not even smart?"
"Doesn't matter," Amanda shrugged. "As long as they're the richest. That's all that counts."
Bea grinned. "Whoever tops VMC gets introduced later at orientation, gives the student welcome speech, leads student activities, hosts dances, sets event themes… Basically, whatever they want happens. As long as it's not illegal."
Evadne winced. "So… when did Casadin become top student?"
Everyone laughed.
"He never did," Delvin said between chuckles.
Evadne's eyes narrowed. "Why not?"
"Because his contribution has been one dollar since first year high school," Delvin smirked.
"One?" she choked.
"Yup. He refuses to pay more than a buck. Even I've paid more than him," Delvin shrugged.
"How much did you pay this year?" Flynn asked as he tossed another almond up.
"Ten."
"Bow to me, peasant," Flynn scoffed. "I dropped fifteen."
"Ugh, actual peasants," Bea teased, flipping her hair. "Amanda and I each dropped fifty."
Amanda gave a smug little smile, enjoying the moment.
Then she looked at Evadne. "What about you, Vee? What's your contribution?"
Evadne blinked. "I… don't know. I didn't enroll myself. I didn't even know there was a system like this."
"Well, you'll find out soon enough," Amanda said, flipping her hair with a roll of her eyes. "They always announce the Top Ten Students during the orientation. But I'm betting it's still going to be Hades and his minions."
"Ugh, I hope someone finally replaces Hades," Bea muttered loud enough for everyone, including Hades, to hear. "His events are always so boring. Always playing it safe. It's exhausting."
Evadne raised an eyebrow but stayed silent, continuing to gently run her fingers through Casadin's hair. The sunlight was beginning to peek through the window and hit his face directly. With a quiet sigh, she folded her handkerchief and placed it over his eyes like an improvised sleep mask. Casadin stirred slightly but didn't wake.
"Please," Bea added, smirking. "You think anyone's going to dethrone him? He's a Falcon. The Falcons own at least fifty percent of the businesses tied to NYE. There was someone who could've taken the high chair, but he's too damn lazy. Always donates a dollar every year."
She didn't have to say his name. They all knew who she meant, Casadin.
"So what happens?" Evadne asked. "The top student automatically rules the student body?"
"Pretty much," Flynn replied, casually flipping an almond into his mouth. "Top Ten, regardless of year level, even if you're a first-year middle schooler. They become the officers. The top is the president. Second is VP, and so on."
"And whatever clubs the top student is part of," Delvin added, "those clubs get automatic inclusion into the student body."
Evadne raised her brow. "So… if the top student's part of three clubs, all three of those clubs are elevated too?"
"Exactly," Delvin nodded. "It's strategic. After orientation, clubs practically beg the top student to join them. And if you can't get the top student, students will beg to join whatever club they're in. It's a shortcut to power."
"Why does it even matter?" Evadne asked. "What do clubs get from being connected to the student body?"
Amanda leaned in. "To stay active and keep your club recognized, you're required to host at least one school-wide event per year attended by over fifty percent of the student population."
"And if you're in a student body–linked club," Bea added, "you automatically get access to funding, easier approval for venues and events, and you can require attendance. Like, full-force."
Evadne's lips twisted into a slight grimace. "That just sounds like a power trip disguised as leadership."
Bea snorted. "Tell us something we don't know."
"And the school allows this?" Evadne asked incredulously.
"Yes," Bea said with a shrug. "According to the school board, this teaches us real-world survival. Connections. Influence. Dominance."
Evadne stared at her. "That's messed up."
"Welcome to NYE," Amanda said with a sweet but wicked smile.
A beat of silence passed before Evadne frowned slightly.
"Wait, speaking of clubs," she said, turning to the group. "Why haven't you invited me to join yours yet?"
Bea snickered. "Invite you? Vee, you're already in the club."
Amanda pulled out her phone and opened the official NYE student club portal, flipping it around for Evadne to see. The webpage for their club, The Rebels, was sleek and black-themed with crimson accents. And there, in the list of members, was Evadne's name.
Listed boldly under, Muse.
Her brows shot up. "Muse?! And why are there only six of us?"
"You don't need a ton of members to form a club," Amanda said with a grin. "As long as we meet the minimum requirement and host an event, we're legit."
"And yeah, it's just six of us," Bea added. "Because our president is picky. We don't let just anyone in."
"The Rebels is a music club," Flynn chimed in from beside Delvin. "Our annual school-wide event is the intramurals concert. And honestly, even if we don't announce it ahead of time, people always show. Who says no to music?"
He smirked. "Unless you're deaf, of course."
"And we can collaborate with other clubs if we want to," Delvin said. "So having fewer members isn't a disadvantage. Just makes it easier to work with people you actually trust."
Evadne stared at the screen, then glanced back down at the peacefully sleeping Casadin.
She didn't even need to ask.
She knew who put her name there.
And she couldn't quite tell if she wanted to laugh… or punch him for assigning her the title Muse without even asking.
But one thing had become crystal clear, in this school of sharks, snakes, and silent wars, she wasn't alone.
They continued chatting and teasing, comfortably tucked away in the back row of the classroom, until a school-wide announcement echoed through the speakers,
"All students, please be advised that orientation will begin in one hour. Kindly proceed to the theater on time."
Chairs scraped, bags zipped, and their classmates began standing up, each falling into cliques and social rankings as naturally as breathing.
"You guys go ahead," Evadne told Amanda and the others as she continued gently stroking Casadin's hair. "I'll give Cas a few more minutes. He said it's my fault he didn't sleep last night, might as well let him catch up."
Amanda smirked knowingly. "We'll save you two some seats."
Evadne gave a grateful nod.
Ten minutes before orientation started, Evadne and Casadin walked into the fully packed theater together.
Casadin looked slightly disheveled, like something had happened on the way over that he couldn't mentally process.
"Princess," he muttered with a smirk, "here I was thinking you'd be the damsel in distress so I could play your knight in shining armor. Turns out, you're the damn dragon locked in the tower."
Evadne smirked, the corner of her mouth twitching. "I can play the damsel. I'm very versatile."
She arched her brows up and down with a mock flirtation that almost made Casadin trip over his own feet.
"Bro, over here!" Delvin called from the left side of the theater, somewhere between front and middle rows, not quite with the elite, but far from the nosebleeds.
Evadne immediately noticed the seating arrangement. It wasn't random, it was hierarchy incarnate. The closer to the stage, the higher the status. And, of course, Hades and his circle occupied the center front, basking in silent authority.
Casadin's arm remained slung around Evadne's shoulders as he led her down the aisle. Every step they took drew stares, hushed murmurs, and confused eyes. The boy who never touched anyone was not just touching, he was claiming.
She caught fragments of thoughts, some skeptical, others stunned, a few downright jealous.
"Are they really that close?"
"Why does Casadin even like her?"
"Wait… is that the girl from his story posts?"
She could filter some of them now
For once, the mental noise wasn't overwhelming. With her nightly practice in controlling her ability and meditation, she'd been improving. But there were still stretches of time she couldn't filter the flood of thoughts.
And now, with Casadin's arm around her, it was easier.
Clearer.
He wasn't just her distraction, he was her anchor.
Was this what Uriel meant? she wondered. The anchor who would help me control it?
They took the two vacant seats beside Amanda and Bea, right in front of Delvin and Flynn. Casadin's hand still casually rested behind her chair, brushing the top of her back.
"Finally," Bea said loudly as they sat down. "What took you so long? Did you guys sneak off for a quickie?"
A few nearby students turned to look.
"I was sleeping," Casadin said with exaggerated sorrow. "Then I woke up to Vee taking advantage of me while I was defenseless. I begged her, Please… don't… stop… but she wouldn't listen."
He folded his arms dramatically over his chest, his voice cracking with faux vulnerability. "She just kept going… faster and faster… until I couldn't take it anymore. So yeah. That's why we were late."
Laughter exploded from their row.
Evadne's eyes widened. "You absolute idiot," she whispered through clenched teeth, half-laughing as she pinched his nose. "I took advantage of you?!"
Casadin scrunched his face but didn't fight her hold.
"Admit it, Princess," he said, still muffled from her grip. "I won't even press charges. You've already stolen my virtue. I have nothing left."
"You've got some nerve," Evadne scoffed, narrowing her eyes. "You were the one saying 'please don't stop' like you were begging for it."
"And you kept going!" he retorted dramatically.
"Oh please," Evadne said, eyes gleaming. "You finished in three seconds. Three. I didn't even break a sweat."
Gasps and laughter broke out again.
"Hey!" Casadin cried, slapping a hand to his chest in mock betrayal. "Don't ruin my reputation! I'm supposed to be Lover Boy, not One-Pump Chump!"
"Too late," Amanda snickered. "The damage is done."
"Rest in peace, Lover Boy," Flynn added solemnly.
"Shut up, all of you," Casadin groaned, burying his face in his hands.
Evadne leaned in close, her voice low and teasing. "Don't worry, Cas… you'll always be my three-second legend."
He groaned louder, while the rest of their friends could not help but laugh.