The night was quiet when Elysia stepped into the living room. Her mom was on the couch, paperwork and brochures spread across the center table like a storm had passed through.
She looked up immediately.
"You're back," she said, soft but tired.
Elysia nodded, dropped her bag, and sat beside her. "We need to talk."
Her mom let out a breath like she'd been waiting for those words all day. "Yeah. We do."
The room fell silent for a second, just the hum of the fan spinning lazily overhead. Elysia leaned forward, picking up one of the pamphlets. Silvercrest High School — with Tamara's school crest right on the front.
"So... we're really doing this?" she asked quietly.
Her mom nodded. "I know it's sudden. And I know you didn't want to change schools in your final year... but the transfer came through. I can't reject it. We need the stability, and this new branch comes with a housing allowance. It's a better life for us."
Elysia swallowed. "And I have no say?"
"You have every right to feel what you feel. But we can't stay here."
She looked down at her lap. "I don't even know who my dad is. And now I have to leave the only place I've ever known."
Her mother froze.
"Elysia..."
"Don't," she cut in softly. "Not tonight. Let's just… pack."
Her mom looked at her, guilt quietly clouding her eyes. "Okay."
📦 Days passed. The house emptied. Boxes stacked up.
Tamara came over almost every day, helping with everything. From labeling boxes to teasing Elysia when she got emotional folding old clothes.
"Girl, you're not dying," Tamara joked, holding up a torn notebook. "You're upgrading."
Elysia smiled weakly. "Says the one not changing schools."
"Well... we'll be roommates now. That's got to count for something."
They laughed, but there was an edge to it. Change always hurt — even when it came with bright new walls and better roads.
🏠 Move-in Day
The new apartment was smaller, but neater. Cleaner. Brighter. Elysia and Tamara shared a room — beds on opposite ends, their photos already taped to the wardrobe doors.
It felt foreign. But it didn't feel bad.
🏫 First Day at Silvercrest
The uniform clung tighter than she liked, but Elysia adjusted the sleeves and took a breath. Her hair was tied up, her earrings subtle, and her bag weighed down with new books and new beginnings.
"Science block is on the left," Tamara said as they stepped onto the school grounds. "Art's on the right. Meet you at lunch?"
Elysia nodded. "Try not to paint your crush this semester."
"No promises," Tamara winked before vanishing into the art corridor.
Elysia's class was buzzing by the time she walked in.
And then — silence.
Eyes turned. Conversations froze. Even the teacher paused.
She didn't mean to stun them, but she did.
She was beautiful in a way that didn't ask for attention — but demanded it. Graceful, quiet, different.
The teacher cleared her throat. "You must be our new student. Come in."
Elysia walked slowly, shoulders high, heart pounding.
"Introduce yourself."
"I'm Elysia walter," she said, voice steady. "I just transferred from Brighthill. I'll be in the science stream."
The teacher smiled. "Welcome. You'll be sitting next to Hansel. Hansel?"
A hand lifted from the middle row. Elysia turned.
He was... striking.
Not in the same way Orion was. Hansel had this warm, friendly face, with soft curls and a charm that made you want to trust him. He pulled out the chair beside him with a smile that could melt frozen pride.
"Hi," he said as she sat. "I'm Hansel. No pressure, but you've officially made this class ten times more interesting."
Elysia laughed under her breath. "Well, that's a first."
They started talking. Small stuff — subjects, favorite teachers, how confusing the school map was.
But from the back of the class, Serena watched.
And she didn't like what she saw.
She flicked her long hair over her shoulder and leaned closer to one of her friends. "Why's he talking to her like they're best friends?"
The girl beside her shrugged. "Maybe because she's stunning?"
Serena's jaw clenched. That's my seat. That's where people used to look at her.
Hansel was supposed to be her closest friend — now he was practically glowing at Elysia.
She hated it.
🍽️ Lunchtime
Elysia packed her books and stepped out of the class just as Tamara waved her over.
"Ready to escape?" Tamara grinned.
They were just about to head off when Serena appeared beside Hansel. "Hey," she purred, "Wanna come with me to the lounge for lunch?"
Hansel blinked, then looked past her to Elysia. "Actually… I already have plans."
Serena blinked. "With her?"
"Yeah," he said without hesitation. "See you around."
He joined Tamara and Elysia, leaving Serena standing there like someone had poured cold water on her ego.
☕ In the Café
The three of them sat near the window. Hansel was hilarious, Tamara added her usual sass, and Elysia felt... weirdly at ease.
Until—
The café door opened.
Four boys walked in like they were entering a music video: Orion, Jasper, Lucas, and Damien.
Elysia's heart didn't even skip.
But Orion's did.
The moment he saw her — sitting there with that calm glow, laughing at something Hansel said — he froze.
"You okay?" Damien asked.
But Orion was already walking toward her.
Tamara noticed first. "Oh no. Not again."
Elysia turned just as he stopped at their table.
"You…" he said, voice low.
She blinked. "Do I know you?"
The silence was heavy.
Orion's jaw tensed. "We met. At that party. You left. I… never got your name."
Elysia frowned, then slowly nodded. "Oh. Hoodie guy."
Hansel choked on his juice.
Orion tried not to show the sting. "I'm Orion."
She smiled a little. "Elysia."
He repeated it softly, like he needed to memorize it.
Then: "Can we be friends?"
Elysia tilted her head. "I'll think about it."
Orion nodded once, backing off. "Cool."
He walked away, and his boys immediately started teasing him.
"She said think about it, bro?!" Jasper laughed.
"New school year, new rejection," Lucas added.
Orion sat down, quiet. His eyes still on her.
Meanwhile, from across the room, Serena burned.
Her friends were already gossiping.
"That's her? The girl from class?"
"She's got everyone under her spell."
Serena watched Elysia — and for the first time in forever — she didn't feel like the center of anything.
Just… invisible.
And she hated it.