Here's To Never Growing Up - English Version

by sophiepetrova

In the stately corridors and luxurious halls of New York's most prestigious boarding school, a group of young heirs struggle to maintain control over their seemingly perfect lives. They have everything money can buy: wealth, status and power. But behind their impeccable masks lurk insecurities, broken hearts and secrets that threaten to shatter their carefully constructed images.

5. 3 - School's Back

Hey everyone!

We've reached the third chapter! Some surprises might be coming ...
I hope you enjoy this new chapter and continue following this journey!

Happy reading!

The next morning, Charlotte woke up with a severe headache, the room was still dark from the curtains that kept the sun out. The atmosphere only added to the sense of confusion that was hanging over her. The pressure in her chest was suffocating as she tried in vain to piece together the disconnected fragments of the night before.

Shuffling flashes began to appear in her mind: the sound of the loud music, the party lights, Sebastian's looks, the feeling of the drink burning in her throat. She tried to force the memories back, but at some point everything got jumbled. The last thing she remembered clearly was her heart pounding as she stared at Sebastian in the lake. Then everything faded away.

"Again..." she muttered to herself, the desperation echoing in her voice. Once again she had lost control and allowed her emotions, the pressure and the drink to overwhelm her. And worst of all, it was back to school today.

Charlotte sighed deeply, feeling the weight of her own guilt. She sat up in bed, holding her head between her hands, trying to calm the pounding heartbeat and nausea that threatened to take over.

She was trying to pull herself together when she heard the bedroom door open softly. Looking up, she saw Sophie walk in, looking impeccable as always, wearing a perfectly fitted white silk blouse and designer skirt. Her brown hair was neatly combed and the light touch of make-up hid any signs of tiredness. It was as if Sophie had stepped out of a fashion magazine, immune to the emotional and physical chaos Charlotte was feeling.

"Good morning, sleepyhead," Sophie said in a light tone, though her eyes were watching her intently. "I've brought you something you're going to need," Sophie said, holding out some pills and a glass of water.

She placed a bottle of water and a bottle of pills on the bedside table. Charlotte, her head still throbbing, watched her for a moment. Sophie's presence, always so calm, made her feel the weight of her own internal mess even more.

"You almost ruined last night, you know that? You almost threw up in the limo." Sophie grimaced and Charlotte smiled slightly embarrassed and took the water and medicine.

"I... I don't know what happened." Charlotte mumbled. "I didn't mean to overdo it."

"I know you didn't, but you're losing it, Charlotte." Sophie spoke, her tone always direct, but with a hint of genuine concern. "How do you feel?"

"Like I've been hit by a truck." The blonde sighed and picked up her water. "And you? Impeccable as ever, I suppose?"

Sophie smiled slightly, fixing a lock of hair that was already in place.

"You know how I am... I always try to be in control. But you..." she paused, her expression hardening. "Charlie, you have to stop doing this. You were a wreck last night."

"I know..." he replied in a low voice. "I lost control again. I don't know how."

"I know how." Sophie interrupted, her voice now firm. "You let your emotions take control of you and that puts you in situations that you can't control."

There was a tense silence in the room. Sophie, always so pragmatic and controlled, was beginning to lose patience.

"I'll get better." Charlotte said, almost in a whisper, knowing that those words no longer convinced her. She looked at Sophie, hoping her friend would drop the subject, but the brunette crossed her arms and narrowed her eyes.

"I hope so, because your behavior is going to destroy more than just you, Charlie." Charlotte, still curled up on the bed, felt the pressure of her friend's words like an extra weight on her already overburdened shoulders. She knew Sophie was right. No matter how hard she tried to control herself, the chaos inside her always spilled over.

Sophie looked at Charlotte, her stern gaze softened by a mixture of concern and frustration.

"I really hope you get better, Charlie." Sophie said, her voice firm but with a hint of vulnerability. "I can't..." she hesitated for a moment, looking down at the floor before continuing. "I can't be apart from my best friend. It's been three months without news from you. Three long months without knowing what was going on."

Sophie couldn't hold back any longer. In one swift movement, she pulled Charlotte into a tight embrace. The blonde, tense at first, eventually returned the hug, feeling the security that her friend's presence brought her.

"I really missed you," Sophie murmured against Charlotte's shoulder. "You have no idea how hard these months have been without you."

The hug lasted a few moments before Sophie let go of her friend and pulled away, her eyes serious and slightly vulnerable. She took a deep breath before finally asking:

"What happened, Charlotte?" Sophie asked, her voice softer, almost begging for sincerity. "Why did you disappear like that?"

Charlotte looked away, guilt settling in her chest.

"I... just needed some time to myself." She mumbled, trying not to sound evasive, but unable to tell her the truth about that damn night. "It was... complicated." She gave a weak smile, obviously uncomfortable. "It wasn't that bad," she said, trying to sound convincing.

Sophie narrowed her eyes, noticing that Charlotte was shying away, but decided not to push her. At least not now. The blonde's phone rang, interrupting their conversation. She looked at the screen and sighed when she saw her parents' names.

"Damn, I can't talk to them now." Charlotte said hurriedly, tossing the phone to Sophie. "Answer it for me, please."

Sophie picked up the phone, casting a worried glance at her friend, who quickly got out of bed and ran to take a shower, clearly wanting to escape the situation.

"Emma, it's Sophie. Yes, Charlotte's fine," she tried to keep her voice calm and controlled as she listened to the concern on the other end of the line. "She's having a bath right now, but everything's fine." Sophie lied, omitting her friend's true condition.

She ended the call with a sigh of relief and left the phone on the bed. Charlotte came out of the bathroom a few minutes later, her hair wet and her expression more relaxed, but still visibly tired. Sophie looked at her for a moment before getting up and walking over to her.

"I said you were in the shower." Sophie commented, a slight smile on her lips, trying to lighten the mood. "I'm not going to tell you what happened, but you have to take care of yourself. I won't always be around to fix everything, Charlie."

The blonde nodded silently, appreciating her friend's loyalty, but still with a knot of guilt in her throat. Before they could continue the conversation, the housekeeper, Rosemary, quietly entered the room, interrupting the moment.

They left the penthouse in silence and took the elevator, which descended softly to the first floor. As they walked through the streets of the Upper East Side, tension loomed, but Sophie kept her composure.

"Let's go to Sant Ambroeus," Sophie suggested as they passed the windows of luxury boutiques. "It's the usual place. I'm sure we could use a strong coffee."

Sant Ambroeus, one of the most traditional and exclusive coffee shops in the neighborhood, was a great place to meet. The two had spent countless mornings there, discussing life while watching New York's most powerful figures pass by their tables.

When they arrived, the aroma of strong, fresh coffee filled the room. They sat at a discreet table near the windows overlooking Central Park.

"What about the fights?" Charlotte finally broke the silence, glancing at Sophie with a wry smile. "I heard them again this morning..."

Sophie sighed, her eyes lingering on the view of the park for a moment.

"They never stop, Charlie," she admitted, her voice low and resigned. "I act like everything's fine, but the truth is, I can't take it anymore. They fight over everything, and I'm always in the middle, trying to keep my composure." She paused, the weight of her words heavy with weariness.

Before Charlotte could respond, Jeremy appeared out of nowhere, walking with slow, visibly tired steps. His disheveled hair and the deep circles under his eyes were evidence of a difficult night.

He slumped in the chair, clearly suffering from the effects of his hangover, and ran his hand through his disheveled hair. Charlotte looked at him in confusion, trying to connect the dots from the night before.

"What happened to you?" the blonde asked, looking a little lost. "I... I don't remember much."

Sophie rolled her eyes, but with a hint of irony.

"He was crazy at the party, Charlie. And just like you, he lost control," Sophie said, frowning as she observed his condition. "You two are a disaster," she laughed.

"It's been a long night... and full of bad decisions. And for a change, I didn't want my parents to see me like this, so I went straight to Mike's." Jeremy said, shaking his head in denial.

Charlotte leaned back in her chair and let out a sigh, trying to remember the night better, but her mind was still foggy.

"I guess I missed most of the party," she murmured, looking at Jeremy with a half-smile. "I imagine you don't remember everything either."

"Unfortunately, I do," Jeremy sighed, crossing his arms. "And I think I regret every second of it. It's better not to know too much."

Sophie crossed her legs, trying to keep her posture steady.

"Well, the party was just the beginning. The school year is about to start and we can't start like this... destroyed. We have to be ready." She took them both by the hand.

The three of them looked at each other, and for a brief moment, a comfortable silence settled between them. Since childhood they had always been together, inseparable. Sophie looked at them, feeling a mixture of pride and nostalgia.

"We've always been together," she said with a hint of emotion. "And that's not going to change now. The first day of high school is just another step. The three of us, as always. No matter what lies ahead, we'll be ready because we're together."

"You're right, Sophie," Charlotte replied, finally feeling a little more determined. "No matter what happens. Let's face it like we always have... the three of us."

"Exactly," Jeremy nodded, a slight smile on his face despite the lingering headache. "I should go home and get my things and get ready for the first day. I can't show up looking like a zombie."

"Yes, it would be good if you went home and got ready," Sophie agreed, already more practical. "And we need to get ready too. Today is just the beginning, Jeremy."

"Right, I'm off then. See you at school." He stood up slowly and straightened his shoulders with a grimace. Charlotte and Sophie nodded as he left.

"We have to go too," Sophie said firmly. "This year will be different, Charlie. But we have to start on the right foot."

Charlotte nodded, and the two of them left the cafeteria in silence, heading back to Sophie's apartment to get ready for school.

…

Scarlett slowly woke up, her eyes adjusting to the soft light coming through the curtains in Daniel Sorrentini's room. Next to her, he was still asleep, a carefree expression on his face, his body partially covered by the sheets. A mischievous smile appeared on her lips as she watched the scene around her. The events of the night before flashed through her mind - the teasing, the limousine, the intense kisses and, of course, the night they spent together.

She stretched slightly, the movement causing Daniel to open his eyes, still a little sleepy. He turned, a satisfied smile on his face.

"Did you have a good night?" he asked, his voice hoarse. Scarlett laughed, biting her lip teasingly.

"I'd say the night was... productive," she replied, leaning in to kiss him lightly on the lips before pulling away and getting out of bed.

Daniel watched her get up, the sheets sliding elegantly off her body. Scarlett picked up one of his shirts lying around the room and pulled it on, walking over to the mirror.

"You didn't waste any time yesterday, did you?" he teased, still lying down, his arms behind his head as he watched her with that typical look of someone who was always in control.

Scarlett laughed softly as she buttoned her shirt.

"Oh, you love it when I lose control, Sorrentini," she replied, teasing him with her look in the mirror.

"First time here, huh?" he teased with a small smile. "I didn't think it would happen."

"Well, there's a first time for everything, Sorrentini. But don't think that puts me in your harem." She laughed as she buttoned her shirt.

Just then, Scarlett's cell phone vibrated on the nightstand. She picked it up to see a message from her mother.

"The church trip is coming up and I'm on it," she announced with a hint of sarcasm in her voice. "I have to get home before they come looking for me."

Daniel laughed and got out of bed.

"From the church, really?" he shook his head, still smiling. "What would the priest say if he knew what you did tonight?"

"Don't worry, I know exactly how to confess my sins," Scarlett replied as she picked up her clothes from around the room and began to dress. "What about you? Will you be able to survive without me until next time?"

"We'll see, I may need something to distract me," he replied, sitting down on the edge of the bed and watching her as she finished getting ready. "But I think I'm already good at waiting for you."

She finished straightening her clothes, took one last look at him and moved closer, leaving a provocative kiss on his lips.

"Until next time, Sorrentini," she whispered before leaving the room.

On her way downstairs, Scarlett bumped into Sebastian, who was in the hallway drinking a glass of juice. He looked her up and down, noticing her slightly disheveled state, and let out a low laugh.

"Scarlett?" Sebastian commented with a raised eyebrow. "You're really completing the Sorrentini brothers' collection, aren't you?"

Scarlett smiled, ignoring the teasing.

"I don't know, maybe I'm missing a family member. What do you think?" she replied, striding confidently past him.

Sebastian shook his head, still laughing.

"I don't know if I want to stand in line. Besides, Daniel probably doesn't like to share the toys," he replied lightly, but with a hint of irony. She just winked at him before walking out the door.

Sebastian watched Scarlett go and as soon as she was out of sight, he made his way to the kitchen where the servants were already serving breakfast.

"Good morning, Mr. Sebastian," one of the maids said as she put a tray on the table. "Breakfast is already served."

"Thank you," he replied, taking a seat at the table.

A few minutes later, Daniel came downstairs, still looking as carefree as ever. He sat down across from his brother and helped himself to coffee and toast.

"Scarlett, huh?" Sebastian asked casually as he spread butter on his bread.

"I couldn't resist, little brother," Daniel shrugged and smiled. "You know how... intense she is."

"Intense, right," Sebastian laughed, shaking his head. "I'd say she's more complicated than intense. I just hope the whole living with two brothers thing doesn't complicate things."

Daniel laughed wildly and bit into his toast.

"Don't worry about me, Seb. I know exactly what I'm doing," the older brother said confidently as he stretched out in his chair and took another sip of his coffee.

Sebastian laughed but knew that it couldn't last forever. He knew his brother well and knew that Daniel's carefree lifestyle would eventually collide with reality.

"And how long will this 'pick up every girl in New York' phase last?" Sebastian asked in a lighter tone as he picked up the watch on the table.

"Long enough to enjoy it while I can, little brother." Daniel smiled and picked up a piece of toast. "Now, come on. School starts today, and I'm sure this year will be... different."

"Different?" Sebastian stood up and picked up his backpack from next to the chair. "If by different you mean full of drama, then I agree."

"Drama, fun... It's all part of it. Just try to relax a little, Seb. This year will be ours, trust me." Daniel laughed and stood up too, adjusting his shirt carelessly.

The two brothers walked out the front door, ready to face another year at Willowbrook. As they walked together to the car that would take them to school, Sebastian couldn't help but wonder if his older brother's "fun" wasn't going to turn into something more complicated in the end. Daniel, on the other hand, walked with the same confidence as always, as if the world was just another playground for him to dominate.

Deep down, Sebastian knew this year was going to be different - he just didn't know if that was a good thing or a bad thing.

…

Lola was alone in her room, packing her things for the first day of school. She was already preparing to go through hell again, without having any good expectations for the new school.

Each piece of clothing Lola folded seemed to weigh more than the last. The silence in the room was suffocating, as were the thoughts in her head. At her old school in Atlanta, she was completely hated. Everyone looked at her strangely because she didn't fit in and lived in her own closed world. It wasn't just that she didn't want to make friends. It was the feeling that no matter what she did, she would still be the 'outsider'. It was easier to get away from everyone before they could hurt her.

Things got worse a few months after her parents died. If she hadn't been sociable before, the situation would have only gotten worse, but she didn't care and would gladly tell everyone to go to hell. Suddenly she felt someone's presence and saw that it was Eric.

"Lola, I can't take it anymore. It's been almost three years since our parents died and I don't want to live like this anymore. You've dyed your hair in pink highlights, you only wear black, you're completely isolated and you only speak five words to me or Grandma. You don't have any friends and you haven't even tried to make any. Why don't you open up to me?" Eric stood in front of her, extremely worried. He felt guilty and needed his sister like never before.

When Eric spoke, there was pain in his voice, something she knew well but chose to ignore. He was lonely too. Maybe even more than she was. But to face him was to face what they had lost - and she couldn't bear that.

"Please, I'm talking because I love you and I only want your best. I'm sure this change will be great for you." Eric's words echoed in her head, but her fear was greater. As if she would end up hurting him even more by getting closer. It was better to keep to herself. But the desire to have someone at her side burned inside her, even if she would never admit it.

"I'm fine. I'll finish packing. Aren't you late for school already? You're a senior in middle school, I guess you get in early." Lola practically ignored him, shutting the door in his face. She threw herself on the bed, hugged her teddy bear and let the tears fall. She knew that she needed someone in her family to talk to, people who loved and accepted her, but she was afraid to get close and hurt everyone.

"LOLA, LET'S GO! it's time to leave!" she heard her grandmother yell from the living room. She took a deep breath, fixed her smudged makeup, grabbed her suitcase for the next long days at the boarding school and went downstairs. "Have you been crying, darling?"

"No," Lola pretended. "I'm going. I'll be fine, I promise."

"I don't want anything like that to happen again," Grandma said, feeling Lola's warm embrace in her arms again.

As her grandmother held her in her arms, Lola almost allowed herself to forget for a moment. Forget the emptiness, forget the pain. There was something about her grandmother's warm touch that made her feel safe, but at the same time scared her - the reminder that safety can be temporary. The girl really missed it, so she couldn't resist giving her grandmother a hug.

"I love you, Grandma," Lola smiled weakly, "thank you for everything. I'm sorry for all these years, but I don't know how to deal with loss like Eric does."

"It's okay," Grandma said, looking at her granddaughter with a comforting smile. "Do what you have to do as long as it brings you positive things. Now go, I have a good feeling about this. I promise everything will be better from now on."

"I hope so." Lola gave her grandmother another hug and left for her new school. Eric picked up his things in the back and followed her.

When she got into the car, she quickly said hello to the driver. Soon she felt the weight of her old life on his feet. There was a small spark of hope when she saw the sun outside, but all she could think about was how that light couldn't reach the darkness inside her.

As she passed through the streets of New York, the sounds of the city seemed muffled, distant. It was as if she saw everything through a pane of glass. Luxury cars drove by, laughter echoed, but nothing seemed to touch her.

…

Kyle was still fast asleep. He had heard the alarm clock, but ignored it because he didn't care about anything and didn't feel like going back to school.

He stared at the ceiling, not wanting to get out of bed. The thought of facing another day at school seemed like an endless nightmare. What did school have to offer? Nothing that really mattered to him. Suddenly, he felt someone jump on his bed with all their might, startling him awake.

"WHAT THE FUCK IS THAT?" he yelled, putting his hand to his chest, still dazed.

"Hi, Kyle," Rosalie smiled and hugged him. He was in a bad mood and not in the mood for anything.

"What do you want?" Kyle asked rudely, not wanting to talk to his little sister like that, but his bad morning mood prevailed.

"Nothing," she turned her face away, looking sad, "I just wanted to call you because you're late. Better than being woken up by Dad screaming."

"It's okay," he smiled at her. "Sorry, you know how I am in the morning." Kyle sighed as he saw the sadness on Rosalie's face. He knew his words had hurt her, and the last thing he wanted was to see his sister hurt more after everything she'd been through the last few years. He pulled her into a tight hug, wishing he could protect her from everything.

"Unfortunately, I know," she laughed. "But anyway, let's go. I still have a year to enjoy and make it better than the last few."

"I know you will," he hugged her tightly. Rosalie smiled, but there was something in her eyes that showed the fear behind the joy. The last few years, with their humiliations and malicious whispers, still weighed heavily on her mind. The new school represented the hope of a fresh start, and she clung to it with all her might.

"I think we should go," Kendrick entered the room. "Kyle, come on, Dad's getting impatient downstairs." The eldest was always alert and noticed the little tensions between his brothers. He knew there was a deep love behind Kyle's wry humor and Rosalie's frustration. But he also knew that if they didn't hurry, their father would become even more impatient.

The idea of being yelled at by his father made Kyle cringe. His impatience was something neither of them wanted to face so early in the morning for fear of how the situation might worsen.

"I'll wait downstairs with you," Rosalie walked over to Kendrick and positioned herself next to him. "Kyle, don't be long."

"I'll be right there," he smiled at her as she went downstairs with Kendrick. Kyle got up to get ready before he was late any more.

…

Elizabeth knocked impatiently on Jeremy's bedroom door. His parents were waiting for them already downstairs, ready to take them to school before they went to work at the hospital.

"Jeremy, you're late!" she called, knocking harder. "Dad and Mom are waiting for us downstairs. Are you masturbating or what?"

She heard a muffled murmur from the other side, followed by the sound of footsteps. The door opened slowly, revealing Jeremy, still with a crumpled face, messy hair, and eyes that showed the tiredness of the night before.

"I'll be right there," he said without much energy, wiping his hand over his eyes.

Elizabeth sighed and gave him a quick look before entering the room and closing the door behind her.

"You look terrible," she commented, crossing her arms. "Last night's party was a disaster for you, wasn't it?"

Jeremy let out a long sigh, rubbed his face, and threw himself onto the bed. He was visibly shaken, still recovering from the excesses of the night before.

"I really shouldn't have drunk so much." He smiled bitterly, hiding the part of himself that had seen worse. "And you? How are you? I saw that Sebastian was close to you most of the time."

Elizabeth hesitated, feeling her stomach turn at the thought. Her closeness to Sebastian touched her in a way she didn't want to admit, but after her recent breakup with Mike, getting involved with someone else seemed unthinkable.

"Jeremy, I can't get involved in anything right now," she said, looking down at the floor. "I just broke up with Mike. I'm not ready for... anything. Besides, you were in a lot worse shape than I was."

He felt the note of concern in his sister's voice, something that always comforted him. They had a unique connection, something that didn't need many words.

"I know you always look out for me," he replied with a weak smile, "but I saw the way Sebastian looked at you yesterday. I don't think that's going to be easy to avoid."

Elizabeth ran a hand through her hair, clearly uncomfortable with the direction of the conversation.

"Look, I'm worried about you," she said, changing the subject. "You were awful last night. You need to take it easy at these parties. I won't say anything about what happened, but you know it can't go on like this. Dad and Mom trust us a lot, and I'll always protect you, but you have to do your part."

"Thank you, Lizzie. I don't know what I'd do without you." Jeremy looked at her gratefully. He knew he could count on her, always. She smiled and pulled him into a quick hug.

"I won't let you down, ever," she replied, giving him a loving hug. "Now let's go before they come and get us."

Downstairs, the twins' parents, ever loving and caring, waited patiently. Madeline and Grayson Gallagher were renowned doctors and also entrepreneurs, but above all, understanding parents.

"Finally!" said Madeline, smiling as she watched her children come down the stairs. "I thought we'd have to tell everyone we'd be late for the assembly."

"Ready for day one?" Grayson asked, giving Elizabeth a kiss on the top of her head and an affectionate pat on Jeremy's shoulder.

"'Sort of," Jeremy replied with a mischievous smile, trying to hide his tiredness.

"It's going to be okay," Madeline said, hugging both twins at once. "We are very proud of you and we want this year to be incredible."

The two brothers smiled and exchanged a look of guilt. They knew that despite everything, they were lucky to have such loving parents.

"Come on, we can't be late," Grayson called as he led them to the car.

The twins sat in the back seat, still feeling the weight of the night before, but now ready to face the first day of the new school year.

…

The sun was shining brightly on the streets of New York as Karl Herman walked down the stairs to his new apartment in Manhattan. When he reached the living room, he found his father, Burt, waiting for him with a cup of coffee in his hands and a worried look on his face. Today would be Karl's first day at boarding school, a new beginning.

"Good morning, son," Burt said, putting the cup on the table and walking over to him. "Ready for the big day?"

Karl, who was used to hiding his feelings, smiled, but inside he was anxious. He tried to cheer himself up, but his lack of enthusiasm was obvious.

"I think so," Karl replied, adjusting the strap of his briefcase on his shoulders.

Burt sighed and watched his son for a moment. He knew how challenging this move would be for Karl, especially with the past still so present in their lives. The absence of his mother, who died when Karl was only seven, weighed on every step they took together.

"You know, Karl," Burt began as he picked up the car keys and approached his son. "I know it hasn't been easy for you. The move, the new school, and of course... missing your mom. Not a day goes by that I don't think about her."

Karl remained silent, his eyes fixed on the floor, but Burt knew he was listening.

"But I want you to know something," Burt continued, placing a firm hand on his son's shoulder and looking directly into his eyes. "I'm here for anything you need. You can count on me for anything, whatever the problem. I love you, Karl, more than anything, and I hope you'll find your way, in your own way, in your own time."

His father's words touched something inside Karl. He had always known that Burt loved him, but hearing it out loud, at this crucial moment, brought a comforting warmth.

"I know, Dad. Thank you for everything. I'll try to do my best." He took a deep breath and looked at his father with a softer expression.

Burt smiled, relieved to get a sincere answer from his son.

"That's all I can ask," Burt said, patting Karl lightly on the shoulder. "Shall we?"

The drive to the school was relatively quiet, except for the sound of cars crossing the busy city. Karl stared out the window, lost in thought about what lay ahead. Was this a chance to start over? To escape the bad memories and maybe find his place?

As they pulled up in front of the imposing boarding school, Burt stopped the car and they both stood in silence for a few seconds, just watching the movement of the other students.

"So this is where your new journey begins," Burt said with an encouraging smile. "It will be different, but it could also be incredible. Make it count."

Karl opened the car door and hesitated for a moment before getting out. He looked at his father once more and a wave of emotion washed over him.

"I'm going to miss you, Dad," Karl said, feeling a lump in his throat.

"I'll miss you too, son," Burt replied, his voice soft. "But you'll be fine, I'm sure. And remember, anything, anytime... I'm just a phone call away."

Karl smiled, more sincerely this time. After one last hug, he picked up his things and got out of the car. He watched for a moment as the other students came through the gate, trying to imagine what life would be like there.

Burt watched Karl walk slowly toward the entrance, his heart divided between pride and worry. When his son finally disappeared among the other students, he sighed deeply and started the car, certain that despite the challenges, Karl would be ready to face this new chapter.

…

An atmosphere of anticipation surrounded Willowbrook Boarding School as students began to arrive for the start of another school year. Luxury cars pulled up to the imposing gate, unloading young people from New York's most elite, all ready to keep up their impeccable appearances and dominate the school's corridors.

From the beginning, the most coveted and influential group of the elite had been formed. Charlotte Fitzgerald and Sophie Blanc, always impeccable and exuding confidence, led the pack, their magnetic presence attracting attention from all sides. Jeremy and Elizabeth Gallagher, the twins who were the very definition of perfection and charisma, arrived close behind, exchanging smiles as they adjusted their designer accessories. Sebastian and Daniel Sorrentini, the charming brothers who have always made their mark - Daniel with his womanizer and daring ways, and Sebastian, more reserved but equally desirable - completed the core group.

Alongside them, Scarlett Finnegan, the provocative and ambitious blonde, displayed her defiant attitude with sharp comments and was, as always, a vital part of the group dynamic.

Meanwhile, hanging out with the elite, Bianca Benson and Mike Dawson arrived a little more discreetly. Though they didn't come from famous millionaire families, they were both respected and naturally integrated into the group. Bianca, from an upper-middle-class family on the Lower East Side, managed to keep her place among the privileged with her intelligence and charm. Mike, on the other hand, brought an authenticity that was rare in that circle, being the kid from the Bronx who earned his place as quarterback of the football team without the luxuries of high society.

The group had already formed, exchanging greetings and laughter as they watched the other students arrive. This was the beginning of another year, and together they knew they would dominate the school, each in their own way.

The main courtyard was filled with students, all in immaculate uniforms, eager for the start of another school year. The air was filled with a mixture of excitement and anticipation as students new and old gathered to hear the words of Principal Megan Ryan.

Standing in the center of the courtyard, on a stage set up for the occasion, Megan, a woman with a strong presence and a serious look on her face, took the microphone. With her confident posture, she waited for the murmur of the students to die down before she began to speak:

"Welcome to another school year!" Her voice echoed, and the courtyard fell silent. "For those of you returning, I hope you are ready to exceed expectations and make this year a success. For those of you who are new, I hope you enjoy this journey. Here you will find opportunities, challenges, and most importantly, growth that you will carry with you for a lifetime."

She paused, taking in the young faces before her. In one corner, Charlotte and Sophie stood together, their eyes bright with excitement. Next to them, Jeremy and Elizabeth exchanged complicit glances, while Sebastian and Daniel remained relaxed as the older discreetly appraised the new students.

"And now I'd like to welcome our new high school students," the headmistress continued with a gentle smile. "First, let's introduce those who are starting their freshman year, and I'm sure they'll fit in well with our community."

Everyone's eyes turned to the newcomers. Lola Foster, with her pink highlights and dark style, kept her face closed, trying to ignore the curious looks that were already beginning to weigh on her. Next to her, Karl Herman, looking shy and reserved, seemed a little out of place, while Samara Lozano, with her rebellious attitude and defiant posture, watched everything with a bored look on her face. Kyle Marikson, relaxed and carefree, waved to the crowd, clearly already feeling at ease. Finally, Bethany Parker, with her friendly smile and contagious energy, seemed to be the most excited of the new students.

Scarlett and Charlotte, next to her, exchanged glances when they saw Kendrick Marikson among the newcomers from the penultimate year of high school. Both looked interested, though disguised.

Meanwhile, Daniel Sorrentini wasted no time in assessing the new students with his sideways smile. He kept his eyes on Lola, Samara and Bethany in particular, clearly impressed by what he saw.

"I would like to remind you all," Principal Megan continued as she looked at the audience. "That the room assignments are now being posted on the wall. I ask that you all check your names and move into your respective dormitories as soon as possible."

The Principal thanked her and left the stage, taping up the papers with her helpers as the students began to disperse, ready to face the first challenge of the year.

The girls hurried to the wall where the room assignments were about to be announced.

"Did they put us back together?" Charlotte asked, flicking her hair back and giving Sophie an expectant look.

"I hope so, because if they put me with a stranger, I won't be able to answer for myself," Sophie replied, holding her chin up with her usual confidence. "I need a controlled environment, and you know how I hate unpleasant surprises."

"Relax, Sophie. If we're not together, we'll make it," Elizabeth commented, trying to reassure her friend.

"I'm sure I'll be the center of attention. I just hope they don't put me with some fresh-faced new girl." Scarlett said, with a teasing smile on her lips, looked at Charlotte and commented in a low voice.

"You always want to be the center of attention, don't you?" Charlotte replied with a laugh as the two exchanged guilty glances.

Behind them, the boys followed quickly. Jeremy, still a little down from his hangover, walked in silence, keeping close to his sister Elizabeth.

"Are you guys going to survive another year at this fancy school?" Jeremy commented wryly with a smile in his corner.

"Who knew you'd wake up in one piece after yesterday?" Sebastian joked, patting his friend on the shoulder.

Daniel, further back, laughed discreetly while keeping his eyes on the first years.

"This year is promising, huh? Look at the new girls..." he muttered, looking mainly at Lola and Samara.

" Focus!" Mike commented, a little more seriously, but with a joking tone. "You're going to try to hook up with the whole school now, aren't you?"

"Always, my dear Mike, always," Daniel replied, with his typical smug smile.

Bianca, who was walking beside Mike, looked at the mural with a mixture of fear and curiosity.

"Are we going to stay away from the troublemakers this year?" she asked, half joking, half worried.

"I hope so," Mike replied as he looked around, always feeling a little out of place among the elite group.

They finally reached the mural. The girls were anxious, and the boys gathered behind them, waiting to see who would be placed with whom.

ROOM 99

Bianca Benson

Sophie Blanc

Charlotte Fitzgerald

Lola Foster

ROOM 100

Scarlett Finnegan

Elizabeth Gallagher

Samara Lozano

Bethany Parker

ROOM 115

Jeremy Gallagher

Karl Herman

Daniel Sorrentini

Sebastian Sorrentini

ROOM 116

Mike Dawson

Thomas Lancaster

Kendrick Marikson

Kyle Marikson

"So far so good, at least we're together," Charlotte smiled, hugging Bianca and Sophie, pleased with the luck of the room.

Sophie, however, frowned when she noticed an unfamiliar name on the list.

"Who is Lola Foster?" she read aloud, suspicion in her voice.

"I have no idea," Charlotte replied, rolling her eyes slightly. "Let's start organizing our room, because if this Lola girl shows up, I want everything to be perfect, just the way we like it."

"Maybe she's a nice person? She might even be someone interesting for the group. You know, sometimes unexpected things surprise us." Bianca, always trying to keep the mood light, shrugged.

"I hope she's not one of those weirdos. I don't have patience for anyone who ruins our year." Sophie snorted, obviously not so optimistic. Meanwhile, the group of boys stood nearby, looking at their own list.

"Room 115... Me, Jer, Seb and some Karl Herman..." Daniel commented with a wry grin. "Sounds interesting. But who might Karl be?"

"No idea," Matt replied, scratching his head. "What about Kyle? Do you know him?"

"Sounds like the name of a disturbed person," Daniel commented with a smile.

"Well, we'll find out. I just hope it's not someone who's going to turn the room into chaos in the first month." Sebastian shrugged.

"Don't be so optimistic, Seb," Jeremy joked, nudging his friend. "But it looks like we're going to have a busy year."

Meanwhile, Charlotte continued to look at the list.

"And the next room... Scarlett, Elizabeth, Samara, I don't know who that is... and what about Bethany Parker?" she commented, somewhat intrigued.

"Just wait and see," Bianca said.

Scarlett, who had already finished checking her own list, approached when she heard the name of her room mentioned.

"I see you're already speculating about my roommates," she said with a teasing smile.

"Of course we're curious about the newcomers," Sophie replied in a casual tone. "We have no idea who they are."

"Samara Lozano, Bethany Parker... I've never heard of them," Charlotte added, looking at Scarlett for recognition.

"Let's see what's in front of us, then," Scarlett replied, keeping her usual confidence in her tone.

Just then, Principal Megan Ryan spoke into the microphone again:

"And finally, I hope you all enjoy this school year. The room assignments are already on the wall, and I ask that you get organized according to the schedule. May this year be a very successful one for all of us.

The students began to split up, but the group still stayed together, waiting to see what the new year would bring. And when one of the senior cheerleaders walked up to the head table with a loudspeaker, everyone there turned to pay attention.

"WE'RE GETTING READY FOR THE SENIORS' WELCOME PARTY! WE WANT YOU ALL THERE! PLANNED FOR NEXT MONTH!" she announced to enthusiastic applause and shouts. "BUT YOU'LL HAVE TO GO WITH A DATE!" She finished the warning with a teasing smile before getting up from the table and returning to her seat.

"Scarlett," Daniel approached her with his typical crooked smile.

"You don't have to continue," Scarlett laughed, already knowing what he was getting at. "Of course I will." She leaned down to whisper in his ear. "I won't miss the chance to repeat what happened last night."

"When did it happen?" Mike whispered in Sebastian's ear, watching them both.

"Nobody knows," Sebastian laughed, but then got up and walked over to Charlotte. "Do you want to go to the party with me?" he asked, a little embarrassed.

"Sebastian, about the party last night..." Charlotte began, her tone hesitant as she walked next to him.

"What?" He stopped, realizing that she was about to say something important.

"I'm sorry I attacked you," she said, a slight blush rising to her cheeks. "I was drunk and... deep down, I think I just wanted to be noticed. You've always been the guy I trust the most, but yesterday... I don't know what came over me."

Sebastian smiled, a gentle, understanding smile. He took Charlotte's hand gently, as he always did when he wanted to calm her down.

"Charlotte, you never have to apologize to me. We're best friends and always will be." He looked into her eyes, trying to give her the reassurance she needed.

"I know," she replied, feeling relieved to have said it. "It's just that sometimes I feel so confused... about everything. But you're the only constant I have."

Sebastian squeezed her hand, emphasizing what he had said.

"And I will always be, Charlie. We'll always be together, no matter what. But please, the next time you need to be noticed, let me know before you throw yourself at me, okay?" He said jokingly to ease the tension.

Charlotte laughed, finally relaxing a bit.

"Deal." She replied and gave Sebastian a gentle nudge, who smiled back. They continued walking together, feeling a little lighter, while the surrounding group began to disperse for the day's activities.

"Ew," Scarlett teased, and they both rolled their eyes. While the others chatted and laughed, Charlotte walked a little slower, lost in thought. She wasn't sure what she wanted out of her next year.

After a while, everyone started walking towards their chores and extracurriculars.

…

The club registration table was full. Many students were renewing their applications, while newcomers were trying to fill the remaining spots. Scarlett had just left the line after renewing her cheerleading spot, something she had longed for since childhood.

The hallways were packed with students on all sides, but the cheerleading registration wall seemed to glow under the fluorescent lights, standing out like a trophy to be won. As she walked by, someone approached her.

"Are the cheerleading applications on that wall?" a Latina girl asked.

"Yes, they're over there," Scarlett replied, pointing to the highlighted blue board. After studying her for a few moments, the blonde thought she might have found a strong competitor. "Good luck, I'm in too. It's my first year, and this position has always belonged to me."

"Well, I say the same thing," the Latina replied, obviously conveying a strong personality. Scarlett tried to keep a smile on her face, but she couldn't help but feel that this new girl could be a threat to her leadership. It was rare to meet someone with such presence right away. Deep down, she relished the challenge.

"I'm Scarlett Finnegan," Scarlett said, extending her hand in a friendly gesture.

"Samara Lozano," Samara shook her hand. "Well, I'll sign in. Maybe we'll run into each other." She gave a small smile before walking towards the board.

Samara hadn't checked her room yet because she was a little lost in the big boarding school. When she went to pick up a pen to sign in, she ended up picking it up at the same time as someone else. She prepared to curse, but was shocked to see who was standing next to her.

"Bethany?" Samara let out a soft, almost ironic laugh as she found her. Despite her firm stance, there was a warmth in her eyes that softened her apparent hardness.

"Samara!" Bethany smiled at her. "I was just looking at the room board and was a little confused to see your name on the same room as mine."

"We're staying together?" Samara asked in surprise. This was really something she hadn't expected. "I mean, in the same room."

"Yes!" Bethany smiled excitedly and wrote her name with a colored crayon that she took out of her bag. "You can keep the crayon."

"Thanks," Samara laughed and wrote her name. "Well, I don't know anyone here, I didn't make any friends at my old school because I attacked everyone."

"As long as I'm here, I won't leave you alone," Bethany laughed and the two walked down the hall. "Come on, I'll take you to our room." She pulled her along, and the two ran until they reached the room, which was still empty, without Elizabeth and Scarlett, who would be the other two roommates.

…

Lola was sick of everything. She just wanted to crawl into a hole and forget everything in her life, but she had no choice - she had to face reality. The hallway was full of hurrying students, each trying to get to their destination, but Lola just wanted to isolate herself in her own world, away from all the hustle and bustle.

She had just bought a can of black wall paint to decorate an area of her room and some posters of her favorite goth bands. Carrying the paint, she bumped into someone walking by, almost spilling the paint on herself, but the can fell to the floor.

"FUCK!" she yelled in annoyance.

Lola could hardly bear the thought of having to deal with one more person that day. Every encounter seemed like a test of patience she wasn't willing to endure. When she turned to see who had bumped into her, she bumped into the boy she had met the day before.

"Sorry," he said, helping her pick up the can. Kyle didn't seem to get the message. He continued to stand there, holding the can as if waiting for something more. Lola ignored him, wishing he would just go away. "Wait, you're the girl from the supermarket."

"I am," she replied without the slightest enthusiasm, not wanting to prolong the conversation. Socializing wasn't something she liked to do, especially with people she barely knew.

"I'm Kyle," he held out his hand politely.

"Lola," she didn't shake his hand, just gave him a yellow smile. She didn't know it yet, but this seemingly insignificant encounter would be the first of many that would shake the walls that she had built around herself. "Anyway, I have to go. Bye." She left with the can and headed for her room, ready to organize it in her own way.

As she closed the bedroom door behind her, Lola breathed a sigh of relief. Solitude was a refuge, a place where she didn't have to pretend or deal with other people's expectations.

Best of all, no one was there yet, which meant she could enjoy the peace and emptiness she valued so much. As she headed for the closet, Lola wondered why people couldn't just leave her alone. But deep down, a voice whispered that maybe she didn't want to be so alone.

…

Karl had just left the choir registration and was on his way to his new dorm. He was worried, afraid that it would all happen again. He wondered if he would finally get the chance to start over, to leave the years of loneliness behind and find his place in this new world.

Flashes of what had happened during his old school life came to mind, and he had to take several deep breaths before walking to his new room. Once there, he picked up his things and entered the room, noticing that his roommates had already passed through, as their things were scattered across the three beds.

The room was worthy of a five-star hotel suite, with Italian design furniture, a huge glass window that offered a panoramic view of the boarding school's manicured gardens, and silk sheets that looked untouched. A modern chandelier hung from the ceiling, and the soft carpet muffled the sound of Karl's footsteps as he explored his surroundings.

He took the only empty bed and began to unpack. Opening one of the smaller bags, he found a photo of himself as a child, standing next to his mother, who had passed away due to serious health problems. At the sight of the photo, a wave of sadness and longing washed over Karl. It was as if all the happy and painful memories came flooding back at once. He hugged the photo tightly and a few tears streamed down his face.

"I love you, Mom," Karl said, wiping away the tears. "I know that wherever you are, you've got my back." He put the portrait back in his pocket and heard footsteps behind him, imagining it could be one of his roommates, and turned around.

"Hello," said a boy who had just gotten out of the shower and was wearing nothing but a towel. Karl was completely taken aback.

"Hi," he replied shyly, trying not to make direct eye contact, which made him really uncomfortable.

"You must be Karl," the boy held out his hand in a friendly way and gave a crooked smile. "Daniel Sorrentini." He smiled nonchalantly, as if he was used to putting others at ease. His confidence was almost infectious.

"Yes, I am," Karl smiled, still embarrassed, and shook Daniel's hand in greeting.

"Well, something tells me you're completely lost here. You don't seem to have been born here, do you?" Karl felt his heart race for a moment, but Daniel's relaxed demeanor quickly dispelled his nervousness.

"Yeah, you got that right," Karl laughed. "I'm from Nashville, Tennessee. I didn't have a good experience the last few years, but now my dad got a better job opportunity and here I am."

"Look, whatever bad thing you may have been through, I can assure you that the chances of it happening again here are almost zero," Daniel said. "Make yourself at home."

"Thanks," Karl smiled. This had already improved his expectations and he didn't know what it was like to feel welcome in an environment. Everything was beginning to look more positive.

"You're welcome," Daniel smiled back and went to get a change of clothes from his things. "See you around." He laughed and left the room, returning to the bathroom and leaving Karl extremely shy.

Everything was beginning to look up. Daniel, with his impeccable looks, black hair and blue eyes, was the classic popular boy, owner of a surreal beauty that made every girl - and, discreetly, even him - sigh. Karl was surprised by the friendly attitude of someone like Daniel, but quickly attributed it to the fact that he was in a big city like New York, where people could be more open and superficiality was common.

That had already raised his expectations and he wasn't used to feeling so welcome in a new environment. Karl took out his cell phone and sent a message to his father, saying that everything was fine, and decided to go out and see the huge school.

…

Lola had finally prepared everything to start her way of organizing things. She grabbed everything she needed and started to paint the whole side of her wall black. After waiting a few minutes for the paint to dry, she started putting up her favorite goth band posters, as well as some emblems.

"Perfect," she muttered, ripping off all the white sheets and replacing them with all black. Then she threw herself on the bed, grabbed her cell phone, and started listening to music quietly in her corner. A few minutes passed and the door was opened, but Lola didn't even notice, distracted by the music.

"WHAT'S THAT?" Sophie entered the room with Charlotte and couldn't hide her shock when she saw the state of the wall, poorly painted in a matte black tone. It was gaudy in a way that wasn't appealing.

The smell of fresh paint filled the room, and the uneven stains on the walls gave the room an almost suffocating appearance. Charlotte wrinkled her nose, while Sophie could barely hide her disdain.

"Oh, what a horrible thing," Charlotte grimaced in disgust. "They've ruined our room." They soon noticed the girl lying distracted, listening to extremely loud music on her headphones. "Who is she?"

"That must be the new girl," Sophie rolled her eyes in obvious annoyance. The room, which had once exuded an aura of control and refinement, now seemed like a war zone with the chaotic presence of the new girl. Lola finally noticed their presence and took off her headphones, but remained silent. Her defiant attitude was a brutal contrast to Sophie's controlled perfectionism.

"Hello," Charlotte forced a smile. "You must be Lola Foster." Lola nodded, not really wanting to interact.

"She spoke with you," Sophie was blunt, already sensing that this wasn't going to end well. "Or did you lose your tongue?"

"That's none of your business." Lola threw in with a sour smile before pushing past them and leaving the room. She didn't have the patience to put up with anyone right now.

As she walked through the door and slammed it, Lola felt that familiar tightness in her chest. It was always the same - the judgment, the exclusion. But this time she wasn't going to give in. As Lola walked away, Sophie could already feel the unease boiling inside her. The girl had just declared war, even without words. And she wasn't the type to lose.

"This one's going to be difficult," Charlotte commented as she sat down on her bed.

"It even seems" Sophie smiled unfriendly and threw herself onto her own bed. Something unpleasant crossed her mind. She already knew that she would have to deal with Lola one way or another. The mess in her room was only the beginning. And she was ready to keep order, no matter what it took, because she could already feel the spark of a rivalry brewing.

…

Elizabeth walked down the hall, still trying to adjust to the fast pace of her first day at school. Her thoughts were jumbled, still absorbing everything that had happened at the party the night before. Suddenly she spotted Sebastian leaning against the wall with his arms crossed, apparently waiting for something or someone.

"Hi," Elizabeth said, approaching with a slight smile that didn't completely hide her nervousness. "How are you?"

Sebastian looked up and smiled back, reassuring, if a little reserved.

"Much better than yesterday, and you?" He looked at her curiously, as if he was still trying to understand how she felt about all this.

"Better too... I guess." She laughed, a little hesitantly, before fixing a lock of her hair. "You know, I was thinking... about what happened yesterday. It was all very confusing, too many things at once."

"It was confusing, all right. But to be honest, I thought you were pretty calm about everything, or at least you pretended to be very good at it." Sebastian shook his head in agreement.

"I was pretending. In fact, I don't even know how I am right now. Things with Mike are still fresh and I don't want to get into any more trouble." Elizabeth let out a sigh. She looked down, feeling the weight of the situation.

"I understand." Sebastian put a hand on her shoulder, a light but reassuring touch. "There's no need to rush into anything. What matters now is that you feel comfortable with your decisions. If you need a break, I'm here."

Elizabeth looked up and smiled, grateful for his silent support.

"You always know what to say." She took a step closer, the distance between them shrinking.

At that moment, Daniel, who was only a few feet away, watched them with an attentive gaze. His smile was almost imperceptible, but the way he crossed his arms showed that he was paying attention to every detail of the interaction.

While Sebastian and Elizabeth continued to talk, Daniel approached slowly, always observant, as if calculating his next steps. He was not the type to let things go unnoticed, and the closeness between the two did not escape his radar.

"Look at you, the little couple," Daniel commented in a joking tone, but with a clear provocation in his voice. "Making plans for later?"

Elizabeth laughed, but was slightly uncomfortable with the intrusion.

"It's nothing like that, Daniel," she replied, trying to keep her tone light, but realizing that he was there for a reason.

Sebastian rolled his eyes, knowing his brother well enough to know that this entrance was typical of Daniel. In the background, Elizabeth was absent-mindedly fiddling with her cell phone, but something in her posture indicated that Daniel's presence was making her uncomfortable.

"What's up, Seb?" Daniel approached with his usual corner smile, the same one he wore whenever he was about to tease. "Still recovering from last night's party or just trying to be cool again?" He glanced at Elizabeth, who looked up from her phone for a moment, suspicious.

"Don't start, Daniel," Sebastian replied, keeping his tone firm but not looking directly at his brother. His eyes remained fixed on Elizabeth, who seemed oblivious to the growing tension between them.

"Relax, little brother." Daniel laughed, a light, ironic sound. "I'm not here to make trouble. I was just curious to see how our dear Elizabeth was doing." He addressed her in the same relaxed tone, tilting his head slightly, waiting for a reaction.

Elizabeth crossed her arms and looked at Sebastian before answering.

"I'm fine, Daniel. Just trying to start the year without any more complications." The answer was short, but deep inside there was something more. Sebastian realized that she was trying to stay out of her brother's game, but her discomfort was visible.

Daniel moved closer, ignoring the tense atmosphere between them, and stopped next to Elizabeth, smiling as if he was completely at ease. He had always been like that - a dangerous charm capable of unsettling anyone in the presence.

"Complications?" Daniel repeated the word with false concern, turning to Sebastian as if he were genuinely interested. "Don't tell me the 'good boy' here gave you a headache." The comment was a tease in disguise, and Elizabeth knew it.

"No, nothing like that," she replied quickly, exchanging glances with Sebastian, who was clearly uncomfortable with the direction of the conversation. "Just..." Elizabeth hesitated for a second, searching for the words, "I'm just trying not to get into any more drama. It's been a rough summer and I just want to rest now."

Sebastian felt a pang of guilt. He knew the breakup with Mike was still weighing on Elizabeth, and the way Daniel was handling it wasn't helping.

"She's trying to stay out of trouble, Daniel," Sebastian interrupted, trying to end the subject. "Maybe you should do the same."

Daniel laughed softly, as if he found the whole thing amusing.

"Ah, little brother, you still don't get it, do you? Confusion makes life interesting." He threw a teasing glance at Elizabeth, who looked away, clearly uncomfortable with Daniel's casual flirting. "But relax, I'm not here to get in the way of anything." He winked at her, teasing her once more, before taking a few steps away, still with that confident smile on his face.

Elizabeth let out a heavy sigh as Daniel walked away, her eyes meeting Sebastian's again.

"He never changes, does he?" she commented with a strained smile.

"No," Sebastian agreed, crossing his arms and watching his brother who was still nearby. "But don't worry, he'll lose interest in teasing you as soon as he finds something more interesting to do."

Elizabeth shook her head, laughing a little, but there was a hint of seriousness in her expression.

"I know he likes to tease, but you know me..." She hesitated for a second, her voice softer. "After all, I just need time, Seb. I don't want to get into anything complicated right now."

Sebastian nodded, understanding exactly what she meant.

"I know, Liz." He looked at her with a sincere expression on his face. "I will always be your friend, you know that. No matter what happens."

Elizabeth smiled, touched by Sebastian's words. She always knew that she could count on him, even when the going got tough.

"Thank you," she said quietly. "That means a lot."

They exchanged a look that reflected their years of friendship, something deep and solid. But in the background, Daniel watched them with a pensive air, as if analyzing every detail of this interaction. Even from a distance, he never seemed to miss a thing. Deep down, Daniel knew he had intense feelings for Elizabeth, but he also knew he didn't deserve her. A part of him believed that someone like her could never be happy with someone like him.

Sebastian, for his part, felt a growing uneasiness. Daniel had always been unpredictable and as much as he knew that his brother loved to play with other people's emotions, a part of him was worried about what Daniel was planning this time.

But for now, Sebastian focused on Elizabeth, assuring her that everything would be fine... at least for now.

…

The afternoon had finally arrived. After a long period of newcomer introductions, the annual test to join the clubs finally began. After signing up, the students participated in stages until the final formation of each club. Bethany and Samara were anxious as their time approached.

"Good luck, Sammy," Bethany smiled and hugged her as they had just announced Samara's test. "The unicorn will bring you good luck." Bethany took a small, colorful stuffed unicorn out of her bag and handed it to Samara, that smiled and went to take her test.

When she was done, she returned and sat on a bench, waiting for Bethany to finish her test. Suddenly she felt Scarlett's presence sitting next to her.

"How do you think you did?" Scarlett asked, but her tone didn't sound like someone seeking friendship. There was something suspicious about her interest. Samara knew that Scarlett wasn't there to wish her good luck. She sensed that the blonde saw the competition as a battleground where friendship was just a facade. But Samara wasn't going to lose her head that easily.

"Well enough, after all, you expected nothing less from me," Samara replied with a smile. "I hope you made an effort to get close to me."

"Of course," Scarlett let out a loud laugh. "Let's see how far this goes," she stood up and whispered in Samara's ear. "This is going to be mine and no one is going to stop it."

"If you say so, darling," Samara rolled her eyes and saw Bethany approaching.

The Latina had to admit it. Winning a spot on the cheerleading squad was more than just a competition. It was a chance to show that she was capable, that her life wasn't just about what others expected of her. Ignoring Scarlett completely, she left to take a shower. When she got to the dressing room, she realized it was just her and Bethany.

"Well, when I'm done, I'll wait for you in the corner," Bethany smiled as the two entered their respective showers. When they finished showering, they got out at the same time, wrapped in their towels. Bethany took another towel to dry her hair. Samara, on the other hand, felt strangely confused.

"Samara?" Bethany called out, but Samara, without realizing it, was "drying" Bethany with her eyes.

"I'm... going..." Samara began to stammer, trying to cover herself. "I'm going to get ready," she said as she picked up the brush to comb her hair, trying to hide what had just happened. She was nervous. She couldn't understand what was going on inside of her. It was just Bethany, her new friend, and yet there was something different about her presence that made her uncomfortable, a feeling she tried to suppress but which was becoming more and more apparent.

"Okay," Bethany let out a small laugh, noticing Samara's nervousness but not understanding exactly why. Every time the blonde smiled, a shiver ran down the Latina's spine. She didn't know if she should feel guilty or something else.

"I have to take a call from my grandmother," Samara hurriedly grabbed her cell phone, even though it was a lie. She had to get dressed in another corner. She didn't feel comfortable. She took a deep breath, put her clothes on anyway, and left before Bethany could notice.

…

Sophie walked over to her new closet and organized it the way she liked it best. Despite her often exaggerated perfectionism, she liked the result. Soon she felt someone come up beside her and realized it was Jeremy.

"Hi," she smiled at him and gave him a quick hug.

"Well, by some quirk of fate, your closet ended up next to mine," Jeremy laughed.

"I know you can't live without me," she laughed as he hid his slight embarrassment at hearing that. "To what do I owe your coming to me?"

"Well, I know it's only next month, but..." he took her hand. "Sophie Juliet Blanc, would you like to come to the party with me?"

"Oh my God," she laughed out loud. "I'd love to, after all, I don't feel like going with most of the assholes here, as far as I can tell. But now I have to get some things organized," she kissed him on the cheek and left. Mike came from the other side and walked over to Jeremy.

"I knew it," Mike started to laugh.

"Knew what?" Jeremy turned to him, already preparing himself for jokes.

"Well, you're obviously in love with Sophie," Mike replied. "Give me a break, look at the way you were looking at her."

"No, I'm not. We're just best friends that are going to the party together and it's none of your business," Jeremy took the notebook out of the cupboard.

"Calm down, there's no need to get so upset," Mike laughed. "Well, I'm going to get the new girl, Lola, to go with me."

"Who's Lola?" Jeremy asked confused.

"That one over there," Mike pointed to where Lola was, reading a book while listening to music on her headphones.

"Oh yeah. Good luck!" Jeremy said. "Anyway, I'm going because Daniel is waiting for me in the bedroom to take care of something."

"Go on," Mike waited a few seconds and then walked resolutely towards Lola. He was a bit cautious, because from what he'd heard she was a rather explosive person. He sat down across from her, who looked at him but acted as if nothing had happened. After all, pretending to be invisible was something he'd been doing for a long time.

"Hello," Mike greeted her, although he knew she wouldn't hear him because the music was loud. Lola realized he wanted something and took off her headphones.

"Are you talking to me?" she asked in a dry voice.

"Of course, who else would it be?" Mike asked, laughing.

"I don't know, maybe you have ghost friends or you're a crazy person talking to yourself," she replied.

"Could be, but that's not the case," Mike moved a little closer. "I wanted to ask you to come to the party with me."

"No," Lola said, short and sweet. That was the last thing she wanted to do right now.

"Why not?" Mike was confused.

"How do I know this isn't a trap? After all, you could tell that no one really liked me. But who cares what anyone thinks, right?" She turned to leave, but Mike pulled her away.

"Let's just say I liked you. I mean, I haven't met you yet, but something tells me you'll be good company. I mean that with all the sincerity in the world," he smiled at her. Lola really felt something honest in his words, but she was still cautious.

"I'll think about it," Lola said. "But if you keep coming after me before I've made up my mind, I'm going to punch you in the face."

"All right," Mike laughed. "Whatever you say. I know you'll say yes," he said loudly, while she was already a few steps ahead. In the end, she smiled slightly at what had happened, something like that didn't happen spontaneously for a long time.

But the lightness of the moment didn't last long. As soon as Lola turned into the hallway, she bumped into Sophie and Charlotte. They stood in front of her like an insurmountable barrier.

"I knew you couldn't be trusted," Sophie's voice sounded firm and implacable, her arms crossed in front of her body, her gaze cold.

Lola stopped, her heart racing slightly, but she didn't show it. She took a deep breath, trying to keep control of the situation, even though she knew that this would be another inevitable confrontation.

"What now?" asked Lola dismissively, looking from one to the other, her words loaded with an exhaustion she didn't try to hide.

"You think you can just walk in here and act like you're already part of this?" Sophie stepped forward, her posture imposing. "And with Mike? He's our best friend Elizabeth's ex."

Lola raised an eyebrow, not knowing whether to laugh or get even angrier. She barely knew Mike and was already being treated like a criminal.

"Since when is talking to someone a crime?" Lola replied out of patience. "He came to talk to me, not the other way around. If anyone needs to explain something, I don't think it's me."

"Don't play dumb," Charlotte finally said, her voice low, almost dangerous. "Do you think you can come here and talk to whoever you want without understanding that there are rules?"

"Rules?" Lola laughed sarcastically. "You really have a lot of free time. Rules about who I can talk to and who I can't? Are you two always this pathetic?"

Sophie took another step forward, now face to face with Lola. The closeness between them made the tension rise. It was as if the air had become heavier.

"Pathetic?" Sophie repeated, her tone icy. "You're playing a game you obviously don't understand. And we don't like arrogant newbies here who think they can do whatever they want."

Lola kept her gaze steady, refusing to back down even though she felt the pressure mounting. She knew she wouldn't have many allies in this school, but she wasn't going to be intimidated so easily.

"And what exactly are you two going to do about it?" she challenged, crossing her arms and feigning disinterest. "If you want to play, you can come. I'm not afraid of you," she declared, her eyes fixed on Sophie's.

Charlotte laughed dryly, but before she could reply, Elizabeth appeared at the end of the corridor, her expression grave as she realized what was happening.

"What's going on?" Elizabeth asked as she approached. She looked from Sophie to Charlotte, her eyebrows furrowed. "Why are you two bothering her?"

"'That's none of your business, Lizzie," Charlotte said, clearly irritated by her friend's intervention. "She's messing with Mike. I'm just warning her where she stands."

"Warning?" Elizabeth crossed her arms, now clearly annoyed. "Mike and I are separated. We don't need any unnecessary drama. If he wants to talk to her, it's not your problem."

"Aren't we trying to protect you?" Sophie replied, her voice still full of determination, but now mixed with a slight concern. "We know how she can hurt you. You trust people too much."

"And what's wrong with trusting?" Elizabeth sighed. "I can take care of myself. And honestly, you need to stop creating problems where there aren't any."

Sophie and Charlotte exchanged a look of frustration, but eventually backed down. Elizabeth had always been the balance between the three of them, and the last thing they wanted was to clash with her.

Realizing that she had managed to calm her friends down, Elizabeth approached Lola and gave her a small smile.

"I'm sorry," she murmured to Lola, who just nodded, not knowing what to say.

"I'm going," Elizabeth turned to Sophie and Charlotte. "I'll see you later, okay?"

Before she could take more than a few steps, Daniel appeared, leaning against the hallway wall, watching the scene with a teasing smile on his lips.

"And I thought the drama would end after the party," he commented, his tone laced with irony. Elizabeth stopped and turned to look at him with a sharp stare.

"Funny you should bring up drama, Daniel," she retorted. "You always seem to like being in the middle of them."

"Ah, Lizzie, drama is what makes life interesting," Daniel replied with a wry smile. "Especially when you're involved."

"You should find something else to do with your time. This kind of comment is getting annoying." She rolled her eyes, already used to Daniel's teasing ways.

"Perhaps you could help me find something better to do?" he suggested, his voice laced with spite.

"Don't count on it," Elizabeth snapped as she started to walk away, a small smile curving her lips. She knew that Daniel would never stop teasing her, but in a way, this teasing game was part of their dynamic.

Daniel's smile disappeared for a brief second as soon as she walked away. Although he tried to hide it, he knew there were deeper feelings for Elizabeth, feelings he would never admit, not even to himself. He didn't think he deserved her, and maybe he never would.

But rather than deal with it, he preferred to hide it behind his mask of jokes and sarcasm.