Girls Dorm – Room 2
Aria lay on her bed, curled under the sheets. Her alarm buzzed loudly, making her groan. She reached out and tapped it off before sitting up, yawning and stretching her arms high into the air.
She walked over to the window and pulled the curtains open. Light poured in. Her eyes drifted to the poster on her wall. In bold letters, it read: DAILY SCHEDULE – GET INTO PLATINUM RANK – DAILY ACTIVITY.
She narrowed her eyes. "I have to reach it... no matter the cost."
Heading to the bathroom, she turned on the shower. Steam quickly filled the space.
Later, wrapped in a towel, Aria walked back into her room. Her phone buzzed.
Kairon was calling.
She frowned and declined it.
It rang again.
Declined.
A third ti.
With a sigh, she answered and placed it on the wall speaker. "Don’t you get the hint when soone declines your call?"
Kairon’s voice ca through. "Aria!"
She cald her tone slightly. "What is it?"
"Wanna go to the pool?"
Click.
She hung up.
Collapsing back onto her bed, Aria stared at the ceiling. A mory flashed in her mind—sothing between her and Kairon, a mont that made her chest tighten.
"...What are you hiding, Kairon?"
Ping.
Her phone buzzed again. She glanced at it. "He’s so persistent..." She hesitated. "Should I pick up... or not?"
---
10:00 AM – Outside the Girls Dorm
Aria stepped out and imdiately spotted Riven and ira walking hand-in-hand. ira smiled.
"Oh! Heading to the pool too?" she asked cheerfully.
Aria eyed her, then thought to herself, ira... the fashion queen. Always in the spotlight. And now that she’s dating Riven, her popularity exploded.
Aria replied flatly, "No thanks. I’d rather study. I don’t have ti to waste having fun."
Riven looked at her with a friendly smile. "Co on, Aria. You should try getting along with everyone. We all have the sa goal—Platinum Rank."
Riven, Aria thought. The class star. Athletic, smart. How did soone like him end up in the ’loser’ class?
"I have better things to do," Aria replied coldly.
ira rolled her eyes. "Suit yourself. Riven, let’s go. She clearly doesn’t want to hang out with losers like us." She tugged his hand and walked away.
Riven waved goodbye. Aria didn’t return it.
"I don’t need friends," she muttered. "I never did."
---
Recreational Facility – Outside Pool Area
Under a shaded spot, Aria stood with Ivy, Akira, and Kairon. Her arms were crossed.
Why am I even here? she thought. She glanced at Kairon. I can’t believe I let him talk into this.
"Aria!" Ivy bead. "I’m glad you ca with us!"
"It’s no big deal," Aria replied, avoiding eye contact. "We’re still waiting for Caden, Torin, and Kei, right?"
Akira nodded. "They’re probably on their way."
"Where are they anyway?" Ivy asked.
Monts later, Caden, Torin, and Kei ca running over.
"Sorry we’re late!" they said in unison.
"What took you so long?" Ivy asked.
Kei scratched the back of his head. "We... overslept."
Akira narrowed her eyes. "Really? But you’re coming from the pool area."
Caden quickly cut in, "Let’s just go in! The water’s perfect!"
"Yeah!" Ivy smiled. "Let’s have so fun!"
---
Girls’ Locker Room
Aria stood in front of her locker, wearing a plain white swimsuit. She turned to Lizzy beside her.
"Has your chest always been that big?"
Lizzy blinked, then giggled. "Oh, this? I guess they started growing back in middle school. Surprised?"
Aria quickly turned away. "It’s nothing."
Nearby, Akira zipped up her full-body swimsuit. Ivy, in a bright red one, laughed.
"Didn’t think you were a pool person, Akira."
"I’m not. I ca because... Kairon asked."
Lizzy raised her brows. "You like him?"
"Of course not! We’re just friends."
"I wonder how Aria feels about that..." Ivy said.
"I couldn’t care less who he talks to," Aria muttered.
---
Poolside
Aria stood alone by the edge, watching the others splash around.
Kairon walked up beside her, shirtless in swim trunks. "You’re not joining?"
"I only ca because you dragged into this," she said flatly. "Not here to have fun."
"I see..."
Ivy suddenly looked around. "Where’s Torin?"
Caden shrugged. "He’ll be back."
Ivy frowned. "He’s been gone a while..."
Kei quickly chid in, "Hey, look! A volleyball court! Let’s play!"
Lizzy clapped. "Great idea! Let’s go!"
---
Inside the Facility – Girls’ Locker Room
Torin, dressed like a janitor, pushed a cart of cleaning supplies. He slipped into the locker room, talking through his earpiece.
"I’m in."
"Plant the caras and get out," Kei said. "Ivy’s already asking questions."
"Wait—what? She is?" Torin blushed. "She’s worried about ?"
"Snap out of it," Kei snapped. "And hurry! That ’out of order’ sign won’t hold long."
---
Outside the Locker Room
Ren and his gang arrived. He raised a brow at the barricade and motioned for Albert.
Albert kicked it aside.
Inside, Torin froze. "Kei! Ren’s here!"
"What?!"
"I need backup!"
---
Volleyball Court
Kei signaled to Caden and whispered, "Torin’s in trouble. Cover for ."
Kei dashed off.
"Where are you going?" Ivy called.
"Knee cramp!" he shouted.
Lizzy blinked. "That’s not how cramps work..."
---
Back at the Facility
Arisu and her gang approached from the opposite side. Tension filled the air as they locked eyes with Ren’s group.
Kei slid between them. "What are you all doing here? Go back to the pool!"
Ren glared. "Move, loser."
Arisu smiled coldly. "Looks like soone needs to be put in his place."
Kei stood frozen. They’re seriously going to fight...? Now?!
"Stop right there!" a voice bood.
Kael leapt down from above. "This place is for fun, not brawls. I suggest you all get moving."
Arisu smiled. "Well, well... Student President."
"You all—go. Now."
"Tch." Arisu turned away. "I’ll deal with the dogs later."
Ren followed after her.
Kael looked at Kei. "You too."
"Y-Yes sir!" Kei bolted off.
Outside, Kei gasped. "Torin! Fix the caras and run!"
Inside, Torin quickly swapped out the soap bottles for ones with hidden cams—but forgot to turn off the red light. Still grinning, he left.
---
Volleyball Court
Lizzy spiked the ball and cheered. "Point!"
Ivy pouted. "No fair!"
Torin returned. "I’m back!"
"Where were you?"
"Just... busy." He winked at Caden and Kei.
---
Poolside
Torin, Caden, and Kei huddled. Kairon joined them.
"What’s going on?"
Caden explained everything.
Kairon sighed. "Why ?"
Torin whispered, "We can’t ask Riven. He already refused to help."
Kairon looked at Aria across the pool.
"Fine."
He ca back with the caras in hand and tossed them to Kei.
"If you’re gonna be idiots, at least don’t get caught. I’m not cleaning up after you again."
---
5:00 PM – Poolside
Kairon and Aria stood by the water.
"I was right," Kairon said. "The guys planned to plant caras in the girls’ locker room."
Aria clenched her fists. "Those jerks..."
"Well, it’s taken care of. Now—"
"Now what?"
Kairon suddenly pushed her into the pool.
"Hey!" Aria splashed. "What was that for?!"
"It’d look weird if you ca to the pool and never got in."
She swam toward him, grabbed his hand—and yanked him in.
"Payback."
Ivy laughed. "Look! Aria and Kairon are playing!"
She splashed water at them. Aria shrieked, "Stop it!"
Caden, Torin, and Kei all cannonballed in, splashing everyone.
"I wasn’t playing!" Aria shouted, soaking wet.
Kairon sighs. A splash hit him from behind. He turned. Akira winked before ducking under the water.
Kairon looked up at the sky and sighed.
"This free day... is finally over."
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