Lucas paced restlessly in the dorm, his thoughts consud by Olive. He couldn’t bring himself to leave the spot he had been standing since Olive told him she’s no longer interested in their relationship. It felt like his world had crumbled around him.
"Did I really do sothing so terrible that she’d want to break up with ?" he murmured under his breath, his voice filled with frustration and confusion. "Even if I did, why can’t we just talk about it? Why is she just pushing away without explaining anything? It’s not fair."
He paused, his hands clenching into fists. His jaw tightened as a spark of determination lit his features. "Whatever it is, I’m not giving up on her. I won’t let her push away without a proper explanation."
With that, Lucas grabbed his jacket and stord out of the dorm, a fierce resolve driving his every step to confront Olive again.
________
Back at the 3RM special room..
"Anyways," Mark began, his tone asured, "I believe this week is going to be about two broken hearts. Just don’t let it affect your exams, Olive. You know how important they are. And don’t worry about Lucas too much. We’ll do our best to keep him busy so he doesn’t have ti to dwell on things." He sighed heavily and added, "Trust , the only way to beat Anabella is to outsmart her. Let her think she’s winning while you’re losing. Only then can you deliver a blow that will truly shock her."
"I can’t believe that witch hasn’t repented yet," Aiden muttered bitterly, his fists clenched. "And Lucas’s mother still lets her attend Belmont, despite all the terrible things Anabella and her so-called friends did to her stepbrother. Instead of lying low and living a quiet life, she’s still hell-bent on ssing with Olive." He smirked, though his voice remained firm. "But trust , this isn’t going to end well for her."
"Since all she wants is for you to stay away from Lucas, then that’s fine," Lara said, cutting in with a smirk of her own. "Do everything you can to keep your distance from him. She wants Lucas, but he doesn’t want her. Eventually, she’ll get tired of chasing what she can’t have."
"Actually, the more I think about it, the more I believe Lucas should know everything. Only then can he play his role properly. He could even pretend to accept Anabella just to throw her off her ga." Lara added as she placed her hand thoughtfully under her chin, her smirk deepening.
"That doesn’t make any sense, Lara," Mark interrupted sharply, shaking his head. "And what reason could Lucas possibly give for suddenly going back to her? Especially considering she’s HIV positive. Even if the virus isn’t showing outwardly, people know. She’s not exactly subtle about it."
He leaned forward, his voice growing intense. "Can’t you see? This isn’t about Lucas wanting her or not. Anabella doesn’t care about love. She just wants to destroy Olive and Lucas’s relationship out of pure spite. She can’t stand the fact that Olive is a girl and that Lucas is head over heels for her."
"Exactly," Aiden agreed, his tone serious. "Anabella has always hated losing, especially to people she thinks are beneath her. Olive is a scholarship student, while Anabella is from a wealthy, privileged background. It’s not just about ruining your relationship, Olive...she’s planning sothing bigger. She’s a master at scheming, especially when it cos to spreading misery."
Mark scoffed, running a hand through his hair. "My advice to you, Olive, is to be careful from now on. Focus on your studies, and let’s see what she’s really up to. Whatever it is, we’ll handle it together."
"Exactly!" Lara echoed, her voice filled with determination. "We’re going to teach that witch a lesson she won’t forget. So, don’t stress too much, Olive. We’ve got your back."
Olive nodded slowly, her gaze sweeping across her friends’ faces. Their unwavering support and encouragent gave her the reassurance she desperately needed. Knowing they were there for her made all the difference.
"And if your secret about disguising as a boy eventually cos out," Aiden said with a sly grin, "don’t worry. We’ll still stand by you. Sure, Lucas’s crazy fan girls might freak out, and Mrs. George might have a ltdown, but it won’t be the end of the world." He shrugged casually. "Everything happens for a reason, right? So cheer up, Olive."
He got up from the sofa and stretched, prompting the others to rise as well. Lara, Mark, and Olive followed his lead, forming a small circle.
"We’re in this together," Lara said firmly, pulling Olive into a warm hug. Mark followed, clapping Olive on the shoulder, and then Aiden joined in, offering a quick squeeze before stepping back.
______________
Prince Ethan stood at the rooftop of the school, his posture exuding arrogance as Anabella stood before him, arms crossed and a look of mild amusent on her face.
"So, how far have you gone with your little plan?" Anabella asked, her voice laced with sarcasm. "Did she agree to be your little maid? Honestly, I can already guess the answer. It’s going to be a no. I wonder how you even thought she’d agree to sothing so absurd." She let out a scoff, her lips curling into a mocking smirk.
Ethan’s lips twitched upward into a confident grin, his tone dripping with self-assurance as he replied, "That’s because I’m a prince, Anabella. I’m every girl’s dream. They’re all dying to be close to , to have , even if it’s just for one night." He leaned back slightly, his smirk growing wider. "Why wouldn’t she?"
Anabella rolled her eyes so hard it seed they might stay that way. "Well, Olive isn’t like the other girls who are desperate for your... attention," she said, her voice heavy with disdain. "She’s not going to serve anyone just because of money. Honestly, what were you thinking?" Her voice dipped to a whisper, more to herself than to Ethan, as she added, "You’re delusional."
Ethan chuckled darkly, his eyes glinting with a sinister amusent. "That girl may act brave, or maybe it’s just an act of weakness masquerading as courage. Either way, one thing is certain, I will break her. She won’t be able to resist for long. I’ll bend her to my rules soon enough." He tilted his head slightly, a devilish gleam in his eyes. "You might think she’s different from other girls, but in the end, she’ll fall just like the rest. And when she does, let’s see how Lucas reacts to that."
Anabella let out a heavy sigh, pinching the bridge of her nose as though his words physically pained her. "She doesn’t know you’ve figured out her secret, her true identity," she reminded him. Her voice softened as she hesitated before continuing. "I just want you to torture her, to break her spirit, and, of course, make Lucas hate her. That’s all."
She cast him a sidelong glance, her expression unreadable. "I’m supposed to be the one dealing with her, but...I can’t. I don’t want to be in the spotlight for this. Fine, let everyone think her punishnt is coming from . That’ll be the perfect misdirection. They’ll focus on , hating , while the real damage cos from you, the one they least suspect."
Ethan’s grin widened, his confidence brimming with malice. "Lucas already knows I’m bisexual," he said, his tone casual, almost conversational. "I date both n and won. Once he starts seeing getting close to Olive, it’ll rattle him. Make him squirm. It’ll be fun to watch."
He let out a low chuckle, then continued, "I was rude to her the other day intentionally, of course but now? Now, I’ll switch tactics. I’ll make friends with her, gain her trust, and then...strike when she least expects it." His voice deepened, tinged with cruelty. "You know what I enjoy, Anabella? Gas like this. Playing with people, breaking them. Having my way with them and leaving them in shambles. It’s exhilarating." He threw his head back, laughing, his voice echoing across the empty rooftop. "And of course, there’s the added thrill of recording my...conquests. Blurring my face, leaving them humiliated. It’s satisfying."
Anabella stared at him, a flicker of unease crossing her face, though she quickly masked it. "You promised not to hurt Lucas physically," she said, her tone firr now, her eyes narrowing slightly. "I hope you’re still sticking to your word."
Ethan waved her off dismissively. "Relax. I’m not going to touch a single hair on his head physically, anyway. Emotional pain, though? That’s a whole different story." His grin turned sharp, like the edge of a blade. "When he feels the sting of losing soone he loves, soone he trusted, that’s when he’ll truly break. And I hope you’ll be there to comfort your precious little baby when that happens."
Anabella didn’t respond imdiately, her lips pressed into a thin line as she watched him. Ethan strode towards the rooftop exit, pausing just long enough to glance back over his shoulder.
"Anyway, we can’t keep eting like this," he said, his voice now practical, almost businesslike. "It’ll draw too much attention. Let’s et only when it’s absolutely necessary."
Anabella nodded mutely, watching as he disappeared through the door. Once he was gone, she let out a long breath, her expression conflicted as she stood alone on the rooftop.
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