Evaline:
The dining hall was already buzzing with chatter and clinking cutlery when we walked in. The sound of hundreds of conversations blending together created the usual morning chaos that every Academy student had learned to live with.
Still, the mont I stepped inside, sothing shifted. The sound didn’t stop, but it wavered... like soone had pressed pause for a fraction of a second before everything picked up again, only quieter.
I didn’t need to turn my head to know eyes were following . I could feel it - like invisible threads tugging against my skin, brushing over the back of my neck, sliding down my arms. And the funny part? I had expected it.
Returning to the Academy mid-term was rare enough to make anyone a subject of curiosity. Students who took leaves mid-term usually didn’t return. But here I was... back again, walking through the hall like nothing was strange about it.
Noah, of course, wasn’t making things any easier.
He was practically singing about how much he had missed having breakfast with . "Evaaa, my breakfast hasn’t tasted right since you left," he said dramatically, earning amused looks from nearby tables. "The eggs have been bland, the toast too dry, and don’t even get started on the porridge!"
"Maybe the problem isn’t the food," Mallory quipped, tossing him a grin as she led us toward our usual corner table. "Maybe it’s you."
I almost laughed, but I was too aware of the dozens of gazes following - from the entrance all the way across the room. So were curious, so judgntal, so envious... but I didn’t need to wonder why.
They had all heard.
Draven.
The mont his hand had slipped into mine the evening before, I knew today would be like this. The students had probably spent half the night gossiping - about how I had been seen with him walking in, how he had held my hand and carried my luggage to my dorm.
Draven Thorne wasn’t just anyone. He wasn’t just one of the students here... his na held a legacy, an authority, a respcet and fear. He was the most talked-about student at the Academy and being seen with him, especially in that way, was enough to fuel the rumor mill for weeks.
We finally reached our table. I took the seat at the far end, the one facing the big windows that overlooked the garden. The sunlight spilled in through the glass panes, landing right across our table, and for so reason, it made the stares feel even heavier.
"Don’t bother about them," Mallory said softly, pouring fresh tea in our cups. "They’ll lose interest soon enough."
I forced a smile. "I hope so."
"Oh, co on," she said, lowering her voice with a playful glint in her eye. "You really think every pair of eyes is staring at you just because of Draven?"
I blinked. "Isn’t that the only reason?"
Mallory leaned closer, her lips curving into a knowing smile. "Not quite."
Before I could ask what she ant, Noah threw an arm dramatically across the back of my chair. "She’s saying so of them aren’t staring at you because of Draven, Eva. They are staring because of you."
"What?"
He grinned, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "You have got this... glow. Like so kind of sexy goddess who just descended from the heavens to bless the breakfast tables of us re mortals."
Mallory snorted, Ria laughed so hard she nearly spilled her tea, and even Selene hid a smile behind her teacup.
"Stop it, Noah," I said, rolling my eyes even as my cheeks ward.
"I’m serious!" he insisted. "Look-three tables to the left. The third year guy with those sexy gray eyes? He hasn’t blinked since you walked in. And those two boys near the far corner... don’t even pretend they are not admiring your beauty."
I tried to dismiss it, shaking my head. "You are imagining things."
Selene, however, wasn’t letting off so easily. "No, he’s not," she said with a smirk. "Turn around, Eva. Slowly. See for yourself."
I hesitated before doing as she said... and instantly regretted it. Because yes, there they were. Not one or two, but several students stealing glances, pretending to be busy with their food the mont our eyes t. So smiled politely, others looked away quickly, embarrassed at being caught.
Those weren’t the judgntal or jealous gazes I was expecting, but thenones holding pure curiosity and awe.
I turned back around, speechless.
"See?" Mallory said, amused. "Told you so. Even if Draven’s na hadn’t gotten out, you would still be the center of attention this morning."
"That’s ridiculous," I muttered, trying to busy myself with my tea.
"It’s not," Ria said, stirring her tea. "You have always been pretty, Eva. But last term..." She trailed off, exchanging a look with Mallory. "You were too thin, too pale. Too buried in your shell. You looked like you were carrying the world’s weight on your shoulders."
I froze, her words pulling at mories I didn’t of my first term here. She wasn’t wrong. The Eva from first term and the Eva now looked world’s apart. The first term was all about trying to find a place here at Silver Moon and carve a future for myself and my son... and then there was the stress of my newly-found bonds with my mates.
"But look at you now," Ria continued warmly. "You have filled out. Your skin looks healthier, your hair’s shining, your eyes are brighter... and your aura..." She tilted her head slightly. "It’s stronger. People notice things like that, even if they don’t understand why."
I blinked, unsure what to say.
Selene gave a teasing smile. "Translation - you are impossible to ignore now."
Before I could co up with a response, Rowan and Kyros appeared beside the table, balancing trays stacked with plates, bowls, and mugs. The sll of fresh toast, butter, and fruit filled the air.
"Breakfast is served," Rowan announced, setting the trays down with exaggerated care. "And before you ask, yes, Kyros made sure to grab your favorite jam."
"Thank you," I said, smiling up at them.
As they took their seats, Kyros glanced around, scanning the room. "Strange," he murmured. "I didn’t see any of them here."
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