The day moved strangely for Sophie.
Too slow in the wrong moments, too fast in the ones she wanted to hold onto.
From the moment she stepped into Elderemere Academy that morning, she felt it — the quiet shift in the air. Students still walked the same halls, lockers still slammed, laughter still echoed through corridors, yet everything felt different knowing Damien was now part of this world.
Part of her world again.
She spotted him before first period ended.
He leaned casually against the corridor wall, speaking to a group of boys who looked far too impressed by him already. He fit in effortlessly, like he had always belonged here.
He was taller than she knew. His hair neatly brushed back. His chest slightly revealing. He was perfect. He was angelic.
Like the years between childhood and now had only sharpened him instead of changing him.
When his eyes found hers across the hallway, his face lit up instantly.
"Soph!"
The way he said her name hadn't changed at all.
Students turned as he crossed the corridor toward her, and before she could even react, he pulled her into a warm hug that lifted her slightly off the floor.
"You survived your first day?" she teased.
"Barely. This place is huge."
"You'll get used to it."
They fell into step together naturally, shoulders brushing, conversation flowing without effort. Old memories slipped into present time easily, laughter bubbling up like no time had passed at all.
And from across the hall—
Lucas watched.
He stood near the classroom door, books in hand, unmoving as he observed the way Sophie's face softened around Damien. The way she laughed freely. The way Damien leaned closer when she spoke, like he didn't want to miss a single word.
Something tight settled in Lucas's chest.
Sophie didn't notice him until later. She had only watched his retreating figure. " Looking for someone, V?". Damien said looking round.
" Oh no, let's go". Still looking at where Lucas headed to before Damien pulled her away.
It was after lunch, when the afternoon sun poured golden light through the academy windows and students began drifting toward the gates.
She spotted him standing beneath the large oak tree near the courtyard.
Waiting.
Her steps slowed.
"Lucas."
He turned at the sound of her voice, expression unreadable as always.
"You've been busy," he said quietly.
"With classes?"
"With him." There was a hint of sadness in his tone.
She sighed softly. "His name is Damien."
Lucas's gaze shifted toward the school entrance where Damien stood talking with a few students. "I know."
Silence stretched between them.
"I wanted to talk to you earlier," Sophie said.
"You left before I could."
"There was nothing to say."
"That's not true."
Lucas finally looked at her properly, and something in his expression made her chest tighten.
"Come out with me tonight."
The words came suddenly, like he had been holding them in all day.
Sophie blinked. "Tonight?"
"I'll take you somewhere nice."
The offer hung in the air, fragile and unexpected.
For a moment, she hesitated. A part of her wanted to say yes, if only to erase the distance growing between them.
But—
"I can't."
Lucas's expression hardened almost instantly. "Why?"
"I already have plans."
"With him."
It wasn't a question.
Sophie stepped closer. "Lucas, it's not like that—"
"It's fine," he interrupted. His voice was calm, but too calm. "You don't need to explain."
He walked away before she could stop him.
And the guilt followed her the rest of the day.
By evening, the sky had turned warm and golden, melting slowly into dusk.
Sophie stood in front of her wardrobe, heart beating faster with every passing minute.
Damien was picking her up at seven.
She chose carefully — a fitted midnight-blue dress that hugged her waist before flowing softly down her thighs. Elegant. Effortless. The kind of dress that didn't scream for attention yet refused to be ignored.
Her nude heels clicked softly against the floor as she moved, posture straightening instantly with every step.
Her hair fell in loose waves down her back, glossy and soft. When she sprayed her perfume, jasmine and warm vanilla settled into the room, lingering gently in the air behind her.
Her phone buzzed.
I'm outside.
Her heart skipped.
The car waiting by the curb gleamed under the streetlights, sleek and expensive in a quiet, confident way.
Damien stepped out the moment he saw her.
And for a moment, he forgot to breathe.
"Damien," she slightly covers her thigh " we should get going".
" Oh I'm sorry", He walked closer almost covering the space between them. He could feel Sophie breath on his barely covered chest. " You look absolutely breathtaking, Sophie. I could die staring at you ".
" D – Damien ", Sophie said trying to hide the smile creeping onto her lips " we should get going ". She pushed him a little.
The club smelled of Sweat, wine, smoke and something sweet. A scent that lingers in the air amidst the Odour.
The room dimly lit just enough to see the faces of few. Some chattering and laughing, smoking. Few ladies strode across Damien making advances at him.
Quickly, I gripped his hand. Maybe I was just being over-protective or I didn't want to lose him in the crowd. The music blasting through the room.
At the end of the table sat a familiar figure, I could barely tell. The closer we got, the more the view became clear.
L-Lucas.
" Oh dear Sophie ", a mix of pain and sadness in his eyes " you had plans, didn't you?".
" Lucas – "
" Don't call me that way. Don't call me in that voice of yours", gulps that the remain of the liquor " I – I don't know. I just wanted to make up for my mistake ".
" Lucas, you still can".
" And him?". He stumbles forward into Sophie's arm.
" We're friends just doing our normal hangout ". Sophie defended. She can feel her chest tightens.
She didn't understand why she hated the fact that Lucas is like this. Lucas was swiftly pulled away.
Lucien?!
" I knew what I meant when I said stay away from my brother, Vale". Lucien looked at her with rage.
" I swear, Damien and I are fr–". And slowly the words died. She could feel the tears about to rip her eyes.
Lucien walks back to where Sophie was sitting and tucks himself besides her. She looked away trying to avoid his eyes.
No, she didn't want him to see her sad.
" Have I not warned?". Settling the glass on the table and pouring out some for Soph.
They sat at the far end of the room.
" What do you want, Lucien?", Finally, she looked at him " I'm the last person you'd want to sit with a drink. So, what exactly do you want?".
" Yeah, yeah, I want something." sipping his wine as he fixed his gaze at the crowd. " Sophie, we made a deal and you're not complying".
" You're safer if you stay away from Lucas ", footsteps drew nearer and it was Damien " take it as a warning, vale". He added.
He turned to Damien and back to Sophie.
" You should go home, Soph". Damien said before disappearing into the crowd.