The first thing I noticed about Lindenwood Elite Academy wasn't the fancy buildings.
Or the uniforms.
Or even the way people looked at each other like they were measuring worth in real time.
No.
It was how easy it was to spot her, right in the center of the courtyard. Surrounded, Admired, Untouchable.
My sister, Clara Voss.
"Did you hear?, She stayed up all night helping someone study."
"She's so kind..."
"I don't know how she does it, If I was in her position, I'd give up."
"She's honestly amazing."
I leaned slightly against the gate, watching the performance unfold, she stood there with that same expression I remembered so clearly, soft eyes, hesitant smile, shoulders just slightly hunched like the world was too heavy for her to carry.
Fragile.
Breakable.
Perfect.
Still playing the same role.
Some things never seem to change.
"And that's him."
I followed the whisper without turning my heard too much.
The supposed school prince, Adrian Blackwood, I'd researched him after I got the letter.
He stood just a little too close to her, his posture protective, his attention fixed entirely on her like nothing else in the world existed.
And completely, utterly predictable, Hero complex.
I almost sighed.
I knew he wasn't in love with her, he was in love with the idea of saving her, of looking like a hero saving a damsel in distress.
"Hey... are you the new transfer student?"
The voice came soft, gentle, familiar.
I turned, and there she was, smiling, looking at me like we were strangers, like she'd never seen me before.
Perfect.
"Y-yeah, I'm Elara, I said quietly, lowering my gaze just enough. "I transferred in today."
Her smile widened instantly, relief flashing across her face in the most convincing way.
"Oh, that must be really hard... transferring in the middle of the term," she said. "If you need help, I will be happy to show you around."
Of course she could, that's what angels do, they help, they guide, they make sure everyone sees just how kind they are.
Around us, I could feel the attention shifting, watching, waiting.
'Let's see who plays this better.'
"Thank you," I murmured, fingers tightening slightly around my designer bag, courtesy of the Blackwood Family. "I don't know where anything is..."
I tried to make myself sound gentle with a soft voice, a careful tone and just enough uncertainty.
I saw it immediately, the subtle shift in the crowd. Curiosity and a hint of sympathy, Good.
For a second, neither of us spoke, then I looked up and met her eyes.
"You're still... good at this," I said softly.
Her smile didn't falter but her eyes did, just for a second, just a tiny flicker, then recognition, and fear. There it was.
Gone as quickly as it appeared.
"Sorry?" she asked, tilting her head slightly, with a confused expression written perfectly all across her face.
I blinked, like I'd said something strange.
"N-nothing... I just meant that you're really good at being kind".
Anyone else would've believed it, but I didn't miss the way her fingers tightened and the way her posture stiffened for just a fraction.
She knew.
"Come on," she said gently, reaching for my arm. "I'll show you around".
I let her. Of course I did, I had to make everyone think that I was weak.
Around us, the whispers changed,
"Maybe she's not so bed..."
"She looks kinda lost..."
"She's lucky to have met Clara..."
Lucky.
Right.
As we walked towards the school building, I could feel it.
The tension beneath her calm smile, the way her grip lingered just a second too long, the way she leaned in closer than necessary.
Trying to read me, trying to confirm her suspicion.
Finally, when we turned down an empty hallway...
Her hand dropped,
Her fake smile faded,
And her voice, lost all its softness as she stopped trying to pretend.
"You should have stayed back in that facility, you're unwanted, even your biological parents don't want to see you."
There it was, no audience, no act, just her showing her true colours.
I tilted my head slightly, meeting her gaze without pretending this time.
"And why is that?, missed me so much sis?" I asked.
Her eyes darkened, that was all she needed to hear.
"I knew it was you," she said, her voice low and controlled. "You never seem to learn when to disappear."
I smiled slowly.
Good.
She remembers me.