The Charterhouse art studio, usually a vibrant space filled with the scent of paint and the murmur of creative energy, was deserted after school hours. Canvases leaned against the walls, some blank, others bearing the marks of unfinished projects.
Nicolas Merico sat on a stool in the center of the room, a sketchbook open in his lap. But his gaze was unfocused, his charcoal untouched. A troubled expression clouded his usually friendly features.
He sighed, running a hand through his dark, tousled hair. The events of the past couple of days had been… unsettling. The public confrontation in the hallway, Jayden's unexpected defense of Louisa – it was all a stark departure from the usual dynamics he tried to navigate with quiet neutrality.
Nicolas had been friends with Louisa and Ellie since their early days at Charterhouse, a bond forged over shared outsider status and a mutual appreciation for art. But lately, he'd felt a growing distance, a self-imposed need to remain invisible, to not get caught in the crossfire of the school's intricate social battles.
His thoughts drifted to Louisa. He'd seen the humiliation on her face, the defiant stance she tried to maintain. And then Jayden… that was the part that truly confused him.
Why would Jayden King Walton, the epitome of Charterhouse royalty, suddenly step in to defend Louisa? It didn't align with anything Nicolas knew about the school's rigid social hierarchy.
A soft knock on the studio door startled him. Nicolas looked up, surprised to see Ellie standing in the doorway, her expression a mix of concern and determination.
"Nicolas?" Ellie said hesitantly, stepping inside. "We haven't seen you around much. Are you okay?"
Nicolas closed his sketchbook quickly, a flicker of guilt crossing his face. "Yeah, Ellie. Just… busy." He avoided her gaze.
Ellie stepped further into the studio, her eyes searching his. "We could really use a friend right now, Nic. Things have been… crazy."
She gestured vaguely, alluding to the recent drama.
Nicolas hesitated, torn between his desire to remain uninvolved and his lingering loyalty to his friends. He'd seen the way the elite students, like Anya and Cassia, could make life miserable for anyone who crossed them.
Getting involved with Louisa's current predicament felt… dangerous.
"I… I saw what happened," Nicolas said finally, his voice low. "With the dress… and Jayden."
"Then you know how messed up things are," Ellie said, her voice pleading. "Louisa's really worried. And Jayden… his sudden interest is just making everything more confusing."
Nicolas finally met her gaze, a conflict evident in his eyes. He cared about Louisa and Ellie, but the fear of social repercussions held him back. "What do you need, Ellie?" he asked, his tone cautious.
Ellie stepped closer, her gaze earnest. "We don't know what to make of Jayden, Nic. One minute he's part of the problem, the next he's… defending Louisa. It doesn't feel genuine. It feels like there's some game he's playing, and Louisa's caught in the middle."
She paused, her voice softening with concern for her friend. "Louisa's trying to act tough, but she's freaking out. Cassia's not going to let this go, and Finn… Finn said Jayden liking Louisa could make thinngs worse."
Ellie's eyes pleaded with Nicolas. "You know how things work here, Nic. You've always been good at seeing things others miss. What do you think is going on with Jayden? Why would he suddenly take an interest in Louisa? Is he really trying to help her, or is there something else?"
Nicolas remained silent for a moment, his gaze drifting around the empty studio, as if searching for answers in the shadows. He thought back to Jayden's usual detached demeanor, his carefully constructed image.
This sudden deviation felt jarring, out of character.
"Jayden doesn't do anything without a reason, Ellie. Especially not something that makes Cassia mad. They've got, like, major history. And their families are all connected. Him sticking up for Louisa like that? It's a big deal."
He hesitated, his internal conflict still evident. "As for why Louisa… I don't know. Maybe… maybe he saw something genuine in her reaction. Maybe he's just… bored and looking for a new kind of entertainment."
A cynical edge crept into his voice. "Or maybe…" He trailed off, a look of unease flickering across his face.
"Maybe what, Nic?" Ellie pressed, her anxiety growing.
Nicolas finally met her gaze, a hint of warning in his eyes. "Maybe he sees something in her that reminds him of something else. Or someone else. Jayden… he's not always as straightforward as he seems."
He sighed, running a hand through his hair again. "Be careful, Ellie. Both of you. If Jayden's interest is genuine, it might shield Louisa for a while. But if it's just a game… it could end up hurting her even more."
He looked at Ellie, a flicker of his old loyalty returning. "Just… tell Louisa to be careful. Not everyone at Charterhouse plays by the same rules."