Chapter 4: Plan start's now.
Signs reading "Climate change is not a lie! Please don't let our planet die!" bobbed in the air as a group chanted the same words.
Stephen scanned the bustling school garden. Uniforms in shades of pink and purple created a vibrant scene. Unlike them, she wore simple brown trousers and a t-shirt, her unstyled hair falling around her shoulders.
"Intense, right?" A girl in a purple sweater and skirt stopped beside her, her black hair neatly pulled back. "All an act, though. Saw half of them with plastic straws yesterday." Her green eyes twinkled.
Stephen turned, surprised to find the girl speaking to her. "Me?"
The girl grinned, extending a hand. "Ria. You're new, right?"
Stephen shook her hand. "Stephen."
"Tour?" Ria's eyes sparkled with enthusiasm.
Stephen grinned back. "Wouldn't miss it for the world."
Ria chuckled. "Over there, the 'Instagram witches.'" She pointed to a group huddled on the grass. "Lila apparently levitated someone at a sleepover. Now she's a Scorpio queen."
"Intriguing," Stephen murmured.
Ria nodded. "And those overly dramatic folks? Theater kids. Last year's 'Hamilton' attempt was... memorable for all the wrong reasons."
Stephen's eyebrows rose.
"Then you've got the farm crew, led by Priea." Ria indicated a group near a small garden. Stephen's gaze briefly met Priea's. "Let's just say her protest about the lack of vegan options in the cafeteria was... impactful." Ria made a face.
Stephen's attention was caught by a group lounging by a fountain. "Who are they?"
Ria's smile tightened. "The royal court. Beautiful, but watch out. Calculated."
Just then, Ria nudged Stephen. "Look."
Stephen followed her gaze to Hannah, walking towards a group but wearing a distinctive green uniform.
"Hannah. The fallen queen," Ria whispered with a hint of amusement.
Hannah approached with a regal air. A shocked expression crossed Sage's face as she stood, followed by Sofia and Clowe. NK stepped forward hesitantly.
"Ladies," Hannah said, her smile strained, her grip tight on her bag.
"Hannah! I meant to text..." Sage's voice trailed off awkwardly.
Hannah's gaze was cool.
"Last year was... something," Sage tried again, shifting her weight. "Especially with your dad... and NK's dad..."
"I know, Sage," Hannah said flatly.
"Right. Well!" Sage chuckled nervously. "Glad you're not, you know..." She made a vague gesture.
"Planning your demise? No, Sage," Hannah said, her eyes flicking to NK beside Sage.
"Hey, Hannah," NK said carefully. "Good summer?"
"Restorative," Hannah replied curtly.
NK looked relieved. "Good to see you back."
Stephen and Ria watched the tense reunion.
"Last year won't stop me from getting into Yale," Hannah said, her voice firm.
NK offered a weak smile. "Of course not. Just hoping for a civil year. Especially now that Sage and I are..." He gestured to Sage.
Hannah turned to Sage, a surprised look on her face. Sage offered a tight smile. "Big news, right?"
"Right," Hannah echoed, her smile not reaching her eyes.
Sofia and Clowe stifled giggles.
"London was fun," Sage offered quickly.
Hannah's eyebrow twitched. "Must have been."
NK kissed Sage's cheek.
"Seriously, you two," Hannah said, her tone sharp. "Enough."
"Well," Hannah said, turning away. "Catch you all later." Her smile for Sofia and Clowe was brief. "Sofia, grapes." She nodded towards Sofia's teeth, then walked away, leaving a flustered Sofia behind.
...Sofia mumbled, covering her mouth, her eyes wide with embarrassment as Hannah turned and walked away.
Feeling alone is a specific type of pain with distinct recognizable signs to the trained eye. As Hannah walked out of the garden, her eyes met Stephen's for a brief, intense second before she disappeared into the school building.
How does that feel? Does it connect better now?