(Jasmine's POV)
I woke up to sunlight stabbing straight into my eyes like it had a personal problem with me, and for a second I just lay there, staring at the ceiling, trying to remember why I had voluntarily agreed to live like a normal student instead of a perfectly comfortable human being with no responsibilities.
Then it hit me. Balshim. College. Normal life.
Why does our family have to punish us like this? I groaned and dragged the pillow over my face.
"This is a scam," I muttered into the fabric.
From the other side of the room, a pillow smacked straight into my head.
"Get up," Juvain's voice came, flat and annoying as ever. "We're already late."
"I hope you trip on the stairs," I mumbled, throwing the pillow back at him without even bothering to open my eyes.
"That would require stairs to betray me, and even they have better judgment than you," he replied calmly.
I finally sat up, hair a mess, eyes half open, and glared at him. He was already dressed, of course. Shirt neat, sleeves rolled just right, looking like he had stepped out of some magazine while I looked like I had just survived a natural disaster. Since when did he start waking up early? This is ridiculous.
Inu was sitting near the window, tying her hair back neatly, sunlight catching in the strands like she was part of the morning itself. She was dressed neatly and simply, very girly, which is not my type. How can people wear things that are not black? I shrugged nonchalantly.
"Good morning," she said softly, not even bothering to look at me as she finished tying her hair.
"Nothing about this is good," I grumbled, dragging myself out of bed. Oh God, I'm already exhausted for the day.
Two days.
It had only been two days since we moved here, and I already missed the chaos we left behind, which said a lot considering our version of chaos usually involved things catching fire.
The villa we were staying in wasn't huge, not by our standards, but it was comfortable enough. Clean walls, quiet surroundings, and just far enough from the main town to feel separate without being isolated. It was supposed to help us "adjust," whatever that meant.
We had a maid who came in early, cooked, cleaned, and left without asking questions, and a manager who checked in like clockwork, never staying long enough to feel human, always watching just enough to remind us that we weren't entirely alone in this experiment.
Sometimes it felt like we were being observed. Not in a suffocating way, but in that quiet, controlled way where someone makes sure you don't accidentally burn the house down while pretending you're free to do whatever you want.
Like a parent watching a toddler from across the room. Well, we know who's watching us. That's exactly why we are being good kids, chaining up the troublemakers inside us. I don't know how long this peace will last.
I brushed my hair quickly, threw on my dress, a black hoodie and baggy jeans, and stepped out just as the smell of breakfast hit me.
Juvain was already at the table, eating like he had been awake for hours, while Inu sat properly, thanking the maid with a soft smile that made the poor woman look like she had just been blessed.
I dropped into my seat. "If this is what normal life looks like, I want a refund."
"You said that yesterday too," Inu said while pouring me tea.
"And I meant it yesterday too."
Juvain didn't even look up. "Eat faster. I'm driving."
I froze mid-bite and slowly turned toward him, glaring at him with wide eyes like he had just committed a crime.
"Excuse me? No. I'm driving."
"No, you're not."
"Yes, I am."
"No."
I narrowed my eyes. "Say that again."
"No," he repeated, completely calm, which made it ten times more irritating. Asshole. I'm going to murder this guy. I don't care if I end up in jail.
I slammed my hand on the table. "You drove yesterday!"
"And we survived," he said, finally looking at me. "I'd like to keep that streak going."
"That was one time," I snapped. "And the road was badly designed."
"The road was straight," Inu added gently.
Juvain stood up, grabbing the keys before I could even react. "We're leaving."
I lunged for him. "Give me the keys!"
"Try harder," he said, stepping back just enough to avoid me.
Inu sighed, already walking toward the door. "If both of you are done embarrassing yourselves, we're going to be late."
We argued all the way to the car, which ended exactly how it always did, with Juvain in the driver's seat, me in the passenger seat glaring like I was planning his downfall, and Inu in the back trying not to laugh.
The drive to college was quiet, but not peaceful. Balshim looked different in the morning, calmer, like it was pretending it didn't carry secrets in its corners.
When we reached the gates, I leaned forward slightly, eyes scanning everything automatically.
For the last Two days ago, this place looked like a fortress. Guards everywhere, scanning systems, controlled entry, and an atmosphere that screamed power shift.
Now it looked normal.
The guards were gone, replaced with a simpler system. Students walked in without being checked like criminals. The tension had lowered, but not disappeared.
Because even if things looked normal, people didn't feel normal. I could feel the stares before I even stepped out of the car. Not loud. Not obvious. But there.
People watched us. Some with curiosity. Some with annoyance. Some with something sharper.
They didn't like us. That much was clear.
And honestly, I didn't blame them. Overnight changes, new rules, security crackdowns, rumors spreading like wildfire about drugs being found, illegal deals getting exposed, and certain students suddenly disappearing from campus.
Yeah. That's understandable.
We weren't exactly welcome.
I stepped out, stretching slightly, pretending not to notice the looks.
"Wow," I muttered. "We're very famous already."
"Infamous," Juvain corrected, locking the car.
"Same thing," I said, flipping my short hair.
Inu glanced around, her expression thoughtful. "Things feel quieter."
"Cleaner," Juvain added.
I hummed thoughtfully. There's no way these people just decided to change. I could sense something off about this quiet atmosphere.
"Or maybe everyone's just pretending."
We walked inside, blending into the crowd as much as three people like us could, which was not at all. It didn't take long before I spotted her, a small grin forming on my lips.
Ezra.
She was exactly where I expected her to be, sitting quietly, shoulders slightly hunched, like she was trying to take up less space than she actually did.
Something about that annoyed me. No one should look like they're apologizing for existing. It made me feel strangely protective of her.
"Target acquired," I muttered, already changing direction.
Inu sighed softly but followed, and Juvain, well, he didn't stop me, which was his version of agreement.
Liza noticed us a second too late. Her eyes widened slightly, and she straightened, like she didn't know whether to run or stay.
Too bad she didn't get a choice. It was almost cute, the way she looked so nervous. The way she seemed like the most fragile thing made me wonder how those demons could bully this angel.
"Good morning, little shy maid," I said, dropping into the seat across from her.
"I told you not to call her that," Inu scolded, nudging me.
"I'm evolving," I said. "Now it's affectionate."
Ezra blinked, clearly overwhelmed already. "G-good morning..." Her voice was soft, barely there, like it wasn't used to being heard.
I leaned forward, resting my chin on my hand. "We're sitting with you today. Again."
Her fingers tightened around her notebook. "Y-you don't have to..."
"We know," I cut in before she could finish. I knew what she was trying to say. "We want to."
She didn't argue after that, which told me everything I needed to know about how used she was to not being given choices.
As Inu started talking to her gently, asking about classes and notes, I let my gaze wander around the room. That's when I saw them.
The same two idiots from before.
Liam and Aymen.
They walked in like they owned the place, loud, careless, completely unbothered by anything around them. Liam was talking nonstop, hands moving dramatically, while Aymen looked like he was already tired of his existence.
My eyes narrowed slightly. "Those two again," I muttered.
Ezra stiffened just slightly, but enough for me to notice. Her fingers tightened around the edge of her notebook.
I watched her closely. Before I could think too much about it, Inu leaned slightly toward her, her voice soft and careful. "Ezra... are you okay?"
Ezra blinked, like she had just come back from somewhere far away. "I-I'm fine," she said quickly, a little too quickly, and that alone was enough to make me frown.
I was about to say something when a familiar voice cut in from behind us.
"Well, well... look who upgraded her social circle."
I didn't need to turn to know who it was, but I did anyway.
Liam stood there with that same annoying smirk, one hand casually in his pocket like the world was his stage, while Aymen stood beside him, quieter, his gaze already scanning the table before settling on Ezra for just a second longer than necessary.
I leaned back in my chair slowly, crossing my arms as my eyes narrowed. "Didn't realize the noise pollution had legs."
Liam placed a hand over his heart like I had just wounded him deeply. "Ouch. That hurt. I came here to greet our dear, hardworking little doll, and this is the welcome I get?"
The way he called her doll made something snap inside me, but I tried my best not to react. Ezra's grip on her notebook tightened again.
Aymen let out a quiet breath, like he was already done with the conversation before it properly started. "Relax," he said, his tone calm but edged with something I couldn't quite place. "We're not here to start anything."
"Good," I replied, my chin lifting slightly. "Because you'd lose."
He didn't react. Not even a flicker. That alone irritated me more than if he had snapped back.
Liam, on the other hand, leaned forward just enough to rest his hand on the table, his eyes dropping to Ezra's notebook. "You finished the notes from yesterday?" he asked casually, like he was asking about the weather.
Ezra hesitated. Just for a second. Then she nodded. "Y-yes..."
"Good girl," he said lightly, tapping the edge of her notebook with two fingers. "Make sure you bring them tomorrow too. And don't forget the assignment this time. I don't like repeating myself."
My fingers curled into my palm. How dare they? I wanted to snap his neck on the spot. I felt Inu's grip on my hand before I could say anything. A silent warning.
Inu shifted slightly beside Ezra, her expression tightening, but she didn't speak yet.
I leaned forward, my voice dropping just enough to cut through the air between us. "You know, if you need help with your homework, there are actual teachers for that."
Liam turned his head toward me, smiling like I had just told a joke. "And miss out on such a dedicated service? I would never."
Aymen's eyes flicked toward me then, and for a moment, there was something sharp there, something that didn't match the lazy attitude he carried. But it disappeared just as quickly.
"Come on," he muttered to Liam. "We're getting late."
Liam straightened, brushing invisible dust off his sleeve. "Fine. We'll let you enjoy your little tea party."
As he turned, he glanced at Ezra once more, his voice dropping just enough only for us to hear. "Don't be late."
Then they walked off like nothing had happened. I watched them go, my jaw tight. For a moment, none of us spoke. Then I snapped.
"What is wrong with you?" I turned sharply toward Ezra, my voice rising despite myself. I couldn't stand this.
"Why are you letting them talk to you like that? And don't tell me it's nothing because I just saw it."
Ezra flinched slightly, her eyes dropping to her lap. It made me regret snapping, but how could I not?
"It's really not a big deal," she said softly. "They just... ask for help sometimes."
"Help?" I repeated, disbelief flooding my voice. "That's what you call this? They're dumping their work on you like you're their personal assistant."
"It's okay," she insisted quickly, her fingers fidgeting with the edge of her notebook. "I don't mind. It's easier this way. If I just do it, they don't... they don't cause trouble."
"That's exactly the problem," I shot back, leaning closer. "You're making it easy for them. People like that don't stop, Ezra. They get worse."
Inu placed a gentle hand on my arm, her voice calm but firm. "Junu, lower your voice."
I exhaled sharply but didn't pull away. "I'm just saying what she needs to hear."
"I know," Inu said softly. Then she turned to Ezra, her tone warmer. "But you don't have to handle everything alone. You can say no. And if you're scared, you can tell us."
Ezra shook her head quickly. "I'm not scared," she said, forcing a small smile that didn't reach her eyes. "They're not bad people. Just... loud."
I stared at her. That answer didn't sit right. Before I could push further, a quiet snort came from beside us.
Juvain hadn't looked up from his phone once during the entire exchange, his thumb scrolling lazily across the screen like none of this concerned him.
"If you keep arguing like this," he said without lifting his head, "people are going to start charging tickets."
I glared at him. "You could at least pretend to care."
"I do," he replied calmly. "I care about finishing this level."
Inu sighed, shaking her head slightly, but there was a faint smile on her lips.
I leaned back in my chair, still annoyed, but forced myself to breathe. This wasn't over. Not by a long shot.
That's when the atmosphere shifted.
It was subtle at first, like a ripple moving through the room. Conversations didn't stop completely, but they lowered, voices dipping just enough to make the change noticeable.
I followed the direction of a few glances and saw her.
Sarah.
She stood near the entrance, surrounded by her usual group, her posture relaxed but commanding attention without trying. Her eyes scanned the room slowly, deliberately, like she was taking inventory.
This was different from before.
Two days ago, with security crawling all over the campus, even she had toned things down. But now the guards were gone, the systems had settled, and whatever fear had been temporarily forced into people was already fading.
Which meant people like her would start moving again.
"Speak of the devil," I muttered under my breath.
Ezra's shoulders tensed again, though this time it was more familiar, more expected. Inu noticed too, her expression turning thoughtful. "She's watching."
"Of course she is," I replied. "People like her don't sit quietly for long."
Across the room, Sarah's gaze landed on us.
Her lips curved into a slow smile.
Not friendly but amused and Interested. Like she had been waiting for this moment.
Something settled in my chest. Something sharp and Ready.
"Well," I said quietly, my eyes not leaving hers, "looks like your peaceful life just expired."
Juvain finally paused his scrolling, his gaze lifting just slightly, not fully engaged but aware. "Took them long enough," he murmured.
The shift didn't take long to turn into something visible.
Sarah didn't rush. She walked toward us slowly, her steps measured, her chin slightly raised, and the people around her moved with her like they already knew where this was going. Conversations nearby began to fade, not because anyone told them to stop, but because they wanted to watch.
I straightened in my seat, my fingers curling against the edge of the table as I held her gaze without blinking.
"Well," I said under my breath, loud enough for only my siblings to hear, "looks like the circus found its ringmaster."
Inu exhaled quietly beside me, her posture still calm but her eyes alert.
"Junu, don't escalate it."
"I'm not the one walking over here," I replied.
Ezra had gone completely still again.
This time it was different from before.
Her shoulders had drawn inward, her hands gripping her notebook so tightly that her knuckles had turned pale, and her eyes were lowered as if she was trying to disappear into the table.
That alone made something in my chest tighten. Sarah stopped right beside our table. She didn't speak immediately.
Instead, she looked at each of us slowly, her gaze lingering a second longer on me, then shifting to Inu, then to Juvain, and finally settling on Ezra.
Her smile deepened slightly. "So," she said, her voice smooth but sharp enough to cut through the air, "this is where you've been hiding."
Ezra didn't answer.
I leaned back in my chair, crossing my arms, my tone flat but edged. "If you're looking for attention, try somewhere else. We're not running a charity."
Sarah's eyes flicked to me, amused. "You talk a lot for someone who's been here for only two days."
"And you talk like you own the place," I shot back. "Which is funny, because names can change pretty fast around here."
A few people nearby shifted at that.
Sarah's smile thinned, just slightly.
"Careful," she said softly, stepping closer to the table.
"You don't understand how things work here yet."
"I understand enough," I replied, leaning forward just enough to meet her at eye level. "People like you think fear is power."
Her gaze hardened. "And people like you," she replied, her voice lowering, "walk in and start acting like they belong at the top without earning it."
Before I could respond, a voice came from behind her.
"Heard there's a new problem in the building."
The room shifted again. This time, it wasn't subtle.
Rizwan.
He stepped in with his group, his presence heavier, quieter, and far more dangerous than his sister's loud arrogance.
The boys behind him spread out slightly, not in a rushed way, but in a way that slowly closed space.
The numbers changed. The balance changed. Great, just great.
And the way his expression changed...
Yeah.
This wasn't going to be a normal conversation. Deep down, we all felt it.
Whatever was about to happen next...
Was not going to end quietly...
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