The Princess

[Lina]

"Stop," Lina's sudden voice halted the car and that familiar dry and hot wind splashed across her face when she lowered the car's window.

Her driver pulled over as she spotted a familiar face in a secluded river.

It was Jin, the transfer student. He was always getting into fights, and she couldn't help but feel a twinge of pity as she watched him from the comfort of her luxurious car.

Jin was standing up for himself against a group of students as usual. How many days was it now that she always saw him in the usual place with the usual scene?

Her heart raced as she watched the battle happen below the bridge. Jin was a good fighter, brutal and swift.

Lina thought she didn't want to see something so barbaric. Something without order and rules and finesse.

With the passage of time, however, she found herself drawn to Jin every morning to the point that she was even excited to leave for school and passed by that small bridge on the way.

Jin was a striking figure with his signature white hair and piercing silver eyes. His features were chiseled and symmetrical, giving him a naturally handsome appearance that would have drawn people in if not for his distant demeanor.

He carried himself with an air of aloofness, almost as if he were constantly in a state of detached observation. His reputation precedes him wherever he goes, and it was not a good one.

Jin was known for his constant bout with other schools and sometimes with his fellow schoolmates, and his actions have earned him a reputation as someone to be feared and avoided. Even those who might have been curious about him or intrigued by his appearance were quickly repelled by his aura of unapproachability.

Jin's personality was just as icy as his appearance suggests. He rarely showed any emotion, and when he did, it was usually a flicker of anger or annoyance that quickly faded back into indifference. He seemed to exist in his own world and had little interest in connecting with those around him.

Despite all this, there was a certain magnetism to him that was hard to ignore. There was an undeniable intrigue to the enigmatic figure with the striking appearance, and some were drawn to him despite their better judgment.

But for the most part, Jin remained a solitary figure, content to keep the world at arm's length.

Most often than not, Lina found herself these past days bridging that gap. She wanted to help him, to be there for him in some way.

But at the same time, she was also scared. She was scared of what her peers and her parents would think of her if she got involved. Scared of how her reputation would be affected if she associated herself with someone like Jin.

As she sat in the car, torn between her conflicting emotions, Lina's mind was racing. She felt frustrated and angry at the unfairness of it all. Why did she have to be born into a world where wealth and status mattered more than kindness and compassion?

Lina gave one chilling look at the people fighting below before she raised the window of her car. "Let's go."

As the car drove off towards the school gates, Lina took a deep breath, pulled her smiling face, and got off.

Lina stepped out of her sleek black Roll Royce Ghost, the engine purring softly as she shut the door behind her. Her long black hair cascaded down her back in loose straight waves, framing her striking purple eyes that seemed to sparkle in the sunlight. As she stepped onto the pavement, the students nearby paused in their tracks, their eyes fixed on her.

Whispers began to circulate among the group as they recognized the wealthy heiress from the pages of society magazines. Some of the boys shuffled nervously while the girls gazed in awe, envying her effortless beauty and grace.

Lina was accustomed to the attention, and didn't seem to notice the stares as she flicked strands of her hair behind and smoothed down her fitted uniform. She strode confidently towards the entrance of the school, her heels clicking against the pavement, the admiring gazes following her every step of the way.

As she disappeared into the building, the students exchanged excited whispers, buzzing with the thrill of having caught a glimpse of the famous 'Princess' of the Academy. Her effortless elegance and beauty had left an indelible impression on everyone who had been fortunate enough to see her that day.

Lina made her way to the entrance of the main hall, her heels clicking against the polished floor. Her eyes scanned the crowded space until she caught a glimpse of her boyfriend, Edward. He stood in the center of a group of girls, his golden hair catching the light and his bright blue eyes flashing with humor.

Edward was the prince of the school and in Lina's dreams, her Knight in Shining Armor – until Jin appeared and snatched the spotlight.

Lina shook her head and proceeded with a smile.

As she approached, her eyes strained at the girls fawning over Edward. Despite his popularity, Edward remained kind and charming, never brushing anyone off or being dismissive.

Lina admired this quality in him. She used to be jealous of the girls flocking to him every day, but now she had become accustomed to it. Instead, she felt a sense of detachment now, as if she were observing the scene from a distance.

As she watched Edward interact with the girls, Lina's concerns shifted from jealousy to a more genuine concern for their relationship. She began to wonder why she wasn't feeling jealous and whether this was a sign that her feelings for Edward were fading.

In the past, she longed for his undivided attention, but she knew that Edward was too kind and too popular to brush off his admirers. So she waited patiently, trying to ignore the nagging feeling of impatience and worry in her chest.

Things were different now.

As Edward continued to chat and joke with the girls, Lina couldn't help but feel a sense of isolation. Despite being surrounded by people, she felt alone and disconnected.

Lina reflected on the past few months of their relationship and realized that she had been feeling distant from Edward for a while. Despite his popularity and charm, she couldn't help feeling like he was more interested in his social life than in their relationship.

She realized that her lack of jealousy wasn't a sign of indifference or lack of love but rather a symptom of the growing disconnection between them.

With this realization, Lina decided to talk to Edward about her concerns. She wanted to find a way to reconnect with him and strengthen their relationship.

"Edward," she called, voice honeyed and sweet.

Edward's face lit up with a warm smile. He excused himself from the girls and stepped over to greet her, taking her hand and pulling her in for a quick kiss on the cheek.

Lina forced a smile. She didn't feel anything from the kiss, and this was a problem.