Episode eight

The morning light filtered through the small, dusty window of Faerie's apartment as she woke up to the new day. She stretched, feeling the coolness of the air against her skin. Her routine was simple—refreshingly so. She freshened up, slipped into her school uniform, and made herself a small omelette. As she stood in her tiny kitchen, listening to the quiet sizzle of eggs in the pan, she couldn't help but smile. Despite her circumstances, she found beauty in these little moments—she loved the simplicity, the independence, the small sense of control she had over her life.

She sat down at her makeshift dining table, her mind already drifting to the day ahead. It was just another day, but to her, it was an opportunity to see what life would bring. She had no luxury, no extravagant breakfasts, but she cherished these quiet mornings, where the world outside seemed a million miles away.

Meanwhile, on the other side of town, Felix's morning was starting quite differently. He descended the grand staircase of his family's mansion, his footsteps echoing against the marble floors. The dining room was immaculate, like something out of a magazine—polished surfaces, expensive silverware, and a lavish breakfast spread laid out by the maids. The air smelled of freshly baked pastries and imported coffee.

As he approached the table, one of the maids quickly pulled out a chair for him, offering a polite smile. "Good morning, sir. Your breakfast is ready."

Felix barely glanced at the table, a frown creasing his face. "I'm not eating," he muttered, turning away.

The maid hesitated, her expression concerned. "But sir, your parents will be upset if you don't eat. You know how they—"

"I said no," he snapped, his voice sharper than he intended. "I'm not ten years old. Just... leave me alone."

The maid bowed her head slightly, backing away as Felix turned and walked out of the room, ignoring the perfectly arranged breakfast that was meant to fuel another day in the life of a perfect heir. His mind was elsewhere—distracted, restless, and still carrying the weight of last night's thoughts.

As he stepped outside into the morning air, he couldn't shake the feeling of unease that clung to him. He had everything anyone could ever want—wealth, comfort, a life that most people only dreamed of—but there was something missing, something that gnawed at him with each passing day. And for the first time in his life, Felix didn't know how to fill that void.

Once she finished, Faerie stepped outside into the brisk morning air, ready to face the world. She hopped onto the bus that served her neighborhood—a rickety old thing that creaked and groaned as it made its way through the streets. Faerie didn't mind. To her, the ride was a small adventure, a glimpse into the lives of the people around her. She watched as the bus passed by lavish houses, each one a stark reminder of the life she was working toward.

Meanwhile, Felix was preparing for his own day. He climbed into the back seat of his family's luxurious car, the soft leather molding to him as the chauffeur drove him to school. He gazed out the tinted windows, watching the world pass by—lavish shops, expensive boutiques, and manicured lawns. Everything felt so meticulously crafted, a far cry from Faerie's world.

As they approached the school, Felix's gaze caught a glimpse of her through the crowds of students. Faerie stood out with her confident posture and effortless charm. A familiar urge bubbled up inside him—he wanted to run up to her, to greet her with a smile and maybe even a playful jab. "Good morning!" he imagined himself saying, hoping to see that glimmer in her eyes.

But as quickly as the thought formed, he halted himself. What was he thinking? He couldn't just approach her like that. She was a scholarship girl, someone from a different world entirely. His friends would never let him live it down.

So he held back, forcing himself to remain composed. Instead, he leaned back in his seat, trying to shake off the fluttering in his stomach. "It's just a casual hello," he muttered to himself, but the thought felt loaded with so much more.

As the car came to a stop in front of the school, he watched Faerie from a distance, a mixture of admiration and frustration coursing through him. How could one girl have such a hold on his thoughts? How could he want so desperately to cross the invisible line that separated their worlds?

With a deep breath, Felix stepped out of the car, adjusting his silver tie and straightening his jacket. He felt the weight of expectations pressing down on him. "Just another day," he whispered under his breath, forcing his feet to move forward into the throng of students. But as he made his way toward the entrance, a part of him lingered on Faerie, still captivated by the spark she brought into his otherwise predictable life.

The moment Felix stepped out of the car, a hush fell over the students milling about the entrance. All eyes turned toward him, a ripple of excitement coursing through the crowd. Girls lined the walkway, whispering and giggling as they caught glimpses of the silver-tie heir, their eyes sparkling with admiration.

Felix's heart raced, a familiar cocktail of nerves and annoyance bubbling up inside him. He was used to this kind of attention, but today, his thoughts were elsewhere—focused on Faerie. As he scanned the crowd, he spotted her. She stood a few feet away, her smile brightening his day amidst the chaos.

"Good morning," he thought, a smile creeping onto his face as he prepared to walk toward her.

But just as he took a step forward, Chanelle appeared out of nowhere, blocking his path with an assertive stance. Her perfectly manicured nails glinted in the morning sun as she walked up to him, eyes narrowing playfully.

"Hi, love. Miss me?" she purred, leaning in a little too close for comfort.

Felix felt an irritable tension rise within him. "Not really," he muttered under his breath, wishing she would take the hint. But she was relentless, tossing her hair back with a practiced grace that sent a wave of eye-rolls through the nearby students.

Faerie watched from a distance, her expression shifting from excitement to annoyance. She had been eager to talk to Felix, but the moment Chanelle stepped in, she felt her stomach twist. Why did this girl always have to insert herself into every situation? The flicker of jealousy burned bright, but Faerie quickly smothered it with indifference.

Chanelle stood in front of Felix, hands on her hips, practically daring him to brush her off. "What's the matter, Felix? You look a little distracted." Her voice dripped with sweetness, but Faerie could see the underlying possessiveness in her gaze.

Felix shifted uncomfortably, glancing past Chanelle, hoping to catch Faerie's eye again. "I'm just... busy," he replied tersely, trying to sidestep her without being rude.

Chanelle, however, wasn't having it. "Busy? With what? That scholarship girl?" She shot a pointed glance in Faerie's direction, a smirk dancing on her lips.

Faerie felt her face heat up at the mention of her, but she stood her ground, refusing to let Chanelle's words get to her. She could see Felix's irritation growing, but instead of stepping in, she took a step back, crossing her arms as if shielding herself from the brewing storm.

"Come on, Felix. You should be with someone who matches your status," Chanelle continued, her voice dripping with condescension. "You don't want to waste your time on—"

"Enough," Felix interrupted, his tone sharper than he intended. The irritation etched on his face was evident as he finally broke free of Chanelle's grasp. "I can make my own choices."

With that, he turned away, leaving Chanelle flabbergasted. His heart raced as he sought out Faerie, who now looked slightly taken aback by the exchange.

"Sorry about that," he said, breathless, as he approached her. "I didn't mean for you to see that."

Faerie shrugged, masking her irritation with a playful smile. "It's fine. Just another day in the life of a rich boy, right?"

"Maybe," he replied, unable to shake the tension in the air. "But I'd rather spend it talking to you."

A spark ignited in Faerie's eyes at his words, but it was quickly overshadowed by her resolve to keep her distance. "Sure, let's just focus on school, okay?" she said, trying to sound casual but feeling the weight of her own heart.

Felix nodded, sensing the shift in her tone. They walked side by side, the buzzing energy of the school enveloping them as they entered the building, both feeling the unspoken tension lingering in the air.