Fluffy and Charming

As the school day came to an end, she couldn't help but feel a twinge of sadness as she saw her classmates pairing up and heading home together. They walked away, chatting excitedly about their plans for the evening, leaving her behind in their collective wake.

Lucienna knew that her unique responsibilities as a ghost doctor had set her apart from her peers.

Her secret life was a burden she willingly bore, but it came at the cost of the typical teenage experiences she longed for friendship, camaraderie, and the carefree moments of adolescence.

With a heavy heart, she continued her lonely journey home.

'I just need a friend...'

'Sometimes...'

The following morning, Lucienna roused herself from slumber well before the sun had fully graced the horizon.

Eager to embrace the day, she slipped into her running attire and made her way outside the sprawling mansion that had been her home for as long as she could remember.

'The plants are blooming beautifully today!'

The sky overhead, still cloaked in a quilt of somber clouds, hinted at the possibility of rain, adding a sense of mystery to the early morning hours.

With each step she took, her breath forming a faint mist in the brisk air, she couldn't help but wonder aloud, "Will it rain today?" Her voice carried a sense of interest as though she were engaged in a silent conversation with the weather itself.

As she circled back toward the mansion, her keen eyes caught sight of a small, black cat. It appeared to be domesticated, its fur glistening with a hint of moisture from the dew-laden grass. Lucienna's heart went out to the creature as she approached, her curiosity piqued.

"Who owns this little creature?" she mused aloud, bending down to inspect it more closely. To her surprise, there was a tiny neck tag adorned with the number "Thirteen." She couldn't help but raise an eyebrow at the peculiar name. "Thirteen? Will someone really name a cat this bad?"

Unable to resist the plight of the lost feline, Lucienna gently scooped it up into her arms, feeling its soft fur against her fingertips.

She contemplated the distance from her mansion to the nearest neighbor's home, which was a considerable three kilometers away. It was clear that the cat had ventured quite far on its own, leaving her with a mix of concern and sympathy.

"Poor thing," she whispered to the cat, cradling it gently. "I'll have the butler send you to the office of lost and found pets. Your owner must be worried sick that you lost your way in the woods. But for now, you'll have to come home with me."

Once inside the mansion, Lucienna called upon one of the diligent servants, instructing them to retrieve some cat food from her second brother's extensive supply.

He had a penchant for feline companions, and the room he designated for his three white cats was stocked with enough cat supplies to fill a pet store.

"You'll have to stay in my room obediently until the butler takes you back to the office," Lucienna informed the cat, giving it a last affectionate pat on the head before setting off to prepare for school.

Unbeknownst to her, as she left the cat alone in her room, the feline's behavior began to change in subtle, mysterious ways that would soon surprise her. And it looked more human than Lucienna thought.

As Lucienna approached the grand, towering gates of the prestigious academy, her attention was suddenly diverted by the sight of another affluent car gliding to a stop just ahead of her own.

Her heart quickened its rhythm within her chest as the car's occupant emerged, stepping out with a graceful air of confidence.

'Ah… He is as handsome as I remember,' she thought to herself, her gaze lingering on the young man who had just alighted from the vehicle.

Not wanting to draw undue attention, Lucienna discreetly exited her own car and fell into step behind the mysterious figure. Together, they made their way to the hallowed halls of the academy, their footfalls echoing in sync as though they shared an unspoken connection.

'He is the epitome of perfection. Good looks and good background.'

Upon entering the classroom, Lucienna's heart sank a little when she observed the young man being warmly greeted by a girl younger than both of them.

The girl sported two high ponytails that bobbed with youthful vitality, and she took her seat beside the young man, their friendship evident to anyone who cared to look.

Lucienna couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy and disappointment as she watched them together, a subtle storm of emotions brewing within her.

'I really hate this feeling, but it's eating me up! However, I could only watch him from afar and let things be...'

Yet, as if fate had its own plans, the classroom door swung open once more, ushering in another prominent figure—the city mayor's son, one of the wealthiest and most influential students in the entire school.

With an air of entitlement, the mayor's son made his presence known as he strode confidently into the room.

His gaze fell upon his fiancée, the principal's granddaughter, and he unceremoniously pulled her away from the class president. "Let's go. Why do you always need to sit with him in the morning?"

"We are friends, and you must respect that!"

As the rich tapestry of their social hierarchy unraveled, Lucienna couldn't help but analyze the intricate web of power and influence that defined their lives.

In her mind, she ranked them effortlessly, her thoughts aligning with the wealthiest and most privileged students in their class.

'The richest list goes like this,' she mused silently, 'I am at the top as a Practitioner family's heiress, the class president as an heir to a massive medical business empire, the mayor's son as next in the political line, the principal's granddaughter as an heiress to the most famous entertainment company, and others following closely behind.'

Her gaze returned to the class president, sitting alone in solitude.

'This guy is really something,' she thought with a hint of exasperation. 'He could still sit there and be passive while watching the girl he likes being taken away.'

As the class bell rang, signaling the start of another day of learning and intrigue, Lucienna couldn't help but brace herself for the twists and turns that lay ahead in her double life, where academic pursuits mingled with the complexities of a secret world hidden beneath the veneer of privilege and wealth.

The day unfolded with its usual rhythm of classes, discussions, and fleeting moments of laughter among Lucienna's classmates. However, it was during the physical education class that the unexpected twist of ballroom dancing was introduced by their teacher, Mr. Sterling.

His enthusiasm for the subject was discernible, and he announced,

"Today, we're going to explore the art of ballroom dancing, a skill that can be both elegant and exhilarating."

He continued, "It's not just about physical coordination but also about building trust and cooperation with your partner."