A World Apart

Rinnel’s POV I like things a certain way. Always in order. That’s how I keep my life picture-perfect. Just like me. The sunlight spilling across my room woke me up, along with my phone buzzing insistently on the nightstand. I rolled over, grabbing it while rubbing my eyes, already knowing who it was. “Rinnelllll" he dragged my name out before I could even speak. “Where are you? You said we’d grab breakfast ages ago.” I smiled, pushing myself up slowly. It still felt like a dream sometimes. I had loved Ronny since elementary school. Maybe even before that. Since the day he punched a kid for pulling on my pigtails. Oh, he’s charming. He always has been. And now he loves me. How could he not… when I’ve spent years becoming exactly what he wanted? I stretched, letting my hair fall perfectly over my shoulder like it had a routine of its own. “I said I’d be ready at seven-thirty, not seven-fifteen,” I said teasingly. “You can’t seriously expect me to be up that early.” Don’t get me wrong, I love him. But someone has to remind him who’s in charge. “I can if you said you wanted that new café,” he replied, half amused, half patient. “They’re closing in ten minutes for the morning rush.” I groaned, flipping my blanket off dramatically. “Fine. Don’t order without me. You know I hate missing the first latte of the day.” “Ten minutes,” he said. “And yes, I’ll wait.” Of course he would. Breakfast was already waiting by the time I got dressed. Avocado toast and a croissant sat neatly on the table, still warm. Dad’s driver had dropped it off silently, like always. I took a slow sip, scrolling through my phone, letting the morning settle in. After a few minutes, I got ready for class. A soft pastel blouse. Perfectly fitted jeans. Boots that gave me just enough height without trying too hard. My hair smelled like fresh shampoo, lips glossy, nails painted pale pink. The drive to campus was easy. My friends were laughing in the backseat, whispering and nudging each other, while Ronny stayed on call, reminding me about the café order, double-checking everything. I barely had to respond. Just a few “yes” and “make sure it’s hot.” He handled the rest. He always does. By the time we pulled up to Mystic Falls Highschool, the sunlight hit just right, catching in my hair as I stepped out. I caught my reflection in the window and smiled softly before fixing my bag strap. I opened the classroom door, letting my laugh slip out just enough to be heard, waving lightly at my friends. Dropping my bag onto the desk, I slid into my seat and stretched. Everything felt exactly how it should. Calm. Easy. Mine. ⸻ Derek’s POV I learned a long time ago how to walk into a room without being noticed. Head down. Steps quiet. Don’t look at anyone for too long. It doesn’t always work. I reached the classroom a few seconds after Rinnel, books pressed tightly against my chest like they could protect me. I tried slipping into the back corner like usual. “Watch where you’re going, freak!” A shove hit my shoulder. My bag slipped from my grip, hitting the floor as someone laughed. I didn’t react. There was no point. Every day it was the same. Same voices. Same laughter. Same people needing someone to look down on. I just picked up my bag and moved to my seat in the back, keeping my head low. The classroom smelled like stale coffee and cheap perfume. People whispered over notes, some argued, some just sat there like they owned everything around them. I kept my eyes on my desk. then she walked in. And somehow, everything shifted. Sunlight followed her in like it belonged to her. Her hair caught it perfectly, her laughter spilling into the room as her friends leaned in close. Rinnel. My chest tightened, and I hated it. She dropped her bag near the front, laughing at something one of her friends said, completely at ease like this place existed just for her. Rinnel and her group acted like they owned the college. Expensive lattes. Perfect outfits. Loud laughter. Every single day the same. It almost felt programmed. And Ronny, of course. Her boyfriend. Big, built, always attached to her like he had something to prove. His arm around her, lips too close to her neck half the time. Get a room already. These rich, spoiled trust fund kids. God really does have favorites. The rest of the class faded into background noise. The girl with neon hair talking to herself. The guy tapping his pencil like his life depended on it. The ones who thought being quiet made them superior. While some of us get our ass kicked every day There she was. Rinnel. Always in her own world. She had been like that since elementary school. I tried focusing on my notes, writing down formulas I didn’t even need to think about. But my eyes kept drifting back. Just quick glances. Nothing obvious. She didn’t notice me. She never did. And somehow that was exactly how it was supposed to be.