Beneath The Surface
707 Words
The bell rang.
Students poured into the hallways, their voices filling every corner of Crestwood Elite High School.
But wherever Evelyn walked...
Eyes followed.
Some curious.
Some jealous.
Some openly hostile.
"Look, it's her."
"The new girl."
"The one Ethan talked to."
"She's pretty, I'll give her that."
"So? Pretty doesn't mean she belongs here."
Vanessa King closed her locker with a loud bang.
"Enough."
The girls around her immediately fell silent.
Bianca folded her arms.
"I had someone investigate Evelyn again."
"And?"
"Nothing."
Sophia frowned.
"Nothing?"
"Nothing."
Vanessa looked irritated.
"Her records say she's the daughter of a wealthy businessman who lived overseas before returning to the city."
"Every document checks out."
"Every bank record."
"Every school record."
"It's... too perfect."
Bianca smirked.
"Maybe she's just lucky."
Vanessa's eyes narrowed.
"I don't believe in luck."
"I believe in secrets."
Meanwhile...
Evelyn and Chloe walked toward the library.
Chloe nudged her shoulder.
"You know you've become famous in less than a week?"
Evelyn groaned.
"Don't remind me."
"I'm serious!"
"You've got people making group chats just to talk about you."
Evelyn stopped walking.
"...You're joking."
"I wish."
She covered her face.
"What did I do?"
Chloe laughed.
"Nothing."
"That's exactly why they're curious."
Before Evelyn could answer, a familiar voice called out.
"Miss Hart."
She turned around.
It was Tyler.
No suit today.
He wore a simple black shirt beneath a gray coat, blending in with the parents leaving the campus.
Without the silver mask...
He looked completely different.
His features were sharp yet approachable, and there wasn't a trace of recognition on Evelyn's face.
"I'm sorry..." she said politely.
"Do I know you?"
Tyler smiled.
"I don't think so."
"I came to deliver paperwork from your sponsor."
"Oh..."
She accepted the envelope.
"Thank you."
"My pleasure."
For the briefest moment, their eyes met.
Then Tyler walked away without looking back.
Chloe watched him disappear.
"He's handsome."
Evelyn laughed.
"You notice everyone."
"I have functioning eyes."
That evening...
Far above the city...
A private meeting was already underway.
The room overlooked glittering skyscrapers.
Around a circular table sat the heads of several influential families.
No names appeared on the walls.
No company logos.
Only one symbol decorated the room.
A black dragon coiled around a silver crown.
An older man broke the silence.
"The Black Dragon Council has remained hidden for decades."
"And it will stay that way."
Another voice replied calmly.
"But someone has started asking questions."
A file slid across the table.
On the front cover...
EVELYN HART
One man opened it.
"So this is the girl."
Another looked unconcerned.
"A student."
"Nothing more."
A third man disagreed.
"Underestimating people has destroyed greater empires than ours."
Silence followed.
Finally, the oldest member spoke.
"Watch her."
"If she learns too much..."
He paused.
"...we will deal with the situation."
No one argued.
Elsewhere...
Tyler stood alone on the balcony of an office building, the city lights reflecting in his eyes.
Logan stepped beside him.
"The Council already knows about Evelyn."
"I expected that."
"They'll probably investigate her."
Tyler smiled faintly.
"Let them."
"They'll find exactly what we want them to find."
Logan couldn't help smiling.
"You planned this months ago, didn't you?"
Tyler looked toward Crestwood in the distance.
"I planned for many possibilities."
"But people..."
"They're always the unpredictable part."
The next morning...
Ivy burst into the classroom carrying two cups of coffee.
"Evelyn!"
"I bought you breakfast."
Evelyn blinked.
"You remembered?"
Ivy looked offended.
"Excuse me?"
"I'm your best friend."
"I remember everything."
She handed Evelyn the cup.
"Come on."
"Smile for me."
Evelyn smiled despite herself.
"You know..."
"...you're impossible."
"And yet you still keep me around."
"Someone has to stop you from making terrible decisions."
The two laughed.
From across the room, Vanessa watched the scene quietly.
"So that's Ivy Morgan..."
Bianca nodded.
"They're close."
Vanessa's lips curved into a faint smile.
"Everyone has a weakness."
"And best friends..."
"...usually make the easiest targets."
At the back of the classroom, Ethan looked up from the book he had been reading.
His gaze rested briefly on Evelyn and Ivy.
Then on Vanessa.
He noticed the look in Vanessa's eyes.
He didn't say a word.
But for the first time...
He closed the book.
- Writer
