Eclipsed: Threads of Power

The Eyes That Linger

By midday, the school had settled into its usual rhythm.

Students moved through the hallways in clusters, laughter echoing off marble walls, conversations blending into a soft hum of familiarity.

Maxine walked through it all with ease.

Composed.

Untouched.

Lucien walked beside her.

That alone—

Was enough.

Across the corridor, a group of girls stood near the lockers, their voices lowering as Maxine passed.

At the center of them—

A girl stepped forward.

Tall.

Elegant.

Perfectly styled.

Her name, Valeria De Luca.

She didn’t just belong in the school—

She ruled it.

Or at least… she liked to think she did.

Valeria’s gaze locked onto Maxine first.

Then shifted—

To Lucien.

A slow smile curved her lips.

Not warm.

Not friendly.

Measured.

“Well,” she said, her voice smooth as she approached them, heels clicking softly against the floor. “This is new.”

Maxine stopped.

Lucien beside her.

Valeria’s eyes moved between them again, lingering just a second longer than necessary.

“Maxine,” she greeted, her tone light but edged. “I didn’t know you were… taking on projects now.”

Maxine smiled politely.

Unbothered.

“I help when I’m asked.”

Valeria let out a soft laugh, tilting her head slightly.

“Of course you do.”

Her attention shifted fully to Lucien now.

Assessing.

Interested.

“And you must be the new student everyone’s suddenly talking about,” she said, her tone shifting—smoother now, almost charming. “Lucien, right?”

Lucien met her gaze calmly.

“Yes.”

No smile.

No extra effort.

Just acknowledgment.

Valeria’s smile didn’t falter—but something in her eyes flickered.

“Valeria De Luca” she continued. “If you need anything… I’m usually the one people come to.”

A pause.

Maxine noticed it.

The intention behind the words.

The subtle claim.

Lucien nodded slightly. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

Polite.

Distant.

Valeria’s gaze shifted back to Maxine.

And this time—

There was no mistaking it.

Envy.

Hidden behind elegance.

“You’ve been busy,” she said lightly. “I didn’t realize you had time for… new company.”

Maxine didn’t react.

Didn’t rise to it.

“I manage my time well,” she replied simply.

That only made it worse.

Valeria’s smile tightened—just slightly.

Barely noticeable to anyone else.

But Maxine saw it.

“Of course you do,” Valeria said again.

A silence stretched.

Thin.

Tense.

Then—

Valeria stepped back.

Graceful.

Composed.

“Enjoy the tour,” she added, her tone light once more. “It would be a shame if someone… got the wrong impression.”

And just like that—

She turned and walked away, her group following instantly.

The hallway noise returned.

But something had shifted.

Lucien glanced at Maxine.

“…She doesn’t like you.”

Maxine let out a small breath, almost amused.

“It’s not that simple.”

He raised a brow. “Seems simple enough.”

Maxine adjusted her bag slightly, continuing to walk.

“People don’t always dislike you for what you do,” she said calmly. “Sometimes it’s just what you represent.”

Lucien walked beside her, thoughtful.

“And what do you represent?”

Maxine glanced at him briefly.

A faint smile.

“Something they can’t quite figure out.”

He studied her for a moment.

Then—

A small, genuine smile appeared.

“I can see that.”

As they walked on, Maxine’s expression remained calm, unchanged.

But her awareness sharpened.

Valeria wasn’t just envious.

She was watching.