At Luxford Academy, the elite boarding school for the ultra-rich, Adriana and Nicholas have been bitter rivals since childhood. Forced to live in the same dorm, their once-friendly pranks have escalated into daily clashes-sharp insults, constant bic...
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I stood at the edge of the courtyard, the chatter of my family buzzing around me like a swarm of bees. The sun was beating down, making the whole scene feel even more stifling. Valencia was beautiful, but right now, it felt like a prison. I could feel my grandfather's eyes boring into me from across the patio—judgmental, cold. He's been that way ever since I was adopted into the family, like somehow I was a defective addition to the perfect puzzle of his bloodline. And then there was Teresa, strutting around like she owned the place, face caked in makeup, her clothes louder than her annoying laugh.
I pulled out my phone and dialed Nick and Addy. I needed some air, and if I couldn't physically escape, a little mental getaway would have to do.
"Adri!" Nick answered after the second ring. "How's the family reunion?"
I rolled my eyes even though they couldn't see me. "It's a nightmare, Nick. My grandfather is looking at me like I've ruined the family legacy just by existing, and Teresa is being her usual charming self."
Addy chuckled. "Teresa? Is she still doing that whole 'walking disco ball' look?"
I snorted. "Oh, absolutely. If her makeup was any thicker, it would start cracking. And don't get me started on her outfit—it's like she raided a circus and then dipped everything in glitter."
Nick laughed. "Ah, Teresa. Always aiming to be the sun in everyone's solar system. Too bad she's more like a black hole."
"Right?" I sighed, glancing over to see Teresa now monopolizing a conversation about her latest luxury shopping spree. "It's just so suffocating here. Everyone is in their own little world of judgment and gossip, and I'm over here just trying to breathe."
"Just do what you do best, Adri," Addy said. "Charm them with your 'gorgeous' remarks. You've got the best snark in the game. You could make them laugh or make them run—it's your choice."
I smirked, feeling a bit better. "Maybe I'll go compliment Teresa on her 'bold' look. She'll either take it as a compliment or spend the rest of the day trying to figure out if I insulted her."
Nick snorted. "Classic Adri. That's why I lo-like you"
Hold up bro almost used the L word!
Composure lads
"Yeah, yeah," I said, feeling a bit lighter. "Just pray I survive this. I swear if one more person looks at me like I'm the family charity case, I'm going to 'gorgeously' lose it."
"Deal with them, Adri," Addy said. "And call us later. We need all the details."
I hung up, taking a deep breath. Nick and Addy were right. I could handle this. Maybe I didn't have to fit into this family mold perfectly. Maybe all I had to do was be myself—snark, sarcasm, and all. I glanced at Teresa, who was now flipping her hair and pouting for some random cousin's Instagram.
