Our different worlds

This weird world

As we drove back to campus, I leaned my head against the window, the remnants of my parents' warm goodbye lingering like a soft glow. I glanced over at Alex, who gave me a small, comforting smile as he drove, his hand resting reassuringly on mine. But as we turned into the campus entrance, I noticed a strange energy around the university grounds-clusters of people, too many for a regular Monday.

"Do you see this?" I murmured to Alex, tilting my head toward the growing crowd in the distance. Students were mixed with reporters holding up microphones, and others with cameras. My stomach twisted with a hint of unease.

"Yeah," he replied, his brow furrowing. "I don't like it, though. Why are there so many reporters?"

Our car slowed, and suddenly a man in a navy-blue blazer appeared in front of us, snapping pictures. Then another, and another, until we were surrounded. Alex gripped the steering wheel tighter, his jaw clenching as he glanced at me.

"Just stay close to me," he said firmly. "We'll get through this."

He parked, and as soon as we got out, they descended, their cameras flashing like a blinding wall around us. The noise was overwhelming-shouts and questions overlapping into a chaotic storm.

"Alex! Is it true that you're dating Evelyn Thompson?"

"Is this the new face of the Beaumont family?"

"Is the engagement with Rose off? Was it ever even real?"

"Does your father approve of this relationship, Alex?"

With every question, my chest tightened, my heartbeat speeding up as I gripped Alex's hand. A microphone was thrust near my face, and I shrank back, disoriented by the flashes and voices.

Alex's face darkened, and he held his free arm protectively around me, pulling me closer. "No comment," he said firmly, his voice steely, but they didn't stop. Instead, they surged in closer, forming a wall around us.

"Alex, how does your father feel about you dating a middle-class girl?"

"Are you ashamed of how low the Beaumont family has fallen?"

"Is this love, Alex, or just rebellion?"

"Enough!" he barked, guiding me through the crowd, his protective arm like a barrier against the sea of flashing lights and pointed questions. The more we tried to push through, the more questions flew at us, and with every word, I could feel his frustration mounting.

Finally, we broke free from the crowd, ducking into a quiet side path by the campus library. The noise dimmed as we moved farther away from the reporters, and only then did I let out a long breath, leaning against the wall to steady myself.

"Are you okay?" he asked, his expression softer as he touched my shoulder.

I nodded, though my pulse was still racing. "Yeah, I just... What was all that? Why were they asking about Rose and an engagement? And... is it really because of your dad?"

Alex's face twisted with frustration as he nodded. "I don't know the full story yet, but I can almost guarantee my father's behind this. He has a way of creating noise and drama to get what he wants. But dragging Rose into it... that's just..." He trailed off, shaking his head, clearly upset.

"Do you think he's trying to scare me off, or just...?" I hesitated, the implications swirling in my mind. It wasn't just about us. This was Alex's entire family reputation he was messing with, and it left a sour feeling in my stomach.

He clenched his jaw. "I think he's trying to control the situation. Maybe he believes that if he can make this unbearable, you'll want to walk away-or maybe he's just trying to get under my skin. Either way, he's not going to get what he wants." He looked at me intensely, his expression softening. "Evelyn, I'm sorry you had to go through that."

I reached for his hand, squeezing it tightly. "Alex, I'm in this with you. You don't have to apologize. It's just... shocking, I guess. But I'm not going anywhere."

He managed a small smile, gratitude glimmering in his eyes. "Come on. Let's get somewhere safe and quiet."

He led me to our favorite spot on campus-a treehouse in a secluded area, where our friends would sometimes gather to escape the pressures of university life. As we climbed up, I could hear familiar voices and laughter, and for a moment, my nerves settled. When we reached the top, Ben, Lena, and a few of our other friends looked over, surprise and concern immediately replacing their usual carefree expressions.

"Whoa, you two look like you just survived a war zone," Ben said, half-joking as he took in our expressions.

"Yeah, what's going on out there?" Lena asked, her eyes wide with worry. "Reporters were everywhere. We tried to get them to leave, but they just kept asking questions about you and... Evelyn."

Alex sighed, running a hand over his face as he dropped down onto one of the couches. "It's my dad. He's dragging our relationship into the media. And apparently, he's pulled Rose into it too." He looked around at our friends, a mixture of anger and exhaustion etched on his face. "This is what he does-he'll do anything to manipulate a situation to his advantage, no matter who gets hurt."

Ben leaned forward, his usual lighthearted demeanor replaced by serious concern. "Your dad doesn't sound like he's giving you much of a choice, man. It's either follow his path or... what, he ruins your life?"

Alex's mouth twisted, a bitter edge to his expression. "Pretty much. But I'm done with it. I'm not backing down from this. I refuse to let him keep controlling everything."

Just then, Charlotte climbed up into the treehouse, her expression a mixture of irritation and concern. She looked as frazzled as we felt.

"There you are!" she said, slightly breathless. "The whole school is practically under siege because of Dad's little stunt. Reporters are everywhere. We need to do something to put an end to this mess."

Alex's gaze hardened, his jaw set. "I don't think just ending the media circus is enough. I think it's time I ended my father's hold over me entirely."

Charlotte blinked, momentarily taken aback. Then she crossed her arms and nodded, a trace of approval in her gaze. "Okay, so you're serious this time?"

"I've never been more serious," he replied, determination burning in his eyes. "But I'm going to need help. I need him to see that I'm not going to bend, that I'm committed to Evelyn, and I'm not going to let him keep pulling the strings. He has to understand that he can't manipulate me anymore."

Lena leaned in, her eyes alight with curiosity and support. "Maybe there's a way to get our side of the story out there. You know, make sure the truth is public so your dad can't just twist it however he wants."

Ben nodded thoughtfully. "Or better yet, expose what he's doing. If people find out he's orchestrating all this chaos to control you, they might actually start questioning him."

Charlotte tapped her chin, a plan clearly forming in her mind. "We could leak a statement. Nothing flashy, just a clear message that puts an end to all these rumors. Something that makes it obvious you're standing your ground-and that you're not ashamed of your relationship, Alex."

Alex looked around at each of us, his expression one of newfound resolve. "I like it. But it has to be perfect. If there's even a hint of hesitation, my dad will find a way to exploit it. We have to make it clear that I'm serious about this-and that nothing he does will make me change my mind."

I reached out and took his hand, looking him in the eyes. "Alex, whatever you need, we're here for you. You don't have to fight this alone."

He gave me a soft, grateful smile, his thumb gently tracing circles on the back of my hand. "Thank you, Evelyn. Knowing I have you by my side... it means everything."

Charlotte grinned, a fierce glint in her eye. "All right, then. Let's give Dad the surprise of his life."