Courtney Alvarez's POV:
As I'm finishing the last touches on my outfit, I can already hear Dad calling from downstairs.
"Courtney, come on! Angelo is taking you to school."
I roll my eyes. "Dad, why does Angelo have to take me? I can take the limo."
Dad sighs and straightens his tie, giving me that look that says he's made up his mind. "No, your mom and I will both be gone for a few days, and Angelo is in charge."
In charge? Great.
"And remember," he adds, "our rivals are at that school, so stay sharp."
I know exactly what he's getting at. "So you mean I have to avoid Eric Madden, Alahnee Achilles, Pedro Caron, and Elias Geun," I say, listing them off on my fingers.
"Exactly," Dad replies.
Just as I'm about to roll my eyes again, Jace bursts into the room, his face scrunched up in tears. "Daddy, Angelo broke my toy!" he cries.
Angelo strolls in, shrugging like he couldn't care less. "Dad, I'm 25 years old, remember? I don't have time to be babysitting toys. Besides, I'm a football player, not a toy mechanic." He grins, running a hand through his hair as if that makes up for everything. "Now, can we go? Courtney, we're leaving."
I give Dad a quick hug goodbye as he reminds me, "Courtney, be careful with those rivals. They'll try anything to get under your skin."
In the Car Ride:
Angelo speeds through the morning traffic, blasting his favorite music, while I try to tune out the fact that I'm about to walk into the lion's den. Between Alahnee and her TikTok fame, Eric's playboy reputation, Pedro's tough-guy soccer persona, and Elias's flirtatious charm, school feels more like a battlefield than a place to learn.
"You look tense," Angelo comments, smirking at me from the driver's seat. "Just remember, you're an Alvarez. Don't let those clowns bother you."
"Easy for you to say," I mutter. "You're not the one who has to see them every day."
As we pull up to the grand entrance of North Heights Academy, I can already feel eyes on us. It's not every day that the Alvarez limo—driven by none other than my superstar older brother—arrives at the front of the school. Angelo winks at me as I get out of the car. "You'll be fine, sis. Just don't embarrass the family."
I scoff. "Pretty sure that's your specialty, Angelo."
Inside North Heights Academy:
Walking through the hallways, I keep my head held high. I've mastered the art of keeping my expression calm and collected, but the second I spot Alahnee Achilles by her locker, my calm starts to slip. She's leaning against the wall, perfectly dressed and holding her phone, probably checking her latest TikTok views. She notices me and flashes a taunting smile.
"Courtney," she purrs, her voice dripping with fake sweetness. "Didn't expect to see you bright and early."
I offer a tight smile. "I'm sure you didn't. Guess we both have surprises in store."
Before I can move on, I catch sight of Elias Geun down the hallway, giving me that trademark smirk of his. He looks like he's about to come over, but I duck into my homeroom class before he can make his move.
Settling into my seat, I breathe a sigh of relief—at least, until Pedro Caron slides into the desk beside me. He leans back, throwing me a cocky grin.
"So, the Alvarez princess graces us with her presence," he says, a glint of mischief in his eyes.
I can't help but roll my eyes. "And here I thought this was going to be a peaceful day."
He chuckles, clearly not bothered. "Oh, come on, Courtney. School wouldn't be half as interesting without us around."
I glance around, catching sight of Eric Madden at the back of the room, his eyes watching the interaction with amusement. It seems like I'm surrounded.
Later in the Day: Cafeteria Showdown
When lunch rolls around, I brace myself. Walking into the cafeteria, I spot my friends and make a beeline toward them, but it's no use. Alahnee, Elias, and Pedro are already sitting at a table right in my line of sight, and they're watching me like hawks.
Alahnee gives me a little wave, an almost mocking smile on her face. I ignore her and join my friends, trying to focus on my food.
One of my friends nudges me. "What's up with those guys? They're staring like they're planning something."
"Probably are," I mutter, keeping my eyes down. "They love trying to get a reaction out of me."
But I can feel the tension. I know that every day at this school is going to be a test, not only of my patience but of my loyalty to my family. If I can survive this year without letting any of them get under my skin, maybe—just maybe—I'll prove to myself and everyone else that I'm not just an Alvarez. I'm Courtney Alvarez.
