The morning sun filtered softly through Bella's lavender curtains as her alarm buzzed for the third time. She groaned, dragging herself out of bed and into her neatly pressed school uniform. Today was her first day of 12th grade—a fresh year, a clean slate, and hopefully, fewer encounters with certain annoying individuals. Fingers crossed.
As she brushed her hair in front of the mirror, a gentle knock came at the door.
“Miss Bella,” her maid’s voice came from the other side, “your mother asked you to come down for breakfast. Right now.”
Bella's eyes widened. Uh-oh. If there was one thing her mom hated more than bad business deals, it was someone being late.
“I’m coming!” Bella called out, grabbing her bag and rushing downstairs.
In the dining room sat her impeccably dressed mother, already sipping coffee and scanning something on her tablet. Mrs. Wilson, the sharp and punctual businesswoman she was, didn’t even glance up.
“Two minutes late,” she said without missing a beat.
Bella slid into her seat sheepishly, just as the smell of warm pancakes drifted her way.
“Relax, she’s just nervous for the first day,” her father said with a smile, setting a plate in front of her. “Made your favorite. Pancakes with extra maple syrup—my secret recipe.”
Mr. Wilson was everything his wife wasn’t during mornings—easygoing, humorous, and always ready to lighten the mood. The two shared a quick bicker over how much syrup was too much syrup, but it was more playful than anything else.
Bella couldn’t help but smile. As chaotic as mornings could be in the Wilson house, there was always love tucked between the sarcasm and toast.
Once breakfast was over, Bella headed out to the car where the driver was already waiting. She slid into the back seat, mentally preparing for a smooth day—no drama, no surprises.
But of course, the universe had other plans.
Just as the car neared the school gate, a boy suddenly stepped right in front of it. The driver hit the brakes with a sharp jolt, and Bella’s heart leapt to her throat.
“Adrian?!” she gasped, recognizing the familiar face through the windshield.
Standing there, completely unbothered, was Adrian—her childhood rival, the very person she hoped to avoid this year.
The car stopped. Nothing had happened.
But Bella knew one thing for sure: this year was not going to be drama-free.
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