The lecture hall buzzed with faint murmurs as the professor droned on, but Stella barely heard a word.
Her head felt light, her vision slightly blurred around the edges, and a strange pressure weighed on her chest. Still, she sat upright, scribbling meaningless doodles in her notebook, pretending everything was fine.
Serafina, seated beside her, knows Stella is not fine .
Their eyes met for a brief moment. Serafina tilted her head and raised her brows in silent concern. Do you want to leave? her expression said.
Stella shook her head gently and forced a smile. I'm okay, she mouthed. Serafina frowned but said nothing.
When class finally ended, Stella stretched with effort, her face pale despite her smile.
"Okay, what's your problem?" Serafina asked, slinging her bag over her shoulder as they stepped out into the hallway.
"I told you, I'm fine."
Serafina stopped walking and placed a firm hand on her shoulder. "I know you better than you know yourself idiot.So shut up and don't make me angry."
Stella sighed, defeated, and gave her a crooked smile.
Serafina softened. "Come to my house tonight. Just a chill night-out. My mom's been asking for you too. She misses you."
Stella hesitated, then nodded. "I'll text my dad."
As they walked out of the building, Serafina nudged Stella playfully. "Don't worry. I'll make you look extra pretty tomorrow for Alex. I'll choose the best dress for you."
Stella laughed, her cheeks warming. "You're hopeless."
Meanwhile, just outside the university gates, Nyx stood beneath a dim streetlamp, her hoodie drawn up over her hair as Zephyr approached her.
"Who did you meet in there?" Zephyr asked casually.
Nyx looked away. "An old classmate. Just catching up."
Zephyr squinted slightly, suspicion flickering behind her eyes. She's hiding something… She looks distracted, almost shaken.
As Nyx walked away, her mind echoed with the words spoken by the person:
"Danger is near. Be prepared, or you will lose your one."
A chill ran down her spine. She tightened her grip on her phone.
That evening, Zephyr sat at her desk, chewing her pen, unable to concentrate. Both Stella and Nyx weighed heavily on her mind.
Zane came to her room.
"What's bothering you?",Zane asked.
Nothing. I am just thinking about my homework. Zephyr replied.
He sat down beside her. "You sure? You look like you're solving world problems in that head."
She smiled faintly.
"Well, how about this? Tomorrow isn't just dinner. I've planned a whole day out. Our boys, your girls—Eclipse in full swing. Fun guaranteed."
But for that,"I order you to clean my room. And memorize three verses of my rap," he laughed.
Zephyr rolled her eyes. "Seriously?"
"Okay, seriously," Zane chuckled.
Zephyr's eyes widened. Tomorrow… it's the chance. If Alex has powers, I'll know for sure. Nyx won't be alone this time.
She smiled and gave Zane a firm handshake. "Thanks for this."
"Of course. For your sunshine," he said softly.
Zephyr immediately messaged their group chat.
Zephyr: Girls! Not just dinner! Tomorrow's a whole day with the Eclipse boys!
Nyx: Okay.
Stella: OH MY GOD!! I can't believe it! A whole day with them?! What do I even say?? How do I act?!
Serafina peeked at Stella's phone, smiling faintly.
"What's making you smile like that?" Stella asked.
"We're going to be with Alex all day," she replied.
Serafina's expression shifted—just a flicker. Stella noticed.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing," Serafina said quickly, shaking her head.
At home, Serafina's mother welcomed Stella with open arms. She had already cooked Stella's favorite dishes and prepared skincare and makeup set gift for Stella.
"If I had to choose between you and Serafina, I'd pick you my Stella baby," she said, teasing them both.
"Of course, Mom," Stella laughed. "I'll choose you too. Unlike this idiot who keeps calling me names."
Serafina crossed her arms, mock offended. "Let's see who you call when your homework's due!"
That night, in Serafina's bedroom, they gossiped and laughed until their cheeks hurt. Then Serafina opened her wardrobe and pulled out a dress wrapped in delicate tissue.
"I bought this for you."
It was soft, a light pastel shade—almost pearl pink—with a silky texture that shimmered under the lights. Along with it came a simple but elegant pearl necklace.
Stella's eyes widened. "It's beautiful…"
"You'll look like a princess," Serafina whispered.
Stella hugged her tightly. "Thank you. So much."
But as they held each other, Stella flinched.
"What happened?" Serafina asked, alarmed.
"Nothing," Stella lied. "Just a stomach cramp… probably ate too much."
Later that night, while the moon cast a gentle glow through the window, Serafina slept soundly.
But Stella stirred.
Her eyes fluttered open around 2 a.m. Slowly, she slid out of bed, her steps soft as she opened the door and slipped out into the night.
Moments later, Serafina awoke to the cool air brushing her face.
She blinked at the empty bed beside her.
"Stella?" she whispered, sitting up. "Stella?"
She checked the bathroom.
The kitchen.
Every room in the house.
But Stella was gone.
The hallway echoed with the sound of her heartbeat.
To be continued…