<h4>Chapter 138: Bing Friends</h4>


    <strong>****************</strong>


    <strong>Chapter 138</strong>


    <strong>~Valerie’s POV~</strong>


    The moment ss ended, I didn’t move right away. I let everyone file out first, let the crowd buzz past while I sat still, waiting—calcting.


    When I finally rose from my seat, I caught a glimpse of Solstice still talking to some redhead by the lockers. Laughing. As if we hadn’t just had the most tense fake introduction of our lives.


    I walked past her. I didn’t say a word, but my heart... It beat just a little too fast.


    Because, as much as I hated to admit it, a part of me was d she came. And that was the part that scared me the most.


    Solstice was mischievous, chaos personified, and I... just as bad. So, having two of us together in the same ce was a walking disaster.


    <strong>***************</strong>


    <strong>~Author’s POV~</strong>


    <strong>PSA Cafeteria — Lunchtime</strong>


    Chatter filled the cafeteria at lunch break, trays clinking, andughter bouncing off the ss-panelled walls.


    Valerie carried her tray with one hand, the other scrolling through her messages as she scanned for an empty seat, preferably one far from the Lycan twins and Dristan’s usual crowd.


    Before she could choose a corner to vanish into, I waved her down from the middle table by the far wall, already nked by Emerald and Astraea.


    Valerie narrowed her eyes.


    "Over here!" I called, smiling.


    Valerie sighed and made her way over.


    The moment she dropped her tray on the table and sat, Emerald spoke up, fork mid-air. "You know, for someone whoins about being avoided, you’re not great at making friends."


    Valerie blinked. "That was random. Where’s thating from?"


    Astraea smiled knowingly. "You brushed off the new girl this morning like she tried to steal your soul."


    Valerie raised a brow. "I didn’t brush her off. I redirected her hand and ignored the overly sunny energy. Big difference."


    "Val," I said gently. "You were once the new girl, too."


    Valerie scoffed at their words. They had no idea what was at y here, and she could be a fool and act all weing, which would raise eyebrows.


    Not like many weren’t already raised since the new girl came for her.


    "Exactly why I did it," she answered tly. "No one weed me. No one smiled or offered a seat. I had to learn the hard way not to be a target."


    She speared a piece of meat with her fork.


    "I’m just paying it forward. Just not in a bad way. I wasn’t in the mood for that all sun energy."


    "You’re impossible," Emerald muttered.


    "Delightfully so," Valerie added with a small smirk.


    But before any of them could say more, a familiar voice rang out, soft and sweet. "Hi again."


    All three girls turned, all but Valerie who rolled her eyes internally.


    Solstice stood just beside the table, her tray bnced against her hip, and her hoodie zipped halfway down to reveal a in tank top underneath. She looked almost shy, her head tilted slightly, her smile uncertain.


    Valerie’s brows lifted slightly.


    Oh, she was good.


    A white lotus with actual talent even better than most of those stupid white lotuses from online novels. She was an actual Queen in the acting industry. Too bad her Aunt Aira refused to let Solstice go to acting school.


    Valerie knew that had she been alive with her parents, her mother, Zara would have happily introduced Solstice to Zaria, Valerie’s grandmother, the beautiful, ageless actress.


    Solstice’s gaze locked on Valerie. She didn’t greet the others—just her.


    A moment passed. Then Valerie said, "Why me?"


    Solstice tilted her head. "What?"


    Valerie leaned back in her chair. "Why approach me? Why not them?" Valerie tilted her head towards I and the others, who were actively listening.


    At that, Solstice’s smile faltered just a little. Her gaze slid across I, Emerald, and Astraea. She gave them a small nod, polite and soft-spoken.


    "I just... I heard you were thest new female admitted into the senior year. I thought you might understand how it feels. I don’t really want to be alone here," Solstice admitted.


    Her voice wasn’t dramatic. No quiver. Just soft honesty—and maybe that’s what made it work.


    Valerie blinked once, twice.


    Damn. She’d upgraded from bratty cousin to emotionally maniptive freshman in record time.


    "Well..." Valerie reached into her jacket and pulled out a small white handkerchief. "If you want to cry on your first day, here. Be my guest."


    Solstice blinked, confused.


    Valerie added, "But if you want to be friends, try not to glue yourself to me. I hate gum."


    Solstice grinned at that, but before she could say anything, I elbowed Valerie sharply. "You’re being too harsh."


    Valerie raised a brow. "Am I?"


    "Yes," I said, then turned to Solstice with a bright smile. "Hi. I’m I Storm, daughter of Alpha Chris Storm. Valerie’s friend and roommate."


    Solstice brightened. "Nice to meet you, I. I am Silver Aura."


    Emerald reached across the table next. "Emerald Drake. Warrior ss, senior year and Valerie’s roommate and friend." She rolled her eyes at Valerie but smiled at Solstice in approval.


    Valerie tsked. Funny how Solstice easily bought the sceptical Emerald.


    "Astraea Kane," Astraea added. "Cousin of Princess Titania, roommate and friend of Val."


    Solstice’s smile grew. "Wow. Nice to meet you all, Emerald. Astraea."


    She shook each of their hands with a warm but not overbearing grip.


    I pulled out a chair beside her. "Sit. Have lunch with us. We’re all friends here."


    Solstice gave a little bow of gratitude. "Thanks." She set her tray down and easily took the seat, already blending in.


    Valerie watched, half-impressed, half-suspicious. Solstice was smooth. A little too smooth.


    After a few moments, I nced at Valerie with a teasing smile. "You gonna introduce yourself too, or leave her wondering?"


    Valerie sighed. "Fine."


    She nced sideways at Solstice, who was watching her like a hopeful puppy disguised in silk and street smarts.


    "Valerie Nightshade," she said casually, then added with a dry smile. "Apparently, the final boss of the new student approval."


    Solstice’s lips curved. "Thanks for epting me."


    Valerie gave her a slight nod and returned to her food.


    But her eyes didn’t miss the spark of victory in Solstice’s smile as she dug into her meal.


    She had yed her role well. Too well.


    And that only made Valerie more certain—her cousin hadn’t juste to PSA for support or friendship.


    She’de with a purpose. And sooner orter, Valerie hoped to figure out what that purpose was.