“I’ll handle the rest in person this afternoon. You’ve worked hard tonight–take tomorrow morning off.”


    “Thank you, boss. Good night.”


    Vera replied instantly, not a trace of hesitation in her tone.


    Alessia was more than used to Vera’s efficiency. She didn’t bother responding, simply closed herptop. She instinctively reached for the water ss on her nightstand, only to find it empty.


    With a quiet sigh, Alessia packed up herptop, stretched, then got out of bed with her ss in hand, ready to refill it. As she pulled back the curtains, she startled–suddenly locking eyes with a pair of dark, gleaming eyes.


    Goosebumps prickled her skin. It wasn’t until she flicked on the light and saw who it was that Alessia breathed out in relief.


    “Did I wake you?”


    The owner of those ck eyes was Ivan. He rested one hand on the door handle, his gaze fixed steadily on Alessia.


    He shook his head, opened the door, and stepped out. Alessia followed him into the hallway. After Ivan ducked into the bathroom, she made her way to the kitchen and poured herself a ss of water.


    Neither of them exchanged a word as they finished up what they needed to do Alessia switched off the lights, and, finally, this uneasy night drew to a close.


    Maybe it was sheer exhaustion, but Alessia slept better than she had in ages. When she checked the clock, it was only a little past ten.


    She stretched, then went to wash up. The whole apartment was silent and empty. The slow cooker was keeping someforting soup warm, and next to it was a sticky note reminding her to eat breakfast.


    Once she’d finished her meal, Alessia was about to head back to her room when a steady knock echoed at the door.


    Three sharp raps, then silence.


    Alessia opened the front door–a courier stood outside.


    “Alessia? Please sign for this delivery.”


    <b>13:49 </b>


    The package bore her school’s logo and name. Alessia didn’t ask <b>questions</b><b>; </b><b>she </b>signed for it, waited for the courier to leave, then returned to her room.


    She opened the box. As expected, it was her school uniform.


    Unlike most public schools, theirs provided different uniforms for spring, summer, and winter–plus extra sets for sports, swimming, and even horseback riding. Every


    year,


    the school sent out brand–new uniforms to each student just before term began.


    The school’s informationwork was legendary–any change in a student’s home life, and the administration knew about it almost instantly. So Alessia wasn’t particrly surprised to get a package from them.


    Her school had another tradition too: To encourage creativity, on the first day back, all students were required to “design” their own version of the school–issued white t–shirt. At the end of the day, everyone would vote anonymously for the most creative design.


    The prize changed every year, and while most of the students came from wealthy families and didn’t care much about the reward, open–endedpetitions like this always drew a crowd. Some went all out, bringing in spray paint for live demonstrations, and the entire school buzzed with excitement and friendly rivalry–while other schools groaned at the start of another dull semester, here everyone was obsessed with making their t–shirt stand out.


    Of course, a few ultrapetitive types would try to pull strings or get outside help, but most students just enjoyed the chance to express themselves. One year, someone even graffitied the main building, so by now the “canvas” was limited to approved areas only.


    t, but Alessia eyed the in white tee and sighed. She’d never been much of an a she did have an eye for color and style. She’d never won first prize, but her designs always managed to spark a brief fashion trend around campus.


    Her sigh wasn’t about the t–shirt itself. She just knew that the moment she set foot on campus tomorrow, she’d be stepping straight into the lion’s den.