Chapter 12: Lyra Pov(2)

After freshening up, I was on my way to the dining room when I stopped in front of Aunty M's room. Yeah, Medusa. It's a bit confusing to call her "Mom M," so we're sticking with "Aunty M" while I call Amelia "Mom." Medusa acts more like the cool dad anyway—strict when she needs to be, but always ready to let me get away with stuff. Well, most of the time.

I had an idea. Why not sneak in and borrow—ahem, steal—one of those classic glasses kept locked in the cabinet? I mean, they're just sitting there collecting dust. It's practically a crime not to use them.

I reached for the doorknob. "Locked? Pfft, nothing my spells can't handle."

"wpi," I muttered under my breath. With a satisfying click, the door swung open. I tiptoed inside, making a beeline for the cabinet. Inside, I found a sleek pair of boss-lady glasses. Perfect.

"Now, this is what I call accessories," I grinned, admiring myself in the reflection. I looked like a CEO ready to take over the world. Or at least, prepared to take over breakfast. I shoved the glasses into my bag and rushed to the dining room.

In the dining room...

"Dora, you finished cooking?" I asked, sliding into my chair like I hadn't just committed a minor act of theft.

"Yes! And it's your favorite—fried eggs with toast," Dora beamed proudly.

I frowned. "That's Mom's favorite."

Dora froze, her tiny face going pale. "Oh my, I forgot..."

"Figures," I muttered, rolling my eyes. "Guess I'll just have to suffer through it."

One minute later...

I was standing in front of my Ferrari Monza, patting the hood lovingly. "It's been a while, baby. If it weren't for Mum insisting I take the family car with Miss Sally and her boring rules..." I sighed dramatically. "But today, it's just you and me."

Sliding into the driver's seat, I turned the key. Vroom! Vroom! The engine roared to life, and I couldn't help but grin. Time to speed off recklessly to college. Let's see if I can beat my record.

IN THE LIBRARY

The rhythmic tapping of Lyra's fingers against her desk was the only sound in the quiet library. A thick textbook lay open at the side, filled with diagrams and theories she had long since memorized. Her glasses slid down the bridge of her nose as she leaned in, absorbing each line of text with a blank expression. Studying had always been second nature to her—a distraction, a necessity, and sometimes, an escape.

She sighed, shutting the book with a soft thud. The academy was always the same: endless expectations, whispers behind her back, and the occasional confrontation for she had no patience. It was not that she disliked the school itself; on the contrary, Crockwell University was well-known for being one of the best in the country. But excellence came at a price. She had built a reputation that made others keep their distance, Cold. Unapproachable. The kind of girl no one messed with unless they wanted trouble.

She adjusted her glasses and stood, gathering her things. It was a little past midday, and the campus outside buzzed with life. Groups of students chatted and laughed, some sprawled across the grassy courtyard, others crowding around the bulletin board for upcoming events. Lyra ignored them, slipping her earbuds in as she went to the café for lunch.

"Hey, Lyra!" a familiar voice called.

She turned to see Finn Ashford approaching, his usual confident smirk in place. His sharp green eyes were assessing, knowing more than he let on. Lyra had never fully trusted Finn, but they had a mutual awareness of each other.

"What do you want, Finn?" she asked, adjusting the strap of her bag.

"Relax, no need for the hostility." Finn raised his hands in mock surrender. "I just figured you'd want to know there's a party tonight at Selina Grayfield's place. You should come."

Lyra arched an eyebrow. "Since when do I do parties?"

Finn shrugged. "Since never, but maybe it's time for a change. Besides, Luca's going, and you know how he gets when left unsupervised."

Lyra snorted. "Let him burn the place down for all I care."

Finn chuckled. "Suit yourself, but if you change your mind, you know where to find us."

With that, he strolled away, blending into the crowd with ease. Lyra rolled her eyes and continued toward the café, dismissing the idea of attending the party. She had better things to do than waste her night with a bunch of entitled rich kids pretending they owned the world.

Her routine was simple: classes, study sessions, and occasionally, sparring in the gym when she needed to blow off steam. She was not one for distractions. And yet, something gnawed at the back of her mind—a strange, lingering feeling that the monotonous cycle of her life was about to change.

She had no idea it would happen so soon.

As she settled into a corner booth with her coffee, she noticed a car pull up, and out stepped a boy she had known for years.

Andrea Rein.

A guy she had played with and loved since childhood, only for him to leave for Florida.

"Why the hell is that bastard in Havenline?" she muttered, shocked to see Andrea at the school. She did not even realize she was subconsciously smiling at the thought of meeting him again.

After classes and catching up with Andrea and the others, Lyra headed to her Ferrari to go home but stopped by Miss Sally.

"Miss Sally, is something wrong?" Lyra was startled by Miss Sally's sudden appearance.

"Nothing's wrong, Lyra. I just wanted to apologize for not picking you up, and your mom sent a message. She insists you must attend the party," Miss Sally said with a straight face.

"What? Seriously? I like my peace. I'm not going to some sex party. Isn't Mom worried about me getting raped?" Lyra disagreed with the message.

"Nothing's going to happen to you. And besides, you need a female friend, unlike your friends, who are all guys," Miss Sally tried to convince her.

"Just go home, get dressed, and attend the party. Unless you want me to tell your mom, and you know how angry she gets when you disobey her," Miss Sally added, making Lyra recall past moments of fear.

"Fine, I'll go," Lyra finally submitted.

"Good. Have a safe drive," Miss Sally said, moving to her office.