Chapter Seven: DESMOND.

Desmond stepped out into the marble-tiled driveway of their expensive estate, dressed in a black leather jacket, gloves, a bag slung across his shoulder, and a helmet in hand.

He was headed for school. On a motorcycle.

"And that's supposed to be the school dress code?" a deep voice said behind him.

Desmond didn't need to turn to know who it was.

"Good morning to you too, Father," he said flatly.

Mr. Lennox—Desmond's father—stood by the front door, dressed in his usual tailored charcoal suit, holding a cup of steaming coffee like he ran the world. Which, in a way, he did.

"I'm going to ride," Desmond added, tone casual.

"Bike to school. How elegant, son."

Desmond smirked faintly, matching the sarcasm. "Quite, Father."

Mr. Lennox gave him that long, pointed look—the kind that came just before a lecture.

"Are there cars in the garage?"

"Yes, sir."

"Do you have personal ones?"

"Yes, sir."

"Can you drive?"

"Yes, sir."

"Are there drivers here?"

"Yes, sir."

Desmond exhaled through his nose and brought his fingers to his nose bridge, massaging it slowly. It was his default gesture—part annoyance, part habit, and full-on emotional suppression. One he used often when dealing with his father.

"Then go in a car."

"Why?"

"Because it's more enjoyable. You sit down, do nothing. You arrive in one piece, like a civilized person."

"It's more enjoyable when you do what you want," Desmond replied, calm but firm.

Mr. Lennox let out a short laugh—sharp, humorless. "Talking smart?"

His tone dropped, colder now. "I heard what happened at school on Friday."

Desmond's eyes narrowed slightly. "So they report to you."

"I know everything that happens in Diamond, young man. I own that place."

Desmond massaged his nose bridge again.

"You should uphold the image of Diamond. The image of Lennox. And what do you do? You accuse a student council member of personal rivalry—in an open session. How noble, Desmond Roman Lennox."

Whenever his father called him by his full name, it wasn't affection. It was a warning. A reminder of who he was and what was expected.

Mr. Lennox wasn't cruel. But he wasn't soft either. Sharp in words, firm in business. A man made of iron and contracts. Ruthless when needed.

Desmond wasn't in the mood. Not today. He was scanning for a way out.

And just like that—he got one.

"Desmond!" a cheerful voice chirped behind him.

He turned. His expression relaxed just a little.

It was Daisy, his ten-year-old little sister, bouncing down the steps in her pristine Diamond College uniform. Behind her was Mrs. Lennox, ever-elegant and beautiful.

Desmond offered a small, real smile—the rare kind he only gave Daisy.

"You're early," he said, crouching a bit as she ran to him.

"Because I want to ride with you!" she beamed, hugging him.

Mrs. Lennox leaned in to place a kiss on Desmond's cheek. Daisy did the same with a giggle.

Desmond handed his helmet, jacket, and gloves to a maid. "The driver's fine today," he said, giving his mother a quick hug.

He took Daisy's hand and started toward the car as Daisy hopped excitedly beside him and started telling him stories as they got in the car, finally escaping the standoff.

Mr. Lennox stayed behind, quiet.

Mrs. Lennox stepped beside him and watched their children walk to the car.

"Be easy on him," she said softly. "He's still finding his way."

Mr. Lennox said nothing. But his fingers tightened slightly around the cup as he had a flashback of a small boy crunched in the corner of a neatly set room with an oversized headset on his head looking into space.

Juliana Pov

We survived our first week at Diamond College. Still in one piece. That has to count for something.

Now we're starting electives and joining clubs. Apparently, electives change every semester.

Juliet picked Foreign Language, Psychology, and Creative Writing—which is my core elective. She's also joining the Debate Club.

Julius went for Psychology, Sports Management, and Photography & Arts. He's trying out for the basketball team, of course.

I chose Psychology, Environmental Science, and Fashion Design. I'm also going to try out for the dance team.

Psychology isn't anyone's core here, even though it's more of a science elective. For some reason, the class is packed—Kim, Emily, Nancy, Edmond, and even Desmond. He was sitting in the back corner, alone—no one in front or beside him. Typical.

Nancy waved excitedly, and we waved back as Matt and I took seats.

"Why are there so many people in this class?" I asked, not expecting an answer.

"They have their own reasons. Just like you," Juliet replied.

"I wasn't going to come. You asked me to."

"You were doubting. I just gave you reasons."

"Yeah, I forgot you're smart," I said, and we both laughed.

The teacher hadn't arrived yet, and Edmond made his way to the back to sit beside Desmond. Moments later, Raymond entered—followed by Laura and the twin terrors, Rose and Ivy.

Mrs. Rodriguez finally came in. She introduced herself as one of the two Psychology teachers. The other's a man.

She talked about understanding ourselves and others, cracked jokes, made illustrations, and asked questions while getting some of our names. She warned she might rearrange our seats or even pair us up as the semester progressed.

"She's definitely not going to pair us together," Juliet whispered.

"And I'm not pairing with a witch," I muttered back.

Lunchtime, school cafeteria.

We were eating at our usual table—Matt, Juliet, Julius, and I—when Rose suddenly stood up and clapped for attention.

"Eleventh graders!" she called out.

Some students cheered.

"If you think I'm disturbing, you can choke on your food or walk away," she added with exaggerated sass.

"You know, I know," Ivy chimed in. "Diamond gives scholarships to students in eleventh grade and two other lower grades I don't even give a f*** about."

"I guess it's to elevate their poor lives," Rose said, laughing. Some students laughed, others groaned.

"These girls are sick," Juliet muttered.

"Absolutely," Julius agreed.

"I'm telling you—their audacity," I added. "They just trampled on all eleventh graders with their words."

Rose and Ivy went on.

"I got the names," Rose announced.

"And don't ask how—Ivy's dad's on the board," Ivy added smugly.

"It's not like it's a secret," said a guy with dyed-blue hair.

"Ivy gave him a glare."

"Joshua, no one asked you," Rose snapped.

"I'm just saying," he replied, calm as ever.

"And for some reason," Ivy continued, "there are eleven names. Seems like someone slipped through the back door. We'll find out."

"These girls are out of their minds," Julius said, annoyed.

"They're coming after me," I muttered.

"They're going to call the names," Matt said, glancing at me. "Will you stand?"

"No way," I shot back.

"If all of us did, she wouldn't be able to single you out," Julius said.

They called the first name.

"Aaron Gilbert."

The moment they started calling names, the four of us—Matt, Juliet, Julius, and I—got up and walked out.

"Where do you think you're going without introducing yourselves?" Ivy called.

"We think your presentation is boring," I replied. "We're taking a walk. Our mental health needs it."

The cafeteria stirred with laughter and murmurs.

"You've got a sharp mouth, don't you?" Ivy said, approaching us.

"But for some reason, your name is last on a list that's alphabetical," Rose said, eyes locked on me. "Care to explain that, scholarship girl?"

"You could've asked the school directly," Juliet said sharply. "Isn't your dad on the board?"

"No one asked your ugly four-eyed ass," they snapped at Juliet.

My face froze. Julius stiffened.

"What's that smell?" I asked, loudly.

"Rotten eggs?" Julius added.

"Can't you smell your own rotting brains?" I said, stepping closer. "Cause I do, baby Groot."

"No way—baby Groot's way cuter and smarter," Matt added.

Gasps and chuckles rippled through the cafeteria.

"I heard her mommy is very beautiful and—" Rose began loudly.

She didn't finish.

Julius stepped forward and pushed them slightly back—not harshly, but firm enough.

"Whatever you were about to say, don't," he said coldly. "You'll really hate how that ends."

I stood calm and still, lips curled in a dangerous smirk, eyes sharp. Juliet glanced at Matt.

"Get ready to hold her." She knows the silence before the storm.

Just as the twins were about to reach me, a tall figure stepped between us.

"Stop that. Right now."

The cafeteria froze.

***

It was Desmond.

He barely talks. And rarely eats here. So how did he even show up?

Edmond smirked. Raymond looked surprised. Laura's expression twisted into a mix of shock and annoyance.

"If you're that interested in the scholarship," Desmond said coolly, "go ask the school admin."

His tone was cold. His stare cut like ice. Rose and Ivy backed away instinctively.

"I don't know why you want the damn introduction anyway. The school introduces scholarship students officially—fourth week of resumption. At a school function."

He glanced at Edmond. Then turned and walked out.

He came because Edmond was being irresponsible.

Edmond had messaged him about the situation and he even showed up for some reasons. Desmond had told him to stop it. He didn't. So Desmond stepped in himself.

Juliana stormed out right after.

"DESMOND!"she shouted, voice echoing through the air. My body was trembling. Adrenaline for nothing.

Juliet caught up to me. "Calm down."

"I didn't ask for his help," Juliana snapped. "I'm not some damsel in distress!"

"Not everything is an attack, Juliana," Juliet said gently. "You don't have to be so defensive all the time."

After lunch, everyone returned to their classes. Juliana half-expected another trigger from the twins, but they were nowhere in sight—and she didn't see them for the rest of the day.

Meanwhile, in a small, empty classroom…

Laura's POV

I sat on a desk, legs crossed, while Rose and Ivy stood awkwardly in front of me. Blue and Lane were sitting nearby, relaxed—but their presence alone was enough to make the air tense.

"If you can't handle some scholarship girl with no real backing," I said coolly, "then how the hell did people ever fear you?"

"She isn't just some scholarship girl," Ivy started. "Desmond—"

I was on my feet in a second.

"Desmond what?" I snapped, stepping forward. Ivy backed up like a coward.

"Did I give you permission to speak his name? Huh?"

They said nothing.

"You couldn't even put a new girl in her place, and now you want to speak Desmond's name? He's not in your dumbass league. Get it?"

Rose tried to explain, "He only stepped in because—"

"Because you're both stupid and reckless," I cut her off. "You were supposed to humble her. Break her spirit. Make her grateful she was even allowed on Diamond soil. Instead, you nearly dragged the entire school system into it with your mouth."

I leaned in, voice low and sharp.

"Your dad might be on the board—but his dad? His father owns this whole damn school. You nearly picked a fight with a god."

Blue grinned. "You're getting hyped, baby," she said with a smirk.

I rolled my eyes, but let a smile slip. "Yeah, that's more like it."

Then I turned back to the twins. My tone dropped.

"Fix it."

Lane stood, her face like stone. "And in time," she added, then shoved Ivy toward Rose, who barely caught her. We headed for the door, but just as the twins tried to follow us out, Lane stepped in front of them.

"You two really are brain-dead, huh?" she said coldly. "Get to work."

With that, she shoved them back inside and locked the door.

Let them stew.

If Rose and Ivy were vampires, then Lane and Blue were definitely hybrids. They didn't just bully—they strategized. And even those two clowns feared them.

I could already picture the twins inside, glaring at the door, maybe cursing us out.

I didn't give a fuck.

I'd be back in four hours.

And they better have better ideas by then.