Theron Harper

Aetherbridge International School is one of the most respected schools in the country. It’s known for producing top students—future doctors, lawyers, artists, entrepreneurs, and leaders. Many families dream of sending their kids here because of the school's outstanding teachers, modern classrooms, and strong focus on both academics and personal growth. It’s the kind of place where success is expected, and excellence is the norm.

My name is Theron Harper, and I come from a simple family. Getting into this school wasn’t easy. Most of the students here are from rich families. And if you’re not rich, you better be smart enough to earn a scholarship—like I did. I may not look like the typical top student, but I’m far from average. I graduated Top 2 back in primary school, and I worked hard to be here.

That morning, I was walking down the hallway with my hands in my pockets, heading to my classroom, when I heard some guys talking a little too loudly.

“Maeve is as beautiful as ever!” one of them said, clearly amazed.

“I’m planning to confess to her today,” another one added.

“Dude, are you serious?” the third guy laughed. “You don’t stand a chance. Standing next to her, you look like garbage.”

“Geez, thanks for the confidence boost,” the second guy replied, sighing.

“Can’t blame you though, bro. Maeve is literally perfect—tall, rich, well-known, smart, kind, soft-spoken, beautiful face, perfect body... Like, where do you even find someone like her? I feel lucky just to be at the same school.”

I scoffed under my breath and picked up my pace, walking past them without a word.

Maeve Elisse Lim. The girl everyone talks about. The girl everyone likes. And yeah, what they said was true—she’s smart, pretty, kind, and always smiling. She’s friends with almost everyone and has this gentle, friendly energy around her. But even with all that… I don’t like her. Not in that way.

I don’t really know why. Maybe because she seems too perfect. But also, maybe because I already have someone else in mind.

I reached the classroom, opened the door, and quietly walked to my seat—back row, by the window. It’s always been my spot.

I sat down and glanced to my right.

There she was.

Layla Evans. Our class president.

She was sitting quietly in her seat, reading a book with her earphones in. I’ve had a crush on her since the second week of school. She’s the first girl I’ve ever liked like this. Maybe it’s because I don’t fall easily. I’m picky, or maybe just not interested most of the time.

People in class tend to avoid me. They say I have an unfriendly face. I don’t mean to frown all the time, it’s just how I look. Some students even say they hate how blunt I am. I don’t like sugarcoating things—what’s the point? But because of that, I ended up as the class outcast.

And yet… Layla still talked to me. She tried to be friends with me when no one else did. I turned her down at first. But when I heard people gossiping about me behind my back, she defended me. She stood up for me even if it meant others would avoid her too.

She became an outcast—because of me.

I still feel bad about that. But from that moment, she caught my heart.

Layla looked up from her book and turned my way. She took off one earphone and smiled.

“I didn’t notice you come in. Good morning, Theron.”

God. How cute can one person be?

I stayed calm and waved back. “Good morning. What are you reading?”

Layla’s eyes sparkled as she stood up and walked to the empty seat beside me.

“It’s called Once Upon Two Kingdoms.”

“That’s the one with the prince and princess from rival kingdoms, right?” I asked.

Her face lit up. “Yes! You know it? I’m glad!”

Of course I know it. I saw her reading it last week and read the entire thing just so I could talk to her about it. Totally worth it.

We talked for a while. She was cheerful, thoughtful, and genuinely fun to talk to.

Then the classroom door opened.

Maeve Elisse Lim stepped in.

Her long, wavy hair swayed as she walked. Her school blazer fit perfectly, her skirt neatly pressed, her polished shoes clicking against the floor. And that smile—the smile that made half the students instantly light up.

Not mine, though.

Everyone rushed to greet her.

“Good morning, Maeve!”

“Ughhh, you’re literally a goddess!”

Layla whispered beside me, “She’s… so dazzling.”

I looked at her and mumbled, “You’re even prettier, though.”

“Eh?” she blinked. “Did you say something?”

I cleared my throat. “Nope. You should clean your ears.”

“I-Is that so…?” she blushed slightly.

I’m known for saying things directly, but around Layla? I suddenly can’t speak properly. I admit defeat, Layla…

Maeve, meanwhile, smiled and waved at the other students but didn’t walk to her usual seat.

Instead, she started walking towards us.

The entire class went quiet.

“Wait… why is Maeve talking to them?” someone whispered.

“She’s greeting them?”

“She’s such an angel… Even the class outcasts, she won’t ignore them.”

Maeve stopped in front of us. “Hello!” she said with her usual sweet voice.

Layla panicked a little. “I-Is there something we can do for you, Ms. Lim?”

Maeve laughed gently. “Maeve is fine. Anyway, I just bumped into Mr. Easton. He asked me to let you know to collect the assignments from two days ago.”

“Oh right! I forgot about that!” Layla stood quickly and started gathering her things. “Thank you for the reminder, Maeve!”

"No problem," Maeve said, giving her a soft smile as she watched her walk to the front of the class.

Layla clapped her hands and addressed the class. “U-Um! Mr. Easton asked me to collect our assignments from two days ago. Please place them on my desk so I can turn them in.”

Some students rolled their eyes and muttered rude comments, but Layla smiled through it.

Maeve, watching her classmates’ reactions, muttered under her breath, “Those two-faced bastards…”

I heard it clearly. My eyes widened.

“What?” I looked up at her.

She looked down at me and smiled innocently. “Hmm? What?”

“You just said something,” I told her.

“I didn’t~” she tilted her head, still smiling. “Maybe you heard it wrong?” she said sweetly before turning away.

...Maybe I did?

After all, Maeve is supposed to be the kindest girl in school… right?

Three subjects later, it was finally break time.

Most students rushed to the canteen. Layla stayed behind, struggling to carry the pile of assignments on her desk.

Just as the papers started slipping from her hands, someone caught them.

It was me.

“Theron!” Layla smiled, relieved. “Thank you!”

I nodded. “I’ll carry half.”

We walked through the hallway. Layla chatted as we went.

“You’re a real lifesaver. If I dropped these, I’d feel awful. Everyone worked hard on their assignments.”

I muttered under my breath, "Why is Maeve called 'angel' when it’s literally Layla who's the embodiment of one? They probably all just asked an AI to do their assignments. Hmph."

We reached the faculty office and found Mr. Easton.

“Thank you, you two,” he said as we placed the assignments on his desk.

“No problem, sir!” Layla said brightly. I just nodded.

Outside, she turned to me again. “Thanks again, Theron! Hehe.”

“No problem. If you ever need help again, just ask.”

Layla beamed. “Okay! Um... do you wanna come to the canteen with me?”

I shook my head. “Thanks, but I’ll stay in the classroom. You go ahead.”

“Alright! See you later!” she waved and ran off.

I stood still for a moment, clutched my chest and shut my eyes.

“...So cute…”

I started heading back to the classroom, planning to eat there like I usually do. But on the way, I heard a voice coming from an empty room.

It sounded familiar.

Curious, I stepped toward the doorway and peeked in.

Maeve was perched on a desk, her back to me, phone pressed to her ear.

“Unbelievable. You can’t even handle a simple task without running to me like a helpless child. Do your job, or I’ll find someone who can!”

I froze.

I shouldn’t be here. I was about to leave silently when I accidentally stepped on something that made a sound.

Maeve quickly turned around—and our eyes met.

And in that moment, I knew the truth too.

I hadn’t heard wrong earlier.

The “angel” everyone admired… wasn’t one at all.

The angel that everyone adored, the perfect girl everyone looked up to… turned out to be a rude, annoying, insolent girl hiding behind a pretty mask.

Maeve Elisse Lim—was not who everyone thought she was.