CHAPTER 3

Maxine POV.

The morning light filtered through the window blinds, casting a soft glow across the room. I blinked awake, groggy from a night of restless sleep. Memories of last night's party still clung to me, a persistent echo of laughter and humiliation. I groaned and rolled out of bed, preparing for another day at the university—a place that seemed just as unwelcoming as ever.

At the campus, I tried to keep my head down, my usual tactic to avoid drawing attention. The familiar hustle and bustle of students filled the air, each one seemingly in their own world. As I navigated the hallways, a familiar voice cut through the din.

"Hey, Maxine!"

I turned to see Leo approaching. He had a genuine smile on his face, and it was impossible not to notice how different his demeanor was from the rest of the crowd. Leo was new here, but he was already making waves with his presence.

"Morning, Leo," I said, trying to sound as neutral as possible.

"Got any plans for lunch?" he asked casually.

I hesitated. Leo's presence, while friendly, was also a potential risk. His popularity could draw unwanted attention to me. "I've got a lot to catch up on," I said, forcing a smile. "Maybe another time?"

Leo's eyes didn't waver. "Come on, Maxine. It's just lunch. I promise it won't be anything special."

I shifted uncomfortably. "I really don't think it's a good idea."

He looked at me, a hint of frustration in his eyes. "Why not? I just want to get to know you better. Besides, if you're worried about getting bullied, sitting with me might just be the safest bet."

I sighed. There was a sincerity in his voice that was hard to ignore. "Alright, but just this once."

Leo's face brightened. "Great! I'll see you at noon then."

As the day progressed, I found myself growing more comfortable with Leo. During our lunch, he asked about my classes and seemed genuinely interested in my experiences at the university. I told him about my sister, the various clubs and groups on campus, and even the infamous Alph. It was strange, talking so openly with someone who didn't seem to be part of the usual social circles.

"Alph, huh?" Leo chuckled. "Sounds like quite a character."

"Yeah, he's... something," I said, shrugging. "A lot of people look up to him, but he's always been kind of aloof."

Leo nodded thoughtfully. "I'll keep that in mind."

The afternoon brought chemistry class, and Leo and I were paired up for an experiment. I was relieved to have a partner who seemed genuinely interested in working together. We set up our materials, and Leo was focused, carefully measuring and mixing solutions.

Everything was going smoothly until an unexpected slip of his hand caused a beaker of hot solution to spill. The liquid splashed onto me, and a searing pain shot through my arm. I yelped, but the thick hoodie I wore absorbed most of the heat. The fabric started to melt, but it protected my skin from the worst of it.

Leo's face turned pale. "Oh God, Maxine, I'm so sorry! Are you okay?"

I bit my lip, trying to ignore the pain. "It's fine. I'm okay. The hoodie took most of it."

Leo was frantic, apologizing repeatedly. "I didn't mean for this to happen. Are you sure you're alright?"

I nodded, forcing a reassuring smile. "Seriously, it's okay. I've got my hoodie, remember? It's saved me from worse."

Alph, who had been observing from a distance, made his way over. His expression was as unreadable as ever. "Everything alright here?"

"Yeah," I said quickly, trying to sound more composed than I felt. "Just a little accident."

Alph's gaze lingered on me for a moment before he turned to Leo. "Be more careful next time."

Leo nodded vigorously. "I will. I promise."

As the day wound down, I headed towards the library, hoping to avoid any further drama. But as I rounded a corner, I spotted Coreen and Leo in conversation. They were too engrossed in their discussion to notice me.

I ducked behind a nearby column, straining to hear their conversation. Coreen's voice, laced with irritation, carried over.

"So, Leo, you're getting pretty cozy with Maxine," Coreen said, her tone dripping with disdain. "Is this part of your plan?"

Leo chuckled, sounding overly confident. "You could say that. She's easy to manipulate. Just have to play it right."

Coreen's eyebrows raised. "Oh really? And here I thought you were just another clueless newbie."

"Clueless?" Leo smirked. "I know what I'm doing. Maxine's a pushover. It's not hard to get her to trust me, especially when she's always so eager to fit in."

Coreen laughed, a harsh sound that grated on my nerves. "You're pretty full of yourself, aren't you? Just remember, she's not as naïve as she looks."

Leo's tone was dismissive. "Oh, I'm not worried. I've got her figured out. Besides, once I'm done with her, she'll be just another pawn in our game."

Coreen's voice softened. "Well, just don't get too carried away. She's useful for now, but don't let her get under your skin."

I froze, feeling a chill run down my spine. The realization hit me hard. I was nothing more than a pawn, manipulated and used. Leo's seemingly genuine behavior was a facade, a way to keep me under control. The day had started with a glimmer of hope, but now it was shrouded in doubt and betrayal.

I took a deep breath, trying to steady my racing thoughts. The shock of the realization was overwhelming. Leo, the person I thought might be different, was just as scheming and manipulative as the rest.

Just then, Alph appeared behind me, his expression cold and detached. "You didn't even notice," he said quietly. "You've been played again."

I gaped at him, unable to find the words. Before I could respond, Alph walked away, his expression unreadable.

I stood there, paralyzed by the weight of his words. The world seemed to spin around me, and the pain of the day's revelations was almost too much to bear