CHAPTER 53: CHAPTER 53: ATHENA... LOOK AT THAT

Chapter 53: Athena...look at that.

The classroom buzzed with low whispers, the kind that carried secrets and half-truths. A strange energy filled the air, something in between excitement and unease.

The teacher hadn’t come yet, and most students were turned around in their seats, talking in small groups. Phones were out, screens flashing as they shared whatever little gossip they’d found.

"I heard they’re twins," someone said from the back.

"No, not just twins, they look identical. Like mirrors," another voice added.

"And they met the principal this morning. My friend saw them," a girl whispered, eyes wide with fake confidence. "She said they don’t even look real."

A few laughed nervously, while others leaned closer, curious.

The noise grew louder, a mix of disbelief and thrill. Not that they haven’t heard of new students, ofcourse students aren’t rare. The only thing rare here, is the fact that they decided to enroll in the middle of the semester? That was unheard of.

Athena sat quietly near the front, tapping her pen against her notebook. She didn’t join in the gossip, but she could feel it, that wave of curiosity spreading like wildfire.

Then, Felicia walked over, swinging her bag lazily over her shoulder.

"Okay, what’s with everyone acting like celebrities just enrolled?" she said, sliding into the empty seat beside Athena.

Athena glanced up. "You mean the twins?"

"Yeah." Felicia leaned forward. "I didn’t see them, but people are saying they’re stupidly gorgeous. Like..." she gestured with both hands, "model level. Who even enrolls in the middle of a semester anyway? That’s weird, right?"

Athena smiled faintly. "Maybe they transferred."

"Transferred from where? Heaven?" Felicia joked, earning a small laugh from Athena. "Seriously, the way everyone’s talking, it’s like they’re some kind of royalty or something."

Felicia rested her chin on her palm and looked at Athena closely. "Hey... what’s with that face?"

Athena blinked slowly, not catching on. "What face?"

Felicia pointed at her. "That one. You look like you just lost your soul or something."

Athena frowned slightly and pointed at herself in confusion. "Me?"

"Yes, you, dummy." Felicia sighed, sitting up straight now. "You’re acting way too dull today. You’re always quiet, but this one feels different."

Athena shook her head softly, eyes falling back to her notebook. "It’s nothing."

Felicia narrowed her eyes. "Yeah, right. You always say that when something’s wrong."

Athena didn’t answer. She just kept drawing small lines on her page, like she was lost somewhere else.

Felicia leaned closer, refusing to let it go. "Come on, Athena. Talk to me. Did something happen?"

Athena’s lips parted, but no words came out. She just exhaled quietly, her pen pausing midair.

Felicia frowned deeper. "You can’t just stare at your notebook all day, you know."

Athena gave a small, tired smile. "Maybe I can."

Felicia rolled her eyes but smiled too. "You’re impossible."

Athena didn’t respond. Her eyes dropped back to her notebook. She started scribbling again, lines, shapes, anything that wasn’t words.

Felicia tapped the desk impatiently. "You’re doing it again."

"Doing what?"

"Pretending you’re fine when you’re clearly not."

Athena exhaled softly, not looking up. "You worry too much."

"I do," Felicia said, crossing her arms, "because you never talk. One day, you’re gonna explode, and I’ll be the only one left to clean up your mess."

Athena gave a small, tired smile. "Maybe."

Felicia narrowed her eyes. "That’s not funny."

Athena looked up, her green eyes soft. "Then stop worrying."

Felicia groaned. "You’re impossible."

Athena tilted her head slightly, a ghost of amusement in her eyes. "You’ve told me that before."

"Because it’s true," Felicia said, trying not to smile. "And don’t change the topic. You sure nothing happened?"

Athena hesitated, pen pausing midair. "I just have a lot on my mind."

Felicia studied her for a moment, her tone softening. "Then you should tell me. I’m your best friend, remember?"

"I know," Athena murmured.

"Then stop acting like I’m invisible," Felicia teased.

Athena smiled faintly, almost reluctantly. "You’re too loud to be invisible."

Felicia grinned. "Good. That means I’m doing my job."

Athena huffed a laugh, but it disappeared as soon as it came. She continued tracing the edge of her notebook quietly. For a moment, she thought about letting the conversation drift away like she always did, but this time, her chest felt too heavy to ignore it.

She sighed softly. "Felicia..."

Felicia blinked and turned her head immediately as she fixed her attention back to her. "What?"

Athena hesitated for a second, her fingers twisting around her pen. "Oliver is traveling."

That single sentence caught Felicia off guard. Her expression softened instantly. "Traveling? As in, where to?"

"I don’t know exactly," Athena said quietly. "He just told me it’s for work, and it might take a few weeks."

Felicia frowned a little, studying her friend. "And that’s what’s been bothering you?"

Athena’s eyes dropped to the page again, her voice almost a whisper. "Maybe."

Felicia sighed, brushed a strands out of her face and took a sit right beside Athena . The soft sound made a few heads turn, but she didn’t care. "You’re acting like he’s going to the moon," she said softly.

Athena didn’t answer. Her shoulders lifted slightly, then fell again.

Felicia tilted her head, watching her friend closely. "You’re going to be fine, you know that, right?"

Athena smiled faintly, but it didn’t reach her eyes. "I’ll just be all alone in that big house."

Felicia froze a little, her brows furrowing. "Wait... what do you mean that big house?"

Athena’s eyes flicked up, realizing too late what she’d just said.

Felicia leaned back slightly, confusion filling her face. "Hold on, are you living with him?"

That silence after her question was enough to answer it. Athena blinked slowly, guilt flashing across her expression. She didn’t mean to let that slip, at least not like this.

Felicia’s mouth opened in disbelief. "Athena, you better be kidding me."

Athena rubbed her forehead, whispering, "I know, I know, I messed up."

"You think?" Felicia crossed her arms, staring at her as if she couldn’t believe what she’d just heard. "You’ve been living with your boyfriend and you didn’t tell me?"

Athena pressed her lips together, avoiding her gaze. "It wasn’t like that at first. I just... forgot to mention it."

Felicia blinked hard, her tone rising slightly, "You forgot?"

Athena’s voice turned small. "I’m sorry."

Felicia sighed and leaned back in the chair beside her, eyes still wide. "God, I don’t even know whether to be mad or impressed."

Athena peeked at her, guilt written all over her face. "You’re mad."

"Damn right I am," Felicia said, then pointed a finger at her chest. "But mostly because you hid it from me. You tell me everything, well, at least you used to."

"I wasn’t hiding it," Athena said softly. "I just didn’t know how to bring it up."

Felicia shook her head slowly, still looking a little stunned. "You’re seriously something else."

Athena managed a tiny, nervous smile. "I’m sorry. I really did forget."

Felicia glanced at her again, her expression softening a bit. "You’re lucky I like you too much to stay mad."

Athena exhaled, shoulders easing slightly. "Thank you."

Felicia tapped the desk lightly, pretending to think. "Still, I can’t believe you’re living with a guy and didn’t even tell me. What if I found out from someone else? I would’ve thought you got kidnapped or something."

Athena looked up and finally laughed, quietly, but it was real. "You’re dramatic."

Felicia grinned. "And you’re a terrible liar."

Athena’s smile stayed this time, small but genuine. "You’re right."

"I know I am," Felicia said proudly, flipping her hair. Then she looked at Athena again, serious for a moment. "You okay though? Like, really?"

Athena nodded slowly. "I will be."

Felicia sighed and leaned her head against Athena’s shoulder. "Good. Because if you start moping, I’ll start moping too, and this classroom doesn’t deserve that level of sadness."

Athena chuckled softly, shaking her head. "You’re ridiculous."

"And yet you love me," Felicia murmured, her voice half serious, half playful.

Athena smiled faintly. "Maybe."

Felicia gasped. "Maybe? I should throw your notebook out the window."

Athena gave a quiet laugh, and for the first time that morning, her chest didn’t feel as heavy.

"You know?" Felicia began dramatically. "Athena, he’s your boyfriend. Normal people cry or post sad quotes when their boyfriend travels. But you? You’re just... chill."

Athena finally looked up, expression unreadable. "Crying won’t bring him back, will it?"

Felicia sighed, shaking her head like she’d given up trying to understand her. "You’re impossible."

Before Athena could respond, that that’s the third time Felicia is saying that today, the classroom door opened with a soft click.

The sound of the door echoed loud in the classroom, the air shifted and the sound of the door made head turned towards it.

Two boys walked in.

Felicia’s eyes widened immediately. "Oh my god..." she whispered, leaning closer. "Athena. Look at that."

Athena turned her head slightly, more out of curiosity than interest.