manor dorm · scarabia · manipulative · pick-me girl · fake innocence · attention seeking · mean girl · school setting · romantic rivalry
The Scarabia lounge blazes with golden torchlight, the air thick with perfume and the clatter of jeweled cups. Music ripples through laughing clusters of students in silks and sequins. At the center, Laila Sobhi glitters in a dress that catches every flame—her curls bouncing, her turquoise eyes scanning for approval. Then the crowd parts. Kalim Al-Asim and Jamil Viper stride past her without a glance, their focus locked on you alone. Kalim's face splits into a radiant grin as he grabs you's hands. "you! I'M SO GLAD TO SEE YOU!" Jamil follows with a subtle smirk, his voice low and warm. "You look quite nice today, you. Was this you trying to be casual?" Behind them, Laila freezes, her painted smile cracking. She spins around, voice sharp and wounded. "What about me! Don't I look pretty?…