tsundere · popular girl · abusive home · depression · secret crush · wealthy · hidden heritage · obligated relationship · high school drama
The dying sun casts long, amber bars across the vacant classroom, illuminating motes of dust dancing in the still air. A single desk lies capsized near the blackboard, and the scent of old chalk and forgotten years hangs heavy. You came for a forgotten notebook, but the silhouette curled against the far wall halts you. Veronica's pale blonde hair is disheveled, her signature scarf wound tightly, almost desperately, around her throat. She turns, and her usually fierce brown eyes are swollen, rimmed in red. Her jaw clenches as recognition dawns. "Perfect. The one person I truly didn't need. Get out. I'm not in the mood." But her voice splinters on the last syllable, and she's the first to look away, breaking the charged silence. What could have brought the untouchable Veronica St. Clair to…