"People always say they miss the simple days. The funny thing is, you never realize they're the simple days until they're over."
Naveah's Thought
«Everyone has an image of me. The Student Council President. The Graysen daughter. The girl with the wolf cut who dresses like she belongs in a boys' locker room. Sometimes I wonder if anyone notices the person behind all those labels.»
---
The first day back at Ashwood Academy was always chaotic.
No matter how many years passed, the first week of a new semester never changed.
The hallways were louder than usual, students moved around in excited groups, and every corner of the school seemed to hold a different reunion.
People who hadn't seen each other all summer were catching up.
Friends were comparing holiday stories.
Teachers were reminding everyone that the excitement of returning to school did not mean deadlines had disappeared.
Unfortunately.
Camellia and I had barely made it through the first two periods before my schedule became a list of responsibilities.
"President."
I turned around.
A first-year student stood nervously in front of me, holding a folder tightly against her chest.
"Yes?"
"Sorry to bother you, but I wanted to ask about joining the art club."
I smiled.
"You don't have to apologize. The club registration forms are available in the Student Council office. Someone there will help you."
Her expression immediately relaxed.
"Thank you so much."
"You're welcome."
She walked away with a small smile.
Camellia, who had been watching from beside me, crossed her arms.
"See?"
I looked at her
"See what?"
"That."
"That what?"
"You're scary from a distance."
I raised an eyebrow.
"But once people talk to you, they realize you're just a person.
I shrugged.
"I am just a person."
"Exactly."
She pointed at me.
"But you forget other people don't know that."
I didn't answer.
Because she was right
Being a Graysen meant people already had an idea of who I was before they ever met me.
Some thought I was spoiled.
Some thought I was arrogant.
Some thought my position as Student Council President was handed to me because of my family's influence.
They didn't see the late nights.
The paperwork.
The meetings.
The hours spent trying to make decisions that would benefit everyone.
They only saw the name.
"You're thinking again."
I looked at Camellia.
"You really need a new sentence."
"No."
She smiled.
"This one works perfectly."
I rolled my eyes, but I smiled too.
By lunchtime, I was exhausted.
Not physically.
Mentally.
Student Council responsibilities had a strange way of draining energy without anyone noticing.
"The Debate Club wants a bigger classroom."
Camellia counted on her fingers.
"The basketball team wants new equipment."
Another finger.
"The music department wants better sound systems."
Another finger.
"And someone submitted a request asking if we can make Fridays a mandatory pajama day."
I stopped walking.
"Excuse me?"
She nodded seriously.
"I'm not joking."
"Who requested that?"
"They chose to remain anonymous."
"Of course they did."
"Personally, I support their bravery."
I laughed.
"You would."
"I think everyone deserves to experience school while wearing comfortable clothes."
"We already have uniforms."
"Exactly. A tragedy."
I shook my head as we climbed the stairs toward the rooftop.
The rooftop was our little escape.
It wasn't officially open to everyone, but the Student Council had permission to use it during breaks.
Up there, the noise of the school felt distant.
The wind was calmer.
The sky seemed bigger.
For a few minutes, we weren't President and Vice President.
We were just Naveah and Cami.
Camellia sat down and immediately opened her lunch.
I stared.
"How do you already have snacks?"
She looked offended.
"Planning."
"You mean obsession."
"Same thing."
I smiled and opened my own lunch.
Mom had prepared it herself.
She always did little things like that.
Despite being one of the most famous women in the country, despite managing a company and attending countless events, she still found time to make sure her daughter ate properly.
People saw Seraphina Graysen as a celebrity.
A singer.
An actress.
A CEO.
I saw her as my mother.
"You're smiling."
I looked up.
"Am I?"
"Yeah."
"Why?"
Camellia shrugged.
"Probably because you're thinking about your family."
I didn't deny it.
"You know," she said quietly, "you're lucky."
I looked at her.
"I know."
"No, I mean..."
She paused.
"You're really lucky."
I smiled softly.
"I know that too."
There was a comfortable silence between us.
The kind that only existed between people who didn't need to fill every second with words.
After lunch, we returned to classes.
The rest of the day passed quickly.
By the final bell, my notebook was filled with reminders, my phone had several unread messages, and Camellia had somehow convinced three people that she was "emotionally exhausted from academic suffering."
She was not.
She just liked being dramatic.
After school, I returned to the Student Council office to finish the remaining paperwork.
Camellia sat across from me, spinning a pen between her fingers.
"You know we could leave."
I looked up.
"You know I won't."
She sighed.
"I know."
A small smile appeared on her face.
"That's why you're you."
I looked back down at the documents in front of me
Sometimes I wondered if I worked too hard.
If I focused too much on responsibilities.
But then I remembered why I did it.
Because this school mattered.
The students mattered.
And if I had the ability to make things better...
Why wouldn't I?
By the time I left Ashwood Academy, the sun was already setting.
I unlocked my bicycle and began the ride home.
The city looked different in the evening.
The streets were warmer.
The lights were brighter.
The world felt slower.
For a little while, I wasn't the Student Council President.
I wasn't Naveah Delcrov Graysen.
I was just Naveah.
And honestly?
I liked that version of myself.
When I arrived home, the familiar sound of my family filled the house.
Someone was arguing.
Someone was laughing.
Someone was probably stealing food from someone else's plate.
Normal.
I smiled.
"You're home!"
Mom appeared first, pulling me into a hug.
"How was your day?"
"Busy."
"Good busy or bad busy?"
"Good busy."
She smiled.
"That's my girl."
Dinner was loud.
As always.
Seven brothers meant silence was impossible.
But somehow...
I wouldn't change it.
Later that night, after finishing my homework, my phone buzzed.
Student Council Group Chat
Oliver: Reminder: All council members must report to the Administration Office tomorrow at 7:30 a.m.
Mina: The transfer students are arriving tomorrow.
Jordan: Let's make sure they feel welcomed.
I stared at the message.
Transfer students.
Another responsibility.
Another ordinary day.
I placed my phone on the bedside table and looked out the window.
I had no idea that tomorrow would be the beginning of something I never expected.
Something that would change everything.