🌹 THE ROSEGLID INTERNATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
Episode 5 — "Getting Closer"
Morning at
Roseglid International High School
felt normal.
Too normal.
Which usually meant something was about to go wrong.
Ash walked into Section F like she owned the lease.
Bag dropped. Chair dragged. She sat.
"Good morning, failures," she said casually.
Blake clutched his chest. "She greets us with love now."
Kai smirked. "Character development."
Noah, already beside her, slid a cup toward her.
"Boba."
Ash looked at it.
Then at him.
"…you remembered."
Noah shrugged. "You mentioned it once."
She took a sip.
Paused.
"…okay, you're my favorite now."
Blake gasped. "BETRAYAL."
Ash pointed at him. "Earn it."
Laughter filled the class.
From the back—
Damien Alexander Sinclair
watched.
Quiet.
Calculating.
Then—
he stood up.
Walked forward.
And sat—
right in front of her desk.
The entire class went silent.
Ash raised a brow.
"…did the statue glitch?"
Damien leaned back in the chair, turning slightly toward her.
"Group project," he said calmly. "We're not done."
Ash smirked.
"Oh, so now you care about academics?"
"I care about results."
She leaned forward.
"So do I. Mine just look different."
Their eyes locked.
And for once—
no one interrupted.
Later, in the library—
Sec B territory.
Ash walked in slowly, looking around.
"…why does this place smell like stress?"
Damien didn't react.
"Sit."
She dropped into the chair across from him.
He slid a notebook toward her.
"Work."
She flipped it open.
Looked at the neat writing.
"…you're one of those."
"One of what?"
"Annoyingly perfect handwriting people."
He didn't even blink.
"And you're one of those people who talks instead of working."
She smiled.
"And yet here I am. Still passing."
He looked at her.
"You don't try."
She met his gaze.
"You don't feel."
Silence.
That one lingered.
Outside the library—
Vanessa stood watching through the glass.
Eyes sharp.
Focused.
Her friend leaned in. "You're just gonna let that girl take your place?"
Vanessa smiled slowly.
"Oh no," she said softly.
"I'm going to remind her where she stands."
Afternoon hit.
Section F gathered near the sports ground.
Jett tossed a ball toward Ash.
"Catch."
She caught it easily.
"Congrats," she said. "You didn't miss."
"Play," he challenged.
She smirked.
"Don't cry when you lose."
Game started.
Chaos.
Running. Shouting. Laughter.
Ash moved fast.
Sharp.
Focused.
She scored.
Blake dropped to his knees. "NAH— SHE'S TOO GOOD—"
Kai laughed. "She's one of us now."
Ash tossed the ball back.
"Don't get emotional."
Damien stood off to the side.
Watching.
Again.
Always watching.
But this time—
he wasn't analyzing.
He was noticing.
The way she laughed.
The way she moved.
The way she fit in…
so easily.
Too easily.
Evening.
Cafeteria again.
Ash sat with Section F.
Comfortable now.
Like she belonged.
Noah nudged her slightly.
"You're adapting."
She shrugged.
"Survival skill."
Blake grinned. "Admit it. You like us."
Ash looked around the table.
Paused.
"…you're tolerable."
"WE'LL TAKE IT," Jett shouted.
Then—
a tray slammed down on the table.
Silence.
Vanessa.
Standing there.
Perfect as always.
But her eyes?
Not soft anymore.
Sharp.
Cold.
She looked straight at Ash.
"Having fun?" she asked sweetly.
Ash leaned back.
"Depends. Are you leaving?"
A few boys choked.
Vanessa's smile didn't drop.
"Careful," she said. "This school isn't your playground."
Ash tilted her head.
"Funny. You've been playing in it your whole life."
Tension snapped.
Vanessa leaned closer.
"You don't know who you're dealing with."
Ash didn't move.
"Neither do you."
Their faces inches apart.
The cafeteria silent.
Watching.
Waiting.
Vanessa straightened.
Smiled again.
But this time—
it didn't reach her eyes.
"Let's fix that," she said softly.
Then walked away.
Night.
Ash stood alone near the Rose Bridge again.
Wind softer tonight.
She leaned on the railing.
Quiet.
Thinking.
Footsteps.
She didn't turn.
"You're becoming predictable," she said.
Damien stepped beside her.
"You come here a lot."
She shrugged.
"It's quiet."
He looked at her.
"You're not."
She smiled faintly.
"Balance."
Silence settled between them.
Not awkward.
Just… there.
Then—
he spoke.
"Why do you fight?"
She didn't answer immediately.
For the first time—
she hesitated.
"…habit," she said finally.
He didn't look convinced.
"Try again."
She exhaled.
"…because no one else does."
That hit.
Harder than anything she'd said before.
Damien looked at her—
really looked this time.
And for a second—
his plan…
felt wrong.
Then—
his phone buzzed.
He glanced at it.
A message.
From the same unknown number.
"Tomorrow. 3PM. If you want the truth about her."
Attached—
a blurred photo.
A small girl.
Holding a star necklace.
Laughing.
Damien froze.
Slowly—
he looked at Ash.
Standing right next to him.
Unaware.
His grip tightened.
Plan.
Revenge.
Truth.
Everything—
colliding.
🌹 END OF EPISODE 5