Leon's POV
Two years.
That's how long it's been since she vanished without a word. Since she left everything—left us—behind.
And now, she crashes back into my life. Literally.
I barely glance at the dent in my car because my attention is on her. Daphne Ivy Lyr. Standing there like she never left. Like she didn't just break everything and walk away.
I should be pissed. I should feel nothing.
Instead, I feel something worse—amusement.
Because of course, if anyone was going to make a mess of their grand return, it would be her.
She steps out of the car, hesitant but trying to look steady. Our eyes meet, and for a second, I catch it—something flickering in her gaze. Guilt? Uncertainty? Regret?
I don't look away.
"So, two years later, you're back," I say, arms crossed. "And your grand entrance is wrecking my car?"
Her lips press together, like she's actually debating whether to apologize. Then she lifts her chin, defiant as ever. "Well, if I was going to crash back into your life, I might as well make an impact."
Classic Daphne.
Roman told me she was back. I didn't believe him. Maybe I didn't want to.
But now, standing right in front of me, she's real.
And I feel... off-balance.
Not angry. Not relieved. Something in between. Something that settles uneasily in my chest.
For two years, I told myself I didn't care.
So why does seeing her now feel like someone just ripped open a wound I thought had healed?
I school my expression into indifference, refusing to let her see whatever this is.
Because if there's one thing I won't give her, it's the satisfaction of knowing she still gets to me.
Daphne's POV
The classroom is already full when I step inside.
Conversations buzz, chairs scrape against the floor, and the sharp scent of coffee lingers in the air. It feels too familiar—like stepping into a past life I barely recognize.
Then I see them.
Leon. Roman. Mason. Cami. Cass. Liv.
Sitting together like nothing has changed. Like I never left.
For a second, I freeze, gripping the strap of my bag so tight my fingers ache.
I should've expected this. Of course, they'd still sit together, the same tight-knit group they've always been. But seeing it—actually seeing it—does something strange to my chest.
Roman's the first to notice me. His gaze flicks up, cool and unreadable, before he looks away. Like I'm just another stranger.
Mason shifts in his seat, rubbing the back of his neck. He doesn't say anything, but he doesn't look away either.
Cami and Cass exchange glances, their expressions guarded.
Liv's reaction stings the most.
She blinks, mouth parting slightly, like she's seeing a ghost. For a second, her face softens. But then—just as quickly—it hardens.
Leon? He doesn't react at all. He leans back in his chair, twirling a pen between his fingers, his face unreadable.
I don't know what I was expecting. A welcome? An acknowledgment? A snide remark?
Instead, I get silence.
The weight of it presses down on me, thick and suffocating.
I inhale sharply and force my feet to move. If they're going to act like my return doesn't matter, then fine. Two can play that game.
Without another glance, I take the first empty seat I find.
But even as I keep my gaze fixed forward, I can feel it.
Their stares. Their whispers.
And the undeniable truth settling in my bones.
I'm back.
But I don't belong here. Not anymore.
The teacher claps her hands. "Alright, settle down. We have a partially new student today."
She barely glances at me before continuing, "Daphne Ivy Lyr. Some of you may remember her from high school."
A few murmurs. Hushed whispers. "I resist the urge to roll my eyes.
The teacher sighs." "Well? Introduce yourself."
I push my chair back and stand, shifting under the weight of their stares.
"Right. So, for those of you who don't remember—or prefer to forget—I'm Daphne Ivy Lyr. Yes, I was here before. No, I didn't die. No, I wasn't in witness protection."
A few chuckles. Some whispers. The teacher already looks like she regrets asking.
Then, just as I'm about to sit down—
Leon leans back, still twirling his pen, and smirks. "So, Daphne... tell us, did you come back because you missed us, or because you missed me?"
A few gasps. A low whistle. Someone mutters, Damn.
Heat creeps up my neck, and for a second, my mind blanks. Then, before I can stop myself, I blurt out—
"Oh, definitely you, Leon. I really missed that time you peed your pants at summer camp."
The room erupts.
"WOOHOO!"
"NO WAY!"
"Damn, Leon, she got you!"
Leon's smirk falters for half a second—just enough for me to see it. His jaw tenses, but before he can reply—
"Alright, that's enough," the teacher snaps, rubbing her temples. "Miss Lyr, take your seat."
I drop back into my chair, biting my lip to keep from grinning.
Leon exhales slowly, shaking his head. Then he leans in slightly, voice low enough that only I can hear.
"Welcome back, Daphne. I'll make sure to make your life hell... I mean, well."
I swallow hard.
Yeah. I'm screwed.
One Week Later...
A week passes.
Nothing changes.
Roman barely looks at me.
Cami and Liv still won't talk to me.
Mason is... Mason. Neither warm nor cold. Cass is teasing or just easing the tention in air , but it feels different now. More like he doesn't know where I fit anymore.
And Leon? Leon acts like I don't exist.
It's like I never came back.
The Chaos 8 isn't Chaos anymore—at least, not with me in it.
I keep telling myself it's fine. That I don't care.
That it doesn't bother me.
That I don't miss them.
But sometimes, when I walk past them in the halls, when I catch their laughter from across the courtyard, when I see the life I used to be part of continuing without me—
It stings.
Maybe I should've never come back.
But then, just when I think nothing will ever change—
He arrives. I knew he was coming, but I didn't expect him to change everything.
And everything shifts.