Until She Breaks

Introduction

At Waverly Academy, perfection isn't optional — it's expected. And no one wears it better than Dahlia Reyes. Blonde, razor-sharp, and born to dominate every room she enters, Dahlia is Waverly's reigning queen.

A legacy student from one of Manhattan's wealthiest Filipino-American families, her world is built on pristine reputations, charitable galas, private drivers, and expectations that smother like silk. She's captain of academic leagues, front-row at every fashion event, and her name alone can hush a hallway.

But power is lonely. And perfection? Exhausting.

Then Amelia Cross transfers in — a brunette scholarship student with Eastern European roots, worn notebooks, and zero interest in fitting into Waverly's world. She's brilliant in a quiet, infuriating way: top of every test without trying, effortlessly charming despite not playing the game. She dresses in thrifted sweaters, says what she means, and doesn't care who's watching.

Dahlia notices.
At first, she pretends it's annoyance. Then competition. Then curiosity. But none of those explain the way her stomach knots when Amelia laughs, or why Dahlia hates seeing her sit too close to someone else.

What begins as a power struggle becomes something far more complicated — filled with late-night arguments that turn into confessions, study sessions charged with tension, and moments where everything goes too quiet to be safe.

Amelia wasn't supposed to matter.

But now, Dahlia can't stop thinking about her — her voice, her eyes, the way she makes Dahlia feel something real. Something human.

In a world built on legacy and control, falling for a girl like Amelia Cross could ruin everything.

And for the first time, Dahlia's not sure she cares.