Unwanted Desires

The bell above the grand wooden doors of St. Augustine's Catholic High School tolled loudly, its chime reverberating through the courtyard. Dahlia's heart raced as she stood at the entrance, the prestigious school towering before her like a cathedral. Her uniform felt stiffer than she expected, the pleats perfectly ironed, the school crest stitched into her blazer glowing with fresh embroidery. It was her first day, but the excitement was overshadowed by the gnawing secret buried deep within her heart.

Anne. Her name alone sent shivers through Dahlia. A secret lover. No one could know. Especially not today.

Anne was different from anyone Dahlia had ever met: confident, elegant, and fiercely intelligent. Their relationship was a secret Dahlia guarded fiercely, especially from Dion. The thought of Anne's brother made her uncomfortable, because Dion was madly in love with her. How could she face him today?

As she walked past the main courtyard, her thoughts were interrupted by a familiar voice.

"Dahlia!"

She turned quickly, her stomach fluttering. It was Anne.

Anne smiled warmly, her hazel eyes locking onto Dahlia's. "First day jitters?"

"Something like that," Dahlia mumbled, trying to keep her voice steady. "I can't believe we're here."

"Neither can I," Anne whispered, stepping closer. Her hand grazed Dahlia's for a brief moment before pulling away. "We should... be careful."

Dahlia's heart sank, but she nodded. "Yeah, I know."

The school's towering gothic spires loomed above them, casting long shadows over the cobbled walkways. Students bustled around them, seemingly oblivious to the silent tension between the two girls. Dahlia's eyes briefly scanned the crowd, searching for Dion. She knew he would be here. His presence was as inevitable as the rising sun.

Anne sighed, sensing Dahlia's unease. "You're thinking about him, aren't you?"

"I can't help it," Dahlia admitted. "It's like he's always there, waiting... watching."

Anne looked down, her smile fading. "Dion's... complicated. But he's my brother. Just be careful around him, okay?"

Before Dahlia could respond, a familiar voice cut through the air. "Dahlia!"

She froze. There he was. Dion.

He strode towards them with his usual confidence, tall and striking in his uniform. His eyes, sharp and intense, were fixed on Dahlia. She could feel the weight of his gaze, and her stomach churned with guilt.

"Dion," she greeted, her voice a little too soft.

Anne shifted awkwardly beside them, her expression unreadable. Dion barely acknowledged his sister, his attention fully on Dahlia. "I've been looking for you. How are you holding up? First day and all."

Dahlia forced a smile. "I'm fine. Just... nervous."

"You'll do great," Dion said, his voice low and sincere. He stepped closer, too close, and Dahlia could feel the tension between them.

Anne cleared her throat, breaking the moment. "Dion, we should get to class."

He looked at her, finally acknowledging her presence. "Right. Of course."

The three of them walked together in silence, the air heavy with unsaid words. As they entered the grand halls of the school, the rich scent of polished wood and incense filled Dahlia's senses. The walls were lined with religious paintings, and the stained-glass windows cast colorful patterns on the marble floors.

"This place is beautiful," Dahlia murmured, more to herself than anyone else.

"It's a privilege to be here," Dion said quietly, his eyes still on her. "Not everyone gets in. You earned it."

Dahlia swallowed, feeling the weight of his words. She hadn't gotten in because of her grades. Not entirely. It was Anne who had pulled strings, leveraging her family's connections to ensure Dahlia would be accepted. Another secret.

"Thanks," she said, trying to keep her voice light. "But I'm just glad to be here with you guys."

Anne smiled faintly, though her eyes didn't quite match the expression. Dion, on the other hand, looked like he wanted to say more, but the arrival of their homeroom teacher interrupted him.

"Welcome, students," Father Marcus said as he entered the room, his black robe flowing behind him like a shadow. His presence commanded silence, and the chatter of the classroom died instantly. "It is an honor to welcome you to St. Augustine's. This school is not merely a place of learning, but a place of faith, discipline, and integrity."

Dahlia sat at her desk, her mind only half-listening. She could feel Dion's eyes on her from across the room. Anne sat beside her, her leg brushing against Dahlia's under the desk. It was a subtle touch, but it was enough to send a rush of warmth through her.

Focus, Dahlia. Focus.

Father Marcus continued his speech, his deep voice echoing off the walls. "Remember, students, this is not just a school. It is a community. A family. We are bound by our faith and our commitment to excellence."

Dahlia glanced at Anne, who was staring straight ahead, her face composed but her hand trembling slightly. Dahlia wanted to reach out, to comfort her, but she knew they had to be careful. Too many eyes. Too many secrets.

After what felt like an eternity, the bell rang, signaling the end of homeroom. As students shuffled out of the classroom, Dion caught up with Dahlia.

"Want to grab lunch later?" he asked, his voice casual, but there was a tension in his eyes that made her uneasy.

Dahlia hesitated, glancing at Anne, who was lingering by the door. She could see the subtle shake of Anne's head, a silent plea.

"I'm not sure," Dahlia said carefully. "Maybe."

Dion frowned, but before he could press further, Anne spoke up. "We've got a lot of catching up to do, Dion. Maybe another time?"

Dion looked between the two of them, suspicion flickering in his eyes. But he nodded slowly. "Yeah, sure. Another time."

As he walked away, Dahlia exhaled in relief. "Thank you," she whispered to Anne.

Anne smiled, but it didn't reach her eyes. "We can't keep this up forever, Dahlia. He'll figure it out."

"I know," Dahlia said softly. "But not today. Please, not today."

Anne nodded, her expression softening. "Come on. Let's get out of here before someone else asks questions."

They walked together through the crowded hallways, side by side but worlds apart, each step weighed down by the secrets they carried. The first day wasn't even over, and already, Dahlia felt like she was drowning in lies.