I had barely set down my coffee in the bustling campus café when Maeve plopped into the seat across from me, looking thrilled, her eyes practically sparkling with excitement.

"Oh, you're going to love this one," she started, grinning like a cat with a secret.

I raised an eyebrow, amused. "Okay, let's hear it."

"Rumor is, the golden boy himself, Alex, is...engaged!" she said, dragging out the last word for dramatic effect.

I blinked, taken aback. "Engaged? As in married?"

Maeve nodded, her grin only widening. "Yep. Apparently, the exclusive news just leaked. And guess who he's supposedly tying the knot with next year?"

I shrugged, leaning back in my chair. "I don't know...Charlotte's evil twin?"

Maeve laughed, shaking her head. "Nope, not Charlotte. It's Rose Fenwick."

"Who?" I asked, narrowing my eyes as I tried to place the name.

Maeve leaned forward, practically bouncing with excitement. "Rose Fenwick! The girl with, like, millions of followers, parents who are both Hollywood-famous. Mom's a retired actress, dad's... well, think Leo DiCaprio's dating life. Anyway, she's pretty much the face of campus royalty."

"Right," I said, rolling my eyes. "The perfect Pink Elite prototype."

Maeve snorted. "Oh, she's not just a prototype-she's the Pink Elite dream! And she's actually friends with Charlotte. Apparently, they bonded over... I don't know, private jets and designer wardrobes."

"So...wait. Let me get this straight. Alex is supposedly marrying her?" I asked, still trying to process. "Do you actually think it's true?"

Maeve shrugged, her expression a mix of skepticism and intrigue. "I mean, it's plausible. Alex is conservative-doesn't exactly throw himself out there. And he's never really had a serious relationship, at least not since I've known him."

Julia, who'd been quietly listening, chimed in. "But that's exactly why it doesn't make sense," she pointed out. "No one can predict Alex's moves or, honestly, what he even thinks half the time. He's completely closed off."

I glanced between them, my curiosity piqued. "So, Maeve, what was he like...back in the day?"

Maeve leaned back, crossing her arms as if remembering something almost nostalgic. "Well... he was different, that's for sure. He used to actually joke around, and not just those smug comments he does now. He was lighthearted, friendly. Everyone adored him."

That made me laugh out loud. "Wait, are we talking about the same Alex?"

She laughed, too. "I swear! Max and I were probably the only ones who saw that side of him. But around, I don't know, fifteen or so, he went through this... phase. Started acting out a bit, partying, dating a different girl every week. It was like some sort of...rebellion."

"Rebellion?" I echoed, feeling a spark of satisfaction. "So he was a bit of a playboy?"

Maeve laughed, nodding. "For a while, yes. He was unpredictable and just... wild. But by the time he hit eighteen, he'd already begun changing. It was like he decided to rein it all in. The parties, the girls, the jokes-all faded. He became serious, quieter. It was like watching someone just... switch off parts of themselves."

I raised an eyebrow, genuinely intrigued. "Let me guess: all because of his father?"

She nodded, her expression more somber. "That's the theory. It's like he took on this invisible burden-whatever it was, it made him buckle down in every sense. And if the rumor is true about him marrying Rose, I'd bet anything his dad is behind it."

"Convenient that she's a social media princess with connections and status," I muttered. "Sounds like the perfect accessory for Alex from his dad's perspective."

Maeve leaned forward, her voice low and conspiratorial. "Exactly. Rose has the image, the followers, and the family legacy. She's famous by association and perfectly groomed to play a corporate wife. Alex's father couldn't ask for a better match."

I rolled my eyes, feeling the frustration bubbling up. "And of course, she's already part of the Pink Elite."

Maeve smirked. "Oh, no question there. But hey, it's just a rumor," she added with a casual shrug, though I could tell she was as invested as I was. "Still, knowing how this place runs... rumors usually aren't too far from reality."

"So, that's it then?" I asked, trying to keep the sarcasm out of my voice. "Alex Beaumont, the golden boy, is practically engaged to some influencer heiress because his dad decided she was the one?"

Maeve raised her coffee cup as if to toast. "Welcome to the daily drama of Kingsford, Evelyn. Where personal lives are just... business deals."

Just as Maeve finished, Dan, Max, and Julia slid into the booth with us, each balancing drinks and snacks as they settled in.

"What's this I hear about drama?" Dan asked, raising an eyebrow with a grin. "Did I miss a major revelation?"

"Oh, you missed a big one," Maeve smirked, leaning back. "The latest rumor is that Alex is supposedly engaged to none other than Rose Fenwick."

Julia nearly choked on her coffee, her eyes widening. "Wait-engaged? Are you serious?"

Maeve nodded, enjoying every bit of the reaction. "Apparently, the campus gossip mill says they'll be married by next year."

Max snorted, shaking his head. "Of course, Alex gets dragged into this. He probably hasn't even had a full conversation with Rose in years. It's ridiculous."

"Oh, come on," I interjected, crossing my arms with a smirk. "You're telling me it's completely impossible?"

Dan chuckled, stirring his drink. "I mean, anything's possible with Alex. He's the last person who'd give away his true thoughts on, well, anything."

Julia shrugged, looking thoughtful. "But it's not like Rose would be an unusual choice. She's got the family connections, the social following, everything his father would want."

"Exactly what I said!" Maeve agreed, leaning forward. "Her family is practically Hollywood royalty. She's like the ultimate accessory for Alex's father's vision of his 'perfect son.'"

Max grimaced, visibly annoyed. "Accessory or not, Rose has her own life. Last time I checked, she wasn't some helpless damsel waiting to be handed over to Alex like a trophy. And as for Alex, he's too stubborn to let anyone tell him who to marry."

Julia shook her head, clearly uncomfortable. "That might be true, but it's not just about what he wants. You know how this place works-it's not always about personal choice. Sometimes, these things are set up long before we even realize."

Dan laughed, trying to lighten the mood. "Come on, guys, maybe we're taking this rumor way too seriously. Alex getting engaged? To Rose? It's like something straight out of KingsGossip Weekly."

"It was straight out of KingsGossip Weekly," Maeve clarified with a grin. "They practically published a whole article about it, calling it 'the match of the year.'"

Max scoffed, rolling his eyes. "Well, that explains everything. If KingsGossip says it, it must be true," he said sarcastically.

I looked between them, intrigued. "So, is Alex really that... unpredictable? No one has a clue what he's thinking?"

Dan shrugged. "He's like an iceberg. What you see is about one-tenth of what's really going on with him. It's a miracle he even lets us in as much as he does."

Julia nodded. "There was a time he was... different. Lighter, more open. We all saw it. But he changed over the years, and now it's like he's locked away parts of himself."

"What do you think did it?" I asked, genuinely curious.

Max paused, looking thoughtful. "His father, probably. Alex's dad is like a living blueprint of everything Alex feels like he has to be-conservative, powerful, successful. And Alex... well, he takes on the pressure of that. He always has. If his dad thinks Rose is the perfect match, Alex might just... go along with it."

Dan grinned, giving Max a playful nudge. "Well, if that happens, it's on you to talk him out of it, mate."

Max smirked. "Oh, don't worry. If it comes to that, I've got a whole speech ready."

The whole table laughed, and as the conversation turned to lighter topics, I couldn't help but wonder: who was the real Alex behind all of this? There was the golden boy, the ice-cold perfectionist, and then there was... maybe someone else. Someone who even his closest friends only caught glimpses of. And I couldn't shake the feeling that somehow, maybe, I'd met him-just not in the way anyone expected.

As the cafeteria door swung open, a hush fell over our group. Alex strode in, instantly commanding everyone's attention. I leaned back in my chair, a playful grin forming. "So, Beaumont," I called out, breaking the silence, "are you really marrying Rose Fenwick, or is that just another juicy rumor from Kings Gossip?"

The shock on my friends' faces was priceless. Alex's eyebrows shot up, and a smirk danced on his lips. "You're feeling bold today, Pierce. What's got you so curious?"

I shrugged, pretending to be casual. "I'm just trying to keep up with the royal drama. Golden fiancé now, right?"

He chuckled, crossing his arms. "Golden fiancé? Sounds fancy. But let's be real, these rumors twist the truth."

"Seriously, though," I pressed, leaning forward. "If there's nothing to hide, why not just clear the air? Or are you too busy being a celebrity to care?"

"Too busy?" He raised an eyebrow, a playful glint in his eyes. "I've got a reputation to maintain. Besides, if I told you everything, what would you gossip about?"

"Oh, I don't know," I replied, crossing my arms and rolling my eyes. "Maybe your questionable fashion choices? That sweater from last week was a crime against humanity."

He laughed, shaking his head. "Touché. But at least I'm not the one hunting for drama, right?"

"Drama? I'm not the one making headlines!" I shot back, feeling a rush of energy. Our banter was refreshing, a welcome distraction from all the rumors swirling around.

Alex smirked, but then his expression shifted slightly. "You really think you know me, don't you?"

"I know enough," I said, leaning back, still feeling the thrill of our exchange. "But you're not making it easy. It's like you're scared to let anyone in."

"Maybe I just don't need your help," he replied, a hint of seriousness creeping into his tone.

"Or maybe you do," I challenged. "You don't have to shut your friend out. If you keep this up, you'll end up alone."

Just then, Maeve jumped in, sensing the rising tension. "Okay, let's change the subject! Who's excited for the party this weekend?"

I could see Alex glancing at me, still wanting to defend his position. "Maybe it's better if you just stay out of it," he said lightly.

"Fine, I'll stay out of your royal drama," I replied, smirking. "But don't say I didn't warn you when you find yourself alone with your 'fancy fiancé' and no one to talk to."

With that, Alex shook his head, amused but clearly done with the banter. He turned and walked away, leaving the rest of us chuckling at the exchange.

"Nice job, Evelyn," Julia said, shaking her head in disbelief. "You really took him on."

"Someone had to," I replied, feeling a mix of satisfaction and determination. "But I'm not finished with him yet."