CHAPTER ONE: The Birthday Battle
Thirteen-year-old Winter Rodgers stared at her reflection in the mirror, tugging at the loose curls of her raven-black hair. The coils were soft, full, and wild — the way she always wore them. Straightening her hair felt like pretending to be someone else, someone too polished, too stiff. No, she liked being natural. Her hazel eyes gleamed with mischief as she tossed her scarf over her shoulder and skipped downstairs, the scent of spicy jollof and fried plantains already wafting through the air.
She tiptoed into the kitchen and peeked around the corner.
There stood her mother, Mrs. Liliana Rodgers, radiant as ever in a sunflower-yellow house robe, humming softly while flipping plantains. Winter crept closer, arms wide, voice sweet as syrup.
"Mommy, my sweet, sweet mommy..." she began, dragging out the last word with the dramatic flair only teenage girls could master.
Liliana didn't even look up from the pan. "Mhmm, what do you want, sweetie?"
Winter gasped in mock offense. "What? Why would you think I want something? Can't a girl compliment her beautiful mother without suspicion? You're the sweetest mother on Earth."
"Winter?"
"Yes, Mother dearest?"
"Spill it. What is it?"
Winter pressed her hands together like she was about to pray. "Well... my fourteenth birthday is in a few days... and I was wondering... just maybe... if I could go to the amusement park with Jeremy... alone."
Liliana stopped mid-flip and turned around, brow raised. "Oh, hell no. It's either Jason goes with you two, or no one leaves this house."
"What?! Jason? Why not Ace? Mom, you know I hate Jeremy's older brother."
Liliana sighed. "Your brother's going with your father to the company that day. He's finally being taught how to handle things officially. Jason is the only other adult I trust."
Winter groaned. "But Mom!"
Before another word could be uttered, the sound of tires screeching to a halt echoed from outside. Moments later, the front door flew open and in dashed a boy with curly dark-blond hair and soft brown skin.
"Winter!" Jeremy Luhan shouted, flinging his arms around her with zero hesitation.
She hugged him back with a sigh. "Jeremy..."
They moved to the dining table just as Liliana set down plates of jollof rice and peppered chicken. Jeremy leaned close and whispered, "So? How did it go?"
"She said your brother has to go with us."
"What? No..." he groaned, stabbing a piece of chicken with his fork. "He'll ruin everything."
"Don't worry, Jerr. I've got an idea."
Before they could cook up a plan, the door to the dining room opened, and Winter's mood visibly deflated.
In walked Jason Luhan, eighteen, school heartthrob and personal thorn in Winter's side.
"Hey, Jason," Liliana greeted warmly.
"Hello, Mama Rodgers. Is Ace around?"
"He took the lead with his father today," Liliana answered. "I'm actually glad you stopped by. Can I bother you to take Winter and Jeremy to school?"
Jason dropped into a chair without hesitation and reached for a plate, piling it with jollof. "With pleasure," he said with a wicked grin in Winter's direction.
She narrowed her eyes. "Joy," she muttered under her breath.
"Are you free this weekend?" Liliana continued. "I need someone to take Winter and Jeremy to the amusement park for her birthday."
Jason's eyes sparkled with mischief. "Why not, Mama Rodgers. Anything to ruin her day."
"What?! Mom?" Winter cried.
"It's either him or no park," Liliana said firmly, arms crossed.
Defeated, Winter folded her arms and slumped in her seat. "Fine."
---
After breakfast, Winter climbed into the backseat of Jason's sleek black Rolls Royce, Jeremy beside her, grinning despite their shared doom. Jason drove, sunglasses on, music low. The car smelled like cologne and new leather — expensive, just like everything else the Luhans touched.
By the time they arrived at school, the air was already buzzing. Students' heads turned. Whispers rose in waves.
Of course they were noticed. The Rodgers and Luhans were practically school royalty. The Rodgers were rich — as in private island and designer school uniforms rich. But the Luhans? They were stinking rich. Multiple-continent-ownership rich.
And their families? Practically inseparable. Mr. Rodgers and Mr. Luhan were best friends since childhood. Their sons, Ace Rodgers and Jason Luhan — both eighteen — were just as close. Even their youngest, Winter and Jeremy, had grown up as best friends too. It was like fate had handpicked them for friendship and privilege.
"Hey Jason!" a loud voice called from down the hallway.
Ace Rodgers strolled in, effortlessly cool in a grey designer tracksuit and fresh sneakers. His dark curls framed his face, his posture oozing confidence.
"Dude, why'd you come early? You told me to pick you up." Jason inquired
Ace shrugged. "My first business deal hit a snag. Dad had me solve it before school."
Jason whistled. "I'd hate to be you right now."
Ace chuckled. "With the number of companies under your father's name, you'll have it worse when he starts grooming you."
"I already feel the chains," Jason replied dryly.
Winter announced abruptly. "I'll be late for biology," she said, though it was only 8:00. Class started at 8:30.
Jason raised a brow. "Class starts in thirty minutes. I feel like this is just an excuse to not be in the same environment as me."
Winter shot him an unamused look. "The earlier, the better. Chau."
She waved over her shoulder and walked off, curls bouncing.
"Hey, wait for me!" Jeremy called, grabbing his bag and jogging after her.
Ace smirked. "I don't think you both will ever get along."
Jason watched Winter disappear down the hall, a crooked smile playing on his lips.