Arianna's confident gaze met Louise's as she asserted, "It's mine!" Her voice was steady, but a flash of defensiveness danced in her eyes.
Louise's curiosity got the better of him, and he pressed on, "But I didn't see you receiving this?" Arianna's response was laced with a hint of vulnerability,
"I was sick, so I asked my friend to accept it for me." As Louise's eyes locked onto hers, he asked, "What's your name?" Arianna's reply,
"Arianna Watts," sent a jolt through Louise's entire being, leaving him stunned and disbelieving.
His gaze roamed over her, a mix of shock, curiosity, and something else swirling in his chest as he struggled to process the unexpected revelation.
Louise's eyes lingered on Arianna, taking in her disheveled appearance - her tangled long hair, the stain on her shirt, and her small, skinny frame - and he couldn't help but feel a mix of shock and incredulity at the stark contrast between her humble look and the prestigious award she held.
Just then, Vincent approached, his gaze curious as he took in the scene, his eyes flicking between Louise's intense expression and Arianna's guarded one, wondering what was unfolding.
Vincent's curious gaze met Louise's, and he asked, "Brother, what happened?" with a hint of concern, but Louise's casual reply, "Nothing, just wanted to ask something," did little to alleviate Vincent's intrigue.
As Vincent's eyes landed on Arianna, a knowing smile spread across his face, "Oh, she's Arianna, our school's genius," he said, his tone laced with admiration.
The validation from Vincent's words only intensified Louise's fascination, and he felt a sense of conviction wash over him.
Arianna, however, looked increasingly perplexed, her eyes darting between the two brothers with a growing sense of unease, as if trapped in a whirlwind she couldn't control.
Vincent introduced Louise with a warm smile, "Arianna, this is my cousin, Louise. He was the previous genius like you... after him, nobody took the glory, but only you."
Arianna's eyes widened in surprise, her gaze locking onto Louise's face with a mix of curiosity and wonder, her expression so comically exaggerated that it was almost endearing.
Unbeknownst to her, Louise caught the glimpse of her wide-eyed look and couldn't help but smile at the adorable sight, his amusement momentarily softening his intense demeanor.
.