Kyle gripped the steering wheel so tight his knuckles turned white. The engine growled as he pulled out of the school parking lot, his jaw clenched, chest rising and falling with anger that refused to fade. Rain had started again, thin drops smearing across the windshield as he sped down the empty street.
The whole way, flashes of what happened replayed—Rod shouting for him to stop, that jerk's voice echoing louder than the chaos around them.
"You think acting tough can hide the fact that your whole family's gone, huh?"
"No wonder you cling to girls like Raye—you just want someone to pity you."
His teeth ground together. That name—Raye—tasted like fire now. He'd thrown the first punch before his brain caught up. After that, it was a blur of fists, blood, and yelling teachers.
And now—suspension. Again.
Kyle slammed his hand against the wheel, a loud thud vibrating through the car.
"Stupid," he muttered under his breath. "So damn stupid."
He pulled up to his house—massive, silent, too clean for the chaos in his head. The place always felt like a museum, a frozen picture of a life that stopped existing years ago. His parents' framed photo still sat on the hallway table, the glass cracked near his father's face. He ignored it and stormed to the living room, tossing his keys on the couch with a dull clink.
Rod showed up a few minutes later, walking slowly down the stairs with a white cotton shirt and big wide PJ pant
"Kyle," he started cautiously, "you wanna tell me what the hell that was?"
Kyle didn't answer. He kicked over the trash bin instead, sending empty cans scattering across the floor.
Rod sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "You got your fourth suspension, man. They're not gonna let you slide this time. Counsellor already warning Coach."
Kyle barked a bitter laugh. "Like I care."
"Yeah?" Rod snapped, stepping closer. "'Cause from where I'm standing, you look like you care about a lot of things. Like maybe what that idiot said hit too damn close."
Kyle's chest tightened. He turned away, pacing like a caged animal.
"You didn't hear him," he hissed. "He talked about them, Rod. My parents. My sister."
He stopped, hands shaking. "And then he dragged Raye into it. Said I was only hanging around her because I needed someone broken enough to understand me."
Rod went silent, the weight of that line settling between them.
"Kyle—"
Kyle's voice cracked as he cut him off. "You tell me how to stand there and take that."
The silence that followed was thick. The only sound was the faint hum of rain against the glass.
Rod walked closer, speaking softly now. "You can't keep doing this, bro. Fighting every time someone brings them up isn't gonna bring them back."
Kyle clenched his fists. "It's not about them. It's about people thinking they can say anything."
He slammed his hand on the counter, breathing hard. "He didn't even know them, Rod. He didn't know her."
Rod's eyes softened. "You mean Raye?"
Kyle froze, caught in the question. He didn't answer—didn't have to. His silence said everything.
Rod exhaled, sitting down on the couch. "You're angry because you care, man.
"Ugh and she was with that boy ...she hugged him right in my face while I was bleeding ..she was fucking handing out free hug like it's give away ".
Rod would have laughed if , Kyle didn't sound very serious but then ..
"Raye you saw her with Joshua , they might be some mistake ".
"No there wasn't " Kyle yelled kicking the trash can again furiously , wlaking back and forth . " She was there in front of the counsellor damn office hugging him ".
" You just saw her with Joshua, and it messed with your head."
"Don't start," Kyle muttered.
But Rod wasn't backing down. "That's why you snapped. But it might just be a little misunderstanding , I know Raye she really likes you she wouldn't do anything ".
Kyle looked away, muscles tense.
"I don't know what I saw," he said finally. " she sometimes act like everythinv _ Like it means nothing."
Rod leaned forward, elbows on his knees. "And you punching that guy made it mean something , you furiously leaving and probably ignoring her made it something "
Kyle let out a harsh breath, frustration twisting his face. "I don't know what I'm doing anymore."
For a while, neither spoke. The house echoed with the steady patter of rain and Kyle's uneven breathing. Finally, he slumped down next to Rod, rubbing his bruised knuckles.
"She doesn't deserve to be in the middle of this," Kyle muttered quietly. "But I can't stop thinking about her."
Rod gave a faint smile. "Then maybe it's time you stop fighting everyone else—and start figuring out what you really want."
Kyle didn't answer. He just stared at his hands—scarred, bleeding, trembling slightly.
Two days later .
The campus buzzed with its usual morning rhythm—students chattering, sneakers squeaking across wet floors, and the hum of coffee machines echoing from the café downstairs.
But for Raye, everything felt unnervingly quiet. Even Jane's nonstop sarcasm couldn't drown out the weight in her chest.
She stared down at her phone again. No new messages, her worry turned into full-blown panic.
She'd tried again—two calls, one at lunch and another at night. Both rang out, unanswered. The silence on the other end made her stomach twist.
Jane noticed the dark circles under Raye's eyes when they met outside thier usual waiting spot , the next morning. "You didn't sleep again, did you?"
"He didn't pick my call it's two days now ..okay technically three if we are counting from the day he left school "
Two days," Jane said, smacking down her milkshake. "Two whole days and not a text? Call? Angry emoji? NOTHING?"
Raye groaned into her shirt sleeve. " He needs space I guess_ I don't know "
Jane stared at her like she'd just grown three heads.
"Babe. This is not space. This is ghosting with good PR."
"I messed up, okay?" Raye mumbled. "I hugged my ex crush . While Kyle was bleeding. I'd avoid me too."
Jane narrowed her eyes. "Okay, yes. That was a very Raye-style mess. BUT…"
She couldn't Kyle would ghost Raye , at the same time it didn't suprise her .
The guy had a temper .
But damn , he was so into her friend the last time she checked .
Jane leaned forward, resting her chin on her palm. "He's not going to text you, is he?"
Raye pressed her lips together, glancing away. "He got suspended, Jane. For five days. They said it was serious—like, almost expelled serious. What if—"
"What if he's fine and just ignoring you?" Jane interrupted lightly, picking up a fry. "You know Kyle. He's not exactly Mr. Emotional Openness."
Raye exhaled, her fingers tightening around her phone. "I called him. Four times. He didn't pick up. I texted, and he still didn't reply."
Jane's teasing faded into concern. "You're really worried, huh?"
Raye nodded, eyes downcast. "He looked so angry that day. I didn't even get to talk to him. And now…"
Her voice softened. "Now he's just—gone."
Jane sighed, her earlier grin fading. "You know, maybe he just needs time to cool off. Guys like him don't talk about stuff—they punch it, ignore it, or drive too fast until they forget."
Raye didn't smile this time. Her chest felt heavy. "I just want to make sure he's okay."
Raye shook her head. "I kept thinking about what might've happened. What if he's hurt or—"
"Oh, for heaven's sake." Jane groaned dramatically, tossing her braid behind her shoulder. "If you're this worried, just go see him."
"I can't," Raye blurted. "I… I don't even remember his address. I wasn't paying attention the last time. It was raining, remember?"
Jane blinked. "Wait. You mean to tell me you kissed the guy in his house, wore his shirt, and still didn't memorize his address?"
Raye's cheeks flushed. "Jane!"
"What? I'm just saying." Jane grinned, poking her arm. "You had one job. But fine, I can fix this."
She pulled out her phone and scrolled through her contacts. "Rod will know."
Raye's eyes widened. "Rod? You're calling his friend?"
"Unless you want to hire a private investigator, yeah." Jane put the call on speaker.
After two rings, Rod's voice crackled through. "Uh, Jane? Everything okay?"
"Yeah, more or less," Jane said sweetly. "Quick question—Kyle's address. You have it, right?"
There was a pause. "Why do you need his address?"
Jane looked at Raye, then back at the phone. "Because someone here is dying of emotional confusion."
Raye smacked her arm. "Jane!"
Rod chuckled on the other end. "I figured. Fine, I'll text it to you. But—"
His tone shifted, serious now. "He's not exactly in the best mood. Be careful, okay?"
Raye frowned. "Is he… okay?"
"He's breathing," Rod said simply. "That's about it."
The line went dead a second later.
They waited for a few minutes, until rod finally sent the address to Jane who forwarded it to Raye .
Raye was staring at her screen as the address popped up in her messages. A small knot of anxiety twisted inside her.
Jane nudged her shoulder. "Well, there you go. You wanted answers."
Raye exhaled slowly. "Yeah. I just hope he doesn't throw something at me when I show up."
Jane smirked. "If he does, please record it for emotional evidence."
Raye groaned but couldn't help smiling faintly. "You're the worst."
"And yet the best," Jane said with a wink. "Now finish your coffee, crybaby. You are going to see your angry mystery man."
As they gathered their things and stepped out of the cafeteria, Raye's heart raced with each step. The address felt like a doorway into trouble—one she wasn't sure she was ready to open again.
But ready or not… she had to see him.