The Next Day
The classroom was silent. Every pair of eyes felt like they had a built-in CCTV—locked onto us.
Professor Gomez cleared her throat. "Let's start with the apologies. Mr. Alcaraz?"
Bryce stood up, unfazed by the spotlight. He simply straightened his polo shirt and flashed a faint smile—charming, with a hint of mischief.
Bryce:
"First of all, sorry… to everyone we disturbed, and of course, especially to you, Axel."
He paused, staring at Axel like he was trying to peek under the guy's ego.
"Next time, bro, try not to get knocked down by a girl, okay? Your ego's too heavy—it might've been what hit you."
Prof. Gomez:
"Mr. Alcaraz—"
Bryce:
"Just kidding, Ma'am! Just a joke," he raised his hand in a peace sign, like a commercial break in the middle of the tension.
Some students laughed. Samantha rolled her eyes. Axel—uncertain if he should laugh or get mad.
Bryce cleared his throat and shifted gears like nothing happened.
Bryce again, calmly:
"That's all I have to say. And maybe next time, don't drive like you're in Fast and Furious."
He tilted slightly, whispered just loud enough for everyone to hear:
"Could be dangerous. You might run someone over."
Then he looked straight at Samantha and Axel, more serious this time.
"And if I may… tone down the arrogance a bit—it's kinda toxic."
Axel raised an eyebrow, ready to clap back—
Bryce, waving the air:
"Hold up! Kidding again, bro. We're friends, right?"
He turned to the class, smiling like a sitcom star. More laughter followed.
After that, the apologies rolled in one by one.
Samantha:
Forced smile, but at least she tried. "Sorry too… for the misunderstanding."
Axel:
Shrugged. "Yeah. Sorry, didn't mean for it to happen either."
Zayden:
Stood up straight like a soldier.
"I apologize for my behavior yesterday. As class president, I take full responsibility. It won't happen again."
I was the last one left. All eyes were on me. But they weren't just curious—they were judging, assuming, waiting.
I wasn't used to apologizing. Especially not to people who, honestly, didn't deserve it. But if you want revenge done right—you have to smile while walking through mud.
I was just biking along the side of the road that day. Not crossing. Not overtaking. But I nearly made the headlines thanks to a wannabe action driver and a girl with a permanent attitude problem.
And now, here I am. Face-to-face with them. Samantha—arms crossed, like she's the victim. Axel—smiling like he's got money riding on my reaction.
I took a deep breath. My face was serious, but my voice had a gentle tone.
A mix of sincerity and strategy.
Kiera:
"Hi," I started, looking directly at them.
"About what happened the other day… I just wanted to say sorry if I came off as rude. I panicked too. I didn't mean to escalate things."
Samantha:
"Really now?"
She scoffed. Auto-defense mode activated.
Axel:
"Hmm. At least now you know how to admit fault."
I smiled. Calm on the surface, but there was fire beneath.
Inside? I wanted to scream at them. Make them realize how heartless they were. But not now.
Like he said…
"We're not done yet."
And you know what? He's right. Because this is just the beginning.
I noticed Bryce turn his head. Slowly. Like he caught a whiff of something foul—not trash. Worse. Ego.
Bryce:
"Wait…" he murmured, like he was about to step in. But I ignored him.
I kept my smile—scripted, cold, charming.
Kiera:
"Anyway, I don't want to make a big deal out of it anymore. Sorry again. Let's just all be more careful next time."
Bryce said nothing, but in the corner of my eye—I saw him slowly shake his head. Like he was telling himself:
"What the hell is going on?"
But he stayed quiet.
Because he knew I had the floor now.
And if they thought they had a plot twist?
I had more in store.