The next day arrived colder than usual, as if the air itself sensed what was coming. The clouds outside the school looked heavy and unmoving, shading the courtyard with a strange grey light. Students lingered near the doors, checking if Lia had arrived yet.
They didn't have to wait long.
Lia stepped through the entrance with her usual calm stride, her expression unreadable. Kairav was beside her, hands in his pockets, eyes alert to everything around them.
The moment they appeared, a wave passed through the hall — not noise, but silence. Conversations died. Students stepped aside. Some looked away entirely.
Lia didn't acknowledge any of it.
She didn't need to.
Class started as usual, but she barely listened. She spent the entire lesson observing Jay, Angelo, and Aries one by one.
Jay pretended to take notes, but her hands shook every few seconds.
Angelo kept glancing at Lia, then looking away so fast it almost looked painful.
Aries… he didn't even try to hide his stress. He avoided eye contact completely.
They all knew why she called them after class.
When the bell rang, Jay stood up too quickly, Angelo swallowed hard, and Aries froze in place.
Kairav walked with Lia to the back of the room, where she stopped in front of the three of them.
"Sit," she said quietly.
They sat immediately.
Lia took her time. She placed her bag down, tied her hair back slowly, and sat with a calmness that made their hearts race even more.
Kairav leaned on the wall nearby, eyes steady on them, silent but present. His presence alone reminded them: they weren't facing her alone, and she wasn't facing them without backup.
Finally, Lia spoke.
"Yesterday," she began, "I watched all of you."
Jay bit her lip.
Angelo's leg started bouncing.
Aries stared at the table.
Lia's voice didn't rise, didn't shake. It was soft — which made it worse.
"I dropped a pen on purpose," she continued. "To see who moved. To see who hesitated. To see who waited for someone else to act."
Jay nodded quickly, tears already forming. "I'm sorry— I didn't— I thought— I didn't know if you wanted—"
Lia held up a hand. Jay fell silent.
"Angelo," she said next.
His breath caught.
"You didn't move because you're hiding something."
His entire body stiffened.
Jay looked at him with wide eyes.
Aries slowly lifted his head.
Even Kairav narrowed his eyes slightly.
Angelo tried to speak.
"I– I wasn't— I didn't—"
"Don't lie to me," Lia said, her voice suddenly colder.
It wasn't loud.
But it sliced the room cleanly.
Angelo's jaw trembled.
He looked like someone holding back a truth that was too heavy, too painful, or too dangerous.
Lia leaned back slightly.
"Jay," she said softly, "I know you didn't mean harm. But you talk without thinking. And that makes mistakes."
Jay nodded, tears falling quietly.
Lia's tone wasn't cruel.
It was precise. Sharp. Honest.
"Aries," she said next.
He flinched.
"You avoid conflict because you think staying quiet keeps you safe."
She tilted her head. "It doesn't."
Aries swallowed, looking like he wanted to disappear.
Lia took a breath. For a moment, her expression softened — only a little, but enough that Kairav's eyes flicked toward her in surprise.
"I'm not angry," she said quietly. "Not today."
Jay blinked.
Angelo inhaled shakily.
Aries looked confused.
"I'm disappointed," she continued. "But disappointment can change."
They all stared at her, waiting.
Lia looked directly at each of them.
"You three are still my people. Even if you mess up. Even if you panic. But if you ever lie to me again— even once— I won't protect you next time."
Her words were quiet but heavy, like they were carved into stone.
Kairav finally spoke for the first time.
"You all understand her, right?" he asked, voice low.
Jay nodded immediately.
Aries whispered, "Yes."
Angelo hesitated… but nodded slowly.
Lia's eyes stayed on Angelo.
"Whatever you're hiding," she said softly, "you'll tell me. When you're ready. But soon."
Angelo looked like he wanted to cry.
Or confess.
Or run.
But he stayed silent.
Lia stood up gracefully, picking up her bag. But before leaving, she paused and said something none of them expected.
"I don't need perfection from any of you. Just honesty."
Jay wiped her tears.
Aries sat straighter.
Angelo looked exhausted, relieved, and scared all at once.
They watched Lia walk away, Kairav following after her like a shadow made of calm fire.
But the moment they stepped into the hallway, they ran straight into Kiara.
Kiara wasn't alone.
She stood with three Section A girls, arms crossed, pretending she wasn't waiting for them — but her eyes said she was.
She looked at Lia, then at Kairav, then back at Lia again.
"Well," Kiara said, forcing confidence into her voice, "if it isn't the queen and her… bodyguard."
Kairav didn't look offended. He actually smiled slightly.
But Lia's smile…
Kiara froze.
It wasn't a friendly smile.
It wasn't a cruel smile.
It was worse — a calm smile, the kind people give when they already know how a situation ends.
"Kairav," Lia said softly, "walk with me."
He nodded and waited for her next move.
Lia stepped closer to Kiara. Close enough that Kiara had to lift her chin just to keep eye contact.
"You should stop talking about me," Lia whispered.
Kiara's confidence cracked immediately.
One of her friends stepped back.
Lia didn't threaten her. She didn't push her. She didn't speak loudly.
She just whispered.
But Kiara felt the danger like a knife gliding along her neck.
Then Lia stepped back, calm, unbothered.
"Come on," she said to Kairav.
And they walked away, leaving Kiara breathless, pale, and completely unsure of what just happened— but knowing one thing for certain:
This wasn't over.
Not even close.