The hallway was unusually quiet after Lia disappeared around the corner. Section E stood frozen for a moment, trying to breathe again after the storm they just witnessed.
Jay finally exhaled. "Bro… that woman really put her hand on Lia's desk."
Aries shivered. "May God rest her soul. She doesn't even know she signed her death certificate."
Kiefer nodded. "She's lucky Lia didn't actually throw her out the window."
Eren whispered, "Did you see the principal? Man ran like he owed Lia money."
Mayo added, "Or like he owed Angelo money, which is worse."
Everyone laughed nervously — but it was the kind of laughter that hides fear.
Angelo didn't laugh at all. He rubbed the back of his neck, thinking deeply.
"Lia's not okay," he said quietly.
Kairav, who had just returned after dropping Lia at the courtyard, joined them. His expression was calm — but his eyes were not.
"She's exhausted," Kairav said. "Mentally. Emotionally. Physically."
Jay frowned. "Because of Kiara?"
"And Lara," Angelo added.
"And Brianna," Aries said.
"And the entire school breathing," Eren muttered.
"That too," Mayo nodded.
Kairav sighed, leaning against the wall. "Just… give her space. She'll come back when she's ready."
Before anyone could reply, footsteps echoed from the far corner of the hallway.
Brianna.
Walking like she owned the building.
She didn't even notice Section E at first — she was busy talking loudly on the phone.
"Yes, Dad, I'm serious! The students here are OUT OF CONTROL."
"No, I'm not exaggerating."
"No one respects authority in this building—"
"Yes! Especially that girl. Lia or whatever her name was."
"She threatened me!"
"Yes, YOU should come here. Talk to the principal. Fix this school."
Section E stared at her like:
Is she actually calling death into her own home?
Jay whispered, "Her dad is coming… to 'fix' the school?"
Aries smirked. "He'll leave fixed."
Kiefer added, "Fixed to the ground."
Brianna hung up and turned around — finally noticing all of Section E watching her silently.
She jumped a little. "Oh— you're still here?"
Angelo raised an eyebrow. "We study here… so yes."
Brianna cleared her throat. "Well. Let me tell you something." She lifted her chin. "I am not intimidated by bullies."
Rakki whispered loudly, "She called Lia a bully. Lmao."
Brianna continued, "I am a teacher. And I know how to deal with misbehaving students. I've handled worse in other schools."
Kairav snorted under his breath. "Not like Lia."
Brianna heard that. She turned to him.
"And you— What was your name? Kyle? Kavin?"
"Kairav."
"Well, Kairav. You need to teach your little girlfriend how to talk to a teacher."
Everyone froze.
Even Angelo lifted his head sharply.
Jay's hands curled into fists.
Aries' jaw clenched.
Denzel muttered, "Wrong move, lady. Wrong. Move."
But Kairav didn't get angry.
He just… smiled.
A calm, cold, terrifying smile.
"She doesn't need lessons," Kairav said softly. "She needs peace."
Brianna scoffed. "Peace? That girl needs discipline."
"No," Kairav replied. "You need awareness."
Before Brianna could answer, someone else appeared behind her.
Principal Ramos.
And the moment he saw Brianna confronting Kairav, he almost fainted.
"MISS BRIANNA!" he squeaked. "Step away! Please!"
Brianna blinked in confusion. "Why? What's wrong?"
Ramos whispered urgently, "You… you can't talk to them like that!"
"Why?" she asked loudly. "They're just students!"
Ramos wiped his face. "Miss Brianna, please—this is… this is not the school you think it is."
Before she could argue again, a notification beeped on Ramos' phone.
His face turned pale.
"It's Lia," he whispered. "She… she just requested permission for early dismissal."
Section E stood straight instantly.
"What?" Jay gasped.
"Where is she going?" Angelo demanded.
"Is she okay?" Mica whispered.
Ramos swallowed. "The message says: 'I need to confirm something about my family.'"
Kairav stiffened.
Angelo blinked rapidly.
Jay grabbed Aries' sleeve.
They all knew.
Kiara.
Lara.
The DNA test.
Their entire world had started to shake.
Brianna, clueless as ever, rolled her eyes. "Oh please. She's dramatic. She just wants attention."
Kairav's head snapped toward her.
Angelo stepped forward like he was ready to throw hands.
Jay's eye twitched so hard she looked possessed.
Ramos panicked. "NO FIGHTING. Please, NO FIGHTING!"
But Brianna didn't stop.
"I don't care who she THINKS she is," Brianna said. "Everyone has to follow my rules."
Kairav stepped toward her — just one step — and Brianna backed up instantly.
"Don't talk about her like that," he said quietly.
"Or what?" she forced out.
Kairav leaned in slightly, his voice low enough only she could hear.
"Or you'll understand why the entire faculty fears her."
Brianna swallowed.
Hard.
For the first time, she understood something:
She didn't know what kind of storm she had walked into.
And she wasn't ready.
Not even close.