School resumed after three days. The authorities told the school administration that the case was all about Principal Wells, and the school premise was safe. But fear lingered and many students avoided school.
Rilian stepped inside their classroom, finding only about half of his classmates. Yarin was there, sitting silent on the last row, flipping a pen between her fingers.
He walked toward her and was about to say a word when Yarin quickly shot him with a threatening glare. Rilian quickly pivoted—a sharp turn like a marching soldier.
After their investigations together and the encounters at the graveyard, Rilian felt a quiet bond with her, that he forgot she told him not to speak to her at school.
He went to his seat, finding only Zeke. "Caleb's always early. He's not coming?" Rilian asked.
"Yup. Texted me this morning. His parents still think it's not safe," Zeke replied.
The door suddenly slammed open.
"Your princess is back!" an enthusiastic girl shouted.
"Aya!" several girls screamed and rushed excitedly around her.
"How's Paris, girl?" one asked.
"Saw your Eiffel Tower pics—you were gorgeous!" another added.
"Dude, you're in trouble," Zeke whispered with a wide grin. "Your girlfriend is back."
Rilian sighed and crumpled his face with a hand.
The girls chattered excitedly for a few minutes, then Aya raised a finger, as if remembering something important. The girls parted, making way for her as she strode toward Rilian.
Aya pulled Caleb's seat. The chair's metal legs rattled on the floor until the chair stuck next to Rilian's.
She sat down, placed her chin on one hand, brushed a strand of her blonde hair behind her ear, and leaned closer.
"How's my prince?" she said, almost sounding sorry.
"I heard that the girls from other sections chased you during the festival night? I'm sorry I wasn't here to protect you."
Before Rilian could answer, their teacher walked in and the school bell rang.
"Aya, you're back!" the teacher said warmly—then froze upon seeing Aya leaning close to Rilian.
Her tone flipped. "And… isn't it too early to harass Rilian? Go back to your chair."
Rilian let out a quiet sigh as Aya left the chair. Then the class began.
* * *
The cafeteria buzzed with the sound of chatter and silverware clinking against plates.
Rilian and Zeke set their trays on the table and sat next to each other.
"Dude, make sure you won't tell anyone…" Zeke told Rilian in a low voice.
"About what?"
"About you and her." Zeke pointed at Yarin, who was eating silently at her usual spot in the corner. "Aya will be devastated. It will be the Goth Girl versus the Spoiled Brat."
Rilian blinked. "What—?" Then he remembered what Zeke meant. "No! I told you… it's not what you think."
"Hah! Bringing up the monster excuse again?" Zeke said with a mouthful of food.
"You can ask Yarin yourself," Rilian said. "I'm telling you the truth."
"Man, I like my face the way it is," Zeke replied. "I'm not risking a black eye."
Suddenly, a tray landed across their table loaded with various dishes—Aya's.
"Hi Rilian," she said brightly.
"I saw you were just eating bread for lunch, so I brought you these. I didn't know what you'd prefer, so… I bought everything."
"I… I'm fine, Aya," Rilian said, rubbing the back of his neck, wearing an awkward smile.
"Thanks, Aya!" Zeke said, pulling the tray toward himself.
"Hey, curly boy!" Aya barked, yanking it back. "This is for Rilian."
She turned back to him. "You're not hungry? Maybe… dessert? Ice cream? Cake?"
"Thank you, Aya, I'm… really fine," Rilian said, smiling.
Aya pouted, her lips jutting out, eyes wide like a puppy.
"Okay… if you need anything, I'm with the girls." She pointed at the table in the middle of the cafeteria.
She stood up, taking the tray with her.
"Hey! Leave it! I thought that was for Rilian?" Zeke called out.
"He said he's not hungry. I'm taking this to the girls instead," Aya replied without even looking back.
"Now, back to your problem," Zeke said, turning to Rilian.
"You saw that, right? She's getting more obsessed. And don't forget—Caleb's got a crush on the Goth Girl."
"Man, you're in big trouble!" he added with a grin.
"And you're making it worse," Rilian muttered.
Zeke only grinned wider.
* * *
After class, Rilian and Zeke were walking along the sidewalk toward the bus stop, when three guys blocked their path.
"Yo, pretty boy!" one of them called.
"We saw how you disrespected Aya back in the cafeteria."
"What?" Rilian said, baffled. "I didn't—"
"We saw her bring you a tray full of food," another interrupted.
"She walked away looking sad. Meanwhile, us? She won't even let us talk to her."
"What if we ruin that pretty face of yours, huh?" the third guy said with a smirk.
"Wait, wait, wait—guys," Zeke interrupted, raising both hands. "Rilian didn't—"
"Shut up!" one of them cut him short. "We're not talking to you nigger."
"No, what I'm saying is…" Zeke's tone shifted.
"Run, Rilian!"
Rilian and Zeke bolted, and the three guys immediately charged after them.
After turning the bend, they crossed paths with Yarin and they immediately hid behind her.
"What are you two idiots doing?" she asked irritably.
The three guys caught up and stopped in front of them.
"Hah! Hiding behind a girl?" one of them barked.
"You think we're scared of that witch?" the tallest one sneered.
Yarin's eyes narrowed, her brows furrowing.
"What did you just call me?" she said, handing her bag to Rilian.
"Your family—ain't you from some witch fam—"
He didn't finish.
Yarin's fist cracked against his jaw, tooth flying, and the guy staggered.
She tucked a hand behind her ear and said coldly, "Want to finish what you were saying?"
The guy was visibly reeling from the punch, swaying back and forth, unable to speak.
Yarin gave him a light push and he crashed to the ground.
She turned her glare on the remaining two.
"You two want to say something?"
The two shook their heads, faces pale. Without another word, they grabbed their friend and dragged him away.
"That's right, keep walking!" Zeke shouted, pulling his sleeves up. "You don't want a taste of my karate chops next!"
Zeke kept his exaggerated karate moves until the three were completely gone.
"Thank you," Rilian said, handing the bag back to Yarin.
And in that exact moment, Aya and her group passed the bend.
Aya crossed her arms, eyes narrowing at Yarin.
"Hey, Goth Girl! What do you think you're doing?"
Zeke froze mid-kick. "Uh-oh, this is bad."