---
The smell of dust was still hanging in the air.
And the traces of their footsteps in the mud bore witness to a battle that almost ended everything.
Lavinia,
still catching her breath, reached out to Michael and helped him stand.
His body swayed with pain, but a faint smile crossed the corner of his mouth when he saw her worry filled face.
As for Drake,
he was on the other side of the road, bent over as he pulled Rocky's arm over his shoulder,
helping him walk.
Rocky was panting heavily, but his eyes shone with something like joy…
He looked at Drake as if a lost piece of him had just returned.
Fred stood still,
looking as if he had fought an entire war on his own,
wiping the blood from the corner of his mouth as he looked at the three in front of him:
Rocky, Drake, and the girl who had helped them.
He said in a low, tired but warm voice:
"Glad… glad I saw you together again."
Lavinia laughed despite everything and walked toward him, raising one eyebrow:
"Look at you, Fred… if your admirers saw you now, they'd run away immediately."
Fred pretended he hadn't heard the insult.
He lifted his chin and straightened his shoulders as if he were presenting himself on a stage:
"Yes, even like this… I'm still the most handsome of all of you."
Michael whispered as he glanced toward Rocky, barely audible:
"For heaven's sake… what's his problem with being handsome?"
The two of them burst out laughing,
a laugh that eased the tension still clinging to their ribs after the battle.
---
As they walked back along the road…
Michael and Lavinia were at the front.
Their steps were slow and in sync.
Behind them was Fred, feeling along his ribs from the pain and complaining every two minutes.
And at the back, Rocky and Drake walked side by side.
Rocky asked in a low voice: "Drake… since when do you… know gangs?"
Drake laughed lightly, putting his hands behind his head as he said: "Actually… I don't. I asked a friend of mine for help."
Rocky's eyes widened suddenly: "No way! That girl with the short black hair… she's your friend?"
Drake's face reddened clearly, and he lowered his voice: "Yeah…"
Rocky smiled genuinely and said: "Anyway… thank you. Without you and Lavinia… I don't know what would've happened to us."
Drake shook his head: "Thanks go to Lavinia. Without her we wouldn't have known the place at all."
---
Fred suddenly stopped in front of a restaurant.
Then said in a worn-out but determined voice: "I'm hungry."
Lavinia raised her hands in disbelief: "Huh?! You're hungry?!"
Fred replied confidently, pointing at his stained clothes: "Yes, and you're the reason my clothes got dirty… so you have to pay for my food."
She yelled: "What?! You must be joking!"
But Fred pulled her by the hand and dragged her inside,
while Michael, Drake, and Rocky followed them, laughing uncontrollably.
---
They sat around the round table.
The place was bright.
The warm color of the wood and the smell of hot meals filled the air.
Fred raised his hand high and said:
"Order anything! Lavinia is paying!"
Lavinia shouted: "Wh—at? No way! You stupid old man!"
Fred said mockingly: "Shut up."
She leaned toward him and challenged: "Go on then, you shut up!"
Restaurant customers began turning toward them.
Meanwhile, Michael was quietly watching Fred, remembering how he floored one of the attackers without hesitation, thinking to himself:
"Damn… he really is strong."
Everyone ordered simple drinks…
Except Fred, who ordered several dishes as if he hadn't eaten in a week.
Lavinia screamed when she saw the list: "You're kidding! Do you expect me to pay for all this? You—!"
But Fred suddenly dropped his head onto the table,
and started showing fake tears: "Whyyy? Is it that hard for you to buy a meal for your poor teammate? I almost died for you… how heartless you are… ah… ah…"
The waitresses looked at him with wide eyes, then turned toward Lavinia with a burning look of accusation.
One of them said: "How dare you make such a handsome man cry?"
Lavinia froze in shock,
while Fred burst out laughing internally, drunk on his victory.
Between Lavinia's shouting,
the others' laughter,
and the people's stares…
it was the first time they all sat together at a table full of chatter and light heartedness, as if a spark of friendship had suddenly formed between them.
---
Drake's phone rang.
He looked at it for a moment…
then burst out laughing.
Rocky stepped closer to see what was happening, and the moment he saw the video, he bent over laughing.
The others gathered to find out why.
Drake raised the phone…
and the video showed Lavinia beating George brutally.
Without mercy, like a small storm.
Fred shouted while laughing: "You really are like a puppy! But… a vicious puppy!"
Michael laughed: "Haha… incredible! I think we should put it on the school page."
Rocky nodded with enthusiasm: "Excellent idea!"
Lavinia agreed after taking a long breath.
The video was posted… and immediately exploded among the students with shock and laughter.
---
The next day…
School life returned to its calm routine.
George arrived with some of his group.
But they were greeted with harsh mockery:
"Look!" "He's the one Lavinia beat!" "What a disgrace…"
George couldn't bear the humiliation, so he and his group withdrew.
From that day on… they disappeared from the school.
Peace and quiet returned.
And Lavinia became the school's heroine, with everyone chanting her name.
As for Michael…
after George quit the club,
he became the new captain of the basketball team.
With George gone,
the students cheered for him with excitement, and he grew stronger and more confident each day.
---
Lavinia and Chloe sat on the grass beside the court, finally talking comfortably.
Lavinia asked with a smile: "Chloe… how did you get my number?"
Chloe's face turned red quickly as she whispered: "Sorry… I asked Michael for it months ago. I wanted to be your friend… but I was too shy to approach you."
Lavinia touched her hand gently: "I'm glad we're friends now… and thank you for helping me yesterday. I'm really grateful."
Chloe looked toward the court.
Toward Michael, who scored a point and cheered with his teammates.
Lavinia noticed the calm, admiring look in Chloe's eyes.
She nudged her lightly: "You love him, don't you?"
Chloe blushed deeply, then nodded: "Yes… I love him."
Lavinia said with confidence: "Then confess to him."
Chloe replied sadly: "I know I have no chance with him…"
Lavinia gripped her hand firmly: "I'm cheering for you. Confess… you need to do this."
Chloe's breath trembled…
but she smiled and agreed.
---
After practice ended,
when the hallway was empty, Chloe approached Michael.
Her steps were hesitant, and the sound of her heartbeat was louder than her voice.
She said in a trembling tone: "Michael… I… I love you. I've always loved you."
He froze for a moment.
Then said in a soft but sad voice: "I'm sorry… I'm really sorry, Chloe."
She smiled despite the pain crashing through her heart: "I know… I know you love Lavinia. So I wish you both happiness… and that you become a couple someday."
Michael's face turned so red he covered half of it with his hand.
He muttered, extremely flustered: "Thank you…"
As soon as he left…
Chloe collapsed in tears, wiping them away as she smiled sadly:
"Yes… you two really suit each other."
----