Oakridge High was loud.
But the Hale family was quieter than a blade in the dark.
And today, Aarvin realized something terrifying:
Silence from the Hales was never peace.
It was pressure.
It was expectation.
It was a storm quietly deciding where to strike.
After Adrien Intervened
Aarvin walked beside Adrien through the empty hallway, every step echoing.
The school felt colder after what just happened.
Adrien didn't speak.
Didn't look at him.
Didn't explain why he stepped in.
Just walked.
Aarvin finally whispered, "You… didn't have to do that."
Adrien slowed, giving him a sideways glance.
"I didn't do it for you."
Aarvin blinked. "Then… why?"
Adrien looked ahead again.
"For Riyan."
The words stung more than they should have.
"Oh."
Aarvin lowered his head, suddenly feeling very small again.
But Adrien wasn't finished.
"And," he added quietly, "because you looked like you were about to cry."
Aarvin froze mid-step.
"I— I wasn't—"
"Don't lie," Adrien said calmly. "Hales don't lie. We just stay quiet."
Aarvin didn't know whether that was a compliment or a warning.
The Cousin No One Talks About
Adrien Hale was everything Aarvin wasn't:
Sharp.
Cold.
Unshakable.
People compared Riyan to a storm.
Adrien was the silence before it.
Rumors said Adrien once ended an entire brawl without raising his voice.
Rumors said he never fought, because no one dared push him far enough.
Rumors said he only cared about two people:
1. His family
2. His own rules
Aarvin never understood him.
Until now.
The Question Aarvin Feared
As they approached the staircase, Adrien stopped.
No warning.
Aarvin nearly bumped into him.
Adrien turned his head slightly, eyes unreadable.
"Why is everyone suddenly looking at you?" he asked.
Aarvin's heartbeat spiked.
"Huh?"
Adrien's jaw tightened, just a bit.
"I heard Liam got hurt."
"I heard Riyan threatened the whole hallway."
"And I heard your name too many times today."
His eyes narrowed.
"What exactly did you do?"
Aarvin felt his throat close up.
"I didn't do anything. I swear. I just… reacted."
Adrien stared at him for several seconds.
Then he said quietly:
"You're lying."
Aarvin flinched.
"I— I'm not—"
"Not to me," Adrien said. "You're lying to yourself."
Aarvin froze.
No one had ever said that to him.
Adrien's voice softened, but only slightly.
"You think you're weak. That's the real problem."
Aarvin looked down.
"I am weak."
Adrien exhaled, almost disappointed.
"Weak people don't drop Liam."
Aarvin blinked hard.
"It wasn't strength. It was an accident."
Adrien stepped closer, face inches away, voice low and sharp:
"Every accident reveals the truth you're scared to admit."
Aarvin was trembling.
Not from fear—
But because he realized Adrien wasn't judging him.
He was trying to understand him.
The Wolves Interfere
Footsteps echoed from behind.
Zane Lockhart appeared at the top of the stairs, the rest of the Iron Wolves behind him.
He wasn't smiling.
Wasn't frowning.
Just observing.
"Adrien," Zane said smoothly. "Didn't expect you in this wing."
Adrien didn't turn around.
"Leave."
Zane raised an eyebrow.
"That's rude."
Adrien spoke again, calm and cold:
"I wasn't asking."
The Wolves paused.
Zane chuckled under his breath.
"Aarvin," he said, ignoring Adrien, "you should be careful walking around alone. Oakridge is… unpredictable."
Adrien finally turned slightly, eyes narrowing.
"He isn't alone."
Zane's smile sharpened.
"So it's true, then."
Aarvin stepped back, confused.
"What's true?"
Zane's gaze drifted to him.
"That the Hale family is taking you seriously."
Aarvin stiffened.
"I don't want any of this."
Zane tilted his head.
"That doesn't matter. Around here, we don't control what people believe about us."
His eyes darkened, almost sympathetic.
"We only survive it."
Adrien placed a hand on Aarvin's shoulder—a silent claim.
"Stay away," he warned Zane.
Zane nodded slowly.
"Wouldn't dream of it."
But his eyes, cold and calculating, lingered on Aarvin…
as if Aarvin had become a puzzle he needed to solve.
When Adrien Finally Speaks
After the Wolves left, the hallway grew quiet once more.
Adrien looked at Aarvin, expression unreadable.
"You're attracting problems."
"I'm not trying to," Aarvin whispered.
"I know," Adrien said.
Then—unexpectedly—he placed a hand on Aarvin's head gently, like an older brother would.
"Stay close to us.
And don't run from the name you carry."
Aarvin felt his chest tighten painfully.
"But I'm not like any of you…"
Adrien's voice was almost soft.
"You don't have to be.
You just have to stop being afraid of yourself."
Aarvin stared at him.
He didn't understand the full meaning.
Not yet.
But he felt something shift.
A little.
A crack in the shell of fear he'd been living inside.
And Adrien's final words stayed with him long after he walked away—
"People aren't afraid of your name, Aarvin.
They're afraid of who you might become."