The next morning, Oakridge felt the same as always—crowded hallways, loud groups, the Wolves claiming their usual space, and the thin layer of chaos the school never seemed to lose.
But inside Aarvin… something had changed.
Adrien's words from yesterday echoed in his mind with every step he took:
"Don't lose yourself… don't fade."
There was no heaviness now—just a strange, steady calm.
As he walked toward class, he spotted Nairi standing by her locker, pulling out a stack of books. She paused the moment her eyes landed on him.
He looked different.
Not sad.
Not angry.
Just quieter. More collected.
Nairi frowned a little, trying to read him. "Hey… you okay?"
Aarvin gave a small smile—gentle, controlled. "Yeah. Just a little tired."
She watched him for a moment longer, like she sensed there was more, but chose not to push.
"Alright," she said softly, closing her locker.
There was no tension. No upset expression.
Just a subtle curiosity… and maybe a hint of concern.
Inside the classroom, the Wolves were already scattered across their usual spots. Riyan noticed him instantly.
"Bro… you look weirdly calm today," he said with a half-laugh.
He meant it as a joke, but Adrien—sitting by the window—didn't laugh.
His sharp gaze flicked to Aarvin, quietly evaluating him.
Checking if he had actually listened yesterday.
Aarvin simply nodded at them and took his seat. And for the first time, even surrounded by people, he didn't feel pulled in a hundred directions. He felt… steady.
From the corner of his eye, Aarvin saw Nairi glance at him again—subtle, careful—like she was noticing a shift but couldn't name it.
And she wasn't wrong.
As the class began, Aarvin looked around the room—Oakridge, the Wolves, the noise, the games—and he felt something settle inside him.
Adrien's voice echoed again:
"You are your own storm… your own fire."
For the first time, Aarvin understood what that meant.
He didn't need someone else's attention to feel like himself.
He didn't need approval, or validation, or a glance from the girl he'd been quietly falling for.
He had his own identity.
His own presence.
And that… was exactly what Adrien wanted him to see.
Nairi looked at him once more, her expression soft and unreadable.
Aarvin didn't look away this time.
He didn't fade.
He didn't lose himself.
He simply sat there—calm, grounded, and finally, in control of his own story.