The atmosphere around Oakridge felt different that morning—heavier, sharper, like the calm before a storm.
Aarvin walked through the hallway with John beside him, the new transfer student still adjusting to the chaos of Oakridge. Even though they had only known each other for a short time, something about Aarvin made John trust him—maybe the quiet intensity, maybe the way he stood up during the fight yesterday without hesitation.
John shoved his hands in his pockets.
"So… this school. It's wild, huh?"
Aarvin smirked. "You'll get used to it. Eventually."
John chuckled once, then leaned closer.
"Okay, real question. What's the deal with your brother? Riyan. And that guy Adrien?"
Aarvin didn't answer immediately.
John continued, "I mean—they both jump into fights like they've got history. And when Adrien walked in yesterday… everyone froze."
Aarvin sighed.
"Riyan is my real brother. Same family. Same blood.
Adrien… isn't. But he's always been around. Too close sometimes."
John raised a brow. "So they hate each other?"
"They're rivals," Aarvin said quietly.
"And Adrien… he treats me like a brother because he cares. Even if Riyan can't stand him."
John nodded slowly, absorbing the tension.
"Damn. Complicated."
Aarvin gave a humorless laugh. "You have no idea."
They walked into the courtyard where students were gathering. The Wolves were scattered around—Riyan leaning against the railing, Kade and Troy messing around, Liam half-asleep on a bench.
John's gaze flicked immediately to Riyan.
"That guy looks like trouble."
"He is trouble," Aarvin muttered.
"But he's also my brother. And family… is family."
Before John could respond, a familiar heavy silence settled over the space.
Adrien had walked in.
The Wolves straightened subconsciously—like their instincts recognized the threat before their minds did. Adrien's eyes were sharp, unreadable, scanning the area until they locked on Aarvin.
John felt the air shift and leaned toward Aarvin.
"That him? The rival?"
Aarvin nodded. "Yeah. That's Adrien."
Adrien's gaze briefly passed over John—assessing him in a single second—then moved back to Aarvin with a strange softness that didn't match his cold exterior.
Riyan noticed the look. His jaw tightened.
Adrien stepped closer.
"You okay after yesterday?" he asked Aarvin.
John blinked.
He really does talk to him like a brother…
Aarvin answered calmly, "Yeah. I'm fine."
But the tension between Riyan and Adrien was thick enough to feel.
John whispered, "Man, how do you survive between these two?"
Aarvin exhaled slowly.
"I don't. They just keep pulling me into their mess."
Before the situation could escalate, Nairi approached from behind, eyes fixed on Aarvin.
"Hey… about yesterday," she said softly.
"You stepping into that fight without knowing anything—I mean, what were you thinking?"
Aarvin looked away, embarrassed.
"I wasn't. I just reacted."
She crossed her arms, her voice gentle but firm.
"Well don't do that again. Not like that. You'll get hurt."
John watched the interaction, raising an eyebrow.
"Friend? Crush? Something in between?" he whispered.
Aarvin didn't answer.
He couldn't.
Because even he didn't know.
Nairi gave him one last look—half worried, half relieved—and walked away.
Adrien's eyes followed her for a second, then returned to Aarvin with quiet awareness.
Riyan leaned forward, voice low.
"Be careful who you trust, Aarvin."
Adrien answered without looking at him.
"I could say the same for you."
The atmosphere crackled with rivalry.
John stepped back, whispering,
"Bro… I'm new, but even I can tell something big is coming."
Aarvin swallowed.
Yeah.
He felt it too.
Like the line between friendship, rivalry, loyalty, and something deeper…
was starting to blur.
And in Oakridge—blurred lines always led to storms.