The next day, school was silent.
But not the peaceful kind.
The before-the-storm kind.
You know that eerie feeling when something's coming?
Yeah.
Something was COMING.
And its name was unresolved romantic rage.
The Courtyard. Lunch. Calm? Ha. No.
I was just sitting there, trying to draw a sandwich like a normal girl—
When Damian appeared.
Not smiling.
Eyes locked on Aeron, who was standing under the tree like some broody forest vampire.
Damian didn't even pretend to be casual. He just walked straight up to him.
"Got a minute?"
Aeron's jaw tensed. "Do I have a choice?"
"Nope."
They stepped off to the side. Alone.
I could feel the rage fog from where I sat.
So naturally, Mina and Jayce ducked behind a bush with me to spy. (Bless them.)
The Damian vs Aeron Showdown™
Damian: "What's your deal?"
Aeron: "With?"
Damian: "Lira. You act like you don't care, then show up whenever I'm with her like some kind of angsty bat signal."
Aeron: "Maybe I just don't trust you."
Damian: "Oh, that's rich coming from the guy who hides every single part of himself like a locked diary."
Aeron: "And you? You flirt with everyone, then pretend she's different. You're a walking heartbreak."
Damian: "Yeah? At least I don't lie to her."
Aeron: "You don't even KNOW her."
Damian: "I know she's smart. And kind. And she sees things in people that they can't see in themselves. That terrifies you, doesn't it?"
And then… IT HAPPENED.
Aeron shoved him.
Damian didn't even blink.
He swung.
AND FISTS. FLEW.
It wasn't a full-on brawl. But it was ugly.
Shoves.
Punches.
Shouting.
Jayce whisper-screamed, "Do I record this or break it up?!"
Mina: "RECORD IT AND THEN BREAK IT UP."
I stood. Heart racing. Legs frozen.
Finally—
"STOP IT!!"
I stormed over and shoved myself between them.
Both guys breathing heavy.
Damian's lip? Bleeding.
Aeron's cheek? Already bruising.
"You're both insane!" I snapped. "What is WRONG with you?!"
They both looked at me.
And then…
Aeron spoke. Quiet. Low.
"He doesn't deserve your trust."
Damian? Looked me dead in the eyes.
"Ask him about Jade."
My stomach fell through the earth.
"What about her?" I asked Aeron.
He didn't answer.
Didn't even look at me.
He just turned around… and walked away.
Aftermath
Me: Numb.
Damian: Quiet.
Jayce: "Well… that escalated violently."
Mina: "Okay but also whoa."
And in the silence of my spinning thoughts, one truth settled:
Someone's lying.
And the worst part?
I didn't know who.
End of Chapter 17