I walked out of the teacher's office and into the main administrative area.
Standing there were the only two people in this school I trusted outside my family.
Alex Blackwood. Jack Whitmore.
The sight of them immediately told me one thing.
Trouble.
I stopped in front of them and crossed my arms.
"Alright," I said, giving them a long side-eye. "What's the tea today? Don't keep me in suspense."
The two exchanged a glance.
Then, in perfect sync—
"Bro… we messed up."
Alex scratched the back of his head while Jack stared at the floor like it personally offended him.
"oookay. That sounded bad.
"We messed up some idiots," Alex added quickly. "Rich idiots. Thought we were soft."
Jack still hadn't looked up.
I sighed.
"You guys never learn," I said, lowering my voice. "I told you — moderation. That's the rule. You hit them, fine. But don't go full psycho. Break something if you have to, mess up their face, but keep it balanced. Not too hot, not too cold."
I paused to let that sink in.
"They snitch," I asked, "or you get caught?"
"Snitched," Alex said immediately, his expression darkening.
Yeah. He hated snitches more than teachers.
Then a small smile crept onto his face.
"They started it," he added, voice dropping. "Let's see how long they last."
I felt a chill run down my spine.
Note to self: never be on this guy's bad side.
Alex looked at me. "So why'd the teacher call you?"
"Guess."
He stared.
Impatient.
Very impatient.
I raised my hands. "Relax. Grades. Apparently they're trash. Mom might get a call too."
Both of them winced.
"Damn," Jack said.
"Anyway," I added quickly, changing the topic, "you guys still on for that outing?"
"You mean the Halloween meet-up?" Jack asked.
I nodded.
Alex grinned. "Yeah. Actually, we changed the venue. And the date."
I frowned. "Why?"
They looked at each other.
Then Jack leaned in slightly.
"We invited more people."
"More people?" I asked.
He nodded.
"Girls."
I stared at him.
Then slowly shook my head.
"Bro… that smile? Suspicious. Very suspicious."
Alex looked at Jack's face and immediately cringed.
"Yeah," Alex said. "You need to relax. Or a girlfriend. Preferably both."
We exchanged a solemn look and nodded like wise old men.
"Details later," I said, turning away. "I've got class."
The bell was about to ring, and I had no intention of getting trampled by the late-for-class crowd — a group of people who somehow always had time for conversations but never time to walk faster.
By the time I reached the classroom, I was slightly out of breath.
I dropped into my seat, lungs burning.
Maybe I sprinted a little too hard.
I grabbed my water bottle and started drinking like a man who had just crossed a desert.
Gulp.Gulp.Chug.
I was fully focused.
Which was exactly why I didn't notice the class representative standing next to my desk.
Thud!
I choked immediately.
Coughing. Tears. Regret.
I looked up at the would-be assassin.
"You—" cough "—what is wrong with you? Didn't your mom teach you basic survival etiquette?"
She looked at me.
With pure disgust.
That hurt more than the coughing.
"Seriously?" I said, wiping my eyes. "You almost killed me and you're looking at me like I'm the problem? How did you even become class rep?"
She didn't react.
Instead, she placed a stack of papers on my desk.
"Read all of this by tomorrow," she said coldly. "Then meet me in the library after school."
I stared at the stack.
Then counted.
Then counted again.
My soul left my body.
There was no way.
I stood up and walked to her desk, placing the papers down firmly.
"I can't finish this," I said, keeping my tone calm. "School ends at three. After that, I've got things to do. Man's got a life, you know?"
Silence.
She didn't even look at me.
My face heated up.
I opened my mouth, preparing a speech that would absolutely ruin her day—
"Settle down."
Our homeroom teacher walked in.
I froze.
Then slowly turned.
The class rep finally looked up.
And she was smiling.
Smug.
Ah… karma really works fast.
The teacher cleared his throat.
"Due to a staff meeting, you will all be dismissed early today. Also, for the next two months, attendance will not be required. However, students who are not seen studying may receive a call from me."
The entire class went quiet.
No one was safe.
"You may leave."
He walked out.
Instant chaos.
Students started talking immediately.
I stood up, smiling, ready to go back to the class rep—
Then I looked at her desk.
Empty.
I turned.
She was already outside, chasing after the teacher.
I clenched my jaw.
Running for protection now, huh.
Outside, students were already discussing the upcoming exams.
I wasn't listening.
I was thinking about something far more dangerous.
My mom getting a call.
That wasn't just trouble.
That was a full-scale disaster.
Mental. Physical. Social.
I immediately took out my phone and called her.
It connected quickly.
"Hey, Mom… can I come by your workplace?"
Noise filled the background.
"What? Say that again."
I repeated the question.
Pause.
Then—
"Fine. Be quick. I'll be leaving soon for an investigation."
The call ended.
Free donuts.
Mood instantly improved.
I took the special bus and headed to her workplace.
When I arrived, no one stopped me. Most of them recognized me from previous visits after my dad's incident. Besides, my mom held a senior position here.
I walked through the hallway, hands behind my neck, moving with a bit of confidence.
Then a voice came from nearby.
"Who's that kid?"
Normally, I would ignore it.
Someone else would explain.
But something about the voice felt… familiar.
I looked up.And kept looking.
Why was he still going? Was this guy built in stages?