Elara led Arya through a narrow shortcut, a road that ran behind SBH. It was an old, lesser-used path that connected the two schools, but most avoided it—because it passed directly in front of SVS. Arya, unfamiliar with the area, looked around with wide eyes, curiosity lighting up her face. Elara, on the other hand, held Arya's wrist tightly, her steps cautious with every move.
"We need to find a spot where no one can see us—not SVS's watchdogs, and not Nick or the others. Both sides are dangerous right now," Elara whispered, scanning the area.
Arya nodded calmly, still unaware of just how risky this was.
Elara finally found a perfect hiding spot: a large tree that had grown beside the boundary wall of SBH. It stood tall and leafy, giving them cover. They climbed up the wall carefully, then onto the thick branches of the tree. From there, they had a clear view of the road—but remained safely hidden.
"Are you sure this is a good idea?" Elara asked, concern clear in her voice.
"Of course," Arya replied confidently. "We're SBH girls. Helping our boys is our duty."
"If Nick finds out we're here, I'm dead meat," Elara muttered under her breath.
"No one's going to see us," Arya reassured her.
Elara opened her mouth to say something else, but Arya suddenly raised a finger to her lips. "Shhh… they're coming," she whispered, pointing to the far end of the road.
A group of boys from SBH appeared, walking with purpose. Arya recognized a few familiar faces—Nick, Rayan, Leo… all part of the squad.
"That one," Elara pointed discreetly at a boy with sharp features, dressed more neatly than the others, his walk graceful, like a model on a runway. "That's Aarav. He's the crush of SBH… and the SVS girls too."
"Ohhh, he's handsome," Arya murmured, impressed.
Next, Elara pointed to another boy leading the group. His appearance was messier, clothes a bit wrinkled, his aura intense and powerful. Though his expression was cold, he had a striking presence.
"That's Zorvath. He's the main one in the group. You know Mira? She has a massive crush on him, but he doesn't even give her the time of day."
"Ewww, if those two got together, it'd be a perfect match—trash plus trash," Elara scoffed.
"Don't judge a book by its cover," Arya replied, rolling her eyes this time.
The group of SBH boys finally stopped right in front of the tree where Arya and Elara were hiding. Their voices were low, tense.
"They said they'd come here," one of the boys muttered. He looked badly hurt—blood oozing from a cut on his brow, his clothes torn and messy.
"Looks like SVS bullied him," Elara whispered, eyes narrowing. "That must be the reason for today's fight."
"WHERE THE HELL DID THEY GO!?" Zorvath suddenly roared, his voice echoing across the empty road. His fury sent a chill down Arya's spine.
"Here they are!" Leo called out, pointing to the other side of the road.
Arya turned her head quickly. A second group of boys was approaching. Their walk was confident—too confident. None of the faces were familiar to Arya… except one.
Sinas.
Her breath caught in her throat. Her heart beat wildly in her chest. It can't be… she thought. This… this is the same Sinas I admired for years?
She stared at him, trying to find that charming, sweet boy from her memories. But all she could see now was the coldness in his eyes, the arrogance in his stride. Could everything Elara said… be true?
Both groups met right near the tree. The tension was thick, the air heavy.
Elara swallowed hard beside her. "This is it," she whispered, her voice barely a breath. "It's really happening…"
Zorvath took one slow step forward, cracking his knuckles. "Didn't think you'd actually show up, Sinas," he said, his voice low, calm—dangerously calm.
Sinas smirked. "Well, I couldn't say no to a reunion with my favorite losers."
Leo scoffed. "Still running your mouth, huh? Thought you'd be busy hiding behind your daddy's lawyers."
A ripple of chuckles ran through the SBH boys, but Sinas didn't flinch. He stepped forward too, his gang fanning out behind him.
"You talk like you're still someone, Leo," Sinas replied coolly. "But look at you. A gang of has-beens guarding a school that's already halfway in the grave."
Aarav's expression darkened. "Better be a has-been than someone who built his throne on lies and fear."
Sinas smiled—too calmly. "Fear works. That's why it still keeps you all in your little cage."
Zorvath stepped in between them, his eyes locked with Sinas. "Enough words. You crossed the line when you touched our people. We're not here to play verbal games."
"Oh?" Sinas tilted his head. "Then let's make it physical, shall we?"
Suddenly, without a single warning, Sinas raised his hand—fast—and swung a punch straight at Nick's face.
Gasps filled the air.
Seeing the person she had admired for years turning into someone unrecognizable, Aria lost control. Forgetting she was on the tree, she jumped down in a rush to stop the fight. Elara tried to grab her, but failed. Unfortunately, Aria landed right between the two groups—SVS and SBH—on the battleground. Gasps echoed as she hit the road, her knee bleeding from the fall. Elara quickly climbed down, rushing to her.
"Who are you?" Zorvath asked, narrowing his eyes.
"Hey, beauty, you don't belong with this trash group. A face like yours belongs in SVS," Sinas said, his tone flirty. It was the kind of attention Aria had dreamed of for years—but not like this, not in this situation. The SVS boys looked at her with lustful eyes, while the SBH boys stared in concern and confusion.
Sinas extended his hand, and she hesitantly took it, standing up with his help. "Are you okay, pretty?" one of the SVS boys asked.
Just then, Elara reached them, eyes wide with panic. "WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING HERE?!!" Nick shouted, his voice thunderous. Both Aria and Elara froze, trembling. Everything had gone wrong.
Elara grabbed Aria's wrist, forcing Sinas to let go, and pulled her to SBH's side.
"Didn't you hear?!" Zorvath snapped, eyes burning with frustration.
"We… we didn't mean to…" Elara stuttered.
"I'm sorry," Aria whispered, almost in tears. "I just wanted to…"
"Hey, why are you scaring her?" Sinas interrupted, his tone mockingly defensive.
"She's from SBH—none of your business," Leo snapped.
"She may be now, but soon she'll belong to SVS," Sinas said, brushing Aria's hair gently. Aria stood frozen, clinging to Elara's hand, unsure of what to do.
"Take your filthy hands off her!" Aarav shouted, and without warning, punched Sinas straight in the nose. Shocked, Aria instinctively rushed to Sinas, checking his face. "Are you okay?"
Sinas stared at her, wide-eyed, but before he could respond, Zorvath grabbed her by the waist, pulling her close. "Stay away from him," he growled, his voice low and intense, sending goosebumps down her spine.
"Leave her," Sinas snapped.
"No!!" Aarav yelled, kicking an SVS boy who stepped forward.
Sinas smirked. "An angel like her doesn't belong with trash. She'll be ours soon," he said with a wink, turning back. "Bye, sweetheart," he called to Aria.
"F**k you!" Zorvath shouted after him, furious.
As the SVS boys walked away, they muttered disgusting comments under their breath—comments Aria thankfully didn't hear, but the SBH boys did. Aria, meanwhile, was lost in a daze. She had met her crush—he had brushed her hair. Her heart was dancing, but her body was frozen in Zorvath's hold. Eyes still on Sinas, she didn't notice everyone else was staring at her.