The first bell had rung, but no one was rushing to class.
It wasn't because of a fire drill or a surprise assembly. It was the tension—thick, electric, and laced with curiosity. Everyone had heard about the showdown between Lynn and Sera. But what they didn't know was that something darker had begun to brew beneath the surface.
And at the center of it all was Lynn Kay—the girl everyone thought had it all, and yet was facing storms no one else could see.
As Lynn stepped into her Literature class, her eyes locked with Jordan's. He was sitting in the back, the seat he always chose when he wanted to be unseen. But today, he didn't hide.
Today, he stared straight into her soul.
Lynn took her usual seat by the window, and for a second, she couldn't focus. Her heart beat in two different rhythms—one for Alex, and another she tried to forget.
Jordan had once been her safe place, a quiet admirer with soft words and understanding eyes. But now, there was a different look on his face. Something deeper. Something wounded.
She opened her notebook but didn't write a word.
After class ended, Jordan approached.
"Can we talk?" he asked, voice low and serious.
Lynn hesitated. "I—sure."
They stepped into the side courtyard behind the east wing. It was empty, quiet, hidden from the world.
Jordan leaned against the wall. "You've changed."
Lynn blinked. "I've grown."
"No," he said. "You've changed… since him."
Her breath caught. "Alex has nothing to do with this."
"He has everything to do with this," Jordan snapped, the first hint of fire ever showing in him. "You don't even see how you look at him. Like he's your sun. And I've been here this whole time. Waiting."
"Jordan…" she said gently, "I never asked you to wait."
"But you knew," he said, voice cracking. "You knew how I felt."
"I did," she admitted, swallowing the lump in her throat. "But I didn't feel it back. Not like that."
Jordan turned away, running a hand through his hair. "So that's it?"
She nodded. "I'm sorry."
He gave her a hollow smile. "You know what hurts the most? It's not that you chose him. It's that you didn't even look back."
Lynn opened her mouth to speak, but he was already walking away.
---
Meanwhile, on the other side of school, Alex stood by the vending machines, talking to Harden.
"You know Sera's not backing down, right?" Harden said, leaning against the wall. "She's already planning something."
Alex crossed his arms. "Let her. I'm not scared of her."
"But you should be cautious," Peter added as he joined them. "Sera's not just angry. She's calculated."
Sam walked up with a smirk. "She's also insane. Let's not forget that part."
Alex nodded, eyes drifting across the hallway toward the windows. "I can handle her."
"Not alone," Harden said. "This isn't just about you. She's got something personal against Lynn too."
"I know," Alex muttered. "And I won't let her get to her."
---
That evening, Lynn sat at her vanity, brushing her hair slowly. The lights from City Z twinkled behind her like fireflies.
A knock came at her bedroom door. It was her sister, Serene.
"Can I come in?" Serene asked.
"Of course," Lynn said, smiling.
Serene stepped in, wearing one of Lynn's hoodies, her ballet bun still messy from practice. "I heard about today."
"From who?"
"Jamy. He's been sulking since you and Alex got serious."
Lynn chuckled softly. "Of course he has."
"You like him. Like… really like him."
Lynn paused, then nodded. "I do."
Serene sat beside her. "Does he make you happy?"
"More than anyone ever has."
"Then forget the rest," Serene whispered. "Even Jordan. Even Jamy. Even Suzie's drama. You deserve something good."
Lynn smiled, tears stinging her eyes. "Thank you."
---
Later that night, a message pinged on Lynn's phone.
Alex: Meet me outside. I have something to show you.
She slipped into a jacket and headed to the back garden. Alex stood there, beneath the old tree draped in fairy lights. It looked like something out of a dream.
"What is this?" she asked, eyes wide.
"A peace offering," he said with a grin. "For the week you've had."
She laughed and walked into his arms.
He held her tightly. "I'm here, okay? No matter what."
"I know," she whispered into his chest.
They stood there in silence. Just two people in a storm, holding on to the only calm they knew.