The Ridgeview courtyard looked like a warzone. Benches overturned, notebooks trampled into the dirt, soda cans dented, and a faint trail of blood leading toward the nurse's office.
Gray sat on the cracked pavement, his blazer half-torn, nursing a bruised elbow. He wasn't the only one. Students sat in small clusters, patching themselves up with tissues, bottled water, or just laughing nervously to hide their fear.
Kenji, of course, was bragging. "Did you see me, Gray? BAM—straight to the jaw! That guy flew, I swear he did!"
"You tripped over a trash can and your head collided with his," Mina muttered, arms folded.
"Hey, physics is still physics! Impact is impact!"
Gray groaned, slumping back against the wall. "I didn't sign up for this. I can't… I can't do this again."
But the words caught in his throat, because everywhere he looked, students were watching him with admiration.
The "Boss" Illusion
Whispers spread quickly.
"Gray was incredible.""He didn't even flinch when Gage came at him.""Did you see how he sent those guys flying? He's unstoppable!"
Gray tugged at his hair. That's not what happened! I tripped! I screamed! I almost fainted!!
Yet none of them seemed to care. They were too busy feeding the legend.
For the first time in years, Ridgeview's students weren't hiding or avoiding trouble. They were laughing, their shoulders straight, their voices stronger.
And all of it… was being pinned on him.
Mina's Quiet Prodding
Later, when the chaos settled, Mina found Gray sitting on the school steps, staring blankly at the cloudy sky.
"You hate it, don't you?" she asked.
Gray nearly jumped. "Hate what?"
"Being their leader. Being their… hope."
He sighed, burying his face in his hands. "I'm not a leader. I'm not strong. I don't even know how to throw a proper punch. All I did was survive."
"Sometimes," Mina said softly, sitting beside him, "surviving is enough to make others believe in you."
Her eyes studied him carefully, like she was trying to peer through his excuses. "But… you can't keep relying on luck. If Shade is really moving, if Eastside keeps pushing, sooner or later you'll have to choose. Hide… or actually stand at the front."
Gray's chest tightened at the name. Shade. He had only heard whispers — a shadowy figure pulling the strings at Eastside. Cold. Calculating. Ruthless. Someone far beyond the petty bullies Gray had faced so far.
"I don't want to fight Shade," Gray muttered. "I don't even want to say his name."
"Then someone else will say it for you," Mina replied, standing up. "And when they do… it won't be a choice anymore."
Patchwork Morale
Meanwhile, in the locker rooms, Ridgeview's new "gang" gathered in chaotic energy. Some students wrapped bruised knuckles in bandages, others compared their injuries like badges of honor.
Kenji stood on a bench, grinning wide. "This is just the start, boys! Eastside came at us, and we shoved 'em right back! Ridgeview's not weak anymore!"
The cheer that erupted shook the walls.
Gray peeked in from the doorway, feeling his stomach knot. They were celebrating. They were emboldened. And every single one of them… looked to him.
The Shadow Looms
That night, Gray lay in bed staring at his ceiling. His mom checked on him, fussing over his bruises, while his dad gave a silent, approving nod before closing the door.
But even with the comfort of home, Gray couldn't rest.
Because in the back of his mind, Mina's words echoed.
If Shade is really moving…
Somewhere out there, in the depths of Eastside, Shade was watching. Calculating. Waiting.
And Gray knew, deep down, that today's skirmish was only a spark.The real fire was still coming.
End of Chapter 18: Bruises and Whispers