The bell rang, and chatter filled the hallways. Celestine slipped out of class, hugging her book tightly to her chest. At her locker, she returned it carefully, shutting the door with a quiet click. She let out a breath—finally, a moment of peace.
"Looking lonely, new girl?"
The voice behind her made her stiffen. She turned slowly. Big Sam, broad-shouldered and grinning, loomed with his two shadow-like friends. A couple of students nearby quickly melted away, clearly not wanting to be caught in his storm.
Sam flexed his arms like he owned the corridor. "Name's Sam. Big Sam. Captain of this little jungle." He cracked his knuckles for show, making a passing boy flinch. Celestine couldn't tell if she should laugh nervously or bolt.
'Raho,' she whispered in her head, 'should I be scared?'
'Want me to flatten them? It'll be fun.' Raho responded in her thoughts
'No!' She shot back. 'Not here. Not now. I don't want attention.'
Sam leaned closer, his grin cocky. "So, Celestine… how about a date?"
Celestine blinked. "A… date? With someone like you?"
His grin faltered for half a second. "Yeah, sweetheart. Dinner, fun and me showing you a good time."
"Oh." She tilted her head innocently. "No thank you. We just met."
That tiny refusal sparked his temper. His smile twisted. "You think you're too good for me?" He pushed her away and shoved her locker open. He pulled all the books bringing them down to the floor in anger.
"Is it because of that pest called Luke? Huh?" He thundered in fury.
Celestine's chest tightened.
'What do I do now?Wish I could defend myself.' She thought.
At that juncture...
"Hey Big Sam!" Luke shouted from a distance.
"Why don't you bully someone your own size?"
Luke's voice cut in sharp. He strode up, bag slung over one shoulder, eyes steady. The crowd began to gather—students whispering, phones sneaking out to record.
Luke threw his school bag and books to the floor and walked confidently towards Sam.
Sam sneered. "Alright, boys. Teach him a lesson."
The two bodyguards advanced. The first swung a heavy punch. Luke ducked, narrowly missing the blow, and rolled aside. The second lunged. Luke dodged again, quick on his feet, though he looked more scrappy than skilled.
"C'mon, Luke!" someone shouted from the crowd.
Luke got a perfect opening and threw a punch of his own.
One of them grabbed Luke's incoming fist with ease and twisted it hard. Luke hissed but slipped his other hand into his pocket, yanking out a small spray can. Pshhh! Mist hit the thug's eyes. He yelped, stumbling back. Cheers erupted.
The second came charging. Luke crouched, then somersaulted between his legs, popping up behind him. Before the thug could turn, Luke slipped a brown plastic bag over his head. Blind and thrashing, the boy stumbled as Luke punched him in the side and kicked his legs out. The crowd whooped.
"Luke, watch out!" Celestine cried.
Luke spun—too late. Sam's fist smashed into his face. He staggered back, clutching his nose. A brutal kick to the stomach dropped him flat. Gasps rippled through the crowd.
Sam hauled him up by the collar. "You think you're so special? Picking all the pretty girls? I'll beat the charm out of you." His fist drew back.
A hand caught it mid-swing. Sam looked behind the hand and met Rockie's smiling face.
"Hey Big Sam." Rockie's calm voice rang out. The tall boy's grip tightened, muscles flexing as he twisted Sam's hand until his knuckles cracked.
The crowd erupted. Sam, twice Rockie's size, grimaced.
"How strong do you really think you are Sam?" Rockie said, eyes steady.
Sam roared and swung again. Rockie caught his second fist, pushed hard sending him crashing to the floor like he weighed nothing.
The bodyguards froze. One look from Rockie and they bolted into the crowd.
Sam scrambled up, cheeks burning with humiliation. He glared at Luke who only gave him a wicked smile. Growling, Sam shoved through the circle of students and stormed off.
"That's enough!" Ruksy's sharp voice cut through the chaos. Her arms crossed, glare icy, she snapped, "Show's over. Get the hell out of here everyone."
The crowd scattered like pigeons, whispering about what they'd just seen.
Celestine rushed to Luke's side, kneeling. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine," he lied as he tried to stand up.Celestine helped him onto his feet.Blood was streaking from his nose.
"Here." Ruksy handed him a neat handkerchief. Luke pressed it to his face. "Thanks," he muttered, glancing at Rockie. "And thank you… for saving me."
Rockie grinned. "We were just protecting our friend."
Luke looked between him and Celestine. "You… know each other?"
Celestine hesitated. "Somehow. But you need the school doctor before you lose more blood." She took his hand, steadying him as he leaned on her. They left.
The twins watched silently as the two disappeared down the hall.
"There's something strange about her aura though," Ruksy murmured, arms folded.
"Strange like what?" Rockie asked.
"I'm not sure… but it feels like magic."
They both glanced at Celestine's locker, still ajar—unlocked.
Just as Ruksy stepped forward, the lock snapped shut with a sharp click—all on its own.
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