By the time school ended, Section E and my brothers were already gathering near the gates. Plans for a park trip were in the air, laughter and chaos everywhere.
Then I saw him.
Cyrus. Leaning casually against a fence, smirk in place, eyes narrowing as he spotted me.
"Jay Mariano," he said, stepping closer. "We need to talk. That post Ram left… you're going to help me take it. Or someone finds out your secrets."
I straightened immediately, cheerful and angry all at once. "Do you really think I'll just hand it over?"
He tilted his head, smirk sharpening. "Do as I say, or things won't go well for you."
I laughed softly, cold and confident. "Try me."
The courtyard seemed to shrink around us. My brothers and friends rushed forward, hearing the raised voices, but neither of us budged. Every step we took seemed measured, careful, like a storm ready to break.
Keifer hovered protectively behind me, hand near my shoulder, watching my every move. Yuri, calm and steady, stayed a little back, eyes tracking both of us, a small grounding presence.
The tension was thick. No one dared speak. Section E and my friends arrived, confused, shouting my name, trying to intervene, but Cyrus and I didn't give them a chance. Our voices filled the air, sharp and controlled, holding everyone back.
Cyrus leaned in closer, smirk gone faint for the first time. "Careful, Jay. You're walking a thin line."
I met his eyes, grin playful yet dangerous. "I don't just walk lines, Cyrus. I draw them. And step on anyone who crosses them."
Section E and the others froze, unsure whether to jump in. Keifer's protective instincts were on high alert, but even he didn't move, just waiting for me to signal. Yuri stayed calm, smiling faintly, the perfect balance to my fire.
Then came the quiet, subtle shift. Both of us had stopped moving, locked in a stare-down that pulled the energy in the courtyard taut. No one spoke, no one dared.
Finally, Cyrus straightened, a hard laugh leaving him. "This isn't over."
I held his gaze, cheerful yet firm. "I'll be waiting."
He didn't leave. He lingered, eyes sharp, smirk fixed but slightly wary, as if he already had some plan I couldn't see.
The crowd around us—Section E, my brothers, the girls—watched, frozen and confused. The noise of shouting and laughter from moments ago had disappeared.
Keifer stayed close, his hand near my shoulder, protective without pushing. Yuri's calm aura grounded me, but even he seemed a little tense now.
I straightened, cheerful and confident, hiding the flicker of unease. "Not a single step forward," I said firmly, scanning the crowd. "This ends when I say it ends."
Cyrus tilted his head, a glint in his eyes. "You think you're in control, Jay? Let's see how long that lasts."
A shiver ran down my spine, but I didn't back down. My grin stayed in place, teasing yet powerful. "You'll see. I don't lose control."
And then, for just a moment, something shifted in him—a shadow passing over his expression, barely noticeable but enough to make the hair on my neck prickle. I knew instinctively: this wasn't just about today.
The tension hung heavy. Everyone stayed frozen. The world seemed to pause, waiting for the next move.
Cyrus whispered, low and dangerous, just for me:"You're not the only one with secrets, Jay… and today, they're going to matter."
My chest tightened. I kept my grin, even as my fists clenched. I wouldn't show fear. Not now. Not ever.
But even as I stood there, calm on the surface, I knew one thing with certainty—this day had changed everything. And nothing would ever be the same again
( hello everyone vaids here, pls let me know which type of chapter you want next funny , action suspense etc . and if you are feeling bored from ch pls tell me. pls my dear besties keep hope best is yet to come by the way thanks for your support which led to 15.8 k views byee )