The rest of the school day passed uneventfully—at least on the surface.
Tessa didn't make another move, but April could feel her watching. The queen bee wasn't done. Far from it.
Still, it wasn't Tessa that set off April's instincts.
It was something else.
As she walked out of the school gates, she became aware of a presence. Not loud, not obvious—just... there. A lingering weight in the background.
Someone was watching her.
April adjusted her bag strap, walking as if she hadn't noticed. She wasn't the type to imagine things. Her Gear had enhanced her instincts beyond normal human levels.
If she felt something, it was real.
The real question was who?
And why?
She took her usual route to HQ, letting the presence to follow her. A few streets down, the crowd thinned, and she took a sudden turn into an alley.
A dead end.
Then, she stopped.
Silence.
The presence hesitated.
'Got you!' she grinned.
She turned on her heel. "Alright," she called out, voice calm but sharp. "You can come out now."
Silence stretched.
Then—
A figure stepped forward from behind a parked car.
A young man, maybe a few years older than her.
He stepped out from the shadows—tall, lean, and oddly composed. His hair was a striking blue, the kind that seemed to shimmer faintly under the evening light, strands falling just enough to half-hide his sharp eyes. A dark hooded cloak rested loosely over his head, the edges lined with a thin metallic trim that glinted whenever he moved.
His clothes didn't scream "student" or "local." They were a strange mix of streetwear and combat design—a dark jacket with light armor plating woven into the fabric, fingerless gloves, and boots that barely made a sound when he walked.
Something about him felt deliberate, like every piece he wore had a reason—too refined to be random.
And yet, despite the casual posture and his hands tucked into his hoodie pockets, there was a quiet intensity about him.
He wasn't just standing there.
He was measuring her.
Hands in his pockets, expression unreadable.
He didn't seem threatening. Just... watching and studying her.
April crossed her arms. "You've been following me."
The guy didn't deny it. "Yet, you noticed?"
April tilted her head. "You wanted me to notice?"
He smirked slightly. "Not many people would."
"Lucky me." Her voice stayed flat. "Now, are you gonna tell me why, or do I have to start assuming the worst?"
He exhaled. "Relax. I was just... curious."
April's eyebrows narrowed. "About what?"
He studied her for a moment. Then, with a small, knowing smile, he said—
"You."
April's patience thinned. "Not an answer!"
His smirk didn't fade. "You're not like the others."
"Who or what are the other's you mention?" April questioned as she suddenly felt something cold settle in her chest.
This wasn't about high school drama. This wasn't about Tessa.
This was something else entirely.
And she was about to find out exactly what.
April didn't move. She had dealt with too many unknowns to let some random stalker throw her off.
The guy held his ground, hands still in his hoodie pockets, watching her with casual interest.
"You're not like the others," he repeated.
April tilted her head slightly. "That's vague. Try again."
He smirked. "You hide it well, but I see it."
"See what?"
"The way you move. The way you react." His eyes sharpened slightly. "Like someone who's trained. But beneath all that you move more like a predator."
April's pulse tried to remain steady, but her mind raced fast.
He wasn't wrong. Even while acting like an average high schooler, she couldn't erase her instincts. The way she knew where everything was without looking.
The way she never hesitated.
Most wouldn't pick up on it.
But he did.
And that meant he wasn't normal either.
April adjusted her stance slightly—just enough to be ready. "And what exactly does that mean to you?"
The guy shrugged. "Means I was right to keep an eye on you."
"Flattering," she said dryly. "Now tell me who you are before I stop being polite."
For the first time, he actually seemed amused. "Polite? This is you being polite?"
April didn't respond.
He exhaled, as if debating something.
Then, finally—
"Name's River."
She raised an eyebrow. "That's it?"
"For now."
April sighed. "Right. Mysterious stranger routine. Got it."
River chuckled. "You catch on quick."
"Then let me take a guess." April took a step forward. "You're either some wannabe detective, or you have a reason to be very interested in who I really am."
River's smirk faded slightly.
Bullseye.
April continued, voice calm. "So what is it? Who sent you?"
River looked at her for a long moment.
Then—
"No one," he said simply.
She didn't believe him.
He must've sensed that because he sighed.
"Look, I don't work for anyone. No secret orders. No hidden agendas. I just..." He hesitated. "Notice things."
April stayed silent, waiting.
River ran a hand through his hair. "And when I see something that doesn't add up, I like to figure out why."
April's eyebrows narrowed. "And you think I don't add up?"
His smirk returned. "Not one bit."
April clicked her tongue. "Well, that makes two of us, River." She said charging the 'R' in his name.
River's expression didn't change, but something in his posture did. As if he was now being watched.
April had enough for today. If he was a threat, she'd deal with him later.
She turned. "Stay out of my way."
River chuckled. "No promises."
April walked off, not bothering to turn back.
But she felt his eyes on her until she turned the corner.
"Who the hell are you, River?"