The sky above Oakridge Academy was unnervingly still that night—no wind, no echoes, just a heavy silence pressing down on everything.
Aarvin stared at his phone screen, John's message repeating in his mind like a warning bell:
**"Basement. Tomorrow. Don't let Riyan go anywhere alone."**
His jaw tightened.
Something had shifted.
A storm wasn't coming—**it had already begun.**
Adrien stood by the window, arms crossed.
"What happened?"
Aarvin tossed him the phone.
Adrien read the text and let out a slow breath.
"So… John finally picked a side," Adrien muttered.
"Or he's trying to save his own skin."
Aarvin cracked his knuckles.
"Either way, we're not waiting for tomorrow."
**The Strategy Forms**
The common room filled quickly.
Aarvin's core trio—**Adrien** and **Riyan**—took their usual seats.
John's classmates, the eight who had stuck around him since day one, joined them:
* **Liam Carter**
* **Ethan Wolfe**
* **Noah Briggs**
* **Aiden Brooks**
* **Caleb Reed**
* **Mason Hale**
* **Finn Walker**
* **Elena Frost**
Most of them looked tense.
Except Riyan—who looked like he had shown up for a movie.
Riyan squinted at everyone.
"Why does this look like a secret council meeting? What are we planning?"
Aarvin gave a faint smile.
"Something big."
Adrien leaned forward on the table.
"James and his gang are coming for you tomorrow. John confirmed it."
Shocked murmurs spread around the room.
Caleb adjusted his glasses.
"So… this is an actual coordinated attack?"
Elena folded her arms.
"This isn't bullying anymore. This is premeditated."
Liam let out a bitter laugh.
"Perfect. My enrollment brochure didn't mention *gang warfare*."
Riyan blinked.
"Wait—me? Why me?"
Adrien replied with a calm shrug.
"You're Aarvin's pressure point."
Riyan scoffed.
"That's it? Bro, I thought it was something serious."
The room went silent.
Elena whispered, "Is he always like this?"
Adrien smirked.
"That's why they want him. He's unshakeable."
**The Turn — John Arrives**
Footsteps echoed.
John stepped inside—pale, exhausted, but… changed.
Aiden tensed.
"Why is he here?"
Aarvin raised a hand.
"Because he's switching sides."
John swallowed.
"I'm not switching sides… I'm choosing survival. And with James, nobody survives. I finally get that."
Finn narrowed his eyes.
"And this isn't another setup?"
John pulled out a paper—James's updated plan.
Routes. Schedules.
Riyan's name circled in red.
Ethan grabbed the sheet.
"Okay, what the hell is this? A tactical playbook?"
Aarvin stepped forward, voice steel-cold.
"Basement. Tomorrow.
But we aren't waiting for tomorrow."
Adrien smirked.
"Why wait to get hunted when we can attack first?"
John stared, stunned.
"Tonight? But—"
Aarvin met his eyes.
"John… if we don't break their plan tonight, tomorrow either you or Riyan is dead."
John's breath caught.
Then he nodded.
"…Alright. I'm in."
**The Sides Are Drawn**
Aarvin spread a map across the table.
* **Adrien** — Block the exits
* **Liam, Noah, Mason** — Upper-floor surveillance
* **Ethan, Caleb** — Communications + alarms
* **Elena, Aiden** — Backup flank
* **Riyan** — With Aarvin in the center strike
* **John** — Distract James
The plan was silent. Efficient. Surgical.
Riyan stretched lazily.
"So basically… a small fight? For a school war? You guys are overthinking."
Every single person stared at him like he'd lost his mind.
Adrien chuckled.
"A small fight? This is the beginning."
Aarvin's voice was controlled, colder than the night outside.
"James thinks he's setting the trap.
We're going to show him… who the real bait is."
---**The Moment Before War**
As everyone prepared to leave, John hesitated.
He walked up to Aarvin.
"…Thank you. For giving me a chance."
Aarvin's expression didn't soften.
"John… if you ever betray us again—"
John nodded quickly.
"I know."
Riyan gave him a light slap on the shoulder.
"Relax, man. I'm here now. Nothing's happening to anyone."
John almost smiled.
"You guys… are nothing like them."
Adrien stood by the doorway, silhouette sharp against the dim light.
"Let's move. The night won't wait."
Aarvin looked at everyone—his team, his allies, his new soldiers.
"Tonight… the shadows converge."
The lights dimmed.
And **Operation Basement Break** began.
* To be continued…