Before the tension could fade, another voice cut in. "Then how do you know the new transfer student? People are saying she moved here because of you."
Kaivan's eyes drifted toward the window. In that silence, memories flickered: Felicia in the abandoned mall, striking him without mercy. A brutal meeting, absurd yet undeniably real. His lips almost curved into a faint smile, but his face remained cold, unreadable.
Heavy footsteps echoed into the classroom. A teacher entered.
"All right, everyone. Turn to page thirty-two."
The questions dissolved into silence. Kaivan let out a quiet breath of relief.
Meanwhile, in the school corridor, Radit walked at an easy pace. One hand in his pocket, his eyes sharp and watchful.
A classmate called out to him. "Radit, who's that pretty girl you were with earlier?"
Radit paused, his brows knitting for a brief moment before a faint smile touched his lips. "Just happened to walk together. I don't really know her."
His friend nodded, seemingly satisfied. But Radit knew better, the curiosity hadn't died. It was only quiet for now, biding its time to flare up again.
Felicia sat alone, surrounded by a small fortress of freshly bought books. Her fingers turned the pages slowly, her eyes tracing each line as if savoring every word. The clamor around her faded into nothingness, she seemed to exist in a quiet world of her own.
Suddenly, a boy approached, a practiced smile on his face. "Hey, who are you going home with today? Want me to walk you?" His tone was casual, yet carried a pressing weight beneath it.
Felicia lifted her gaze. Her crimson eyes cut sharp. "I'm going home alone. But a friend will come pick me up." Her voice was soft, yet unyielding, like a wall of steel.
The boy hesitated, then nodded and walked away. Felicia lowered her eyes back to the book. But Kaivan's voice echoed in her mind: the workshop later. She knew, it wouldn't be an ordinary gathering.
Calmly, she closed her book and stacked them neatly. She was ready to face something much greater than a quiet afternoon of reading.
Time flowed on, and the school settled back into its usual rhythm. Yet beneath the routine, something waited. The dismissal bell rang. The day was far from over.
Kaivan packed his things quickly, eager to head for the workshop. But a voice stopped him at the doorway.
"Kaivan! Where are you going today?"
Tania stood there, cheerful on the surface, but her eyes brimmed with hope, searching, almost clinging to the past.
Kaivan knew where this was heading. He didn't answer. The last book slid into his bag, the zipper closed. Without a glance, he walked straight past her.
But Tania didn't step aside. She blocked his path.
"Kaivan, wait! Why are you avoiding me? What did I do wrong? You weren't like this before... You've changed!"
He stopped. His back remained turned, his breath heavy. A few classmates lingered at the doorway, instinctively quiet. They could sense it, this wasn't a simple quarrel.
Kaivan stood there, unmoving, facing a shadow he no longer wished to carry.
"What do you want? I'm busy," he said at last, his voice firm.
Tania flinched, then drew a breath, trying to stay strong. "Why are you like this, Kaivan? Is it because of your new friends? You've changed… But we're best friends. You promised you'd introduce me to your parents after graduation. Now you won't even talk to me... why?" Her voice trembled with a soft ache, as if trying to reach his heart.
A faint smile touched her lips, the same smile that once charmed him. But the word best friend now rang hollow, almost mocking.
Kaivan slowly turned his head. His gaze was dark, sharp. The corridor grew tense.
"Best friend?" His voice was almost a whisper, yet it cut like ice.
He stepped closer, eyes never leaving hers. "Don't ever call me that again. What kind of 'friend' uses someone as a tool?"
Tania staggered back, shocked. "Kaivan, I never, "
"Enough." His voice rang out, cold and certain. "Do you think I didn't know? Your smile, your words... all of it a mask. You only came when you needed something. You never cared. You leeched off me."
Her breath caught, lips trembling. "I... I, "
"What? Different? Not like that?" Kaivan let out a bitter laugh. "Don't waste my time. You're no friend. You're an opportunist. A sweet-tongued manipulator."