"What's wrong? Why are you hiding?" the girl asked, her voice tinged with curiosity and suspicion as she stood in the doorway, her eyes narrowing in concern. "Are you wanted or something?"
"No!" Kamsi responded instantly, her voice a mixture of urgency and defensiveness.
"Then why are you hiding, and who are you hiding from?" The girl's tone hardened, her arms crossing firmly under her chest, a gesture that signaled she wasn't going to let this go easily.
"It's a long story," Kamsi muttered, her gaze drifting towards the glass panel, her eyes clouded with unease.
"Since you're not going to tell me, I'm out of here!" The girl snapped, turning to leave, her expression a blend of frustration and determination. But before she could step out, Kamsi grabbed her arm, a desperate plea in her eyes.
"Okay, fine," Kamsi sighed, surrendering. "You see that guy over there, wearing a leather jacket over his uniform?" She pointed through the glass panel, her voice trembling slightly.
The girl followed her gaze, her eyes narrowing as she spotted the figure. "Yeah, how mean is he?" she asked, her curiosity piqued.
"Xavier Alastair," Kamsi said, her voice almost a whisper, as if saying the name aloud might summon him.
"Yes, it is. And the two others standing next to him are his friends, Damon Edwin and Gilbert Bruce," the girl said, her voice low and cautious. "They're known as the Terrifying Three."
"The Terrifying Three..." the girl continued, her tone darkening. "They fill everyone with so much fear... Even some of the teachers are scared of them. The guy in the leather jacket... That's Xavier Alastair, the infamous gang leader at Bellens School District. He's the leader of the Terrifying Three."
"Oh no... I'm in trouble!" Kamsi exclaimed, her face paling with fear.
"Why? What's wrong?" the girl asked, her concern deepening as she looked at Kamsi's stricken face.
Kamsi took a deep breath, her hands trembling slightly as she recounted her earlier encounter with Xavier, detailing how she not only talked back to him but also insulted him. Her voice quivered as she spoke, the fear and regret evident in her every word, painting a vivid picture of the terror she felt.
Kamsi felt a cold shiver run down her spine as she peered out through the narrow glass pane of the closet door. Her pulse quickened when she spotted the trio. Xavier, with his piercing eyes and leather jacket draped casually over his shoulders, stood as the unchallenged leader. Beside him, Damon and Gilbert exuded a menacing aura, their expressions dark and foreboding.
"Oh no, this is bad," Zendaya muttered, her eyes widening with alarm. "No one looks Xavier in the eye, let alone talks back to him. Whoever does, he makes sure they regret it," she explained, her voice tinged with fear.
"Am I in trouble?" Kamsi asked, her voice trembling.
"In real trouble. But don't worry, we've got you," Zendaya reassured her quickly, pulling out a dark makeup bag and a black school blazer from her backpack. "Wear this. I'm sure you'll be able to disguise yourself," she said, handing the items to Kamsi.
"Thanks," Kamsi replied, her voice full of relief as she quickly donned the blazer. "You're a lifesaver!"
"Zendaya," the girl introduced herself with a warm smile. "Baron is my last name."
"Kamsi," she responded, returning the smile.
"Now let's get back to class. Second period for you?" Zendaya asked, leading the way.
"Same here," Kamsi nodded. "Thank goodness. This school is so huge, I probably would have spent half of the period looking for the classroom," she added, making Zendaya chuckle.
"Let's go!" Zendaya said, peeking out of the closet to ensure Xavier and his friends were gone before they both stepped out.
"I'm sorry for the way I acted. It was so uncool of me," Xavier apologized to Damon, his expression unusually earnest.
Most people saw Damon as arrogant and self-centered, but in truth, he cared deeply for his friends, showing them sides of himself that others never saw.
"Nah, it's cool. I shouldn't have said your name when you warned me not to. For that, I'm sorry," Damon admitted, his tone sincere.
"Are we good?" Xavier asked, extending his hand.
"As cool as a hot chick in a pool!" Damon joked, and they both chuckled, sealing their reconciliation with a firm handshake.
Kamsi did her best to stay unnoticed for the rest of the day, and when the bell finally rang, she sighed in relief, packing her books into her bag. As she walked out of the classroom and into the school's driveway, she witnessed a chilling scene. The Terrifying Three were bullying a boy, his sorry state evident from the bruises and blood on his face.
As the sun began its slow descent, casting long shadows across the school courtyard, Kamsi's day took an unexpected turn. The tension in the air was almost palpable, each student trying to blend into the background to avoid the wrath of the infamous Terrifying Three. The whispers about Xavier Alastair, Damon Edwin, and Gilbert Bruce echoed through the halls
"Please... forgive me!" he pleaded, tears streaming down his face. His glasses were broken, and blood dripped from his nose.
"Forget about forgiving him!" Xavier sneered, an evil chuckle escaping his lips. "You should forgive him!" he mocked, turning to Damon and Gilbert, who wore equally malicious grins.
Damon's laughter died down as he pressed his foot on the boy's face, forcing him to the ground. The boy coughed up blood, wincing in pain.
Kamsi could no longer bear to watch the brutal scene. She turned to leave but immediately heard Xavier's deep, menacing voice reverberate through the place, sending shivers down her spine.
"Stop there!" Xavier's harsh and dangerous voice echoed, a hint of threat laced in it. Kamsi gulped in fear as she slowly turned around, her heart pounding in her chest.