As Mike jogged toward school, he finally reached the entrance and halted, overcome with exhaustion. His breathing was labored, and his chest heaved with exertion. Above the gate, a vibrant banner proudly displayed the words "Destiny High School" in bold letters.
Mike Smith, a 19 years old high school final-year student, was neither exceptionally brilliant nor struggling. He possessed a moderate level of intelligence, consistently meeting expectations.
Just as Mike was catching his breath, a bright red Toyota Camry screeched to a halt beside him. The driver window rolled down, revealing Laura Garbett, Mike's classmate's expectant face.
"Would you like a ride?" Laura asked, her eyes locked onto Mike's, awaiting his response.
Mike hesitated, still struggling to regain his composure. "Ummm..." he muttered, buying time to catch his breath.
Laura misinterpreted his pause. "No worries if you'd rather not!" she said with a smile and accelerated away.
Mike swiftly raised his hand, waving vigorously to halt her. "I didn't decline!" he called out.
Jude, the gateman, observed the brief exchange with amusement. "Seems your friend was in a hurry too," he remarked, his smile hinting at Mike's usual tardiness. "Quite an early start today, isn't it?" he added, emphasizing Mike's uncharacteristic punctuality.
Mike sighed, rolled his eyes good-naturedly, and resumed jogging into the school. Just then, a familiar voice echoed from behind.
"Hey, wait up!"
Mike glanced back, slowing his pace. It was Stefan Haysbert, his loyal best friend. "Pick up the pace!" Mike shouted with a grin.
Stefan quickly caught up, mirroring Mike's smile. "You're always running late, lazybones," he teased.
Mike shot Stefan a mock-disapproving glance and shook his head. "Easy for you to say, considering you were behind me."
Stefan chuckled. "I'm not missing Mrs. Lydia's class today."
Mike's determination intensified. "Neither am I."
In unison, they increased their pace, their footsteps synchronizing. Just then, a sultry voice interrupted their rhythmic stride. "Hey, late comers!"
Mike and Stefan turned right, their eyes locking onto Christina, cruising alongside them in her sleek Lamborghini. Stefan's expression turned wary. "Oh shit, the weirdo's here." He swiftly retrieved his earpiece from his pocket.
Mike smirked at Christina. "You're really going to miss class despite driving that luxurious ride."
Christina's smile hinted at mischief as she accelerated, drawing closer to the duo. "What's your deal with Mrs. Lydia?" she asked, her curiosity piqued.
Mike's grin turned playful. "You wouldn't know, would you?"
Christina's eyes narrowed, her gaze inquiring.
"We're in a love triangle," Mike teased.
Christina's eyes widened, intrigued. Stefan interjected, his tone laced with sarcasm, "I'm sure she doesn't know what love is. No one would dare date the 'school dnd queen' who bullies even her friends."
Christina's eyes flashed red, her anger simmering.
"What a weirdo."
Christina's glare intensified, her voice low and menacing. "You'd do well to watch your words, Stefan."
The air was charged with tension as the trio continued toward their destination. "Back off, Christina," Mike warned.
Christina's expression darkened, her annoyance palpable. She remained silent, her piercing glare fixed on Mike and Stefan.
Mike turned to Stefan, noticing the earpiece now lodged in his ear. "Betrayal!" he exclaimed, retrieving his own earpiece.
Christina's frustration boiled over. She bit down on her nails, her anger measured. With a sudden burst of speed, her Lamborghini surged forward, leaving Mike and Stefan in her dust.
Christina Idris, infamous as the 'school dnd queen,' was a paradox. Her striking features, long dark hair cascading down her back, and captivating beauty belied her volatile temperament.
Her short fuse and advanced anger issues earned her a wide berth from students and teachers alike. When she entered her 'DND' mode, caution was thrown to the wind. Even the school staff tread carefully.
However, two individuals dared confront her, no matter the ferocity of her outbursts; Mike, with his quick wit and sharp tongue, knew precisely how to push Christina's buttons. He could expertly infuriate her, then deftly diffuse the situation, leaving her embarrassed and silent. Stefan, though often hiding behind Mike, shared a similar fearlessness.
But without Mike by his side, Stefan hesitated to face Christina's wrath. Their complex dynamics played out like a delicate dance, each step carefully choreographed. To simply put it, Mike and Christina were like cat and rat - full-time enemies.
Meanwhile, Mrs. Lydia's warm smile welcomed Mike and Stefan. "Ah, my dears, you're unusually early today. Perfect timing!"
Mike exhaled deeply, relief washing over him. "Thank goodness! Thought I'd miss this class."
Stefan nodded in agreement. "Me too, but here we are." He paused, attempting to recall a familiar adage. "The early bird catches the...?" He turned to Mike and asked, "What did the early bird catch again?"
Mike rolled his eyes good-naturedly. "Worm, dumbass!"
Stefan's face lit up. "Right! We caught the worm!"
As he grinned at Mrs. Lydia, a sudden thought struck him. "But wait, what if the worm was late? How would the early bird catch a late worm?"
Mrs. Lydia's patience wore thin. "If you fail my subject, I'll pluck all your teeth!" She said, gathered her belongings and departed, ignoring Stefan's chatters.
Mike and Stefan exchanged perplexed glances. "What does that mean?" Stefan asked.
Laura intervened, her voice tinged with amusement. "It means you missed the class!" Her words dissolved into laughter. Mike shot her a mock-accusatory glance.
"What!?" Laura asked. "I wanted to give you a ride, but you declined, knowing it would take a while before you get here. Even I arrived late."
"You took off without letting me respond," Mike said.
Laura's eyes widened. "Did you really not decline?"
Mike nodded. "You didn't give me a chance to accept your offer. I was so fucking tired."
Laura's face fell, her expression apologetic. "I'm so sorry," she said. She swiftly snatched Mike's bag, a mischievous glint in her eye. "I'll get your notes up to date. Will that make up for it?"
Mike mirrored her smile, relieved. "That would be more than enough. Apology accepted," he responded. Little did Laura know that Mike's notes were woefully incomplete. She was in for a marathon note-taking session.
Stefan observed Laura, then his own bag, and back to Laura again, his grin charmingly persuasive.
"Don't even think about it!" Laura warned, anticipating Stefan's request. "I already have a lot on my plate."
Stefan sighed, disappointment etched on his face. He settled into his seat beside Mike, his gaze drifting toward the entrance as movement caught his attention.
The senior year students were divided into three classes: A, B, and C. Mike and Stefan belonged to class A, while Christina dominated class B. Christina's academic prowess was unparalleled; she consistently topped her class in every school activity. Her reputation preceded her, striking awe and intimidation in equal measure.
Four students from the adjacent class burst in, their sudden arrival commanding attention. Mike recognized them as Christina's loyal entourage, often deployed to handle anyone who crossed her. "Whoa! She really didn't waste any time today!" Mike exclaimed, surprise etched on his face.
Stefan leaned in, a mischievous glint in his eye. "It's called 'revenge is a food that's served hot,' right?"
Mike shot him a sidelong glance, his expression incredulous. "Dammit! Don't give me that look; I'm more brilliant than you think," Stefan defended himself.
Mike scoffed. "Brilliant? My foot! If you don't know it, then don't say it," he chastised. "It's a 'dish,' not a food, and it's 'cold,' not hot. Revenge is a dish best served cold. What's wrong with you today? Why are you pretending to be dumb?"
"Hey Mike!" The leader of the newly arrived group, a tall, imposing figure, interrupted their banter. His tone was laced with an air of superiority, foreshadowing the confrontation to come.
"I've been expecting you, Simon," Mike said, snapping his fingers and gesturing toward the entrance. Just then, Christina appeared, striding into the classroom with an air of confidence. The sudden arrival caught everyone off guard. Simon's lips curled into a sly smile as he settled into the chair facing Mike.
"Told you, right? I was expecting you," Mike quipped. "You're a loyal dog to the school queen, always eager to carry out her orders like a well-trained German Shepherd."
The classroom erupted into laughter. Simon's anger simmered, his piercing glare swiftly silencing the room. Mike turned, waving at Christina with mock friendliness. "I wouldn't be surprised if you hire assassins to deal with us the next time. Keep up the good work."
Christina rolled her eyes, a smirk playing on her lips.
Something is odd.
Stefan!
Why's he silent?
Mike's gaze shifted to Stefan's empty seat.
"Stefan! Where are you?" he wondered, whirling around. A faint movement under Stefan's desk caught his attention. Mike bent down to investigate.
"Stefan! What are you doing under there?" he whispered.