Stefan hesitantly emerged from under the desk, his eyes scanning the floor with a hint of distraction. "Looking for something?" Mike asked, his tone conveying a bit of amusement.
Stefan nodded, but his expression betrayed his true intentions. However, Mike recognized the signs. He placed a reassuring arm on Stefan's shoulder and whispered, "Are you scared of those guys?"
Stefan's stuttered response spoke volumes. "W-why would I be? They're no match for me!"
Mike raised an incredulous eyebrow. "Then why were you hiding under there?"
Stefan's sigh was laced with frustration. "I was scared of what I might do to them, actually..."
Mike's expression turned serious. "Let's go!" He pulled Stefan toward him, and together they headed toward the door.
Simon's exasperated voice halted their exit. "Where are you going, idiots?"
Mike turned, his eyes locked onto Simon. "To settle this, of course. You don't want a fight here, do you?"
Simon's eyes flashed open, his irritation evident. "Okay, let's go!" He trailed Mike and Stefan downstairs, to the secluded area behind the classes. The tension was palpable as Stefan stepped forward, rolling up his sleeves. "Here we are. Let's just get this over with," he declared, his voice firm. The air was charged with anticipation, the confrontation looming, but Mike stepped back, hiding behind Stefan's broad frame.
"Seriously? You're hiding now while I'm about to clean up our mess?" Stefan grumbled. "We're in this together, don't forget."
Mike re-emerged, a sarcastic grin spreading across his face. Assuming a mock fighting stance. "I don't want to ruin my cute face," he clarified. "Fighting always ends up inflicting injuries. But I guess I'll dust off my first aid box today."
Simon and his cohorts burst into laughter, amused by Mike's facade. Few moments later the two groups clashed, their movements a blur. Christina observed from a distance, her expression unreadable. The brawl raged on until a stern voice echoed from the classroom above. "What are you guys doing!?"
Heads turned upward, identifying the source. "Mrs. Rebecca!?" they chimed.
The school principal's authoritative voice brooked no disobedience. Her anger was palpable. "All of you! In my office now!" she ordered. As she began to withdraw her head, her gaze fell upon the battered students. "This isn't even a small matter. You're injured!?" she exclaimed, her shock and dismay hung in the air.
Stefan pointed an accusatory finger at Christina. "She's the one who started it! She sent her friends to attack us!"
Mrs. Rebecca's gaze narrowed. "Would you have been attacked had you stayed in your classroom?"
Christina attempted to slip away, but Mrs. Rebecca's sharp eyes caught her. "Halt, Christina!" she commanded.
Christina's eyes widened in innocence. "They're lying! I never sent anyone!"
Mrs. Rebecca's expression remained stern. "Christina Idris, I don't have much to say to you." She turned to the others. "Bring your parents with you tomorrow. All of you!" With that, Mrs. Rebecca disappeared into the classroom.
Stefan groaned. "This is why I didn't want to fight in the first place. Now my parents will waste their time coming here tomorrow. Ugh!"
Simon wiped the blood from his lips and retreated with his friends. Mike clapped Stefan on the shoulder. "Stop whining. Let's go have some fun! This is for the better." Stefan's smile returned, and he trudged toward the staircase, Mike following behind.
Christina stood on the staircase, engrossed in her phone. "Bitch," Mike muttered, voice was low but firm. Christina's gaze snapped up, her eyes blazing. A tense, full-minute staring contest ensued.
"She even denied sending Simon to attack us. What a coward!" Stefan snickered, breaking the intense silence.
Christina's retort was laced with frustration, "Would you admit it if you were in my position?"
"Be patient with me, I promise you, I'll be the end of you in this school," Mike said to her and strode confidently pass her. His words echoed with conviction, a subtle threat. Stefan shook his head, a knowing smirk spreading across his face, and followed Mike.
Christina scoffed, jammed her phone into her pocket, and stormed off. At the upstairs stood couples of students, murmuring. They appeared to have witnessed the clash earlier, and as Mike and Stefan approached reached upstairs they dispersed into their different classrooms.
The remainder of the school day flew by in a blur and as the final bell rang, Mike parted ways with Stefan. "See you tomorrow," he called out.
Stefan waved, his eyes already fixed on his phone. The tension with Christina still lingered, a promise of impending conflict.
*****
"I'm home!" Mike shouted, bursting through the front door. He collapsed onto the couch, but his relaxation was short-lived. He flinched, sitting up abruptly. "My bag! Where did I put it? Did I leave it at school?" He stood up, rubbing his chin thoughtfully, retracing his steps.
A smile spread across his face as memory struck. "I almost forgot, Laura took it!" He collapsed back onto the couch, eyes closing in relief.
"When did you get back?" Rachael's voice drifted from upstairs.
Mike's younger sister, Rachael, shared an uncanny resemblance to him, despite being two years his junior she appeared more older than her age.
"Just now..." Mike trailed off.
Rachael's voice held a knowing tone. "Did you and Christina fight again?"
Mike's eyes snapped open, his head jerking upward to meet Rachael's gaze. "How did you know?" he asked, incredulous.
Rachael shrugged. "Isn't it obvious? Who else could frustrate you like this?" Her words stung, highlighting the long-standing rivalry. "You guys fight every chance you get. Aren't you tired? Since elementary school!" Rachael exclaimed.
Mike scowled, flopping back onto the couch. "Whatever! She disgusts me."
"How did you guys even become arch-nemesis?" Rachael asked, curiosity sparkling in her eyes.
Mike's expression darkened, his brow furrowing as memories resurfaced. "Hmm... Dunno, I guess she disgusted me even back then," he said, the words tasting bitter.
For an instant, his mask slipped, revealing a glimmer of the old pain. Rachael's innocent question had unknowingly prodded a long-healed scar, stirring emotions Mike thought he'd left behind. His eyes clouded, and his voice carried a hint of conviction, but the lie echoed within him. The truth remained locked away, hidden even from himself.
Rachael erupted into laughter, her amusement infectious, chattering Mike's thoughts. "What would you do without each other? You're in your last year of high school anyway," she teased. "You'll really miss each other when you graduate."
"Me? Miss her? Why would I? Stop joking please, I'm not in the mood," Mike scowled, his expression stern
Rachael's grin softened. "Wait, let me get something for your injuries." She disappeared into the corridor to fetch a first-aid box. Few minutes later she returned and tended to Mike's wounds with gentle care.
"I think my nose is broken," Mike winced.
Rachael examined it closely. "It doesn't look broken to me," she reassured, applying ointment to his bruises.
Mike's expression turned thoughtful. "Yeah, I remember, I wanted to ask you something last night… do you remember?"
Rachael nodded. "What did you want to ask?"
"What do you know about chimeras?" Mike asked.
Rachael's eyes narrowed. "You mean the legendary creature from mythology?" Mike nodded.
"It's a creature from ancient Greek myths," Rachael began. "Said to have a lion's head, goat's body, and dragon's tail. Why are you asking?" Her curiosity was piqued.
"Our history teacher talked briefly about it while teaching last Friday. I was so engrossed and I've been curious about it ever since then," Mike replied. "Do chimeras actually breathe fire?"
Rachael's eyes sparkled. "In a way, yes… I know where you can find books on legendary creatures," she said. "But you can only get them tonight."
"Tonight? Where?" Mike's curiosity grew.
"My friend, Tina's house. I discovered when I visited her a few days ago that her dad has an incredible library." Rachael replied. "She's holding a birthday party tonight. It's the perfect opportunity to grab some books."
"Seriously? Would she really give us some?" Mike asked, incredulous.
Rachael chuckled. "That's impossible! Not even she is allowed in the library."
Mike's eyes widened. "So how are we going to get the books?"
Rachael's grin turned mischievous. "You're so slow-witted! Isn't it obvious?" she said. "We're going there to steal them."
Mike's laughter burst forth. "Whoa! Whoa! That's—"
"Don't even say it! If you don't want me to change my mind, just quietly shut up!" Rachael cut him off.
Mike's eyes twinkled with amusement. He glanced at Rachael sideways, concealing his laughter. "Quietly... what?" he whispered.
Rachael's hiss sent Mike into silent giggles, she darted upstairs, leaving Mike grinning.