Mike and Stefan entered the classroom, where Laura greeted them with a warm wave, as if they hadn't just met minutes before.
Mike's eyes scanned the room, locking onto a familiar figure sitting at a distance, almost isolated, in the corner. Christina's blank stare and enigmatic expression hinted at a hidden emotion, leaving Mike intrigued.
"What's wrong with her? What's she doing in our class?" Stefan whispered.
"Is there anywhere in the school that the school queen can't make herself comfortable in, except maybe the teacher's offices?" Mike smirked. "She has probably entered her 'DND' mode, isn't that obvious?"
"Yeah, yeah! That explains why she ignored us earlier and drove past us. Now it makes sense," Stefan chuckled.
Mike settled into his seat, taking out his books, but his gaze never left Christina. She sat a short distance away, her eyes fixed on some unknown point, her expression unreadable.
"Don't you think you're staring for too long, buddy? Plotting revenge or just enjoying the view?" Stefan whispered. "Don't forget, it's a plate best served cold."
Mike shook his head, "No, that's not it. She totally wants to be alone at this moment. I don't think she's angry, as she normally is in her 'DND' mode." Mike's eyes remained locked on Christina, his expression thoughtful.
Stefan raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean by that? Do you study her that much?" He asked. "Just an observation."
Mike shot Stefan a grim glance, his eyes glaring. "You don't need to study someone to understand their palpable mood and feelings," he replied, his voice low and intense. Turning back to Christina, he continued, "I'm sure something else is happening to her. This isn't her usual 'DND' anger mode, she's sad. This is the first time I've seen this expression on her."
Stefan's confusion was evident in his tone. "But why do you care?"
Mike's expression turned querulous, "Exactly! How is it any of my concern? Why do I care?" He paused, as if questioning his own emotions. "Does the power inside me come with caring for someone I dislike?"
Stefan's small smile hinted at amusement. "Maybe, so you'd better buckle up to win her heart."
Mike glared at him and smirked."You're just too talented at annoying people. I'm kinda dangerous now, so don't annoy me, or else you might just end up like the guys in the hospital."
As the sound of heels echoed through the hallway, Mike turned towards the door. Mrs. Sandra, the math teacher, entered the classroom, her presence commanding attention.
"Settle down, class. Let's start today's lecture. As you all know, the exam is around the corner, and..."
The class continued as normal, but Mike's gaze kept drifting back to Christina, his expression thoughtful.
***
Finally, it was closing hour, and Mike stood at the entrance, waiting for Stefan to finish packing up and join him.
"Come on here, Mike, you left one of your notebooks on my desk," Stefan called out.
"Oh, really?" Mike replied, attempting to step back into the classroom, but he bumped into Christina, who was rushing out.
"Watch it, asshole!" Christina yelled, her voice venomous, as she hastily departed, her bag bouncing behind her.
Mike's eyes caught sight of something that fell from her grasp during their collision. He moved forward and bent down to pick it up - a gold chain with a locket attached.
Uncertain if it belonged to Christina, Mike opened the locket, revealing a single photo inside. The picture showed a young Christina, likely from her elementary school days, and a woman who bore a striking resemblance to her.
Judging by the uncanny likeness, Mike assumed the woman was Christina's mother. They are smiling together, their faces radiant with happiness. Mike's eyes lingered on the image, sensing a deep emotional connection between the two.
Without hesitation, Mike glanced down from the balcony and spotted Christina entering her car.
"Christina!" he shouted, but she didn't hear him. He rushed downstairs, but it was too late; only the fading squeal of her car's tires could be heard in the distance.
The students heading home began to murmur among themselves, their voices filled with curiosity and amusement.
"What's wrong with him? Why's he chasing after the school queen?" one of them asked.
"Heaven knows, maybe he's trying to settle their long-time grudges," another replied.
"Aren't they full-time enemies? What's going on between them?"
The whispers and snickers grew louder, and Mike could hear every single voice.
"Why the hell were you running?" Stefan's voice cut through the noise.
Mike turned to see Stefan bowing, his hands on his knees, breathing heavily. "I was calling you, didn't you hear?"
Mike shook his head and turned back toward the school gate. "I didn't, why were you running like a person chased by a wild dog?" He asked, his tone laced with concern and confusion.
"I thought you were running away," Stefan replied, his breathing labored.
Mike's eyes narrowed, his tone querulous. "What do you mean by 'running away'? Why would I?" he asked.
"I don't know, maybe to avoid telling me about your sudden transformation," Stefan replied.
Mike shook his head, "Nonsense, why would I do that?" He said and turned back towards the school gate. "Do you know Christina's house?"
"Of course not, how would I know that bitch's house?" Stefan replied almost instantly, staring at Mike through the corner of his eyes. "Something is wrong."
"Exactly, something is definitely wrong with her," Mike's added, nodding his head.
"I mean with you, something is definitely wrong with you. Why are you so bothered by her?" Stefan asked, his gaze demanding answers.
"I don't know, but something feels off about her," Mike replied and turned to Stefan. "Something is wrong with me, right?"
Stefan slowly shook his head and patted Mike on the shoulder. "There's nothing wrong with you, dear friend. It's alright to fall in love; at least your heart is still beating," he said with a smile, always being sarcastic.
Mike's anger flared, and he raised his hand to smack Stefan, but the latter ducked and quickly stood a few feet away, laughing. "Come on, Mike, don't be like this. I was just kidding; I know you're not the type to like someone like Christina."
Just then, a familiar voice came from behind. "I'm thinking of an idea to get home without the use of a cab or my legs."
Stefan and Mike turned to see Rachael, breathing heavily. "I'm beat right now," she added, her voice trembling.
"Well, there's a way to do that. Your brother has a lot of abilities now, flying is one of them," Stefan smirked, his voice laced with sarcasm.
Mike's eyes widened in alarm as he clamped his hand over Stefan's mouth. "Keep it down, Stefan!" He growled through clenched teeth. "Your big mouth is gonna get us all into trouble."
Stefan chuckled, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "You can't possibly think anyone would care about something so unbelievable, do you?"
"Walls have ears."
"Ever since when?"
Rachael's expression turned grim as she intervened. "Ever since Valentina is still suspicious of us. Almost everything has ears as long as Tina's still in this school, so learn to keep your gob zipped."
Stefan's smile faltered, and he looked embarrassed. "I was just kidding," he whispered, his eyes darting between Mike and Rachael.
Rachael's gaze remained stern. "Your joke might get my brother into trouble, and I can't let that happen. So keep your joke to yourself for now, let's get out of here first."
Mike attempted to diffuse the tension. "Don't be too harsh on him, Rachael. He's my best friend after all."
Rachael's expression softened slightly, but her voice remained firm. "Whatever!" She muttered.
"Let's go home, I still have a lot to tell you guys," Mike said, and just then, Laura's voice called out from her car, parked a short distance away. "Guys, are you coming in?"
Stefan raised an eyebrow, turning to Mike. "We wouldn't be able to discuss important matters in her presence, what do you think?"
Mike nodded in agreement. "I say we refuse the ride and trek home." He turned to Rachael and continued, "you'll have to trek eventually, we can't risk revealing our secrets to Laura."
Rachael nodded in concurrence and waved at Laura, who, understanding the situation, nodded and drove off.
Without further argument, the trio embarked on their journey back home. Along the way, Mike narrated everything - his encounters, changes, and transformation processes - leaving out no details. Stefan and Rachael listened with rapt attention.
"Are you for real!?" they exclaimed simultaneously when Mike finished.
Rachael's eyes widened in awe, her expression a mix of amazement and trepidation. "What's happening to you, Mike? You're...changing, evolving into something more."
"So you have super hearing, super-strength, and..." Stefan trailed, trying to recollect.
"I'm fast," Mike completed, a hint of a smile played on his lips. "When those armed men attacked me earlier, they looked slow and predictable."
"Wow! If what you said is true, then I should be a bat too," Stefan marvelled.
"Stop talking nonsense! He can't even see properly during the day," Rachael scoffed.
"I see well, even more clearly now than before I lost my sight. My vision is sharper, especially at night," Mike countered. "Look at me now, is this not enough proof for you?"
Rachael raised an eyebrow. "Torchlight blinds you, don't forget," she said.
"Whatever!" Mike grumbled relentingly.
"Don't bats make some awful noise?" Stefan intervened.
"It's called clicks; they use it for echolocation. It's barely audible," Rachael clarified. "Why are you asking?"
Mike burst into laughter, his contagious laughter making passersby smile. Stefan and Rachael exchanged confused glances, wondering why he was suddenly laughing.
"The clicks, or whatever you guys call it," Mike paused, pointing to himself.
Stefan and Rachael exchanged confused glances again before realization dawned.
"You can make such a sound!?" Stefan exclaimed. Rachael's eyes widened further.
"Oh-my-God!"
Mike nodded, his expression thoughtful. "When I was fighting those guys in the morning, I unintentionally made the sound," he replied and the trio's laughter echoed through the streets, drawing curious stares from onlookers.
Rachael and Stefan leaned in, their curiosity piqued. "Then what? What happened when you made the sound?" they asked in unison.
"I don't know," Mike shrugged and the laughter on Rachael and Stefan froze.
"Idiot," Stefan muttered under his breath.
"You live in a cloud-cuckoo-land," Rachael added, her voice laced with sarcasm.
Mike frowned, his ears picking up their whispers thanks to his super hearing ability. "I can hear your whispers, don't forget I have super hearing ability now, and what is cloud cuckoo?" He asked, confused.
Rachael rolled her eyes. "Forget it!" she barked.
Mike shrugged. "Well... That's your headache, I couldn't care less." His gaze drifted across the road, fixing on a particular spot. "I wasn't entirely conscious of what's happening around me then. It felt like I was possessed, and…"
Rachael and Stefan exchanged a curious glance. "And what?" they asked simultaneously. "Possessed and what?"
No reply.
"And what? You're not replying!" Rachael grumbled, following Mike's gaze. "What are you staring at?"
Mike's focus remained fixed. "Doesn't that blue Lambo looks familiar?" He asked.
Stefan's eyes widened. "Yes, it does. Isn't that Christina's..." His sentence trailed off as his eyes narrowed at Mike. "You're still interested in her?"
Mike pulled out the gold chain with the locket. "I have something that belongs to her." His gaze shifted beyond the car, and he spotted Christina sitting on the jetty across the road.
"That's Christina!" Mike exclaimed, his voice filled with surprise. He swiftly handed his bag to Rachael. "Go on, guys, don't wait for me!" He shouted, scurrying off across the road.
Rachael and Stefan exchanged a knowing glance. "He's crazy, he wouldn't last a minute with her," Stefan whispered.
"Absolutely, let's wait and watch as they pick a fight," Rachael smirked.
As Mike rushed toward Christina, Rachael and Stefan trailed behind, observing from a distance. The tension between Mike and Christina was palpable, and they wondered what would unfold.