Gym class was supposed to be just another period to survive, but for Ere'ana, it felt like stepping onto a battlefield. The volleyball nets were set up, and the class was split into teams. Of course, Ava and her crew dominated one team, leaving Ere'ana on the opposite side, an easy target.
Ere'ana adjusted her glasses and tried to focus on the game. The coach, Mr. Finn, blew the whistle.
"Ava, you're serving!" he barked.
Ava smirked as she picked up the ball, tossing it in her hands. Ere'ana felt a knot tighten in her stomach. Ava's gaze locked on her, and Ere'ana knew what was coming.
The ball soared over the net, coming straight at Ere'ana's head. She ducked just in time, the ball missing her by inches.
"Keep your head in the game, Daniels!" Mr. Finn shouted, completely ignoring Ava's obvious intent.
Ava's smirk deepened. "Oops, my bad," she said mockingly, picking up another ball.
"Serve again, Ava," Mr. Finn ordered.
Ava positioned herself, and this time, her aim was perfect. The ball slammed into Ere'ana's temple, sending her stumbling backward and falling to the floor.
The gym went silent for a moment before a few kids snickered. Ere'ana's glasses slid down her nose, and she felt a sharp sting on her knee. Looking down, she saw blood trickling from a fresh scrape.
Her friend, Mia, rushed over to help her up, glaring at Ava. "What the hell is your problem, Ava?"
Ava shrugged, tossing her hair over her shoulder. "I guess she's just bad at sports."
Mia helped Ere'ana to her feet, but before she could take a step, Ava raised her foot to kick her.
Without thinking, Ere'ana grabbed Ava's ankle mid-kick, her instincts kicking in. Ava yelped and dramatically fell to the ground, clutching her knee like she'd been mortally wounded.
"She attacked me!" Ava wailed, looking up at Mr. Finn.
The coach frowned but crossed his arms. "Cut the act, Ava. Get back in position."
Ava's jaw dropped. "But—"
"Now!" Mr. Finn barked.
Fuming, Ava stomped back to her spot, throwing Ere'ana a glare that promised revenge.
---
After class, Ere'ana made her way to the locker room, hoping the day couldn't get any worse. She opened her locker and froze.
Her clothes were gone.
Her heart sank as she frantically searched the surrounding lockers, but there was no sign of her uniform or anything else she'd brought.
A pit of dread formed in her stomach. She glanced around the empty locker room, her towel clutched tightly around her. The thought of walking out like this made her sick, but what choice did she have?
Taking a deep breath, she stepped out of the locker room, her towel covering her as best it could.
She didn't make it far before she heard laughter.
The volleyball team was waiting for her, phones out and recording. Ava stepped forward, her face alight with malice. "Aw, look at little Miss Perfect. Guess you're not so perfect now."
"Leave me alone," Ere'ana muttered, clutching the towel tighter.
Ava smirked and reached out, yanking the towel down in one swift motion.
Ere'ana gasped, her arms flying up to cover herself as the laughter erupted around her.
"That's enough."
The voice was sharp, commanding, and immediately silenced the room. Ere'ana turned her head to see Kikidori standing nearby, his expression unusually serious.
Before anyone could react, Kikidori grabbed her arm and pulled her into an empty classroom, slamming the door shut behind them.
She stood there trembling, tears threatening to spill as she clutched at herself, her humiliation unbearable.
Kikidori sighed and tossed her a neatly folded uniform. "Put this on."
She blinked at him, confused. "What…?"
"It's my extra uniform," he said, his tone surprisingly soft. "I'm not going to let those vultures keep laughing at you."
Hesitant, she took the uniform and turned her back to him. "Don't look."
"Whatever," he said with a roll of his eyes, though he turned around to give her privacy.
Once she was dressed, she adjusted the oversized blazer and tugged at the too-long pants. Kikidori turned back around, smirking. "Not bad, Prez. Looks like you're finally starting to dress like someone from my world."
She shot him a glare. "Shut up."
He chuckled, opening the door. "Come on. Let's get out of here before Ava and her crew come back."
Ere'ana followed him, her cheeks still burning from embarrassment. She didn't say it out loud, but for the first time, she was genuinely grateful for Kikidori's interference.
End of Chapter 3