Amanda barely flicked her gaze toward Olivia, her lips curling into a slow, condescending smirk. "Oh, look. The princess in pink has arrived to save the day."
She tilted her head, arms crossed as she lazily surveyed Olivia's outfit. "What's the plan, Barbie? Gonna drown us in sparkles and friendship speeches?"
Jenna and Bree snickered at Amanda's jab, their grips on Sumaya's arms remaining firm. They didn't need to be told—the fun wasn't over until Amanda said so.
But Olivia didn't even blink. With her hands still planted firmly on her hips, she tilted her head, a sly smile playing on her lips. "Oh, Amanda, do you really wanna play it that way?"
Amanda's smirk twitched. The way Olivia said that, like she wasn't afraid in the slightest, set off a flicker of irritation. The hallway had gone silent. Students had stopped pretending not to watch.
Amanda thrived on attention, but she didn't like being tested.
For a second, she debated doubling down, maybe shoving Sumaya just to see how far she could push Olivia. But then, Olivia took a step forward. It was slow, deliberate.
"Let. Her. Go. Now." Her voice was like a sharpened nail dragging across silk.
Amanda clicked her tongue, rolling her eyes as if bored. "Ugh, fine. Since you're making such a scene." She stepped back and waved her hand exaggeratedly before turning away. "Let her go, girls."
Jenna and Bree hesitated, exchanging looks. But Amanda had spoken, so they shoved Sumaya away, sending her stumbling forward.
Sumaya caught herself quickly, feet steady before she could fall.
But as Amanda sauntered past, she leaned in close, just enough for Sumaya to hear.
Her lips barely moving as she whispered, "This isn't over yet, freak." Venom dripped from every word.
Then, with a saccharine smile, she turned back to Olivia. "Enjoy your little victory. It won't last."
Jenna and Bree flanked her as she walked away, her long hair swaying like a banner of victory.
The tension in the air lingered, thick and suffocating, until Olivia let out an exaggerated sigh, flipping her hair over her shoulder.
"Ugh," she groaned. "She's such a cliché."
Sumaya let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding, rubbing the sore spot on her arm. "You took your time."
Olivia winked, bumping their shoulders together. "What? A knight's gotta make an entrance."
A small smile ghosted over Sumaya's lips as she shook her head in amusement.
Around them, the lingering crowd began to disperse.
Raul, who had been holding his breath, finally let it out in relief. Meanwhile, Ulva's sharp eyes followed Amanda's retreating form, a dangerous glint flashing in them for a brief moment before she turned away.
"Let's go," Marrok muttered, already walking off.
Ulva immediately latched onto his hand, her fingers tightening around his.
Raul hesitated, his brows furrowing, but after a moment, he followed them.
Inside Marrok's mind, Zeev snarled, "And this is exactly why I don't talk to you."
Marrok exhaled sharply but didn't respond. He had neither the patience nor the energy to deal with his wolf's tantrum right now.
→→→→→→→
Olivia's eyes sparkled with mischief as she grabbed Sumaya and pulled her into a tight hug. "Come here!"
Sumaya stiffened at first, caught off guard. But as Olivia squeezed tighter, warmth spread through her chest.
The tension from the last few minutes melted, and she closed her eyes, sinking into the embrace.
"I missed you," Olivia mumbled.
Sumaya's lips curled. "I missed you too."
They pulled away, and Olivia wasted no time before clasping Sumaya's hands dramatically. "Now, tell me—how's my favorite, beautiful best friend doing?"
Sumaya gave her a flat look. "I'm your only best friend."
Olivia gasped, clutching her chest. "Maya, don't ruin the moment!" She pouted. "And I know that I'm your favorite, beautiful best friend too."
Sumaya rolled her eyes but couldn't hide the smirk tugging at her lips. "Clown," she muttered.
Olivia grinned. "Oh, I love you too BBF."
Sumaya shook her head, amusement flickering in her gaze.
"It's good to be back," Olivia said cheerfully as they strolled through the hallway toward their lockers. The familiar chatter of students, the slamming of lockers, and the distant laughter filled the air. "I got a lot of things for you."
Sumaya peeked at her best friend from beneath the hood she refused to lower. "That's nice of you, Oli. Thanks."
"You're welcome." Olivia's voice was light, playful—but her sharp gaze flickered to Sumaya's face, scanning her features with quiet intensity.
She saw it—the telltale puffiness beneath her friend's eyes, the way she kept her head slightly lowered like she was trying to disappear into her hoodie.
Olivia's grip on her handbag tightened. 'Does this have anything to do with why Sumaya didn't pick up her calls or reply to her messages last night?' The thought nagged at her, stirring unease in her chest.
But, Olivia didn't press—not yet.
Instead, she plastered on her usual grin. "So, how did you spend your holiday?"
Sumaya hesitated for half a second before blurting, "Missing you."
A beat of silence passed before she realized what she'd just admitted.
Olivia gasped, pressing a hand to her chest in mock emotion. "Awwn! Someone finally admitted it!" Her eyes twinkled with mischief. "I'm so touched."
Sumaya rolled her eyes, fighting a smile. "Don't push it."
Despite her dry tone, Olivia knew the truth.
Sumaya loved her—a lot. But she'd never say it outright, not in words. It wasn't her style. Olivia, though, had always been able to read between the lines. She felt it in the way Sumaya stuck by her, the way her eyes softened whenever Olivia pulled her into ridiculous antics.
Sumaya had a way of fading into the shadows, but Olivia? Olivia was the sunshine that always found her.
And right now, Sumaya needed her light more than ever.
They made their way down the hall, weaving past students, the scent of floor polish and cheap perfume filling the air.
Sumaya often wondered if Olivia had some kind of internal Sumaya Radar. Like she just knew when things were off, when Sumaya needed a distraction, a reason to shake off the weight pressing on her shoulders.
They had known each other since first grade—back when Sumaya was still adjusting to her adoptive parents, a new home, a new school, her new llife
But back then, they weren't really friends.
They only exchanged words in passing, shared reading groups, or bumped into each other at recess. It wasn't until second grade that everything changed.
That day, both of them had gotten in trouble for doodling all over their desks.
One minute, they had been minding their own business, lost in their drawings. The next, their teacher loomed over them, arms crossed, voice tight with disapproval.
Detention sealed their fate as best friends.
From that day forward, they had been inseparable.
Sleepovers had been their thing. Whispered secrets under blanket fort, sneaking extra cookies from the kitchen—those were their golden days. And Olivia's room always smelled like vanilla and citrus. But those days had ended.
Because when Sumaya's father changed, everything changed.
No more visiting Olivia's house. No more Olivia at hers. And Olivia—being Olivia—never complained.
She never pushed, never pried, never asked the questions Sumaya wasn't ready to answer.
But Sumaya wasn't stupid. She knew Olivia had her suspicions.
She saw it in the way her best friend's smile sometimes faltered, the way her eyes lingered on Sumaya a little longer than necessary—watching, waiting.
Yet, Olivia never forced her to talk. She just stayed. Understanding. Steady. A constant in Sumaya's otherwise unpredictable life.
As they rounded the corner, their lockers finally in sight, Sumaya let out a small sigh—only to stop short.
Because leaning against Olivia's locker, with his arms wrapped around Amanda, was none other than Oliver, Olivia's twin brother.
And, of course, Amanda's ever-present cronies weren't far off, lingering like vultures.
This was why Olivia was the only one who could stop Amanda. The reason Amanda never picked a fight with her, never crossed the line, because she was dating Olivia's brother—a bitter, twisted irony.
Sumaya heard Olivia groan dramatically and glanced at her as Olivia pinched the bridge of her nose. "Ugh. I wonder what he even sees in her."
Sumaya hummed, watching as Amanda whispered something to Oliver, her manicured fingers trailing across his chest.
"It must has something to do with a spell," she muttered dryly.
Olivia snorted. "Has to be."