Some time later, in the cafeteria.
Jack had never been one to get into fights. He preferred to avoid conflict, but there was something about this scene that he couldn't ignore. Kyler and his two friends were surrounding a younger boy in the corner of the cafeteria, laughing as they shoved him and threw his food onto the floor. The boy tried to defend himself, but it was obvious that he didn't stand a chance against the three of them.
Jack looked around. Several students were standing around, watching silently. No one was doing anything. Not even Eli and Demetri, who were sitting at a nearby table, seemed willing to get involved. Something inside Jack snapped.
"Hey!" he shouted, standing up from the table.
Kyler turned around, surprised to see someone intruding.
"What do you want, new guy?" Kyler asked, with an arrogant smile.
"Leave him alone." Jack said, his tone firm.
"What if I don't want him?" Kyler replied, taking a step towards Jack.
Jack didn't wait. He charged toward Kyler with a speed that surprised everyone. Before Kyler could react, Jack punched him squarely in the face, knocking him backwards. Kyler's two friends tried to attack Jack, but he was fast. He dodged a punch and counterattacked with a kick to the leg of one of them, knocking him to his knees. The other tried to grab him, but Jack used the boy's own weight against him, throwing him to the ground with one swift blow.
The fight was quick and brutal. Kyler tried to get up, but Jack grabbed him by the shirt and pushed him against the wall.
"The next time I see you do this, it'll be worse," Jack said, his tone icy.
Kyler didn't respond. He just looked at Jack with a mixture of fear and anger, before leaving the cafeteria with his friends, limping and holding his face.
The cafeteria was silent for a moment, until someone started applauding. Soon, everyone was clapping and shouting Jack's name. He looked around, surprised by the reaction. Eli and Demetri approached, looking at him with admiring looks.
"Dude, you just took down Kyler!" Eli said excitedly.
"I didn't know you were that strong." Demetri added with a wry smile.
Jack didn't answer. He just helped the younger boy up and gave him a piece of bread that was left on his table.
"Thank you," the boy said, his eyes full of gratitude.
"No need to thank me. Just don't let anyone treat you like that again," Jack replied, with a half smile.
Tory was on the terrace when she heard the rumors about the fight. She couldn't believe what she was hearing—had Jack, the quiet, reserved boy, knocked Kyler and his friends out in the middle of the cafeteria? She decided to check it out for herself.
When she got to the cafeteria, the fight was over, but the atmosphere was still electric. She saw Jack surrounded by a group of students, who were praising him and thanking him for standing up to Kyler. Tory stood there for a moment, taking in the scene. There was something about Jack that she couldn't quite put her finger on—something that intrigued and attracted her at the same time.
She remembered all the times they had talked on the terrace. Jack was unlike anyone she had ever met. He didn't try to impress her or fit in. He was just himself, and that made her feel… comfortable.
But Tory wasn't used to being comfortable. She had dedicated her life to taking care of her mother and younger brother, and had no time for friendships or complicated feelings. Still, something about Jack made her question everything she thought she knew about herself.
Tory sat on the terrace, her legs folded up on the floor, her notebook open on her lap. She couldn't concentrate on her drawings. Her mind was full of thoughts about Jack and the fight in the cafeteria. She couldn't understand why he had done it. He had nothing to gain—in fact, he had only so much to lose. And yet, he had stood up to Kyler and his friends without hesitation.
"Why did he do that?" She thought, scribbling in her notebook without realizing it. "He had nothing to do with it. He just... did what was right."
She remembered all the times she herself had stood up to people like Kyler, but always for selfish reasons—to protect herself or to prove she was stronger. Jack had done it for someone he didn't even know. It intrigued and bothered her at the same time.
"Tory?" Jack's voice pulled her out of her thoughts.
She looked back and saw Jack standing at the terrace door, looking curious.
"What are you doing here?" he asked.
"Same as you." Tory replied, with a half smile.
Jack sat down beside her, keeping a respectful distance. They sat in silence for a moment, staring out at the horizon. Tory felt a pang of something she couldn't name—something she had been keeping inside for a long time.
"Why did you do that?" Tory asked, not looking at him.
"Did what?" Jack replied, confused.
"The fight. Why did you get involved? You don't even know that kid."
Jack was silent for a moment, as if he was considering the answer.
"I don't know," he finally said. "I just… I couldn't stand to watch it."
Tory stared at him, studying his face. There was something in his simple answer that made her feel a connection she hadn't expected. She wasn't used to feeling this way—vulnerable, exposed. She'd always been the strong one, the one who took care of others. But somehow, Jack made her question everything she thought she knew about herself.
"I understand," Tory said finally. "I don't like to see injustice either. But I wouldn't do it for someone I don't know."
"Why?" Jack asked, turning to look at her.
"Because I have more important things to take care of." Tory replied, her tone more serious.
Jack didn't say anything, but his gaze was questioning. Tory felt he deserved an explanation, even if she wasn't used to giving one.
"My mother is sick," she began, looking out into the distance. "And I have a younger brother to take care of. I can't afford to get into fights or make friends. I have to be strong. For them."
Jack was silent for a moment, as if processing what she had said.
"That doesn't mean you can't have friends," he finally said.
"Maybe," Tory replied with a half smile. "But it's more complicated than it seems."
They fell silent again, but this time the mood was different. There was an understanding between them—a connection that needed no words. Tory felt something she hadn't felt in a long time: hope. But she wasn't ready to admit it, not even to herself.
"I should go," Tory said, standing up and closing her notebook.
"Tory," Jack called before she could leave.
"What?" She replied, turning to look at him.
"Thank you. For telling me this," he said, his tone sincere.
Tory didn't answer. She just nodded and walked away, leaving Jack alone on the terrace. But as she walked down the stairs, she felt something she couldn't ignore—a tiny spark of something she hadn't felt in a long time. Something she wasn't sure she was ready to face.