The final bell rang, sharp and loud, echoing through the school corridors like a signal of freedom.
Students rushed out of their classrooms, laughter and chatter filling the air. Lockers slammed shut, footsteps echoed, and the school slowly transformed from strict and silent to noisy and alive.
Blackfire packed her things calmly, slinging her bag over her shoulder.
Outside, near the school gate, Clark was already waiting—leaning against the fence, spinning a small rock with his foot.
"You're late," he said, grinning.
"You say that every day," Blackfire replied flatly.
"And one day you'll prove me wrong," he shot back.
Before she could answer, a familiar voice called out:
"Komand'r!"
Blackfire turned.
Judha was jogging toward them from the opposite side of the yard, slightly out of breath, her bag bouncing against her side.
"Sorry!" she said, stopping in front of them. "My class was let out later again. I swear my teacher enjoys holding us hostage."
Clark blinked.
"Oh right—your class is on the other wing, isn't it?"
"Unfortunately," Judha sighed. "Far, far away from civilization."
Blackfire let out a small laugh.
"How did today go?" she asked.
Judha thought for a moment.
"I didn't get hit, yelled at, or sent to the infirmary," she said proudly. "So I'd say it was a good day."
Clark gave her a thumbs-up.
"That's already better than mine. Professor Hakim called me 'energetically disruptive'."
Blackfire tilted her head.
"That sounds like a compliment."
"It wasn't," Clark replied immediately.
The three of them started walking out of the school gates together, the warm afternoon breeze brushing past them.
As they walked, Judha pointed ahead.
"I turn here," she said. "My place is past the market district."
Clark nodded.
"Figures. I go the other way—near the old training grounds."
Blackfire slowed her steps.
"Oh," she said. "So… we split here."
Judha smiled softly.
"Yeah. But tomorrow's recess, right?"
Blackfire nodded quickly.
"Of course."
Clark crossed his arms dramatically.
"And if either of you disappears without warning again," he said, "I'm reporting it as a missing-person case."
Judha laughed.
"I'll leave a note next time."
"Please do," Blackfire added. "Preferably one that doesn't involve mystery injuries."
Judha scratched the back of her head, embarrassed.
"…No promises."
They stopped at the crossroads.
Judha waved first.
"See you tomorrow, Komand'r. Clark."
"See you," Clark replied.
"Be careful on the way home," Blackfire said.
Judha smiled, genuine and warm, before turning and heading down her path alone.
Clark watched her go, then looked at Blackfire.
"She's… interesting," he said.
"That's one way to put it," Blackfire replied.
They turned down their own road, walking side by side toward their neighborhood.
For once, the silence between them wasn't heavy.
It was comfortable.
Behind them, the school gates closed slowly.
Ahead of them, three different paths waited—
but tomorrow, they would meet again.