The very next morning, the Richardson house buzzed with the soft chaos of getting ready for school. Drawers opened, footsteps moved up and down the hallway, and Tyler's voice could be heard complaining about socks somewhere in the distance.
Alexa stayed in bed, pulling the blanket up to her chin, practicing a weak cough.
Mr Richardson walked past her room, then stopped and leaned on the doorframe.
"Alexa? Why aren't you dressed?"
She sniffed. "I… I don't feel fine, Dad. My head hurts."
He frowned with concern. "Oh. Alright, then. Rest, okay?"
"Okay," she said softly.
He nodded and walked away.
A few minutes later, Olivia stepped into the room.
Alexa immediately repeated, "Mum… I'm not feeling well."
Olivia didn't answer right away. She simply walked to the bedside table, picked up Alexa's phone, and held it.
Alexa blinked. "Mum?"
"If you want this back," Olivia said calmly, "you will get dressed, tidy yourself, and meet us in the car."
Alexa groaned loudly. "That's not fair."
Olivia raised an eyebrow. "Five minutes."
Alexa sighed dramatically. "Fine."
As Olivia walked out, she muttered under her breath, "Teenagers…"
—
Soon, the whole family was in the car.
Tyler kicked his feet excitedly. "I have art today!"
"That's nice," Daniel said, smiling.
Seylah glanced at Alexa. "You look like you swallowed a lemon."
Alexa rolled her eyes. "Very funny."
They arrived at school.
Daniel turned back. "Have a good day, everyone."
Olivia added, "Remember — be kind."
"Bye!" Tyler said, jumping out.
Alexa hesitated. "Mum — you said you'd warn them!"
But the car was already pulling away.
She sighed.
Seylah touched her arm. "Hey… I'm sorry about yesterday. I shouldn't have laughed."
"It's okay," Alexa said quietly.
"I'll help you talk to them," Seylah said.
They hugged briefly.
Tyler ran off toward his class.
"See you later," Seylah said, heading the other way.
—
"ALEXA!"
Mary came rushing down the steps, almost tripping.
They hugged tightly.
"Oh my goodness," Mary began, barely taking a breath, "you will not believe what happened yesterday — Mrs Carter was talking for like twenty minutes straight, and then I saw this dog chasing its own tail and I thought — imagine if humans did that —"
Alexa laughed. "Mary, breathe."
"I am breathing!" Mary said quickly. "Anyway, I missed you!"
"I missed you too."
They walked down the corridor together.
—
"Well, look who decided to show up."
Kira's voice cut through the chatter.
She stepped forward with Lila, Tiphny, and Tabitha behind her.
Mary muttered, "Oh no…"
Kira smirked. "Still hiding behind your little friend?"
Mary frowned. "Leave us alone."
Alexa stepped forward. "Just go, Kira."
Kira laughed. "Or what?"
"You heard her," Mary said.
Kira leaned closer. "You think you're brave now?"
Before Alexa could react — Kira slapped her.
The hallway went silent.
"How dare you!" a voice shouted.
Seylah pushed through the crowd. "You do not touch my sister!"
She stepped up to Kira.
Kira scoffed. "Or what?"
They shoved each other.
"Stop it!" someone yelled.
But Kira's friends jumped in — one of them hit Seylah hard.
Seylah staggered. "I'm fine," she muttered, trying to stand straight.
Kira smiled coldly. "That's your warning."
Alexa rushed forward. "Leave her alone!"
Kira shoved her back. "You're all weak."
Alexa's chest tightened.
She turned and ran toward the bathroom.
—
Inside, she locked the door, breathing fast.
Footsteps approached.
BANG.
BANG.
BANG.
The lock broke.
They shoved a mop against the door.
Kira's voice echoed. "You can't hide."
She kicked open a stall. "There you are."
"No… please," Alexa whispered.
"Put her face in," Kira ordered.
One girl grabbed Alexa's arms.
Another held the flush.
"Let me go!" Alexa cried.
They forced her down.
Mary's voice faintly shouted outside, "Stop! Someone help!"
The girls laughed.
"Say hello to the water," Kira sneered.
They pushed her face into the toilet.
Alexa struggled — heart racing — panic rising —
Something inside her snapped.
Her eyes burned.
Her lens turned fiery red.
Heat surged through her body.
Her skin glowed — red… brighter… shining.
"Guys…?" one girl whispered nervously.
Suddenly —
BOOM.
Flames burst outward.
Tiles cracked.
Fire roared through the bathroom.
—
Students screamed.
Mary rushed in with others. "Alexa!"
They pulled everyone out.
Alexa stood trembling — completely unhurt.
Kira groaned in pain, her arm burned.
"What happened?" Mary whispered.
"I… I don't know," Alexa said.
—
Later, in the principal's office.
The principal folded her arms. "Alexa Richardson, you endangered lives."
"I didn't," Alexa said, voice shaking. "I was inside too."
"You are not injured," the principal said sharply. "Which suggests premeditation."
The door opened.
Daniel and Olivia rushed in.
"Alexa?" Olivia said. "What happened?"
The principal spoke firmly. "Your daughter brought a bomb into school."
Daniel stiffened. "A bomb?"
"She destroyed the girls' bathroom," the principal continued. "She is suspended."
Daniel nodded slowly. "We will cover the damages."
Olivia looked at Alexa, searching her face.
—
Outside, Mary hugged her.
"I'll miss you," Mary said.
"I'll miss you too," Alexa replied.
Mary laughed softly. "At least Kira learned something."
Alexa gave a small smile.
—
In the car.
Seylah turned. "Seriously — why would you bring a bomb?"
"I didn't," Alexa said quietly. "I don't know what happened."
Daniel and Olivia exchanged a look.
"Sixteen…" Olivia whispered under her breath.
Daniel nodded slightly.
Alexa stared out the window — unaware of the silent realization between her parents — as they drove home.