HAPTER 7
LINES THAT SHOULDN'T BE CROSSED
the chaos and seriousness had fallen.. everyone was back to their usual self... bickering about silly things...
But before, somehow.. Section E got even worse...
Since, it was lunch period, Everyone were out of their seats instantly.
Josh already had food. of course.
Blaster was throwing something across the room... might be experimenting something.
Rory was arguing about something like little kids.
Drew was flipping a coin, again.
DREW: "If I win this one, I skip lunch."
The coin landed. he paused and stared at it.
DREW: "...I lost."
CI-N: "You always lose."
I sat there. Watching. trying to understand this mess.
Then-
A lunchbox slid in front of me
I looked up. Eman.
EMAN: "Eat."
JAY: "...Why?"
EMAN: "Because you look like you won't."
I stared at him.Then at the food.Then back at him.
JAY: "...Thanks."
From across—
RORY (watching me): "She hesitated."
CI-N: "She always does."
JAY: "I'm right here."
Then—
CALIX (leaning back): "Careful. You're getting comfortable."
I didn't look at him.
JAY: "Don't worry. I'm not."
A small chuckle.From him.
the bell rang.. making me flinch. I turned facing the board
The door opened...
CI-N (grinning): "Ohhh."
RORY: "Finally."
BLASTER: "Saved."
A man walked in. Must be a teacher.
Relaxed. Familiar
now, The class didn't feel like a battlefield with soldiers and swords
CI-N: "Sir Alvin!"
So this is—
Sir Alvin.
SIR ALVIN: "What did I miss?"
RORY: "Chaos."
EDRIX: "As usual."
SIR ALVIN (smiling): "Good. That means you're all alive."
...That's one way to say it.
He looked around. then at me.
SIR ALVIN: "New student?"
I straightened slightly.
JAY: "Yes, sir."
SIR ALVIN: "Survived your first half?"
A small pause.
Then—
JAY: "...Barely."
The class laughed.
Even him.
SIR ALVIN: "Good. That means you'll fit in."
The rest of the time it was different.
still chaos.
Still noisy.
But- lighter
Like this was the only time they weren't completely out of control.
Then - the bell rang. Finally.....
Chairs moved.
Bags packed.
Voices louder.
then--
A shout
"HEY!"
I turned.
Two of them were fighting.
It escalated quickly. Push. Shove. Voice rising.
Everyone were watching... not stopping
I frowned.
JAY (muttering): "Seriously...?"
Before I could think, My legs moved in their own will.
JAY: "Stop it!"
I stepped between them. Hands out. Trying to push them apart
Clearly, It was a bad idea
A sudden shove ....( not meant for me ). But it hit. soo hard.
My back slammed against the wall. My head it. A sharp sound . Pain exploded. Something warm...dripped.
A strong, familiar hand reached out
"JAY!"
ARIES
He caught me... But, too late.
BLOOD. It ran down through his fingers. his expression changed instantly.
ARIES: "Jay... hey—stay with me—"
I lifted my hand slowly. Touched my head. Pain.
Then- I looked. My hand. Covered in blood.
Everything stopped.... My breathing changed..
something inside me - shifted
Aries noticed immediately
ARIES (low, urgent): "Jay... don't—"
Too late.
My grip tightened. My expression changed. The noise around me faded.
All I saw -
Was red.
JAY (low, cold): "Who... did that?"
The room went completely silent.
That wasn't the same voice
That wasn't the same me.
Aries held my shoulder. Firm. Careful.
ARIES: "Hey. Look at me."
No response.
ARIES: "Jay."
Still nothing.
ARIES (soft, controlled):"It's me."
Slowly, my focus shifted back to him. My breathing slowed. The tension in my body eased.
and just like that, it was gone. I felt weak all over. Heavy. My vision blurred. Everything faded.
CI-N: "Hey—she's bleeding—"
Footsteps rushed closer.
ARIES(sharp): "Don't."
Ci-n stopped. Aries didn't even look at him. His eyes were on everyone else.
Anger. Pure anger
ARIES:"What is wrong with you people?"
"You call this normal?"
"You let this happen?"
No one answered.
even Rory didn't speak. Even Edrix didn't speak.
And for the first time,
Keifer looked different.
Not calm. Not uninterested. but, Worried
Aries adjusted his hold on me. Careful. Protective.
Keifer stepped forward slowly.
His voice, cold but sharper now.
KEIFER: "Why are you interfering?"
The room shifted again.
Aries looked up, ready to answer.
ARIES:"i'm-"
I movedd weakly. Grabbed his sleeve.
Shook my head.
JAY (soft): "Don't..."
He stopped.
Everyone was watching. waiting.
I swallowed, hesitated.
then-
JAY: "...He's my brother."
Silence. Real silence. Shock
Ci-n blinked. Rory froze. Even Calix caught off guard
And keifer- Just stared.
Everything changed.