Ruz's POV
The hallway was quieter than the cafeteria had been, but it was not peaceful.
The noise of students still echoed off the walls footsteps, laughter, and the distant sound of someone shouting a name across the crowded corridor. But something about this particular stretch of hallway felt different.
Liam walked beside me, and for once, he was unusually serious. His shoulders did not bounce with their usual energy. His mouth was not running at its usual speed. He looked like someone who had just witnessed something he had not yet fully processed.
"...I still cannot believe you did that," he said finally, his voice quieter than I had heard it all day.
"Did what?" I asked, though I already knew what he was going to say.
"Spilled a drink on a guy who looks like he owns half the school," he said, gesturing vaguely behind us as if Adrian might still be there. "On purpose. In front of everyone. While smiling about it."
I kept walking, my eyes fixed on the path ahead.
"He will survive. He has survived worse."
"Will we survive, though?" Liam asked, genuine concern creeping into his voice. "That's my question. After what you just pulled, are we going to survive the consequences of your actions?"
I glanced at him briefly.
"...You are dramatic."
"I am realistic," he corrected.
I did not bother to argue. There was no point. Liam would believe what he wanted to believe, and I would continue walking, and eventually we would reach our next destination without anything terrible happening.
Or so I thought.
We turned the corner and stopped.
Three boys stood in the middle of the hallway, leaning against the wall as though they had been waiting for someone. Their postures were too relaxed.
I did not recognize any of them. I had never seen their faces before in my life.
But their expressions?
Yeah. Not friendly.
Liam's steps faltered beside me, and I heard him swallow.
"...I do not like this," he whispered, his voice barely audible. "I do not like this penfall."
"Stay behind me," I said calmly, my eyes moving across the three figures, assessing and calculating.
"WHAT?" Liam hissed, grabbing my arm. "No. Absolutely not. I will protect you. I am the man in this situation."
"Liam."
"...Okay, fine. I will stay behind you," he said, immediately stepping back and positioning himself behind my shoulder like a child hiding behind a parent during a thunderstorm.
Smart boy.
One of the three pushed himself off the wall and stepped forward. He was the tallest of the group, with sharp features and an easy smirk that suggested he was used to intimidating people.
"You're the new girl, right?" he asked, though it was not really a question. He already knew the answer. He just wanted to hear me say it.
I did not answer.
He smirked and took another step closer.
"You've got an attitude. I heard about you. People are already talking."
"I've got places to be," I said flatly. "So if you don't mind..."
"Not yet," he interrupted, stepping into my path. "Not until we've talked."
Another one laughed from the wall, a short, sharp sound that echoed through the hallway.
"First day and already making scenes in the cafeteria? That takes talent. Or stupidity. Not sure which one yet."
Liam whispered from behind me, his voice trembling slightly.
"...I take back what I said earlier. We are not surviving. This is where we die. I am too young to die."
I shifted my weight slightly, not backing up, not moving forward. Just adjusting and preparing.
Calm.
But ready.
"I do not have time for this," I said, my voice steady and unhurried, as though I were discussing the weather rather than facing three boys who clearly wanted to provoke me.
"Make time," the tall one said.
And he reached out.
Not touching me yet. But close.
His hand hovered between us, fingers spread, close enough to grab my shoulder, my arm, or my chin.
Too close.
A hand grabbed his wrist.
Firm.
Suddenly.
Like a trap snapping shut.
The boy froze.
So did the others.
The air in the hallway seemed to be completely still as everyone processed the explanations that had happened.
"...I think she said she was busy."
Adrian.
His voice was light. Almost lazy, as though he had just woken from a nap and wandered into the situation by accident.
But his grip on the boy's wrist was anything but lazy.
It was tight.
Controlled.
The kind of grip that said: I can break this if I want to, and I'm deciding whether I want to.
The boy tried to pull his hand back once, twice, three times.
Nothing.
"…Let go," he said, his voice thinner now. Still trying to sound confident. Not fully shaken but close enough that it showed. Close enough that I noticed.
Adrian tilted his head. "Why?"
Silence.
The hallway changed. No tension this time. Pressure. The kind of pressure that didn't need raised voices.
Liam whispered behind me, half scared, half impressed. "…I like him again. I take back everything. I like him."
"Quiet," I said.
"I appreciate protection," he whispered back. "It is gratitude."
"Quiet," I repeated.
Adrian finally let go, like he was dropping something unpleasant. The boy stumbled back, rubbing his wrist, anger barely holding up against fear.
"…This is none of your business," he said quickly. "This is between her and us."
Adrian smiled. Not friendly.
The kind of smile that meant trouble.
"Everything annoying becomes my business," he said. "And you three are extremely annoying."
The tall one glanced at me. "That girl…"
"She's not your problem," Adrian cut in.
Same calm tone. Same relaxed voice.
But the meaning was clear.
The hesitation was instant. A shared decision: not worth it.
They backed off.
"Whatever," the tall one muttered. "Stay out of trouble."
I raised a brow. "You came to me."
No answer. They left. Fast.
Not walking away. Retreating.
Silence settled.
Then Liam stepped forward as if nothing had happened.
"I KNEW IT." He pointed at me. "You're not normal. You have connections. People show up for you."
"No."
"Yes."
"No."
"YES."
I sighed. "You are exhausted."
"And you are suspicious," he said proudly. "We balance each other."
Adrian stood there as if nothing mattered. Hands in pockets. Calm again.
I looked at him.
"…You broke your rule again."
He shrugged. "Rules change."
"You said don't get involved."
"I said you don't get involved."
"That's a technicality."
"Technicalities matter," he said lightly. "That's how things work."
I crossed my arms. "You're a hypocrite."
"Smart," he said.
"You're annoying."
"You missed me."
"I didn't."
"You did."
"I didn't."
"You did," he said simply. "I can tell."
I stepped closer and lowered my voice. "…Stop calling me that."
"Calling you what?" he asked. "Adopted?"
I glared.
He smirked. "Make me."
I kicked his leg.
"AaaWw…."
He hopped back, laughing through the pain.
Liam clapped. "YES. Violence is back."
"Stay out of it," I said.
"I can't," he said happily. "This is entertainment. My favourite show."
Adrian straightened, still rubbing his leg. Then his tone shifted. Softer. Seriously.
"…Be careful."
I frowned. "That doesn't sound like you."
"It isn't," he admitted. "But I mean it."
A pause hung between us.
Then it was gone. His smirk returned.
"Also," he added, "don't embarrass me again."
I stared. "You deserved it."
"I didn't."
"You did."
"I didn't."
"You lost emotionally," I said.
"…That makes no sense," he said slowly.
"It does to me."
Liam sighed behind me. "I support her. I don't understand, but I support her."
"Good," I said.
Adrian shook his head, then turned away.
But before he left…
"…Be careful," he said again. "Not everyone gives second chances."
Then he was gone.
Liam leaned in. "…Do you two hate each other?"
"Yes."
"That's not an answer."
"It is."
We walked.
"…He helped you," Liam said quietly.
"I know."
"You didn't thank him."
"He didn't do it for that."
Liam studied me. "…You're scary."
"Smart," I said.
But my steps slowed. Just slightly.
Because I knew.
That wasn't random. That was protection.
And he broke his rule for it.
Author's POV
The final bell hit like an ending and a warning at the same time.
Students poured out in waves of laughter, complaints, and tired silence. The school gate turned chaotic, crowded, and loud.
And Rifat was already there.
Waiting.
Arms crossed. Leaning back. Watching everything without moving.
Especially her.
Ruz appeared a moment later, bag over her shoulder, walking as if nothing mattered. Like the day had been normal.
It hadn't.
She saw him immediately.
Of course she did.
But she didn't react. Didn't slow. Just kept walking.
Straight past him.
Bad choice.
"Hoy."
No response.
"…Hoy, Miss. Adopted."
She stopped.
Slowly turned. Calm face. Too calm.
"…You want to die today?"
Rifat stepped off the gate. "You left earlier."
"You survived. Be grateful."
"I wasn't done talking."
"You were done embarrassing yourself."
Students nearby slowed. Pretended not to listen.
Everyone felt it was something starting.
Rifat stepped closer. "You think you're funny."
"I know I am."
"You humiliated my friend."
"He needed an upgrade."
A beat.
"That was my friend."
"Then pick better friends."
He went quiet. His jaw tightened.
"You talk too much," Rifat said.
"You fall too much."
His eyes twitched. "…That was your fault."
"You're the one who wants to kiss the floor."
A laugh slipped from somewhere in the crowd. Then silence again.
Rifat exhaled. "You enjoy this."
"A lot," she admitted.
He moved closer. "Careful."
She didn't move back. "Careful, you're losing again."
Then,
He flicked her forehead. Light. Precise.
Her eyes widened. "…You touched me."
"You poured a drink on my friend. We're even."
She shoved him.
He stumbled.
Again.
"HE FELL AGAIN!" someone yelled.
"I DID NOT FALL," he snapped.
Ruz folded her arms. "Balance issue."
"I hate you."
"As if I send you love letters daily," she scoffed. "You're the one who keeps finding me."
"I'm concerned for public safety."
"Then start by worrying about yourself."
That one landed.
He rubbed a hand over his forehead and let out a slow breath.
"You're impossible."
"And yet you keep coming back."
"Because someone has to deal with you."
"Try harder."
His eyes twitched.
The crowd, wisely, remained silent.
He stepped closer. She didn't move.
"You think you're untouchable," he said quietly.
"I know you won't touch me."
"Why?"
"Because you already tried." She tilted her head. "And lost."
Silence.
From the crowd: "This is better than TV."
Rifat exhaled. "You're not normal."
"Finally," she said.
He laughed once short, surprised.
"You're insane."
"And you're gravity's favorite person to drop."
His mouth opened. Closed. Opened again.
"…Yeah," he admitted.
Then he snapped, "Wait…WHAT?"
Ruz gave a small, quiet smile. That was just enough to let him know she'd won.
Than,
"RUZ!"
Liam came running toward them, completely out of breath.
"WHY ARE YOU FIGHTING AGAIN?!"
Ruz didn't even look away from Rifat.
"He started it."
"I said one word," Rifat protested.
"You breathed aggressively."
"I regret it."
"I don't."
Liam stopped between them and raised both hands.
"No. Absolutely not. I'm done with both of you." He pointed at Ruz. Then at Rifat. "No more talking. Effective immediately, you are both banned from talking."
"Tell her," Rifat said.
"Tell him," Ruz said at the exact same time.
Liam stared at them for a long moment.
Then he sighed.
"I quit."
The silence that followed was immediate.
"I'm going home," Liam announced. See you tomorrow.
He left
Ruz adjusted her bag.
"Done?"
"For now," Rifat said.
"Good."
She walked away.
After a few steps…
"Ruzelle."
She didn't stop.
"…Next time, don't run."
Without turning, she waved.
"I don't run."
A pause.
"People just fall behind."
She disappeared into the crowd.
Rifat watched her go.
Then, quietly…
"…Yeah."
A faint smile.
"Clearly."