Emirates Academy
The bell was seconds away from saving everyone.
Mr. Diego stood at the front, chalk in hand, wrapping up what felt like the longest explanation in human history.
"…and that is why integration"
Knock.
The class rep groaned loudly.
"Finally… a savior."
A few students snickered.
The door opened.
Vice Principal Mr. Bruno stepped in.
The entire class straightened instantly.
Authority had entered.
Behind him stood two students.
New faces.
Mr. Bruno adjusted his glasses, scanning the room.
"Class, I won't take much of your time. We have two transfer students joining us today."
A pause.
"They are the children of John Cortez… one of the big fishes across the seas."
The room shifted.
Whispers.
"Cortez?" "That Cortez?" "They're rich-rich…"
Names carried weight here.
Money carried even more.
"Introduce yourselves."
The boy stepped forward first.
He had a baby face…
…but his body told a different story.
He was well physically built.
"My name is Rufus."
A pause.
"Rufus Cortez."
Then the girl stepped forward.
And the room… reacted.
She was stunning.
Not just beautiful
Attractive.
"My name is Anastasia."
Marco slowly turned to Andre, eyes wide.
"…Now that," he whispered, "is what you call stunning."
Maria didn't even hesitate.
She smacked the back of his head hard.
"You're as poor as a church rat," she snapped, "and you're already dreaming above your tax bracket?"
Marco rubbed his head.
"Love has no budget"
"Your love needs funding," Maria fired back.
A few students laughed.
Mr. Bruno cleared his throat.
"Now then… where would you like to sit?"
Rufus didn't hesitate.
He walked straight to an empty seat in the middle row.
But Anastasia…
Paused.
Looked around.
Then pointed.
"I'll sit there."
Everyone followed her finger.
Andre.
Of course.
Mr. Bruno smiled slightly.
"Oh… you mean Andre."
Then his gaze shifted.
"Miss Maria."
Silence.
"Kindly vacate your seat for Miss Anastasia."
The air changed instantly.
Maria stood slowly.
Eyes burning.
"Sir… this is my seat. I sat here first."
A pause.
"There are other empty seats. Why mine?"
Mr. Bruno removed his glasses slowly.
That was never a good sign.
"This is not a discussion," he said calmly.
"It is a command. So do as I say or face the consequences."
Silence.
Maria clenched her fists.
Then turned
And walked out.
Furious.
"Come back here, Miss Maria!" Mr. Bruno snapped.
But she was already gone.
The door slammed.
The class rep, Mario, stood up quickly.
"Please pardon her, sir. I'll bring her back."
Mr. Bruno waved him off.
"See that you do."
Anastasia walked over
And sat beside Andre.
"Hi," she said.
No response.
"I'm Anastasia."
Nothing.
Not even a glance.
Andre didn't move.
Didn't react.
Didn't care.
She tilted her head slightly.
Interesting.
She tapped Marco instead.
"Hi. I'm Anastasia."
Marco forced a polite smile.
"Marco."
"The pleasure is mine," she said warmly.
Marco scratched his head.
"…Yeah, well, I'd be more pleased if you didn't just evict my sister from her own seat like a tenant that forgot rent." ."
Anastasia blinked.
Then sighed softly.
"That wasn't my intention."
A pause.
"I just… felt something."
She glanced briefly at Andre.
"Your group… your energy. It felt like something I wanted to be part of."
Marco raised an eyebrow.
"That 'something' just ran out of the room angry."
Anastasia nodded slightly.
"I thought she'd just move and sit with you."
Marco deadpanned.
"Yeah… you thought wrong."
Anastasia turned back to Andre.
"Please forgive me? It wasn't intentional I swear"
Andre just stood up.
Cold.
"I'm going to find Maria."
He didn't even look at her.
He stepped forward
Then
A hand grabbed his wrist stopping him in his tracks.
Andre turned slowly.
Rufus.
Standing there.
Eyes locked.
"Nobody walks away from my sister like that."
Silence.
Tension snapped into place.
Marco immediately stood up.
"…Yeah," he said lightly, stepping in, "you might wanna let go of this guy."
He removed Rufus' hand.
Not forcefully.
But firmly.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you."
Rufus smiled.
"He doesn't look dangerous to me."
A pause.
"He looks like a puppy I can smash."
Some students gasped.
Others leaned in.
This was about to explode.
Andre turned fully now.
Eyes on Rufus.
"I'll take that as ignorance," he said quietly.
A step closer.
"But the next time you touch me without permission…"
A pause.
"…you'll wake up in the ICU."
Silence.
No shouting.
No anger.
Just certainty.
Andre pulled away
And walked out.
No one stopped him.
No one spoke.
Marco exhaled.
"…Yep," he muttered, "For your sake Ru.. whatever, don't try him."
A pause.
"He's not human on a bad day."
Anastasia watched Andre leave.
Eyes slightly narrowed.
Curious.
Interested.
"I apologised and he treats me like trash," she whispered.
Rufus cracked his neck slowly.
Smiling.
"Hmm," he said.
"I wonder how strong he is?"
Marco put his hand on Rufus's shoulder
"Don't go there, heed my warning he's more like a savage beast just don't get in his blacklist."
Outside
Maria walked alone.
Head down.
Vision blurry.
Heart heavy.
"…Why did he do that…"
"Why the hell is this world not fair."
She didn't notice them until it was too late.
Three boys.
Blocking her path.
"Well, well…"
"Look who's alone."
"The hottie from class E."
Maria stepped back slightly.
"I—Im headed somewhere…"
"Please excuse me."
One grabbed her wrist.
"Relax. You are gonna just stay some minutes that's all."
Another stepped behind her.
"You're cute when you're scared."
Her breathing quickened.
"N-no… please, let me go…"
They laughed.
Hands reached, touching, grabbing.She froze but still tried to struggle but they were too many, too strong for her.
Fear locked her body.
Then Carlos walked past casually with his boys.
He saw everything.
Then he stopped.
Smiled.
Glanced at them once more.
Then looked away.
"Go on."
He said calmly.
"Have some fun."
The boys laughed louder.
Encouraged.
"Thanks boss."
Buck didn't move.
His eyes locked on Maria.
"If anyone touches her again…"
His voice dropped.
"…they're gonna get it from me."
Everyone froze, they knew what Buck was capable of especially when he's serious.
Carlos turned slowly.
Smiling.
"Don't mind him."
He waved casually.
"Continue."
The boys moved again.
Hands reaching.
Carlos leaned closer to Buck.
"I noticed something…"
A pause.
"You like her don't you?"
Buck's jaw tightened.
Carlos smirked.
"Don't let a girl turn you soft."
Buck didn't respond.
But his fists clenched.
Carlos stepped back.
"Watch."
A pause.
"Let's see how far this goes."
Then
A voice.
Cold.
Deadly.
" I'm afraid that's not going to happen."
They turned.
Andre stood behind them.
Eyes burning.
Fist folded.
Silence fell instantly.
"Whoever touches her again…"
A step forward.
"…will have a particular place to put ice on."
Carlos smiled.
"Hey… mate. You came too early to the party"
Andre ignored him.
And moved forward.
"You think you can take three of us. Bring it on."
Andre smirked as he approached them.
The first one approached him.
Threw a punch but missed then Andre's fist slammed into his jaw as his body dropped instantly to the ground.
"Let's take him out together."
The second and the third approached him violently.
Andre ducked punch after punch before landing a kick to one of them that folded him completely.
The last boy immediately followed with a kick but Andre caught his foot and delivered a forearm that shattered his nose as blood sprayed..
Three boys.
Down.
Maria rushed forward.
Wrapped her arms around Andre tightly.
Shaking.
He paused.
Then gently placed his hand on her head.
"It's okay."
His voice softened.
"I won't let anything happen to you."
Her grip tightened.
Like she believed him.
Completely.
Carlos watched.
Smiling slightly.
"Well…"
A pause.
"That didn't go as planned."
He turned away.
"So I'm going to go now… Andre."
Their eyes met briefly.
Tension.
Unfinished.
Carlos walked off.
His gang following.
Buck lingered for a second
Looking at Maria and whispered something to his self.
Then left.