Stefan hesitantly emerged from under the desk, his eyes scanning the floor with a hint of distraction. "Looking for something?" Mike asked, his tone conveying a bit of amusement.
Stefan nodded, but his expression betrayed his true intentions. However, Mike recognized the signs. He placed a reassuring arm on Stefan's shoulder and whispered, "Are you scared of these guys?"
Stefan's stuttered response spoke volumes. "W-why would I be? They're no match for me!"
Mike raised an incredulous eyebrow as he nodded toward the desk Stefan had emerged from. "Then why were you hiding under there?"
"I was scared of what I might do to them, actually..." Stefan sighed in frustration.
Mike's expression turned serious. "Let's go!" He pulled Stefan toward him, and together they headed toward the door.
"Where are you going, idiots?" Simon's exasperated voice halted their exit.
Mike turned, his eyes locked onto Simon. "To settle this, of course. You don't want a fight here, do you?"
Simon's eyes flashed wide, his irritation evident. "Sure then, let's go!"
He trailed Mike and Stefan downstairs, to the secluded area behind the classes. Stefan stepped forward, rolling up his sleeves.
"Here we are. Let's just get this over with," he declared firmly.
The air was charged with anticipation, the confrontation looming, but Mike stepped back, hiding behind Stefan's broad frame.
"Seriously? You're hiding now while I'm about to clean up our mess?" Stefan grumbled. "We're in this together, don't forget."
Mike re-emerged, a sarcastic grin spreading across his face. Assuming a mock fighting stance. "I don't want to ruin my cute face," he clarified. "Fighting always ends up inflicting injuries. But I guess I'll dust off my first aid box today."
Simon and his cohorts burst into laughter, amused by Mike's facade. Few moments later the two groups clashed, their movements a blur.
Christina observed from a distance, her expression unreadable. The brawl raged on until a stern voice echoed from the classroom above.
"What are you guys doing!?"
Heads turned upward, identifying the source.
"Mrs. Rebecca!?" they chimed.
The school principal's authoritative voice brooked no disobedience. Her anger was evident.
"All of you! In my office now!" she ordered. As she began to withdraw her head, her gaze fell upon the battered students. "This isn't even a little fight. You're injured!?" she exclaimed, shocked.
Stefan pointed an accusatory finger at Christina, who was a few meters away "She started it! She sent her friends to attack us!"
Mrs. Rebecca's gaze narrowed. "Would you have been attacked had you stayed in your classroom?"
Christina attempted to slip away, but Mrs. Rebecca's sharp eyes caught her. "Hey, Christina! Don't you dare take another step!" she commanded.
Christina's eyes widened in innocence. "They're lying! I never sent anyone!"
Mrs. Rebecca's expression remained stern. "Christina Idris, I don't have much to say to you." She scanned the other students, then turned back to her. "Bring your parents with you tomorrow. All of you!" With that, Mrs. Rebecca disappeared into the classroom.
"This is why I didn't want to fight in the first place. Now my parents will waste their time coming here tomorrow. Ugh!" Stefan huffed.
Simon wiped the blood on his lips and retreated with his friends.
Mike clapped Stefan on the shoulder. "Stop whining. Let's go have some fun! This is for the better."
Stefan's smile returned, and he trudged toward the staircase, Mike following behind.
Christina stood on the staircase, engrossed in her phone.
"Bitch," Mike muttered, his voice low but firm. Christina's gaze snapped up, her eyes blazing. A tense, full-minute staring contest ensued.
"She even denied sending Simon to attack us. What a coward!" Stefan snickered, breaking the intense silence.
"Would you admit it if you were in my position?" Christina retorted.
"Be patient with me," Mike said. "I promise you, I'll be the end of you in this school." He strode confidently past her, his words echoed with conviction, a subtle threat.
Stefan shook his head, a smirk spreading across his face as he followed Mike.
Christina scoffed, jammed her phone into her pocket, and stormed off. At the upstairs stood couples of students, murmuring. They appeared to have witnessed the clash earlier, and as Mike and Stefan neared them they dispersed into their different classrooms.
The remainder of the school day flew by in a blur and as the final bell rang, Mike parted ways with Stefan. "See you tomorrow," he called out.
Stefan waved, his eyes already fixed on his phone. The tension with Christina still lingered, and with it a promise of impending punishment.
*****
"I'm home!" Mike shouted, bursting through the front door. He collapsed onto the couch, but his relaxation was short-lived.
He flinched, sitting up abruptly. "My bag! Where did I put it? Did I leave it at school?" He stood up, rubbing his chin thoughtfully, retracing his steps.
A smile spread across his face as memory struck. "I almost forgot, Laura took it!" He collapsed back onto the couch, eyes closing in relief.
"When did you get back?" Rachael's voice drifted from upstairs.
Mike's younger sister, Rachael, shared an uncanny resemblance to him, despite being two years his younger she appeared a bit older than him.
"Just now..." Mike trailed off.
"Did you and Christina fight again?"
Mike's eyes snapped open, his head jerking upward to meet Rachael's gaze. "How did you know?" he asked, incredulous.
Rachael shrugged. "Isn't it obvious? Who else could frustrate you like this?" Her words stung, highlighting the long-standing rivalry. "You guys fight every chance you get. Aren't you tired? Since elementary school!"
Mike scowled, flopping back onto the couch. "Whatever! She disgusts me."
"How did you guys even become arch-nemesis?" Rachael asked.
Mike's expression darkened, his brow furrowing as memories resurfaced. "Hmm... Dunno, I guess she disgusted me even back then," he said, the words tasting bitter.
For an instant, his mask slipped, revealing a glimmer of the old pain. Rachael's innocent question had unknowingly prodded a long-healed scar, stirring emotions Mike thought he'd left behind.
His eyes clouded, and his voice carried a hint of conviction, but the lie echoed within him. The truth remained locked away, hidden even from himself.
Rachael erupted into laughter, her amusement infectious, chattering Mike's thoughts.
"What would you do without each other? You're in your last year of high school anyway," she teased. "You'll really miss each other when you graduate."
"Me? Miss her? Why would I? Stop joking please, I'm not in the mood," Mike scowled.
Rachael's grin softened. "Wait, let me get something for your injuries," she said and she disappeared into the corridor to fetch a first-aid box.
A few minutes later she returned and tended to Mike's wounds with gentle care.
"I think my nose is broken," Mike winced.
Rachael examined it closely. "It doesn't look broken to me," she reassured, applying ointment to his bruises.
Mike's eyes narrowed thoughtfully. "Yeah, I remember, I wanted to ask you something last night… Do you remember?"
Rachael nodded. "What did you want to ask?"
"What do you know about chimeras?"
Rachael's eyes narrowed. "You mean the legendary creature from mythology?"
Mike nodded.
"It's a creature from ancient Greek myths," Rachael began. "Said to have a lion's head, goat's body, and dragon's tail. Why are you asking?" Her curiosity was piqued.
"Our history teacher talked briefly about it while teaching last Friday. I was so engrossed and I've been curious about it ever since then," Mike replied. "Do chimeras actually breathe fire?"
Rachael's eyes sparkled. "In a way, yes… I know where you can find books on legendary creatures," she said. "But you can only get them tonight."
"Tonight? Where?" Mike's curiosity grew.
"My friend, Tina's house. I discovered when I visited her a few days ago that her dad has an incredible library," Rachael replied. "She's holding a birthday party tonight. It's the perfect opportunity to grab some books."
"Seriously? Would she really give us some?" Mike raised an eyebrow.
Rachael chuckled. "That's impossible! Not even she is allowed in the library."
"So how are we going to get the books?" Mike furrowed.
Rachael's grin turned mischievous. "You're so slow-witted! Isn't it obvious?" she said. "We're going there to steal them."
Mike's laughter burst forth. "Whoa! Whoa! That's—"
"Don't even say it! If you don't want me to change my mind, just quietly shut up!" Rachael cut him off.
Mike's eyes twinkled with amusement. He glanced at Rachael sideways, concealing his laughter. "Quietly... what?" he whispered.
Rachael's hiss sent Mike into silent giggles, she darted upstairs, leaving Mike grinning.