Fire doesn't flinch
“New uniform. New hell.”
Val tugged her hoodie over her head, wishing the world could just stay out of her face.
Fento High’s gates gleamed like a toothpaste commercial—too perfect, too proud. Inside, students clustered into tight little groups, shoulders brushing as if claiming territory. Val moved through the middle, scanning without really seeing.
“Forgot something?”
A boy leaned against the lockers.
Val didn’t look. “Nope.”
He smirked. “Thought you might need directions. Don’t want you bumping into walls or anything.”
Half a second glance. That was all she gave him. Her lips twitched—a faint trace of amusement she didn’t intend to share.
“Confident… or just doesn’t care?” he pressed.
Val kept walking. Chatter grazed her ears like static. She shoved through the hallway doors, noting the students orbiting each other like planets.
A girl with glossy hair and a sharp glare ruled the hallway like a conductor. Her followers moved around her in precise, rehearsed steps. Her eyes flicked toward Val like she’d spotted dirt on her shoes.
“Cute. Section B’s getting strays now.”
“Better than recycling,” Val muttered, brushing past.
A laugh drifted from the lockers. She caught the boy again, grin easy and unbothered.
“Don’t let her get to you,” he said, voice just loud enough. “It’s boring when she wins.”
Val’s lips twitched. She squared her shoulders, refusing to meet his eyes.
Inside the classroom, Val dropped her bag beside an empty desk. Voices bounced around her. Students settled into groups.
A girl slid in next to her. “Hey,” she said quietly. Something about her gaze felt… easy.
Across the room, Charles “C” Cole gave a calm, familiar nod.
The teacher cleared her throat. “Valeria Luciano? Roll number four?”
Val scanned the class slowly. “Number four. Don’t worry, I’m manageable.”
“And this is your class prefect, Kai.”
Her eyes flicked to him. Arms crossed, jaw tight. He stiffened at her roll number.
“Oh, I thought you were part of the community,” she drawled. “The ones who show people around, make sure no one bumps into walls?”
Kai’s glare sharpened. Val’s smirk lingered, unreadable.
Izzy leaned close. “See that glossy-hair girl?”
“Ella Simmons. Section A,” Val said flatly. Her eyes flicked back to the girl. Yep—same glare as before.
“She likes to make things… interesting,” Izzy murmured.
Luke stood near the lockers, chocolate bar in hand, grin easy. “Thought you might need this.”
Val raised an eyebrow. “Pity snacks?”
“Investment,” he said lightly, eyes warm.
She took it—not because she wanted to, but because letting him win? Not happening.
Val glanced around. Ella’s smirk cut like a blade. Kai’s eyes tracked her every move. Luke lingered, watching like he already knew the rules.
Her lips curved slightly. She shoved the chocolate into her bag. No running. No flinching. Just standing her ground. Let the chaos come to her.
