Chapter 4

Nyx Vale

The hallway was the same dull blur, until a familiar laugh cut through it- the irritating one.

“Watch out!”

I froze as Brooke leaned forward to shove someone else, her hands flailing in dramatic flair. But before she could reach me, a tall boy stepped in front, messy golden-blonde hairs like waves on a sunny day.

“Not today, sis” he said, his grin sharp and eyes bright amber-like enough to make the hallway feel a little warmer.

Ryan. Brooke’s brother, apparently, and one of Noah and Luka’s circle. I’d only seen him in passing before—always loud, always surrounded by people. He thrives attention.

“Relax, Nyx,” he said, flicking an imaginary speck of dust off my shoulder. “I’ve got this.”

Why is he acting like Superman out to save the day?

He pushed Brooke lightly, not enough to hurt, but enough to make her stumble back and glare. His friends laughed, and he caught my eyes giving me the same flashy grin

I didn’t move. My chest still tightened, but… there was something in the air that didn’t feel threatening. He wasn’t yelling, not like Brooke. Not like my uncle used to. But still I can't let my guard down

“C’mon,” he said, slinging an arm around my shoulder as if we were friends But I just backed away. Physical touches- I hate them. But he just chuckled. “You’re way too quiet. I’ll entertain you.”

He pointed at our math teacher’s hair, did I notice it now or did it always look this messy as if she 'd just woken up and came to school? And then Ryan started laughing, it sounded so warm and unguarded that for a second I almost forgot sadness was an emotion and I… I couldn’t help it. A small laugh escaped, almost without my permission. For once it didn't feel forced.

He caught it and smirked.

“See? That’s better. You gotta smile more.”

I flinched at the words, something instinctively recoiling, but he didn’t notice—or didn’t care. He was too busy chatting with his friends, leaving me caught somewhere between startled and amused.

And in that moment, I thought maybe… just maybe, people could be less unbearable than I imagined.

Luka Ashford

The hallway buzzed louder than the bell. The headache in my head even louder.

Girls slowed their steps when they noticed me. Some fixed their hair. Some laughed too loudly at jokes that aren't even funny and batted their eyelashes at me as I pass by. I kept walking.

“Luka!”

I didn’t stop. Keep walking Luka.

A girl from Class C matched my pace, pretending it wasn’t intentional. Her voice sweet like bitter food dipped in honey “You’re coming to the inter-school debate thing, right?”

“Maybe,” I said, uninterested already passing her.

She smiled anyway, like that word meant something more than a dismissal.

Guys were worse.

Sam clapped my shoulder like we were old friends. But honestly I know nothing more about him than his name. “Bro, you still top of the class? Crazy, man.”

Another fell into step beside me, talking about a match we’d never watched together. I nodded when necessary. Silence usually sent them away faster.

I turned the corner near the lockers and finally felt the noise thin out. This is exhausting.

That’s when I saw her. The green-eyed, short ginger hair girl again.

Nyx Vale stood near the far wall, half-hidden behind an open locker door. Still. Too still. Like she was waiting for the hallway to empty before moving again. Her shoulders were tense, eyes lowered, fingers gripping the strap of her bag as if it might disappear if she let go. Maybe she dislikes being in the hallways as much as I do.

Brooke’s voice cut through the air. Sharp. Familiar.

I didn’t hear the words. I didn’t need to.

Nyx flinched.

Not dramatically. Just a small, involuntary reaction. Like her body responded before her mind could.

Ryan stepped in like a hero. It looked pretty cringe though. Golden hair. Easy grin. Loud enough to draw attention. He blocked Brooke with a casual confidence that made people laugh instead of question him.

“Not today, sis.”

Wow. That's all he gotta say?...Classic Ryan move.

But Nyx didn’t move.

That was what caught my attention.

Most people relaxed when danger passed. She stayed rigid, eyes distant, like she was still bracing for impact.

Ryan said something to her. She stepped back when he touched her. He laughed it off.

And then—she smiled.

Barely. Like it surprised even her.

I looked away first.

Not because I didn’t care.

Because staring felt like crossing a line she hadn’t invited anyone to cross.

The bell rang.