Brighton Wisdom School
The Grand Entrance Hall of Brighton Wisdom Academy felt too bright, too open, for the storm brewing inside it. Gabriella stood on the ground floor, her head tilted slightly, but her gaze was fixed upwards, past the gleaming marble and the grand archways, to the polished mahogany balcony above. From this distance, her eyes were just dark pinpricks, but anyone closer would have seen the unsettling crimson glow that briefly flickered within them.
Up on that elegant balcony, two figures stood: Raina, immaculate even in her school uniform, and Jake, a quiet shadow beside her. Raina's lips curved into a slow, satisfied smirk, her eyes tracing Gabriella's outline below. Jake, however, was different. His stare was a flat, unblinking assessment of Gabriella, devoid of the smugness Raina radiated.
As if sensing his gaze, Gabriella's head slowly turned, her crimson eyes now locking onto Jake's. For a fleeting moment, her face softened, a ripple of raw emotion crossing her features – sadness, perhaps, or a deep weariness. But just as quickly, it vanished, replaced by that same unnerving smirk Raina had worn. And then, without a word, Gabriella moved. Not with anger, but with a sudden, purposeful rush, she darted towards the grand entrance doors, a blur of motion swallowed by the light.
Jake watched her go, a muscle ticking in his jaw. The moment Gabriella was out of sight, a coldness descended over him, chilling the air around Raina. "You bullied her before," he said, his voice a low, dangerous growl. "You did more than just bully her."
Raina turned, a graceful pivot, her eyes narrowed in amusement. "So, Gabriella avenged you," he said. She mused, completely ignoring the accusation. "Everything ended there. Why are you attacking her again?"Jake demanded.
Raina's smirk widened, mocking. "Are you... worrying for her?"
The question, laced with venom, instantly wiped the smile from Raina's face. Her eyes turned to ice. "I won't leave her alone," she stated, her voice sharp and brittle, "because she humiliated me in front of the whole school. I won't forget that."
Jake listened, his expression unreadable.
"Don't you know me?" Raina chuckled, a dry, humorless sound. "When I have an enemy, I will attack them until they have the last bit of energy. Then, they'll be unable to stand against me." Her face flushed crimson, not with anger, but with a fierce, burning need for retribution. "Then my enemy will feel why I stand against her." Vengeance blazed in her eyes, a reflection of the fire in her soul.
Jake took a slow, deep breath, his gaze drifting away from Raina, towards the empty space where Gabriella had been.
Raina leaned in closer, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "Anyway, you did a great job... at the right time." She stepped even nearer, her lips brushing his ear. "The fire incident in the school auditorium..." Her smile faded, replaced by something dark and knowing. "Now I believe... you didn't love Gabriella."
Jake stood frozen, a statue carved from stone, his face completely devoid of any emotion.
Rooftop
Later, on the sun-drenched rooftop, a different kind of energy hummed. Raina was practically glowing with happiness, surrounded by an assortment of cool drinks and snacks scattered across a low table. Selina and Ronnie were with her, all three in their Brighton Wisdom uniforms: Selina and Raina in their crisp green coats, white shirts, and green skirts; Ronnie in a green coat over a white hoodie and green pants.
"Did you see her face?" Selina giggled, taking a sip from her drink. "Oh, no... she deserved this."
Ronnie snorted, a grin on his face. "She won't mess with us again."
Raina, however, spoke with a chilling calm. "Are you guys thinking I'll leave her alone now?"
Selina and Ronnie exchanged confused glances. "Then what are you gonna do next?" Selina asked, a hint of trepidation in her voice.
Raina merely smiled, a predatory gleam in her eyes.
Just then, the rooftop door creaked open, and Jake stepped out. Selina and Ronnie stiffened, their shock evident. They hadn't expected him.
Raina's smile softened, though the gleam remained. "Hey, Jake," she called, waving him over. "Come sit with us."
Selina leaned into Raina, whispering urgently, "Raina, he's on Gabriella's side, not ours."
Raina just smiled at Selina, who blinked, utterly bewildered.
Jake pulled up a chair and, as he sat, his gaze swept over them all. "I'm always with you guys," he stated, his voice even and firm. "No one can separate us."
Raina's smile returned in full force. Selina, however, remained suspicious, her brow furrowed. Ronnie, more trusting, clapped Jake on the shoulder, and they shared a knowing smile.
Suddenly, the rhythmic thump of footsteps echoed across the rooftop, growing louder, closer. Everyone paused, drinks halfway to their lips. The door to the stairs was visible, but no one emerged. Then, without warning, a hand, strong and swift, shot into view, grabbing the edge of their table. With a deafening scrape, it was shoved violently aside, drinks sloshing, snacks scattering.
Raina, Selina, Ronnie, and Jake gasped, leaping to their feet as their table clattered onto its side. They spun around, their eyes wide with shock and fear.
Standing there, radiating fury, was Han.
"Han," Selina whispered, her voice barely audible.
Han stalked closer, his hand raised, poised to strike Raina. Inches from her face, his palm hung in the air, a breath away from impact. Everyone held their breath. Raina, her eyes squeezed shut, braced herself, a flicker of raw fear crossing her face.
Then, Han's hand dropped, not to strike, but to grab Raina's wrist in an iron grip. "Why did you do that?" he demanded, his voice low and vibrating with suppressed rage.
"She isn't..." Selina began, stepping forward.
Han whirled on her, his shout echoing across the rooftop. "I didn't ask you!"
Ronnie and Jake moved, ready to intervene. "Bro, leave her," Ronnie pleaded.
Han shot them a look that froze them in place. "Don't interfere." He turned back to Raina, tightening his grip. "Why?" he ground out.
Raina, despite the pain, met his gaze coldly. "Yes. Me. Because she humiliated me before."
Han smirked, a dangerous glint in his eyes. "I'm not asking that." He paused, his voice dropping to a deadly calm. "Why did you bully... Andria?"
Raina's eyes widened, a flicker of genuine shock crossing her face. "You... how did you know?"
"Do you think you can hide this from me forever?" Han retorted, his grip unforgiving. Raina's composure wavered, a hint of panic in her eyes. "Actually..."
"So," Han continued, cutting her off, "you guys are always talking something behind my back. I got suspicious. But I didn't expect... you would do this to my sister." He twisted Raina's wrist, and she winced, still staring at him, defiant. "Because...?" Han demanded again.
"I can't say everything to you," Raina snapped, a smirk returning. "How can you even question me?" With a sudden jerk, she ripped her hand free from his grasp. "You were with us once when we bullied others. Don't you remember that?" she challenged, her smirk widening.
Han didn't flinch, his face grim. "But not now," he stated, his voice a steely promise. He leaned in close, his final warning a chilling whisper. "If you dare to do anything to Gabriella... I will be the one who stands against you first."
Selina, Ronnie, and Jake watched, stunned. They had never seen Han like this.
Raina, though, met his gaze, unflinching. As he turned and walked out, leaving the stunned group in his wake, she whispered, almost to herself, "No one can stop me."
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