Andre and Esmeralda walked back toward the classroom together.
Students kept staring as they passed.
Whispers followed them down the hallway like wildfire.
Esmeralda sighed dramatically.
"…This is your fault by the way."
Andre glanced sideways.
"…You keep saying that."
"…Because it's true."
A small smile betrayed her anyway.
Class E
The moment they stepped inside
Marco immediately stood up on a chair dramatically.
"…THE LOVEBIRDS RETURN!"
The class burst into noise instantly.
Hugo nearly threw a paper ball at Marco.
"…Sit down idiot."
Marco pointed dramatically at Andre.
"…BRO LEFT CLASS HOLDING HANDS!"
Misheal smirked slightly.
"…And Andre to make it more precise."
Sonia laughed.
"…I'm still shocked honestly."
Andre ignored most of the noise and walked toward his seat calmly.
Then he stopped.
Looked at Maria.
Then at Rufus.
"…Since you two are in a relationship now…"
He turned toward Esmeralda.
"…You should sit with me."
Silence.
Then the class exploded again.
Marco clutched his chest dramatically.
"…Andre has become romantic!"
Hugo wiped fake tears from his eyes.
"…My boy has grown."
Even Mario laughed.
"…This is actually scary."
Esmeralda crossed her arms with a smug smile.
"…I was thinking you would never ask."
Then suddenly
"…No!!!!."
The word came out sharp.
Too sharp.
The classroom quieted instantly.
Everyone turned toward Maria.
Even she looked shocked she said it that harshly.
Misheal frowned slightly.
"…Why'd you say no like that?"
Maria opened her mout
but nothing came out immediately.
Panic flashed across her face.
Then suddenly
Rufus pinched her lightly under the desk.
Maria flinched slightly.
Rufus immediately smiled and jumped in smoothly.
"…She means 'No way in hell.'"
He laughed lightly.
"…Like excitement."
A pause.
Then he looked around the group.
"…You all get it right?"
The tension eased slightly.
Not fully.
But enough.
Then Marco suddenly snapped his fingers dramatically.
"…WAIT."
Everyone looked at him.
"…So basically…"
A pause.
"…Maria rejected Andre so hard she rejected the seating arrangement too?"
Misheal sneered
"Does it even make sense."
The class erupted into laughter again.
Hugo pointed at Marco.
"…Your brain is genuinely damaged."
Marco bowed proudly.
"…Comedy is a burden."
Esmeralda finally sat beside Andre.
Then slowly turned toward him again.
A dangerous smile forming.
"…So."
Andre glanced at her.
"…So?"
She leaned slightly closer.
"…What time are you showing up tomorrow?"
The group immediately quieted again.
Listening shamelessly.
Andre shrugged casually.
"…I'll tell you."
Esmeralda's smile widened into something outright devilish.
Then she said it.
Softly.
Clearly.
"…And come alone."
A pause.
"…I've got plans for me and you."
The Classroom Detonates.
The group lost their minds instantly.
Marco screamed into the desk.
Hugo stood up dramatically.
"…NAH THIS IS TOO MUCH."
Sonia covered her face laughing.
"…She doesn't even hide it anymore!"
Mario looked genuinely impressed.
"…You two are making it oppressing."
Even students from nearby seats were reacting now.
Then,
Maria stood up abruptly.
The chair scraped loudly against the floor.
Everyone looked at her immediately.
"…Maria?"
She didn't answer.
Didn't even look at anyone.
She just walked out quickly.
Angry.
Hurt.
Frustrated.
Trying not to cry.
Rufus stood immediately.
"I think she got emotional watching them."
"Tears of joy."
"…I'll go check on her."
Then quickly followed after her.
The classroom quieted slightly after they left.
Misheal frowned.
"…What's actually happening to her?"
Hugo sighed slightly.
"…I don't know."
Andre looked toward the door quietly.
While beside him Esmeralda
"Did we overdo it."
Andre said nothing.
Then suddenly
RRRIIINNNGGGG!
The final bell rang loudly through the school.
And instantly,
Marco jumped onto a desk.
"…MIDTERM BREAK!"
Mario grabbed Hugo dramatically.
"…NO SCHOOL FOR A WHOLE WEEK!"
Hugo started celebrating immediately.
"…FREEDOM!"
The classroom erupted into cheers.
Students packing bags.
Laughing.
Throwing papers.
OUTSIDE
The school corridors were roaring with excitement.
Students shouting.
Laughing.
Celebrating the start of midterm break like prisoners finally tasting freedom.
But Maria heard none of it.
She walked fast through the crowd.
Too fast.
Eyes glossy.
Chest tight.
Trying to outrun the ache building inside her.
Behind her
"Maria!"
Rufus.
She ignored him.
Walked faster.
"…Maria stop!"
Then suddenly
his hand grabbed hers.
Firm.
Hard.
He dragged her away from the crowd and into an empty corner behind the east staircase where the noise became distant echoes.
The moment they stopped.
Rufus exploded.
"What the hell is wrong with you?!"
Maria yanked her hand away immediately.
"What's wrong with me?!"
Her voice cracked.
"I told you your idea was a bad one!"
Rufus stepped closer instantly.
"…And I told you to be patient!"
Maria laughed bitterly.
"Patient?"
A tear escaped her eye.
"We are pushing her directly into his arms!"
Suddenly
Rufus grabbed both her wrists violently and slammed her against the wall.
Maria gasped sharply.
"…Why can't you just listen?!"
His voice echoed through the corner.
"…Why are you so gullible?!"
He leaned closer aggressively.
"…All you had to do was play the damn role!"
His grip tightened.
"…Then we both get what we want!"
She winced painfully.
"…Rufus… you're hurting me…"
But he didn't let go.
His frustration had completely taken over now.
"…So what?!"
His eyes burned with anger.
"…This is what happens when you screw things up, you impatient bitch!"
Maria's expression changed instantly.
Not sadness anymore.
Anger.
Pure anger.
She shoved against him.
"…You're blaming me for YOUR failures?!"
Rufus narrowed his eyes.
Maria pushed harder against his chest.
"…Your inability to even secure what you want!"
That line landed.
Rufus laughed suddenly.
Cold.
Mocking.
"…Look at us."
A pause.
"…Neither of us has what we want."
Maria stared directly into his eyes now.
And then
"At least mine cares about me."
Silence.
"…He talks to me."
"…He protects me."
"…He touches me."
Her voice sharpened with every word.
"…But what about you?"
A pause.
"…Has Esmeralda ever looked at you the way you look at her?"
Rufus' breathing changed instantly.
Maria stepped closer now.
Merciless.
"…Have you even touched her?"
Another pause.
"…Does she even care you exist?"
Rufus looked like he was about to explode.
"…Shut the fuck up."
His voice dropped dangerously low.
Then,
he raised his hand.
Ready to hit her.
But before it could land.
A fist smashed directly into Rufus' jaw.
Rufus stumbled sideways instantly.
Maria gasped.
Hugo stood there breathing hard.
Eyes furious.
"…You fucking bastard."
A pause.
"…Good-for-nothing ingrate."
Blood dripped slightly from Rufus' lip as he slowly looked back up.
Then smiled.
Dangerously.
"…You picked the wrong moment to interupt me."
Rufus lunged at him and slammed a punch into Hugo's face, forcing him down to one knee.
"…Who the hell do you think you are?"
Hugo spat blood slightly onto the ground.
Then chuckled.
Actually chuckled.
"…You'll find out soon enough."
Then he charged.
Hugo swung hard
Rufus ducked instantly,
A brutal hook landed across Hugo's ribs.
Another punch.
Then another.
Hugo staggered backward but charged again wildly
Only to miss.
Rufus countered instantly.
Another punch directly to Hugo's mouth.
Blood sprayed slightly this time.
Maria screamed.
"STOP IT!"
She tried jumping between them
But Rufus shoved her aside violently.
"…Stay out of this!"
Maria hit the wall hard.
Hugo wiped blood from his mouth.
Then suddenly tackled Rufus around the waist trying to drag him down.
But Rufus balanced himself perfectly.
Then,
KNEE!
Straight into Hugo's stomach.
Hugo folded instantly.
Then,
ELBOW!
To the back.
Then another knee,
Directly to the face.
Hugo collapsed onto one knee breathing heavily now.
Rufus grabbed his collar aggressively.
"…Who do you think you are huh?!"
Then suddenly
A voice echoed from behind.
Almost amused.
"…Oh mate…"
Everyone turned.
Carlos stood there.
Hands in pockets.
A grin slowly forming on his face.
"…You are FUCKING dead."