The First Rule

Chapter 19a: Playing with Fire

Standing in a dimly lit classroom, a sense of déjà vu washes over you. The flickering fluorescent lights overhead emit a faint buzzing sound, adding to the petrifying atmosphere. Anxious, you watch as someone voluntarily sits on the chair in the center.

However, not like the latest, the boy sits calmly, his demeanor composed. The blue eyed boy slouched in the chair, arms folded—his head tilted as his golden locks bounced confidently, seemingly challenging instead.

Emerging from the darkest corner, a silhouette brandishes a familiar wood baseball bat over his shoulder. With deliberate steps, he drags the bat along the floor, creating an unsettling screeching sound. This time, only one shadow follows him. His light blonde hair glinting in the sunlight—almost as if they're also suppressing a chuckle.

"Some serious balls you got there, Hunt."

You rush over to Dom, but he dismisses you with a calm hand gesture. Seeing how you're so eager to help his bro aggravate Tyler's mood even more. Because now, his lips curl into a sinister grin as he rhythmically taps his baseball bat on the ground—before slamming the maple wood bat down—causing it to bounce back into his hand in a smooth spin!

Not stopping, he slams it again onto the floors—allowing it to bounce back—catching it before spinning it in the air. He spins.. and spins.. each rotation bringing him closer to the blondie. It almost looked like he's about to bash it through the boy's head—

When Dom catches the bat effortlessly, stealing it from its owner. Oozing so much coolness you almost faint on the spot. Exchanging excited looks to Evie beside you, you intertwine your hands in front of you, unable to contain a little jump of excitement. Someone finally man enough to fight the Tyler Cavill? Oh you're so here to see it. Holding the bat confidently, Hunt rises from his seat, face to face with the now fuming Tyler just to taunt,

"Come on bro. You gave your blessings.. you removed the rule.. but now you do this?"

Furrowing his brow in irritation, Cavill shoots him a piercing glare as he joins in—gripping the bat with full force! With each passing moment, their grips tighten, the tension in the room escalating! Smirking devilishly, Cavill finally breaks the silence with a sneer.

"Are you scared, Hunt? It's not like you've known her since forever, right?"

Hunt's jaw clenches, his own eyebrows furrowing as he grips the bat tighter, refusing to back down. Giving the devil a little smirk, he tilts his head to finally say,

"You told me basically everything about her, remember?"

Cavill's eyes narrow in response as a flicker of realization crosses his mind—he's been too vocal about you to everyone. However, regaining his composure—he pushes the bat down! Forcing Dominic to reluctantly retreat to his seat while letting out a scoff. Tyler hovers over Dominic. It almost looks like he's an angel, but not until the camera pans to his wicked lopsided grin—a fallen angel is definitely more fitting.

Cracking his knuckles, Tyler finally asks, "Ok. Orange juice, or sugarcane?"

"Of course sugarcane," Dominic answers smugly, his right eyebrow raised a little in pride.

"Rihanna or Ariana Grande?"

"Rihanna."

"Bobby Brown or NARS?"

At the question, Dom flinches. Worried. Because this one.. It's a topic he's unfamiliar with.. and—just the beginning of the interrogation? He notices Tyler's lips quirked up and he darts his eyes to you—who's eagerly waiting for his response, putting so much—too much hope in him. Squinting his eyes with seriousness, he inhales deeply, relying on his intuition for an answer.

"N.. NARS..?"

Tyler scoffs as he swings his bat fast—making it spin thrice faster than before—to have it land on his grip in a second, while saying, "Well, well, well," to swing it again, the tip of it almost hitting Dominic's nose tip—before it lands on his shoulder! With a smug tilt of his head, Tyler says,

"I guess not everything, huh?"

Amused with himself, Tyler chuckles. His message clearly crushed Dominic—now his confidence wavers. A flicker of uncertainty crosses his features before he regains his composure. Scoffing at Cavill's antics, you can't help but watch the whole ordeal with undisguised worry. 'Not again,' you thought to yourself.

Reed giggles beside you, finding amusement in the unfolding drama. Watching both of his bro in a quarrel probably became Wyatt’s favorite time of the year—since his shoulders now shaking with suppressed amusement. Turning to his side, he mouths, 'This is gonna be fun' to Eve—who returns his mischievous grin with equal delight.

Dominic maintains his composure with folded hands, though the perspective doesn't reveal the clenching unclenching hands behind it. As Tyler steps back a little with swagger, a sense of anticipation hangs in the air, signaling how the real entertainment.. is only just beginning.

"Yale or Harvard" Cavill asks, his voice low and menacing.

Dominic minces his eyes as he shifts uncomfortably in his seat, definitely not expecting this deep kind of question. Sheesh, it's only been.. what? 2 month-ish? You guys haven't even go there. Beads of sweat start forming on his brow as he shifts his eyes to your cringing face—and when he finally takes his pick—

"Harvard—"

"What—come on, man! Everybody knows she wants to go to Yale!" Liam interjects, clearly irritated with the bachelor's lack of preparation.

"That's because you have her bestfriend as your girlfriend, Wyatt." Hunt grumbles, his frustration evident.

Throwing his head back, Wyatt rolls his eyes in annoyance and looks over at Tyler, allowing him to continue. Tyler chuckles, smirking at the other blonde's response and mocks, "Hah, you sure you have the—"

"He's right! I changed my mind~ I'm gonna try Harvard~"

But you interject, claiming that Hunt's answer is really what you've been dreaming all your life. Eve gives you a side glance in puzzlement and mouths, 'What are you doing?!'

“Girl, are you sure you could? We all know brilliance is not really your forte—“

”You brat—!”

You’re about to give Wyatt a nasty comeback—but not until you see Tyler move his head slowly to you. His piercing glare full of menace as they bore into you, sending shivers down your spine. Gulping, you try to show him a promising act by giving him a nervous grin and a repeated nod in conviction.

Tyler protrudes a tongue on his left cheek and snaps back his head in a brisk movement to Dominic's now significantly hesitant self. Leaning in closer, his gaze piercing through his bro as he growls, "You know you're wrong. Don't you, Hunt?"

Panic flashes in those dark blue eyes. Dominic struggles to maintain his cool composure as he—once again—shifts uncomfortably in his seat.

"I'll make it easier for you. Dislikes between these. Poetry, singing, pink, girls perfume, piano," Tyler asks again.

Seemingly deep in thought, Dominic scrunches his nose as he thinks hard and shoots his shot, "Poetry.. and pink.."

Letting out a slight smirk, Cavill is about to retort, but before he can—

"Word~"

Before you interject, again—nodding with a big grin and exaggerated laugh, prompting a big roll of eyes from Eve and Wyatt. Cavill's irritation becomes more evident as he swiftly snaps his head to you, brows knitting. Tyler's head tilts in puzzlement, but without even snapping his head back to Dominic—he slams his bat to the ground and directs his attention solely to you! With a serious expression, he raises an eyebrow. And with his low.. intimidating voice, he asks. for one. last. time.

"Bleu de Chanel or Libre."

For a moment, Dominic wonders, unsure whether the question is meant for him—or you. Raising his head.. he's only met with Tyler's back—but realizing it's still directed at him, panic sets in the same time he brutally nods to Wyatt—silently pleading for assistance as he tries to make the most of the 'situation'. Liam merely shrugs in amusement—he's on his own. Rolling his eyes in desperation, he finally gathers his resolve and answers—

"L—Libre.."

The whole room went silent, everyone anticipating your confirmation—particularly Tyler, whose grip tightening on the bat's handle. Holding onto the fact that he was 'supposed' to already know the answer, his eyes sharpened to you—oh especially after all those fuss on hating any kind of girl's perfume—

"Oh I love it so much—"

"Date on a lake or the beach?"

He snaps, cutting you off mid your fake confession—making you flinch. Not because he interrupted you but—you know what he's doing. Tyler sees your expression change. But this is necessary. He has to prove to you how incompatible you two are. How wrong it would be if you and his bro are actually getting together.

Dominic stares at the two of you back and forth, his expression shifts from confusion—to panic as he closes his eyes like he's solving Bio's entrance exam. Watching Hunt's head move right and left in spasms, Wyatt retracts his head, blurting out, "Is he possessed? Should we call a psychic or something—?"

Suddenly his eyes snap open—causing both Liam and Eve to jump in surprise, their arms instinctively wrapping around each other! Ignoring the whole clownery unfolding around you—still—you and Tyler exchange intense glares.

Plastering a big smile, Dom shoots you a definitive gaze—when you finally turn your attention back to him, he nods to you in affirmation. You inhale and give him an appreciative smile—until he finally opens his mouth—

"The beach," he says, his voice tinged with admiration, "because Ms. Winters, despite her name, has such sunny personality."

He directs the compliment towards you, but he sees your ever so slightly smile falter. In that particular moment, he realizes.. that all his hard thinking efforts are in vain. And it’s like the feeling of failing a multiple-choice question. As you lock eyes with Tyler, a wave of disappointment washes over you—and his smirk falters.. replaced by a look of guilt.

'Was I too much?'