Silent Crash
1096 Words
Chapter 10
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Lina
We finally got to the cafeteria, after it felt like a year walking along with Gigi. She was a vibe though, don't get me wrong. The atmosphere was calm but laced with little murmurs. We grabbed a tray from the racks and headed to the counter.
“The line is pretty longgg.” Gigi said dramatically.
“No kidding.” I muttered.
After a while, the line got shortened, and it was finally our turn. Gigi had a chicken burger with a little salad on the side, I took a cheeseburger, fries and a fruit cup . And there was Brienna.
She was holding a tray with just a glass of iced matcha. She was probably a liquid diet girl. I just stared at her till Gigi was done too.
I sat at the nearest chair, Gigi sat beside me, while brienna sat opposite me.
She took a slow sip of her iced herbal tea, the straw barely bending. Gigi and I were halfway through their burgers, grease and ketchup smudging napkins.
Then I asked her.
“Are you really not hungry?”
She smiled, the kind that didn’t quite reach her eyes.
“Something like that.” She tapped her glass, watching a bead of condensation trail down. "I'm cutting off solids for a while.”
“Ohh, that's cool I suppose.” I said with an awkward grin.
She smiled and went back to her phone.
After we were done eating, we dumped our trays and headed back to class for the second period. The crowd was light, just scattered footsteps echoing off the walls. Gigi and Bri were talking and giggling too.
I wasn’t really paying attention until I saw Kaiza approaching from the opposite direction. For a brief second, we ended up at the exact same spot, shoulder to shoulder. He didn’t say a word — just gave me this quick, knowing wink before walking off like it was nothing.
I blinked, processing, then kept moving like it didn’t just happen.
Gigi then paused. “Uhmm, did Kaiza just wink at you?”
“Yeah? Isn't that common for him?” I raised my brows up.
“I know, but in as much as he's a flirt, he doesn't wink to people,”
“Well that's his business.”
“Jealousy is a sin. I said quietly as I clenched my feet.” Gigi said dramatically.
Brienna and I looked at each other before laughing.
We were at the doorway when Brienna stopped.
“See you guys later.” Brienna said.
“Later? Aren't you joining us for the next class?” I asked.
“Nah, I don't participate in combat sparring.” Bri said.
How did she get away with such stuff?
Gigi turned to me. “I know right? She's so lucky.”
I wore an awkward grin. It was as if she read my mind.
“Alright, see ya.” I said, opening the door.
******
It was time for our sparring class. I changed into a black trouser and shirt.
I got paired with Rae, the girl from the other day boring into my skin with her eyes at dinner. Now this was just awkward.
I turned to see Kaiza staring at me while drumming on the table simultaneously.
For some reason, I didn't feel the urge to snap at him. It definitely had something to do with bond. Or probably I was tired. Still in the phase of denial, I found my feet walking to his direction.
He smirked.
“Never knew I could pull you.” He said, putting on a cocky smile.
I think that was enough to bring my spark.
“Nope.” I said turning to leave.
“Wait.” He grabbed my hand softly, sending a jolt up my body. My heart raced fast as I turned back slowly.
Really Lina? Was this how I'd react if I was getting kidn*pped?
He dropped my hand gently and cleared his throat.
“Sorry about that.” He said.
“Sure.” I said, crossing my arms.
“So um, you wanted to tell me something?”
“Nah, I don't even know why I walked up here.”
“Teehee.” He chuckled.
“Well see you later.” I said.
“Sure thing.” He smiled gently.
We formed a circle and waited. Everyone was paired up with their partners. They all looked eager and ready to break some bones, while I was here just trying to make it till the end of the day.
“Alright get in position.” Miss Karen yelled. “First up is Lina and Rae.”
I was truly convinced today that my teachers hated me for some reason. I sighed internally and stepped forward.
“Start!”
Rae cracked her knuckles like she’d been waiting her whole life for this.
“Don’t go easy on me,” she smirked.
“Trust me, that won’t be a problem,” I muttered.
Miss Karen blew the whistle, and Rae came at me fast. I sidestepped, but she was already turning, her foot slicing the air. I ducked, barely. Great. She was one of those quick ones. It was enough to know her patterns.
She swung for my head, but I ducked and stepped back. She was fast, I’ll give her that, but she was also predictable. I waited for her next move — a right hook, and caught her arm before sweeping her leg out from under her.
She hit the mat with a soft thud, blinking in surprise.
“Nice,” Miss Karen said, nodding.
I just shrugged like it was nothing, but inside? Yeah, I was definitely replaying that in my head later.
“Next! Kaiza and Theo!”
Kaiza rolled his shoulders, stepping into the ring with a smug look. Theo looked confident for about thirty seconds. Kaiza moved like water, dodging and striking, until he had Theo flat on his back.
“That was cute,” Kaiza said, offering him a hand up.
When class ended, we all changed and started heading out. Brienna walked beside me, scrolling through her phone, while I just thought about food.
Then we turned a corner and saw Janna coming our way.
Their eyes met. Brienna’s and Janna’s. The vibe shifted instantly. It wasn't awkward or shy, it was like they knew each other beyond classmates.
Janna looked away first, brushing past without a word, while Brienna’s jaw tightened, but she kept walking, eyes forward.
I glanced at both of them.
- Writer
