Chapter 5
770 Words
Alex stabbed at her rice with a fork, lowering her voice conspiratorially. “Turns out it’s true.”
“What is?” Conrad asked, eyes still distant.
“The Trios.”
“Trios?” he echoed, brows furrowing.
She nodded. “The three guys we just saw. Mark Williams, James Arthur, Jeremiah Smith. They basically run this school. Everyone knows it.”
Conrad glanced toward the window, where faint smoke still curled in the air outside. “Run the school? How?”
“By being untouchable,” Alex said bluntly. “Mark’s the founder’s grandson. James is the VC’s son. Jeremiah… well, everyone knows who he is.”
Conrad said nothing.
“They bully people. Make examples out of them. I even heard someone transferred out because of the pressure,” she continued, voice hushed but urgent. “They pick who they want to target, and no one dares fight back.”
Whispers buzzed around the canteen as more students filtered in.
“Did you see Jeremiah’s face? He looked furious.”
“No, it wasn’t anger—it was worse. Like he didn’t expect…”
“Poor guy who crossed them today. He’s done for.”
Conrad heard every word, though he kept his gaze on his tray.
Alex sighed, her fork clinking against her plate. “I’m like a sheep in a lion’s den. I got in through scholarship. That makes me easy prey.”
“Scholarship?” Conrad repeated, surprised.
She shrugged. “Yeah. Didn’t think you’d care.”
He hesitated, then gave a small smile. “Since we’re friends now, I guess I’ll have to protect you.”
Alex blinked, then laughed softly. “You’d better. Or else I’ll tell everyone the silent Parker finally talks when he’s around me.”
Conrad raised a brow and asked “Blackmail already?”
“Not blackmail. Insurance,” she shot back with a wink, before stealing one of the fries off his tray.
For the first time that day, Conrad almost forgot the weight of the stares, the whispers, and the name Parker that everyone seemed to know before they knew him.
As they sat in the canteen, Alex kept talking—stories, little complaints, funny remarks—but then, mid-bite, she suddenly leaned closer.
“Are you going to the freshers’ party tonight?”
“No,” Conrad replied immediately, not even looking up.
Before Alex could press, Conner appeared from behind, nudging Conrad playfully on the shoulder. “And who’s this?” he asked, sliding into the seat beside them.
“She’s Alex,” Conrad said flatly, not really in the mood.
Conrad turned to her again, only to find Alex staring wide-eyed at the twins.
“What?” he asked.
She blinked rapidly. “You two… you’re identical. I can’t even tell who’s who—and I’ve been sitting with you the whole time!”
Conner laughed, clearly amused. “Happens all the time.”
The three of them chatted idly for a few minutes—light, meaningless conversation that Alex carried with ease. Then, turning back to Conrad, she pressed again.
“You’re really not going to the party? It’ll be fun.”
Conner perked up at that. “Party?” he asked.
“The freshers’ party,” Alex explained. “I’m trying to persuade him.”
Conner smirked. “Oh, we’ll go. No need to stress.”
“I said no,” Conrad cut in, sharper this time.
“Live a little, bro. You’re too stiff. Besides”—Conner leaned back casually—“I’m doing this for your own good.”
Conrad sighed, feeling cornered. Under his brother’s relentless insistence—and Alex’s hopeful eyes—he finally muttered, “Fine. But I don’t like it.”
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Later, after their last lecture of the day, Conrad said goodbye to Alex. She waved cheerfully as the twins walked toward their driver.
“Don’t forget to come to the party! I’ll be waiting!” she called out, cupping her hands around her mouth.
Conner turned back, grinning. “We’ll be there!”
Conrad didn’t answer, but when he glanced over his shoulder, Alex was still looking at him. She wasn’t smiling this time—just watching him with those sharp brown eyes, like she could see straight through the mask he always wore.
“Don’t make me regret calling you my friend, Conrad,” she teased, a half-smile tugging at her lips.
Conrad let out a small breath, shaking his head as he climbed into the car. He wasn’t sure if Alex was trouble, or exactly the kind of trouble he needed.
- Writer
