War of the Brats

“Is what we’re doing still right?” “Shhh!” I pulled Maerinne to hide behind the tree before the person we were following could notice her. I covered her mouth when I felt she was about to speak again. She’s always noisy! “Make sure we don’t get caught doing this, okay?” Gina whispered nervously while squeezing herself beside Pink. I nodded, my eyes fixed on the guy standing under another tree, smoking. I quickly covered my nose when I caught a whiff of his cigarette because of the wind. Look at this jerk! Smoking is strictly prohibited inside the campus, yet he breaks the rule like he owns the place. That’s exactly why he has to stop ruling everyone—because he’s not even a good role model himself! “Ouch! Pink, you’re stepping on my foot!” I heard Mae complain. My eyes widened when I saw that Wynd looked like he noticed something. I quickly ducked behind the big tree and squeezed in with the others. “Wait—my foot! You’re stepping on it again!” “You’re all so noisy, damn it!” Pink hissed in a whisper. I widened my eyes at them as a warning, and thankfully, they went quiet. When I noticed Wynd was no longer looking our way, I peeked again. My eyes widened even more when I saw him start walking away. Hah! He’s probably heading to his so-called hideout where his group does their illegal stuff! That’s the real reason I followed him. Wynd is everything I hate. Actually, I feel like he was born just to ruin my life. I wouldn’t even bother trying this hard to bring him down if his stupid sodality hadn’t humiliated me first. If I hadn’t heard something about their dirty dealings in that hideout, I would’ve let it go. I mean, I can’t really compete with someone like him. His fan girls alone could bury me alive. They worship him like a saint—some might’ve even literally knelt before him. Knowing his brotherhood’s reputation, they switch girls every month. I’m sure he does too. “Hurry up!” I demanded as Wynd got farther away. No one knows their hideout except him and his sodality. And according to rumors, those who find out never come back alive. I almost laughed when Gina told me that. As if! They act all tough, but I bet they’re scared of ghosts! “Wow, girl, slow down. You forced us to come here, remember?” Mae said, fixing her hair that got messy from all the hiding. “After this, no more favors. Please, just let me have this. I badly want to get even.” I said seriously. If no one stands up to that so-called king, he’ll never stop bullying people. I’m sure I’m not the only victim—just the only one willing to fight back. The others probably stayed quiet because he’s got everyone under his control, bribing them with fake promises and his pretty face. “Of course we’re here for you,” Gina said. “Just make sure that after this, you’ll stop messing with them. They’re dangerous.” I knew that. That’s why I’m always careful. I only got this one chance because they agreed to help me. After this, I’ll finally have peace. But first, I’ll make sure Wynd tastes the sweetness of my revenge. “How sure are you that Wynd won’t find out it’s you doing all this?” Pink asked quietly as we followed Wynd. We were now behind the school building, and the grass was so tall that it was hard to walk—especially for Mae, who was acting all delicate again. “With the number of people who hate him? I’m sure he won’t suspect me alone,” I said. Pink just shrugged. In the middle of our sneaking, Wynd stopped in front of a small half-concrete house. “So, this is their hideout,” Mae whispered in my ear, making me jump. I looked around and saw some of his so-called brothers hanging out nearby. We immediately ducked behind the tall grass when one of them turned in our direction. “Do you think we can get in?” Gina asked. “With some brains, of course we can,” I said proudly. “This is the first time I’ve ever felt this scared,” Mae said hysterically. “Don’t you realize that if they catch us, we might not make it out alive?” “As if! No matter how tough they act, they’re still scared of the police,” I rolled my eyes. “And you? You’re not scared of them?” Pink asked sarcastically. “What can they even do to me? Hurt me?” I smirked. “Fine—then I’ll make sure it reaches the principal.” “Gosh, I don’t even know where you got this bravery, Yuri! Can we finish this fast? I’m itchy all over!” Mae complained. Honestly, I should’ve left her behind. If I’d known we’d be crawling through grass, I’d have just let her flirt with her boyfriends instead. “Okay, here’s the plan. You guys have to guard me—” “What? So we’re risking our lives just to save your butt?” Pink cut in. I glared at her. What did she expect? That I’d go alone and get caught? “This is just once, okay?!” “Quiet! They might hear us!” Gina warned. I shut my mouth after that. I didn’t want to get caught—I just wanted this over with so I could finally sleep tonight. “Do you think they’re selling drugs?” Gina suddenly asked. My eyes widened. “I’m asking you, Yuri. Don’t give me that look.” “Possibly. Look at their faces! Maybe they’re even selling girls or keeping them as slaves,” I pointed. “You’re judging them too fast. We’re here to find out the truth—to see if they’re really doing something illegal,” Pink said calmly. “Guys! Guys!” We stopped talking when Mae whispered harshly, calling our attention. Through the spaces in the grass, she pointed to the boys entering the hideout. Once we were sure the coast was clear, we immediately ran toward the building. We hid on the side of the concrete wall. “Duck down,” I commanded, and they followed. We tiptoed around, looking for a better hiding spot and a way to peek inside. “Everything ready?” We froze. That voice—it was Wynd’s! I clenched my fists. Let’s see how long your reign lasts, Wynd Clarkson. My eyes caught a small window nearby. I signaled the girls and pointed at it. We rushed to it, but it was too high—I couldn’t even reach it enough to peek. “Hurry!” Gina said. “Wait, how? I can’t reach it!” “So what do we do?” Pink asked. “There’s something going on inside—I can feel it! We have to see it!” I said, then looked at Pink and got an idea. “You can lift me, right?” Pink frowned. When she realized what I meant, she immediately shook her head. “No, Yuri! If that’s your plan, I’m out!” “I promise, Pink. This will be the last! Just this once, please…” I pleaded, holding her hands. She sighed and clenched her jaw before finally agreeing. She crouched down in front of me, and I climbed onto her shoulders. Pink was the strongest among us thanks to her gymnastics days. “Hurry! You’re heavy, damn it.” When I finally got up, I grabbed the window’s grills—and there, I saw what was happening inside. A rectangular table stood in the middle, and Wynd sat at the head like some kind of king. My eyes widened when I saw what was on the table. “Who has a phone?” “Why?!” “Quick! I need to record this!” “Here!” Gina handed me her phone, and I hit record. I smirked when the camera clearly caught the pack of white powder on the table—along with Wynd himself. “Yuri, hurry! You’re heavy!” Pink complained. The phone almost slipped from my hand when she moved, and I grabbed onto the grills tighter. “Hold still!” “How can I when you’re so heavy?!” “Just a little mor—” “Ouch!” we all yelped when Pink suddenly lost balance and fell, dragging everyone down. I grabbed my waist as I hit the ground with a thud. “Who’s there?” “Oh, shit.” I whispered. The four of us exchanged terrified looks before running for our lives, limping from the mess we just made. Either way, I got my revenge. I smiled as I looked at the phone with the recorded video. Say goodbye to your throne now, Wynd. --- “Do you really have to upload that?” Gina asked after I showed her the video I took from Wynd’s hideout. I nodded. “Why not? I went there to get even for what he did to me.” “Yeah, I know. But we’re not even sure if that’s really drugs, right? Maybe it’s just… powder or something,” she said. I shook my head. “I saw it. And besides, what can Wynd do when it’s already on the internet? Even if it’s not drugs, it’s too late—his name’s already stained.” I looked at the video again, thinking. Should I upload it… or just keep it and use it as blackmail? Either way, Wynd’s reputation is done for. After a few minutes of hesitation, I decided to upload it. “Guys!” “What?” I asked when Mae came running toward us. “I think I lost my ID.” “Maybe it’s in your locker,” Pink said, still treating the bump on her forehead. “No. I was wearing it earlier—when we were following Wynd…” We froze. I turned to look at her. We all went pale when we realized what she just said. Then my phone vibrated. I looked down, and my eyes widened when I saw that the video I uploaded had already gone viral. “I think I left it… in Wynd’s hideout.” You’re dead, Hurricane Shine Park.