Chapter 6: Senior Territory
789 Words
After a few minutes, the two girls finished eating their lunch and left the cafeteria for their next class.
A few minutes later, the bell rang, signaling that lunch break was over. The remaining students quickly finished their meals before hurrying back to their respective classrooms.
The rest of the day passed surprisingly fast.
Before they knew it, the final bell echoed through the school, and cheerful chatter immediately filled the classrooms. Students happily packed their bags, eager to finally head home after a long day of lessons.
As Sofia zipped up her backpack, Mirabel turned to her with a curious smile.
"So, what are you up to after school?" she asked.
"Nothing much," Sofia replied casually. "I just want to return a few books to my locker."
She slung her backpack over one shoulder and stood up.
"Okay then," Mirabel smiled. "I'll come with you."
The two girls left the classroom together, chatting as they walked down the hallway.
"So, where's your locker located?" Mirabel asked.
"It's upstairs, down the hallway," Sofia answered naturally.
The moment those words left her mouth, Mirabel suddenly stopped walking.
Completely unaware, Sofia continued speaking.
"I honestly don't know why they placed my locker so far away from our classroom. It's so unfair."
She laughed softly, expecting Mirabel to complain along with her.
But...
There was no reply.
Sofia frowned.
She stopped walking and glanced beside her.
No one was there.
"Hmm... did Mirabel go back?" she wondered quietly.
Confused, Sofia turned around.
A few steps behind her stood Mirabel.
She looked completely frozen.
Her eyes were wide, and her mouth hung open in disbelief, as though she had just heard the most shocking news imaginable.
Alarmed, Sofia hurried back to her.
"Mirabel!"
She gently waved a hand in front of her face before lightly pushing her chin upward to close her open mouth.
"What's wrong?"
Mirabel blinked several times before finally finding her voice.
"W-Wait..."
"Did you just say your locker is upstairs... down the hallway?"
She searched Sofia's face, desperately hoping she had misheard.
"Well... yes," Sofia answered with a small nod.
"Why? Is something wrong?"
Mirabel let out a deep sigh.
"That's bad news."
Sofia's heart skipped a beat.
"Why?"
"Because that's where all the seniors' lockers are located."
Sofia stared at her blankly.
"...And?"
Seeing Sofia's confused expression, Mirabel couldn't help sighing again.
"You're a junior, Sofia."
"Which means you'll most likely become an easy target over there."
Only then did Sofia begin to understand why Mirabel had reacted the way she did.
"Oh my God..."
Her eyes widened in shock.
"And the worst part..." Mirabel continued nervously, "the people who bully others the most are Emily's group... and Damien's group."
She lowered her voice.
"Trust me..."
"You do not want to enter their territory."
Those words alone sent a chill down Sofia's spine.
She instinctively swallowed.
The image of Damien's cold grey eyes flashed through her mind once again.
Please don't let me run into him...
"Do you think the school would approve a request to change my locker?" Sofia asked hopefully.
There was determination in her eyes.
"If there's even a small chance, I want to try."
"I'm sure they probably would," Mirabel replied.
"But..."
"It might take quite a while before they process the request."
Instead of discouraging Sofia, those words gave her hope.
"Well... it's definitely worth trying," she thought.
"I won't know unless I ask."
Sofia smiled and gently nudged Mirabel.
"Don't worry."
"Let's not think too much about it."
She lightly grabbed Mirabel's wrist and pulled her along.
"Come on. Let's get this over with."
The two girls headed upstairs.
The moment they reached the senior hallway, the atmosphere changed completely.
Students were scattered everywhere.
Some leaned casually against their lockers while gossiping.
Some laughed loudly with their friends.
Others picked on weaker students without anyone daring to interfere.
There were smokers standing near the windows, gangs occupying entire corners, and students who clearly wanted nothing more than to get through the hallway unnoticed.
A wave of nervousness washed over both girls.
Neither of them said a word.
Although fear lingered in their hearts, they refused to show it.
Everyone knew people like these could smell fear from a mile away and use it against you.
Keeping their heads down, Sofia and Mirabel quietly walked through the crowd.
Finally...
They reached Sofia's locker.
Without wasting a second, Sofia quickly unlocked it, returned the books she no longer needed, grabbed the ones for tomorrow, and immediately locked it again.
"Done."
She let out a relieved sigh.
Without looking around any longer than necessary, the two girls quickly turned around and hurried away, hoping to leave the senior hallway before anyone decided to stop them.
- Writer
