As Mike, Stefan, and Christina stepped outside, they were met with a sea of curious faces. Most of the students were staring, their expressions ranging from shock to fascination. It seemed they couldn't believe that the trio had finally become friends.
"Guess it truly is a miracle," Christina observed, smiling. She looked back and forth between Mike and Stefan. "I never thought we would actually become friends."
"I always knew something like this would happen," Stefan said. "I just didn't expect it to be so soon. And... we're not friends yet, so don't jump to conclusions—you haven't even won Rachael over."
Mike's expression remained neutral, but he said nothing.
"Did something happen between you two yesterday?" Stefan asked.
"That's none of your concern!" Mike and Christina responded simultaneously.
"So it did," Stefan chuckled. "I'll definitely find out soon."
As they continued toward the cafeteria, Christina's gaze drifted to the rooftop. She could have sworn she noticed a strange movement out of the corner of her eye, so she froze.
Mike followed her gaze and squinted.
"Is something over there?" he asked curiously.
Christina hesitated before turning back to him. "I thought I saw someone over there, but it's nothing. Let's go," she replied.
They closed the gap between themselves and Stefan, who was already ahead of them. They entered the cafeteria, picked their lunch, and sat down at an empty table.
Mike and Stefan sat side by side, while Christina took the chair opposite Mike, leaving an empty seat beside her.
The atmosphere was tense, with Stefan's unanswered question lingering in the air. Christina's gaze occasionally drifted toward the rooftop, her curiosity barely contained.
"Thanks for yesterday," she said to Mike. "I'm sorry it took me so long."
"Oh… there's no need for that, okay?" Mike said, waving his hand dismissively. "And... you're always welcome. Anytime."
Stefan's eyes shifted between their faces. "What happened between you two?" he asked.
"It's none of your concern!" Mike and Christina responded in unison, glaring at him.
"Alright then," Stefan said, relenting, shrugging. "I'll just silently eat my dessert." However, his curiosity never wavered. "But…" he began.
"But what?" Christina barked. "What do you want now?"
Stefan stared at her for a moment, grunted, and then spoke after swallowing his meal. "Are you two dating?"
"Hell no!" Mike snapped.
"Don't be ridiculous!" Christina sneered, glowering at him contemptuously.
"So, you guys are—that's great," Stefan implied, a lopsided grin appearing on his face. He gulped down his caffe latte and snickered.
"I shouldn't have invited him to join us," Christina muttered.
"I wanted to warn you earlier that inviting him was a bad idea. You should have expected something like this," Mike said, munching on his toast.
Stefan glared at Mike for a moment, waiting to swallow his meal before responding. He was about to speak when a familiar voice interrupted.
"Here you are, guys!" Rachael called out.
Mike and Stefan looked up, their eyes locking onto Rachael's approaching figure.
Rachael approached the table and sighed. "I've looked for you in class, then I assumed you must be here," she said. "Can I join you?"
"I'm sure you wouldn't want to," Mike replied.
"That's right. You might want to grab another table," Stefan added.
"Why would I do that when there's an empty chair right in front of..." Her gaze landed on Christina, and her words trailed off.
For a moment, she froze. Then she turned to leave, but Christina's words stopped her.
"Come on, Rachy," Christina said. "I know I was a jerk for a long time. I'm sorry for being rude to you all the time."
Rachael spun around, staring at Christina, probably searching for genuine remorse. "So, you're not a jerk anymore?" she asked.
Christina hesitated, her eyes darting between Rachael and Mike before responding. "I'm sorry, but I can't decide that yet. I guess I'm still addicted to being a jerk."
Everyone remained silent, awaiting Rachael's response.
"You know what?" Rachael finally said after a full minute of observation. "I guess you're not the only jerk sitting at this table."
The tension disappeared as Mike chuckled. Stefan guffawed, and even Christina cracked a smile.
*****
After school hours, Christina made her way to the rooftop to uncover the source of the strange movement she had noticed earlier.
The wind howled around her, its ferocious gusts whipping her hair into a frenzy as she walked along the rooftop's edge.
Below, she spotted Mike and Stefan engrossed in conversation. "Mike!" she called out, her voice carrying on the wind.
Mike's head jerked up, his eyes scanning the rooftop until they locked onto Christina's waving figure.
A smile spread across his face as he waved back. "What are you doing over there? Aren't you going home?" he shouted.
Christina leaned over the edge, her voice carrying down to Mike. "I am. Wait for me! I'll join you in a jiffy."
As she turned to leave, she collided with a massive figure looming in front of her. "I'm sorry," she exclaimed, her heart racing.
Raising her head, Christina's eyes met the terrifying visage of a gigantic creature. Its bald head gleamed in the fading light, while long, pointed ears framed its face.
Enormous wings stretched out from its back, their dark membranes rippling in the wind.
Despite its eyes being shut, the creature seemed to sense Christina's presence, its head cocked slightly to one side.
Christina froze, paralyzed by fear.
The creature's massive frame towered over her, casting a long, ominous shadow across the rooftop. The wind died down, and an unsettling silence fell, punctuated only by the creaking of the creature's wings.
Christina's breath caught in her throat as the creature's eyelids began to flicker, its eyes slowly opening to reveal an unknown, otherworldly gaze.
Christina's scream pierced the air, a deafening cry that echoed off the rooftop. She stumbled backward, her eyes fixed on the creature in terror.
"I mean you no harm, Christina," the creature said in a low, calm voice, raising its hands in a peaceful gesture. "I just need your help."
"What the hell are you?" Christina's voice trembled as she squealed. She retreated to the rooftop's edge, her feet inches from the precipice.
"Calm down, Christina Idris," the creature urged, its tone soothing. "I'm not here to harm you, I promise. Please, help me."
"Don't you dare move closer to me!" Christina yelled, her warning coming out in a shaky voice. Her eyes darted wildly, searching for an escape.
She stared at the creature again with a mix of fear and awe. "What kind of...costume is that?" she stammered, attempting to rationalize the creature's appearance.
"What's happening over there, Christina?" Mike shouted from below. "Why are you screaming?"
"Help me! There's a monster here!" Christina shouter back in panic.
"I'll be right there, wait for me!" Mike said, dropping his bag to rush toward the rooftop.
But before he could take more than two steps, Christina's scream pierced the air once more. She lost her footing and tumbled off the rooftop.
Time seemed to slow as her body fell toward the ground. Mike's heart sank, his eyes fixed on the horror unfolding before him, his legs pumping faster to reach her.
Christina's arms flailed wildly, her eyes fixed on the creature which had caused her fall.
Stefan and the other onlookers averted their faces, bracing for the impact. The sound of Christina's fall seemed to echo through the air, a sickening thud that made Mike's stomach twist with dread.
And then, everything froze, awaiting Christina's fate.