A week had passed since the cafeteria incident with Elion, and thankfully, he hadn't crossed paths with Endora since. She hadn't received any reply from the mysterious person she'd written to either, leaving her both anxious and hopeful.
That morning, Endora stood in front of her mirror, adjusting her outfit one last time. She wore a denim jacket over a printed denim skirt that stopped just above her knees, paired with long white socks and blue sandals. As usual, she had her hair neatly rolled into a bun. Satisfied, she grabbed her white purse and a few books before heading out.
She knocked on Luci's door, and it swung open immediately. Luci pulled her into a tight hug before dragging her inside.
"You look smoking hot, as always!" Luci grinned, eyeing her from head to toe.
"Thanks, Luci," Endora laughed as she sat on the bed, watching her friend rush around the room. Luci's dorm was similar to hers; same layout, but decorated in soft pinks and pastels.
"Just give me a minute! Oh, and guess what? Today, we're matching!" Luci disappeared into her closet, and Endora shook her head in amusement.
Moments later, Luci emerged wearing the exact same outfit.
"Well? How do I look?" Luci spun around dramatically.
Endora gasped in mock surprise. "Oh my God, I just found my twin!" They burst into laughter. "You look amazing! Is this why you asked about my outfit yesterday?"
"Thanks, bestie!" Luci grabbed her bag, grinning. "And yeah, you caught me, I totally asked about your outfit yesterday just for this."
"I knew it!" Endora teased.
"I'm just glad your library punishment is over," Luci said, adjusting her socks. "Professor Cassiodor doesn't play around."
"Tell me about it," Endora sighed. "At least Shasha was nice. She made it bearable."
"True! Unlike her mom, that woman was a nightmare," Luci shuddered, tying her hair into a matching bun.
"Thank goodness I never met her," Endora said. Shasha's mother, the usual librarian, had fallen ill just before Endora's resumption, leaving her daughter in charge.
"Now we officially look like twins!" Luci posed, showing off her hairstyle, a perfect bun with two loose strands framing her face.
"Yes, we do," Endora laughed. "Now let's go before we're late."
As they walked out, Luci eyed Endora curiously. "I still wonder why you never let your hair down. I bet you'd look gorgeous!"
"Nope. Not happening,"Endora said firmly, linking arms with her as they headed to class.
Luci just smirked. "One day, I'll convince you." Endora rolled her eyes, but she was smiling.
Outside the boys' dorm, Zayden and Maxen stood talking in the morning light when Elion and his friends stepped out. Zayden immediately strode up and blocked Elion's path, their faces inches apart.
"Where is the bracelet?" Zayden demanded. The group around them fell silent in confusion.
Elion scoffed. "What are you babbling about? Are you high? You won't ruin my morning." He tried pushing past, but Zayden shoved him back.
"You're not leaving until you return it. That bracelet wasn't yours to take." Zayden's voice stayed calm but firm. "I don't want to fight, just hand it over."
Elion's eyes narrowed. "You don't just come up, show your face and accuse people of what they know nothing about. So for the last time, move."
Zayden stepped closer until their chests nearly touched. "And if I don't, what will you do?"
Elion chuckled darkly, tightening his fists and Zeyden continued. "Like I said, we don't have to fight. Just hand over the damn bracelet. You know what I'm talking about." By now a crowd of boys had gathered to watch.
"I don't know..." Elion began, but Zayden's fist crashed into his jaw before he could finish, sending him staggering back. Maxen rushed forward to restrain Zayden. "Easy, man!"
"Let go! I need to teach this jerk a lesson!" Zayden shook Maxen off and advanced on Elion, who was clutching his face. "You took her bracelet fully aware of the danger it might cost her. Why? What did she even do to you to go to such lengths? I mean I know you've done worse, but taking her bracelet is far more extreme, don't you think?"
Elion wiped blood from his lip. "So this is about her."
"And you know what I'm talking about. Hand it over," Zayden growled.
"And if I don't, what will you do? Beat me up?" Elion taunted.
"You know too well. Now hand it over unless you want Mrs. Della to hear about it."
Elion fake-shuddered. "Oh I'm scared."
Zayden's fists trembled at his sides. "She's just a new student! You took the one thing keeping her safe here."
"I don't care. She embarrassed me and I will ruin her in this school. I will make this place unbearable for her," Elion spat.
"And I will do the same to you." Zayden's voice dropped to a dangerous whisper. "Come to think of it, maybe if you had any sibling you would actually know how it feels when someone does this to them. But let me guess - loneliness is eating you up and destroying you slowly."
Elion's punch came fast, and soon they were trading brutal blows, curses flying between each impact.
"STOP THIS NOW!" Professor Cassiodor's voice boomed across the courtyard. Both boys froze with fists raised.
"Both of you, stand up now!" The professor marched over as they reluctantly separated, straightening their clothes.
"Come with me!" he thundered. Glaring daggers at each other, they followed. The professor marched them to Mrs. Della's office.
Soon they stood before Mrs. Della's desk. "What is wrong with the both of you! Fighting is unacceptable," she scolded.
"We were not fighting, we were just talking," Zayden said evenly.
Mrs. Della and Professor Cassiodor burst into disbelieving laughter. "Talking? With split lips and bruised knuckles? So that is the new way to talk - by throwing fists? I never knew! Enlighten me more!" Mrs. Della said sarcastically.
Elion crossed his arms. "We were only trying to come to terms of agreement, that's all."
Mrs. Della's smile vanished. "What was the cause of this... discussion?"
"Nothing," both boys said simultaneously.
"I see." She leaned back. "Get out of my sight. I don't want to hear of this again unless you want to learn what real punishment looks like." She waved them off.
Once outside, Zayden cornered Elion. "Give me the bracelet or I go back in and explain everything to Mrs. Della. And you know what will happen."
Elion's jaw worked, then he reached into his back pocket. "Fine. Here, have it." He tossed the bracelet.
Zayden caught it smoothly. "Good." He walked away without another word.
Elion clenched his fists so hard his knuckles turned white. "Damn it!" he kicked the wall and hissed to the empty hallway.
When noon came and classes paused for a short break, Endora slipped out to use the restroom. The bathroom was sparkling white as always. She did her business and was about to leave when she overheard a group of girls chatting. Normally, she wouldn't eavesdrop, but when she heard Elion's and Zayden's names, curiosity got the better of her. She edged closer to listen.
Four girls stood by the sinks. The one with pink hair, heavy makeup and long lashes was talking: "Well there's news going around that Elion and Zayden fought this morning in the boys dorm."
"Are you for real?" gasped a petite but beautiful girl. "That must have been epic! I wish I'd seen it. What caused the fight?"
"Who knows?" Pink Hair shrugged. "We heard it was about a bracelet."
"A bracelet?" A blue-haired girl scoffed. "That can't be the whole story."
The redhead chimed in: "Exactly! Those two hardly ever fight in public. If they did, it must've been something big."
"Forget their drama," Pink Hair flipped her hair.
"What's important is how to make Zayden mine. I mean just look at me, this beauty!" She twirled, making her friends cheer.
"But come to think of it," the short girl pointed out, "Zayden has never looked at any girl before."
"That's what makes it fun!" Pink Hair grinned. "I'll be the first girl he notices."
Endora accidentally let out a loud "Tch!" before she could stop herself.
"Who's there?" Pink Hair snapped. Endora stepped into view.
"Oh? And who are you?" Blue Hair demanded, hands on hips.
"My name is Endora."
"Wait - aren't you the girl who poured a drink on Elion's head last week at the cafateria?" Short Girl asked.
"That would be me," Endora admitted. "I should get back to class now." She turned to leave.
Behind her, Pink Hair sneered, "I wonder why she's not dead by now." Their cruel laughter followed.
"But I heard she's hanging out with senior Ana," Blue Hair commented as Endora reached the door. "That's totally cool and sassy."
"I know right?" the others chimed in.
"She's cool though," the short girl added. "She came and successfully made a headline while some of us are barely existing."
"Let's go," Pink Hair snapped her fingers, and they all followed her out in a cloud of perfume and giggles.
Still stinging from their words, Endora hurried down the hall, only to nearly collided with Zayden himself. They froze, staring at each other in silence.
"Can I touch your hand?" Zayden suddenly asked.
Endora blinked, confused.
"I need to put this on you." He held up the bracelet. "So I need your permission."
Wordlessly, Endora nodded. Zayden took her wrist and fastened the bracelet securely.
"Never take it off," he ordered. Then he turned and walked away, leaving Endora standing stunned in the hallway, staring at her wrist.