The echo of sneakers against polished concrete bounced off the walls as Japheth missed yet another shot.
"Bro, that's like your seventh airball," Josh muttered, catching the rebound effortlessly.
"I'm off," Japheth sighed, wiping his face with his shirt. "Can't focus."
Josh threw the ball aside and leaned on the wall, arms crossed. "This about the Alicia thing?"Japheth didn't answer right away. His jaw clenched. "I was cruel, man. I said things… I didn't even stop to hear her out. I just assumed the worst, like everyone else."
Josh raised an eyebrow. "But you liked her. Even Kira noticed. You used to light up when her name came up. "That's the problem," Japheth muttered. "I liked her too much. And when that scandal hit… I felt betrayed. Like she was some fake. I lashed out to protect myself."
Josh tilted his head. "And now you feel like trash."Worse," Japheth said. "She looked at me like I was just another coward another guy who couldn't stand by her."
Josh nodded slowly. "So apologize."
You make it sound easy. "It's not," Josh said plainly. "Especially not with Kira guarding Alicia like a rottweiler in designer heels."
Japheth cracked a dry laugh, rubbing the back of his neck. "You're not wrong."
Josh tossed him a water bottle. "But you owe her the truth. You can't keep hiding behind guilt." Kira and Alice sat under the shade, scrolling through Rachel's official apology statement posted by the school. The gossip had died down Liliana was facing suspension, Rachel was working on an essay to "redeem her honor," and Alice was finally able to walk the halls without side eyes.
That peace shattered the moment Japheth walked across the courtyard. Kira stiffened immediately. "You have got to be kidding me."
Alice turned. "He's heading straight for you."
Japheth slowed when he reached them. "Kira… Alice."
Alice nodded silently. Kira, arms folded, gave him the kind of glare that could kill houseplants. Can we talk?" he asked carefully, eyes on Kira.
"You want to talk?" she said, voice like ice. "Now that everything's settled, you finally grew a conscience?"
"I deserve that," he said. No—you deserve worse," Kira snapped, standing. "You humiliated Alice. You believed the lies, mocked her in front of half the school, and now you show up like some sad little martyr hoping for redemption?"
"I didn't come here to make excuses," Japheth said firmly. "I came here because what I did was wrong. I acted like a coward. I judged someone I didn't even take time to know properly."
Alice blinked his tone was sincere, shaking.
I was stupid. I liked her," he said finally. "I liked Alice . And I panicked when everything came crashing down. I'm not asking to be forgiven, I just need to let her know I'm sorry. From the bottom of my heart."
Kira stared at him for a long, cold second.
Then she tilted her head. "She doesn't need your apology. You need it." Japheth's face crumpled slightly.
Kira's tone softened just barely. "Well we will see if she forgives you. Thank you Kira
"Don't thank me yet," Kira said. "If you hurt her again, I'll bury you. And I know where the shovel is."
Alicia stood on the balcony, sketchbook in hand, pencil tapping thoughtfully. She was slowly piecing herself back together, layer by layer. From scandal, to acceptance, to dreams of becoming something more.
Leo walked up behind her. "You're drawing again."
"Yeah," she said, smiling faintly. "It helps me think. "Want company?" She shrugged. "You're always hovering anyway." They both chuckled softly.