The low hum of rock music played in his ears, though his mind had drifted far beyond the lyrics. Dwight walked the halls, exhausted by the long day. As he turned the corner near the nurses office, his eyes caught a glimpse through the narrow window.
Lila was lying on one of the cots inside, curled slightly to one side with her arm hanging limply over the edge. Even though he could see from her breathing she was just sleeping, something about the stillness unsettled him.
He stepped toward the door, hand halfway raised to knock, but the nurse opened it before he could. She met him with a firm and gentle expression, blocking the entrance with her body.
"She needs rest," she said plainly, offering no room for argument. "If you are a friend of hers, you come by later, but right now, just let her sleep."
Dwight's mouth opened, unsure of what to say, but before he could try, another voice cut through the moment.
"Excuse me, Ms. Loren," Drex spoke, strolling up with Lila's book bag slung over one shoulder and her jacket folded in his arm. "She left these in the gym. Figured I'd bring them by."
The nurse's tone immediately softened as she turned to him. She accepted the items with a nod and a quiet thank you, then repeated the same sentiment.
"Lila needed to rest. You both head over to your next period class if you have." The door clicked shut again a moment later, leaving the boys in silence.
Frustration tugged at Dwight's chest. He leaned against the wall outside the office, tilting his head back with a dull thud. His legs gave way slowly as he slid down until he seated on the floor, arms resting on his knees. The day was catching up to him in small pieces; Like what happened with Cuff and the awkwardness with Violet.
Drex hovered for a second before crouching down beside him, watching him closely. "You good?" he asked softly.
Dwight shook his head faintly, not meeting his gaze. "I—am fine..."
Drex tilted his head. "You sure...? Because I could tell from how you are acting, you aren't in any kind of good mood."
"I said I'm fine," Dwight repeated, sharper this time.
"Uh huh," Drex muttered, "Is that your trademark? You say 'I'm fine' even when you are not, right?"
Dwight turned slightly, casting him a sideways glare. "You think you've got me all figured out, huh?" he scowled. "We have known each other for a couple of hours—now you want to act like you know me."
"Not act, but know. There is a big difference. I can pick up on certain mannerisms easily from people. You are one of them." Drex smirked. "You're like a broken vending machine, mate. Press the same buttons, get the same junk."
The analogy caught him off guard. He goes silent, wondering what to say. Even though Dwight was debating on whether Drex had politely insulted him, a reluctant chuckle slipped out. "Dude, that was so lame..."
"Yeah, but you smiled regardless. So mission accomplished." Drex responded.
Dwight rolled his eyes, no longer acting upset. He ran a hand through his hair, seeing Drex waiting patiently for him to answer. After exhaling hard, Dwight gives in. "Well to start off, I was almost jumped this morning by that guy Cuff and his friend's from gym class. Police and the school got involved, which is why he acted that way."
Drex's expression shifted instantly. "What? Are you being serious?"
"Yeah...Cuff and his friends were mad at my friend and then at me for calling them out on their stupidity," Dwight said, lowering his voice, making sure noisy people don't overhear him. "They cornered me near a bus stop. Police grabbed hold of one or two of his friends and suspended them."
Drex's expression darkened, his hands tightening briefly into fists.
"Damn, then, good thing I stepped in back there. I thought my actions were a bit much before, but now knowing what they did prior, I have no shame."
Dwight chuckled, genuinely this time. "You really put him in his place."
"Hell yeah, I did. Kind of wish I could have humiliated him more. Wow, I can imagine many ideas already." Drex jokingly responds. He rubbed his hands in a maniacal way. "Nah, but for real, anything else beside that?"
Dwight leaned his head back again, "Then I messed up with that girl, Violet. She is new to this school and has been having trouble settling in from what I was told. We did not have the best introductions. Heck, even now thinking about it, me asking her to join our volleyball group might have made things way more awkward."
"Violet...? As in the girl you asked to join us? Hmm, I doubt you made things awkward between you both—what would have kept things weird is if you did not try being friends and left things the way it went." Drex said, offering Dwight a bit of advice—though, true to form, he couldn't resist slipping in a joke with it. "And think about it, this could be potential... You as the Romeo can swoop in and be there for juliet."
Dwight groaned. "Oh, for christ sake, Drex! Please don't start. My friend Kyle does that enough."
"Oh, Come on. Think about it, the emo loner who wins the heart of the new student by sheer coincidence. My dude, you're in a rom-com, my friend. Get to know her, grow a bond, steal her heart, and then when you both are alone—look into your eyes and that is when you go in for the KILL."
"Okay, first, I am not an emo." Dwight muttered. "Second of all, you are insane."
"You are not the first to tell me, Dwight. But, truly think about it. Romeo ain't got nothing on you if you just lean into the broody mysterious thing. Trust me, it does work. Maybe toss in a tragic backstory, that could get them."
Dwight shook his head, snorting under his breath. "Yeah, well... I'm not interested in relationships like that. And besides, there is someone else I do like."
That shut Drex up for a moment. He blinked, then nodded with unexpected maturity. "Alright then..."
Just as the quiet to settle again, Dwight's phone buzzed in his pocket. He pulled it out, the screen lightning up 'Fred martella' that made his expression soften.
Drex leaned over slightly, catching the name. "Is that family?"
"Nah, a friend of mine." Dwight said, standing up and taking a few steps away. "Give me a second."
He answered the call with a more composed tone than he usually used. "Hey, Fred. What up?"
Fred's voice came through on the other end. "Hey, Dwight. Just wanted to say thanks again for hanging out with me earlier. Really meant alot."
Dwight nodded, though Fred could not see it. "You do not have to thank me, Fred. Our—talk did more for me than just you, so I appreciate it."
"Well, I want you to know I appreciated it." Fred says, clearing his throat. He hesitates before continuing, "...You and the others have made every day at school, especially outside of it, one of the best for me. I—thank you..."
"Wow, that's so touching. It is honestly the best thing I heard all day." Dwight said with a mix of sarcasm and seriousness. "But hey—let's talk more about this later, I am still at school and you know how loud it gets."
"All good. I will call you later, Dwight. See you then." Fred responded.
"Later, Fred." Dwight said quietly, hanging up the call, and putting his phone away.
He walks back to Drex, who was still sitting by the wall with an unreadable grin. Before they could continue with their conversation left off, footsteps echoed from the far end of the hallway again.
'Richard and Samantha', the same security guards from earlier, rounded the corner. The female guard folded his arms, already looking irritated. "Ugh, you again...Listen kid, we have already told you before. No wandering about the hallways, head to class!"
Dwight stared back in silence. Richard's eyes narrowed at him like a tempered parent eyeing their kid who made them upset.
"You think hanging around in the hallways, not following rules makes you look cool? Because let me tell you, it doesn't." Richard said, tone sharper this time. "Now, I am someone who doesn't like to repeat himself. The first time was free, which means you have already been given enough warnings."
Dwight clenched his jaw, arms crossing. "Really, dude...? I had no idea that taking an important call for a couple minutes was considered a serious issue."
"You being smart with me, kid?" Richard asked, pointing at himself, and stepping closer.
"I have no idea, you tell me smart guy. Everything apparently has to go through you." Dwight responds.
As Richard is about to speak up, Samantha stops him. She sighs, tapping her clipboard like it gave her authority "Alright, there is no need for that on EITHER sides."
Dwight kept his composure while Richard, who noticeably had trouble not saying a word, nodded his head.
Samantha sighed and stepped forward, tapping her clipboard like it gave her authority. "But for you, kid. If you spend more time in class and less time causing problems—maybe things would be better."
"I'm sorry, who are you again?" Dwight smugly said, flashing a half smile. "Hall monitor of the year or something?"
Richard's boots echoed as he stepped close, now eye level with Dwight. "Watch your mouth, kid."
Dwight didn't flinch, though his body tensed. "I'm not trying to start anything, alright? I am only talking. Is that against the rules, now?"
"Your attitude sure is," Richard shot back, voice raising.
Before things could get worse, Drex stepped between them, arms casually raised as a buffer. "Woah, chill. You both seem really invested in my friend Dwight over here, huh? Maybe I can make it worth your time."
Samantha raised an eyebrow. "Excuse me, what do you mean?"
Drex reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone. "Yeah, I expected you would ask. Thought I'd show you both something important."
Richard looked like he was about to protest again, but Drex turned the screen toward them and hit play. A paused frame of a video sat on screen. Then, it started rolling.
The video showed both guards clearly visible, making out in a back hallway. Zooming in, their hands are very much placed in areas they shouldn't be while at work.
For a second, no one said a single word. Richard's face turned a deep shade of red. "Where the hell did you get that?"
"Don't worry about it," Drex said calmly, slipping the phone back into his pocket. "Just know it exists. So maybe back off and leave us be. We will get out of your hair and this video does not go straight to the deans or the principal."
Richard looked like he was about to explode, fists clenched at his sides, but Samantha grabbed his arm. She turned her head, staring back to Drex.
Drex noted how Richard is normally tempered while Samantha is more of the level headed one. He met her gaze with the smallest tilt of his head, something between confident and amused.
"This will not do a whole lot. We are close with people here. You are nothing more than just a little boy." Samantha muttered, the words sounding cold and bitter.
"Cool," Drex said with a smirk. "This little boy got a recording. It may not do a whole lot with the deans, but if this ever were to get out, your life would be a living hell..."
She exhaled hard, then waved them off. "Go on. Both of you!"
Dwight was already a few steps down the hall. He turned back to Drex, his expression filled with disbelief. "Okay... what the hell was that?"
Drex walked beside him like nothing happened. "An easy way out for us. Remember, In a place like this, you do not survive by being predictable."
Dwight blinked. "Whatever that was, it was insane."
"But it was effective," Drex added. "And before you say it—no need for a thank you. Just get through your next class if you've got one left, then head straight home."
He held out a casual wave as he veered towards the stairwell. "See you next week."
Dwight nods, raising a hand in return. As Drex leaves, Dwight looks back one final time to see Richard and Samantha standing in the same exact spot. Feeling a little confident, Dwight gave them a smile before disappearing out of sight.
Richard clenched his hands, angrily. He kept staring down the hall where Dwight and Drex walked off. In his mind, he could not believe that a teenager would be the one to blackmail him.
"Those little punks," he muttered under his breath.
Samantha stepped beside him, gently placing a hand on his shoulder. "Hey, Richie," she said softly, giving him a light squeeze. "It's okay now."
Richard exhaled through his nose, still simmering.
"We've only got a few more weeks here," she added, her voice dropping just enough to sound like more than small talk. "Once we get what we need, we are gone. Remember? This whole place will be a distant memory."
Richard took a slow breath, the tension draining. He nodded, eyes fixed on the floor. "Yeah...you are right."
Samantha smiled, brushing his arm and leaning in for a hug. She placed a small kiss on his cheek. "You are a cutie when you get all angry," she teased.
He let out a small chuckle, smirking. "You are lucky I like you alot."
They leaned in, giving each other a kiss. Before anything could escalate further, footsteps echoed down the hall.
Another Dean 'Mr. Green,' passed by with a pleasant nod, holding a clipboard. "Afternoon, you two. Everything is going well?"
"Yes, sir," they both said in unison.
He gave them a genuine smile and kept walking, oblivious to what they were doing.
Meanwhile, behind Richard and Samantha's backs, their hands found each other again, intertwining in a subtle grip. Both of them go back to work, but give hints on what they plan to do after everyone has gone home.