The lunch bell rang, and the hallway filled with noise.
Lockers slammed shut. Laughter echoed. The smell of food drifted in from the cafeteria.
Lucas adjusted the strap of his bag and walked calmly through the corridor.
He wasn't in a hurry.
That's when someone stepped directly into his path.
"Hey."
He stopped.
A girl stood in front of him shorter, lively eyes, a confident smile. Her hair was tied loosely, and she looked… excited.
"I saw you today in sports class," she said quickly. "You were really impressive."
Lucas blinked once.
"I'm Mia," she added. "I don't think we've talked before."
Intent Perception flickered.
Curiosity.
Interest.
No malice.
Lucas nodded politely. "Lucas."
She smiled wider. "I know. You've changed a lot."
Before he could respond
"Oi."
The air shifted.
A boy walked up from behind her, taller, broader, expression already dark. His eyes locked onto Lucas instantly.
"What's going on here?" the boy asked.
Mia hesitated. "I was just talking—"
The boy ignored her.
Instead, he stepped closer to Lucas.
"You got something to say to my girlfriend?"
Lucas met his gaze.
Calm.
Unprovoked.
Unimpressed.
"I wasn't talking to you," Lucas replied evenly.
"And I'm not interested in either of you."
Mia's smile faltered.
The boy scoffed. "Ohh You think you think you're someone special now?"
Lucas stepped to the side, intending to leave.
That's when a hand landed on his shoulder.
Firm.
Possessive.
A mistake.
Lucas stopped.
Slowly, he reached up, wrapped his fingers around the boy's wrist
And twisted.
Not violently.
Just enough.
The boy's face changed instantly.
"Ah—!"
Lucas leaned in slightly, voice low and steady.
"Don't touch me without my permission."
He released the grip and stepped back.
The boy stumbled, clutching his wrist, shock written all over his face.
Lucas didn't posture.
Didn't threaten.
He simply looked at him once.
Cold.
Then turned and walked away.
The hallway had gone quiet.
Mia stood frozen, staring.
She hadn't expected that.
Not anger.
Not fear.
Control.
Lucas didn't look back.
Behind him, whispers began.
"Did you see that…?"
"He didn't even try to fight."
"That was scary calm."
From farther down the hall
She watched.
Her chest felt tight again.
He didn't hesitate.
And he didn't look proud either.
That scared her more than anything else.
As Lucas entered the cafeteria, his heartbeat steady, one thought passed through his mind.
I won't let anyone cross my boundaries.
And I won't prove myself to people who don't matter to me.
The system stayed silent.
Which meant
He'd handled it exactly right.