The finals had everyone on edge. That's what I told myself, anyway. Walking toward the prep room for Arena A felt like heading to an execution—mine or someone else's, I wasn't sure yet.
The hallway outside the waiting area was empty. Most students were probably already in their observation seats, waiting for the show. I pushed through the double doors and found exactly what I expected.
Noel and Usagi stood on opposite sides of the room. The tension could've been weaponized.
"—don't need you to tell me what to do," Noel snapped. Her violet hair practically crackled with static. "I've been running protocols since before you could spell tactics."
Usagi's shoulders hunched inward. "I was just saying that maybe we should—"
"Maybe we should what? Follow another one of D'Angelo's reckless plans that put everyone at risk? I saw what he did to Vince. The boy's still in the infirmary."
"That was an accident," Usagi said quietly.
"Nothing about him is an accident."
