"Talking about pathetic…" she added, almost thoughtfully. "Why should I hide my face when you're out here acting like a dog for a guy who doesn't even know your name?"
A ripple went through the small crowd.
Ella's expression stiffened.
Ava didn't stop.
"Or know you exist."
Another step closer.
"Even if Matthew doesn't like me," she continued, her voice still calm, still smooth, "at least he knows my name."
A small pause.
Her lips curved slightly.
"And how my lips taste."
A few gasps slipped out around them.
Ava lifted a finger, brushing lightly across her lower lip, her smirk deepening.
"Let me tell you—he enjoys it. Can't get enough."
Her eyes flicked back to Ella.
"See? My lips are still red."
The words landed clean.
Sharp.
Precise.
"Too bad you can't relate," she added casually, shrugging one shoulder. "You're more suited to acting like a cheap villain from a flop Disney movie."
A quiet laugh escaped her.
"An annoying extrais the only role you will ever have."
Ella's fingers curled tightly against her arms.
Ava's tone didn't change.
"Go back to whatever depressing corner you came from and stop this pathetic act of being a bully."
She paused—then looked at her again, like something just occurred to her.
"…See, I don't even know your name."
A beat.
"Yet you know mine."
She sighed softly, almost bored.
"You really are easy to forget."
The hallway had gone completely still now.
Even the whispers had stopped.
"Hating on someone who doesn't even know you exist," Ava continued, her voice dropping just slightly, "over a guy who also doesn't know you exist…"
She shook her head faintly.
"Damn."
"Even a dramatic author wouldn't write a character this sad get here you are ."
Her gaze dipped briefly, then came back up, sharp and steady.
"As for spending daddy and mommy's money?"
A faint smirk returned.
"I'm already doing it."
She shrugged lightly.
"I'm privileged. And I love it."
A final step forward.
Close enough now.
"Even if you have money," she added softly, "in front of me…"
Her eyes locked onto Ella's.
"You're just a servant child."
Silence.
Complete.
Ella's face went through colors—red, pale, flushed again—her lips parting but no words coming out.
Behind her, her friends stood frozen, mouths slightly open, completely stunned.
Inside the classroom
Felix slowly leaned back in his chair, eyes wide.
"…Damn," he muttered under his breath, shaking his head.
He placed a hand dramatically over his chest.
"Now I see why people say it's better for Ava to beat you than curse you."
He glanced at Philip.
"That mouth is lethal."
Philip didn't even argue.
Matthew, however, hadn't moved.
He sat still, gaze directed toward the doorway.
From where he was, he could only see Ella and her group—their stiff backs, their frozen posture.
Ava was still on the stairs.
Hidden from his view.
But his fingers had stopped turning the page.
"You damn bitch!" Ella yelled, her eyes turning red with anger, her chest rising and falling rapidly.
Her gaze darted around wildly—
Then landed on the wall.
A fire extinguisher.
Without hesitation, she rushed over and smashed the glass casing with her elbow.
The sharp crack echoed through the hallway as pieces scattered to the floor some of the class two students who were around the hallway or listening quickly left not wanting to get involved.
She yanked the extinguisher free.
Ava's eyes narrowed instantly.
Something shifted.
Ella turned, rage burning in her expression, and stormed toward the stairs.
"Let's see you talk now!"
She hurled it.
Hard.
The metal object flew straight toward Ava—
But Ava moved.
Fast.
She stepped aside, her body twisting just enough for it to miss her by inches. It slammed against the wall behind her with a loud bang, clattering to the ground.
Before the sound even settled—
The other girls moved.
Throwing Eggs they had bought for this moment at her.
One after another, they threw them toward Ava, their laughter sharp and unrestrained.
"Damn bitch—" Ava muttered under her breath, dodging as she moved down the stairs, her shoes slipping slightly on the wet floor.
For a second, it looked like she was retreating.
The girls laughed louder.
But before they could process it—
Ava turned.
And ran back up.
Fast.
In her hand—
A mop she had grabbed from the janitor's room downstairs and broke to two she carried one piece.
Her bag was raised in her other hand, shielding her face as she charged straight at them.
The girls froze for half a second—
Too late.
Ava swung.
The broom cracked hard across one girl's face.
A sharp scream tore through the hallway as the girl collapsed, clutching her nose, blood already spilling through her fingers.
Ava didn't stop.
She pivoted—
And drove her foot straight into another girl's chest.
The impact knocked the air out of her. She slammed into the wall behind her before dropping to the floor, curling in on herself, gasping and holding her stomach.
Chaos erupted.
Ella turned to run.
Too late.
Ava reached her in two strides, grabbing a fistful of her hair and yanking her back.
"Ah—!"
The sound cut short as—
Slap.
Ava struck her.
Once.
Twice.
Again.
The sharp sound echoed, each hit snapping Ella's head to the side.
Then Ava shoved her down.
Hard.
Ella hit the ground, dazed.
One of the girls rushed forward, trying to pull Ava away—
Ava grabbed her hair too.
Tight.
"Damn bitch," Ava said coldly, twisting her grip slightly. The girl cried out instantly.
"Aren't you the one who threw the bucket at me?"
She leaned in slightly.
"Why aren't you brave now?"
"Stop it!" another girl the only one standing shouted from the side, holding up her phone with shaking hands.
"I'm recording you! I'll make sure the school expels you!"
Ava scoffed.
"The wolfe acting victim thing?" she said, not even looking at her. "Go ahead."
She tightened her grip before letting the girl drop.
"Didn't you forget?" Ava continued, her voice calm despite the chaos. "This hallway has CCTV cameras. Especially near the classrooms."
Her gaze flicked up briefly—toward the corner where the camera sat.
"Everything you did is recorded."
She stepped forward slowly.
"I'm just defending myself."
The girl holding the phone hesitated.
Her hands trembled slightly.
"Don't worry about reporting me," Ava added, her tone turning colder. "I'll make sure you get expelled."
A pause.
Then, quieter—
"I'll show you… in the face of power, there are levels."
Her eyes swept over them.
"And you're at the bottom I will use my influence you said I only have to finish you."
The phone in the girl's hand lowered slightly.
Fear crept into her expression.
"Don't believe her!" Ella roared from the ground, her face flushed, hair disheveled. "Get her! I'll kill you—"
Her voice cut off.
Ava stepped on her head.
Ella screamed.
The girl with the phone panicked—
And threw it.
It hit Ava's face with a dull smack.
Ava's head tilted slightly from the impact.
Silence.
Then—
She scoffed.
"These bitches are really trying to make me mad," she muttered, rolling her neck slowly, a faint crack following the movement.
The air turned heavier.
One of the girls who had fallen earlier staggered up, trying to attack
Ava grabbed her by the hair mid-step and flung her forward.
At the same time, the girl who threw the phone rushed in, fist raised
Ava dodged smoothly.
Then
She grabbed both their heads.
And slammed them together.
The sound was dull.
Solid.
Both girls dropped instantly, collapsing to the floor in a heap.
The hallway fell into stunned silence.
Ella staggered to her feet, breathing unevenly, her hair disheveled and face swollen.
Her hand slipped into her pocket.
Then
A small pocket knife flashed in her grip.
The irony wasn't lost on anyone.
Inside the classroom, Felix, Philip, and Matthew were still processing how everything had escalated so fast.
Philip had already half-risen earlier when Ella threw the fire extinguisher—but paused when Ava handled it herself.
Felix just stared, stunned, trying to understand why Ella had suddenly turned into a mad dog.
Matthew—
Had snapped out of it long ago.
His gaze was steady.
Watching.
Calculating and he won't liar watching Ava win made him want to smile.
"I'm going to kill you!" Ella roared, her voice raw as she lunged forward, swinging the knife wildly.
Ava didn't panic.
Didn't step back.
She moved into it.
Her leg shot up—
Kick.
The knife flew out of Ella's hand, clattering loudly across the floor.
Before Ella could react—
Ava grabbed her wrist.
Twisted.
Hard.
A sickening sound followed.
Ella dropped to her knees, a scream tearing out of her throat.
And Ava—
Didn't stop.
Her fist came down.
Once.
Twice.
Again.
Again.
" I always wanted it so this bitch you have been getting on my nerves trying to harm me over a guy really like really"
Each hit sharp, controlled, brutal.
The hallway echoed with the impact.
Then
Ava stepped back.
Like nothing had happened.
She pulled out her phone calmly, typing a quick message to Jordan and Jane, her expression already settling.
Then she turned—
And walked into the classroom.
Like a different person.
Her posture relaxed, her steps light—
A soft, charming smile spread across her face as she bounced slightly toward Matthew's desk.
Philip and Felix just stared.
Still stunned.
Ava didn't hesitate as Felix got up for her.
She pulled Felix's chair slightly and sat down like she belonged there.
"Miss me?" she said lightly, winking at Matthew.
Matthew looked at her.
Calm.
Unmoved.
"It wasn't long since we last talked," he said. "You know that, right?"
His gaze flicked toward the door briefly.
"And why are you here? Not staying in one place will put you in trouble."
The hint was clear.
Ava pouted slightly.
"It's all your fault," she said, crossing her arms loosely. "She had the guts because she thought I was bullied—because someone hooked me to a tree by my collar this morning."
She leaned forward slightly.
"Not knowing the culprit is you."
Matthew didn't react much.
"Next time," he said calmly, pulling out a handkerchief, "don't kick my ass like a toy."
He took her wrist, wiping it clean with slow, careful movements.
Ava watched him, then tilted her head.
"But you ass cheeks are bouncy and soft," she said casually.
Matthew shot her a look.
A glare.
Ava grinned.
"What? You've already confirmed I'm a pervert," she added sweetly. "So expect words like this until you agree to be my friend."
"Not happening," Matthew replied flatly.
He finished cleaning her wrist and leaned back in his chair.
"Wouldn't that put you in trouble?" he asked.
Ava waved it off.
"Nope. I already had Jake and the others handle it," she said easily. "They'll take care of the unconscious girls."
She crossed one leg over the other.
"As for reporting—the video will be sent to the school. Ella will be punished. She swung a knife and threw a fire extinguisher. If something worse happened, it would affect the school."
A small pause.
She smiled faintly.
"I'll be fine. This isn't my first rodeo."
Her eyes flickered slightly darker.
"But before I report her…"
Her head tilted.
"I'm going to make that bitch see me as her number one nightmare."
Matthew nodded once.
Then went back to his book.
Like it didn't concern him.
Ava sighed dramatically.
"I was talking to Jake when I got your message," she said. "We were having fun then I saw your message and left Jake and came here Jake must be sad."
Matthew paused.
Slowly looked up at her.
"Are you testing my reaction by saying Jake's name?" he asked.
Ava blinked innocently.
"Nope. Why would I?"
She smiled.
He didn't buy it.
Not even a little.
Ava reached into her bag and pulled out drinks and snacks, placing them casually on the desk.
Then—
She paused.
Her gaze shifted to Felix and Philip.
"Who texted me from Matthew's phone?" she asked calmly. "I know he isn't the one."
Both Matthew and Philip turned
At the same time.
Toward Felix.
Felix froze.
Ava smiled.
"I must say," she said lightly, tossing snacks toward both Felix and Philip, "nice wingman. You gave me a reason to come."
She opened a strawberry drink, took a sip—
Then leaned forward and kissed Matthew.
Feeding him the drink in her Like it was nothing.
Felix and Philip's mouths dropped open.
"Are you sure you guys aren't dating…?"
Philip muttered under his breath.
"Damn…" Felix added, shaking his head. "Not even dating, not even sure if you'll end up together—and already like this…"
He glanced at Philip.
"Some people are suffering still not able to exist in front of their crush sigh Philip I'm disappointed."
Philip shot him a look.
Meanwhile—
Outside, Ava's friends had already dragged the unconscious girls away, cleaning up the scene like it never happened.
Back inside—
Matthew pushed Ava's face away lightly, then flicked her forehead.
"You're no longer resisting," Ava said, smiling like she had won something.
"Spare me the headache next time," Matthew replied lazily. "You do whatever comes to your mind anyway."
A beat.
"No wonder your food is so bad. Just like you." he added smiling at her reaction
Ava's smile dropped instantly.
"…Wow."
She looked at him dryly.
"You're not letting that go?"
"Never," Matthew said without hesitation. "It's my first time seeing someone cook something worse than dead."
He shook his head slightly.
"And it was noodles. Damn, Ava. Damn."
Ava narrowed her eyes and pinched his waist sharply.
Right then—
The classroom door swung open.
Nyra and Mary walked in.
The atmosphere shifted again.
Nyra's smile froze for a second the moment she saw Ava sitting so close to Matthew.
Too close.
Matthew's gaze wasn't soft—but it also wasn't the usual detached indifference he gave everyone else. It was calm, slightly bored… yet more aware when it came to Ava.
Something different.
Something subtle.
Ava, noticing the shift in attention, glanced away from Matthew and turned her eyes toward the two girls instead.
Nyra and Mary.
She felt it too—their gaze lingering.
Matthew followed their direction briefly, his expression remaining calm and unreadable as he gave them a lazy, bored look.
"Finally you guys are here," Felix said, breaking the tension as he leaned back and looked at them.
Nyra and Mary walked in.
Nyra quickly adjusted her expression, smoothing it into something composed and polite.
The seating rearranged as they settled:
Matthew stayed at his desk.
Philip pulled another desk forward and sat directly across from him.
Felix sat beside Philip, in another chair angled toward Matthew.
Mary took Felix sit as Ava was in Felix original sit.
Felix stood briefly to give Mary space, then sat on the edge of the table instead.
Nyra chose the fifth chair—positioned closest to Ava.
Ava, meanwhile, was already sitting in Felix's seat, completely relaxed like she belonged there.
The five of them now formed a loose circle around Matthew.
Nyra tilted her head slightly.
"I thought we were going to start reading now," she said softly, smiling as if genuinely confused. "Why is Ava here?"
Ava didn't even look at her.
She casually opened a pack of snacks and leaned toward Matthew, completely ignoring the question.
Then, without hesitation, she began feeding him.
At the same time, she handed him a strawberry drink so he could sip it.
The action was natural to her—effortless, unbothered.
Nyra's fingers tightened slightly on her lap.
The air shifted.
Matthew accepted it without resistance, calm as ever.
Ava leaned in a little closer.
"Next time I'll bring you real food," she said lightly, her voice soft near him. "You look hot when you eat."
Nyra's gaze sharpened instantly.
Matthew's eyes darkened slightly for a brief second as he felt a shiver down his spine from her touch.
He calmly took Ava's hand and moved it away from his face.
"We are going to read now," he said flatly. "You should go."
Ava pouted immediately.
Behind them, Nyra opened her mouth like she wanted to say something—
But Mary subtly caught her hand under the desk, stopping her.
Mary adjusted her glasses quietly, her expression unreadable as she held Nyra back.
Ava leaned in closer to Matthew again, ignoring the shift in atmosphere.
"Stay away from other girls," she whispered, voice soft but firm. A faint smile curved her lips. "Don't make me jealous, okay… handsome?"
Then she tilted slightly closer—
And kissed his ear.
Quick.
Light.
Before anyone could fully react, she straightened up, gave him one last look, and walked away.
Leaving the room in silence behind her.
Felix took his seat again, leaning back casually as the room slowly settled after Ava's departure.
Nyra let out a small sigh, tilting her head slightly.
"I wish I could be like Ava," she said softly. "If I had photos and videos of me hanging from a tree by my collar circulating around school… I'd be socially dead. I wouldn't even show my face again."
Felix glanced at her briefly but didn't respond.
Nyra continued, her tone light, almost thoughtful.
"Indeed… Ava is socially dead anyway, so I guess it doesn't really matter to her." She paused, then added with soft curiosity, "But I wonder who she fought today."
Her eyes drifted slightly toward the doorway Ava had left through.
"Sigh… Ava always follows bad crowds," Nyra said gently. "Always around boys, always mixed up with bad influences… always fighting and doing indecent things."