Chapter 38
“What’d you guys do?” Ayden asked sharply, leaning over our usual lunch table. His tone made it seem like he was accusing us of doing something horrible.
“What do you mean?” I asked, puzzled.
“Yesterday,” he clarified, still with a sharp tone. “Did you talk with my aunt and uncle—Benji’s parents?”
“My mom talked with them, yeah,” Hero replied. “Why? What’s wrong?”
“What’s wrong?” Ayden repeated incredulously. “I just got a call from them saying they might take college away from me. College.”
“Can they even do that?” I asked, my eyes widening.
“Wait, why would they do that?” Hero asked.
“Benji must’ve said something about me.” He shrugged, annoyed. “And yes, they can. My parents are intimidated by them since they’re richer.”
Hero sucked his teeth, looking down. “He started his revenge already.”
“No, this wouldn’t have happened if you guys didn’t go to their house!” Ayden snapped. “Did you really think it would be that easy?”
“We were just trying to help,” I protested.
“But instead, you just made things worse.” Ayden scoffed, pushing himself off the table and storming off.
I wanted to go after him, but I knew it was best to give him some space. Benji entered the cafeteria, smirking as he passed Ayden. As he spotted us, he started walking in this direction.
“Oh, that was sad news, wasn’t it?” Benji chuckled, a sarcastic frown plastered on his face. He sat down across from us.
“What did you say to your parents about Ayden?” Hero asked flatly.
“Only the truth.” Benji clasped his hands together, leaning in. “Isn’t it crazy how you guys could be the reason he won’t be able to go to college?”
“Then how come you’re not in trouble?” I asked, ignoring his rhetorical question.
“I’m not the one who destroyed the potions book.” He gritted his teeth, turning to look at Hero. “My family understands the value of that book, unlike yours.”
Hero narrowed his eyes. “So, that’s what you told them? That he destroyed the book?”
Benji gently smiled. “Well, of course.” He dropped his smile, staring directly into Hero’s soul. “Take away our legacy, and we’ll take away your future.”
“So, are we next?” I hesitantly asked.
He chuckled, shaking his head. “Guilt will eat the two of you alive.”
“I don’t think so,” Hero said bluntly. “I feel fine.”
“Who said I’m stopping at just college?” Benji cocked an eyebrow. “Oh, this is just the beginning.”
“You’re only targeting Ayden?” I asked, horrified.
Benji nodded. “Correct.”
Hero clenched his jaw and—before I could react—lunged over the table, tackling Benji to the ground.
“Hero, stop!” I screamed, but it didn’t do any good. Benji had pushed him past his limit, and now Hero was going to get in trouble.
Twenty tally points. He only had seven points remaining for the year.
The worst part was that Benji didn’t fight back. He just laid there. Playing the victim. But he and I both knew that he was far from being a victim. He was a villain.
“Fight back, goddammit!” Hero snarled.
Although Hero was winning in the fight, Benji was the true winner. He had succeeded in provoking Hero. Not only that—he was going to twist the story, I just know it.
One of the security guards posted outside of the cafeteria entered, rushing over to the two boys. “OFF.” His voice boomed throughout the entire room, and everyone went silent. Heads that weren’t already turned, shifted their attention to the direction of the guard.
Hero left his arm in the air, fist clenched, as if contemplating whether to throw another punch.
Before he could do anything, the security guard lifted Hero up by the arm like he was a ten-pound dumbbell.
I reached out instinctively, afraid of the guard hurting him, but pulled back and bit my nails.
Benji scrambled to his feet, blood dripping out of his nose. Showing the guard his hands, he said, “I didn’t fight back.”
The guard examined Benji’s hands with his eyes and nodded towards the door. “Go to the nurse’s office.”
“This is what he wanted,” I growled, directing my statement to Hero. “You shouldn’t have done that.”
“I thought he would’ve fought back.” Hero grunted, biting down on his lip. “I underestimated him.”
The guard kept his firm grip on Hero’s arm and began pulling him out of the cafeteria. “You’re going to the principal’s office.” He then projected his voice once again, “Everyone, continue eating.”
Hero turned his head as far as it would go. “Find Ayden,” he told me. “Tell him what happened.”
* * *
As I left the cafeteria, I looked both ways. Where would Ayden go?
I headed back upstairs, and as I reached half-way of the stairs, I heard a voice behind me. “Peps.”
I turned around, spotting Ayden. As I made my way to him, I extended my arms and pulled him into a hug. He stayed silent, not reciprocating the hug.
“We should’ve asked you first,” I said. “I am so sorry.”
He gently pulled away from the hug. “What were you doing just now? Where’s Hero?”
“I was looking for you.” I swallowed. “Something happened.”
His eyes widened. “Is Hero okay?”
“Yea— yes, Hero’s fine,” I stuttered. “He beat Benji up, and now he’s in the principal’s office.”
His mouth gaped open. “You’re kidding. Benji didn’t win?”
“He didn’t fight back,” I exhaled, shaking my head.
“What?” A frightened look appeared on his face.
“He said that he was only targeting you. Do you think that’s true?” I searched for an answer in his eyes. “Or is he coming for Hero now too?”
“Targeting me?” He averted his gaze, chewing his lip. “If he said that, I think he’ll stick to it.” He paused. “If Hero won’t be a part of this, that means…”
“He’ll blame it on you?” I finished his thought.
He nodded. “I think so.”
“Benji was right,” I breathed out. “The guilt will eat us alive.”