It had been brewing for days. The tension between Alex and Victor was palpable, and everyone at school knew it. Ever since Alex had returned, Victor had been simmering with jealousy and frustration. No one could rival his strength while Alex was away, but now that Alex had returned, things were different. Victor’s reign as the most feared and powerful student was being challenged, and it didn’t sit well with him.The final confrontation happened on a Friday afternoon, just as the school was about to let out for the weekend. The cafeteria was packed, students milling about in groups, some eating, others chatting. Samira and Alex had just found a table near the back when Victor stormed in, flanked by Jake and Emily, his loyal followers. His eyes zeroed in on Alex like a predator spotting its prey."You’ve got a lot of nerve coming back here like you own the place," Victor spat, loud enough for the entire room to hear. The murmurs of conversation died down as heads turned to watch the un

The day Alex returned to school, there was a shift in the air. It wasn’t just because of his presence, but the anticipation that rippled through the students bodies. Word had spread quickly about his suspension, and there were whispers about what might happen next—especially between him and Victor.As Alex walked through the front gates, his sharp eyes scanned the familiar surroundings. Samira was waiting for him by the entrance, her smile a mix of relief and excitement. Ryan stood next to her, trying his best to look nonchalant but clearly aware of the tension surrounding Alex’s return."Welcome back," Samira said, stepping forward and giving Alex a quick hug. She had missed him, and though she didn’t want to admit it, she was relieved that he was back. Things had been getting more complicated in his absence."Thanks," Alex replied, his tone softer than expected. He glanced over at Ryan and gave him a nod, acknowledging his presence but saying nothing more.Ryan shifted uncomfortably

As Alex and Samira walked home together after school, the conversation naturally shifted to the events of the day. For the first time in a while, Alex wasn’t talking about battles, training, or Silas. Instead, he found himself talking about Naomi."You won't believe it," Alex began, glancing at Samira. "I met this girl in the library today."Samira raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Oh really? A girl in the library? At lunch?""I know, right?" Alex chuckled, shaking his head. "I was expecting the place to be empty, but she was there, completely absorbed in history books. I didn’t even think anyone would voluntarily be in the library during lunch."Samira smiled. "So, what did you talk about?""Well, we started talking about this history project we both have. She’s into it—like, really into it," Alex explained, his excitement evident in his voice. "She told me all about this ancient battle, the Battle of Thermopylae. She made it sound so epic, like something out of a movie or something. Ho

The next day, Alex found himself back in the library during lunch, his thoughts still lingering on Naomi. He hadn’t expected to run into her again, but there she was, seated at the same table, surrounded by books. Something about her calm presence in the midst of the busy school day was refreshing to Alex. He felt drawn to her in a way he couldn’t quite explain.“Hey,” Alex greeted as he walked over, trying to sound casual. “Mind if I join you?”Naomi looked up, smiling warmly. “Sure, Alex. I’m just going over some notes for history class. You still working on that research?”Alex nodded, taking a seat across from her. “Yeah, kind of. But I was actually thinking, maybe we could grab lunch together. My treat.”Naomi raised an eyebrow, amused. “You’re offering to take me to lunch? That’s rare for a library regular.”Alex chuckled. “Well, let’s just say I’m trying to branch out. Come on, you’ve been stuck in here all week.”Naomi hesitated for a moment, then closed her book with a grin.

In the days following his return to school, Alex found himself spending more and more time with Naomi. Their meetings in the library, which had once been occasional, turned into a daily routine. What began as a history project soon evolved into long, easy conversations about books, life, and the hidden stories tucked away in the corners of the school library.Alex had never really imagined himself being so drawn to someone, especially not in the midst of everything else going on in his life. But there was something about Naomi—her quiet confidence, her passion for history, and her ability to make even the most mundane topics seem interesting—that kept pulling him back. When they weren’t studying or working on the project, they’d talk about their favorite books, obscure historical events, or even just random things that crossed their minds.One afternoon, as the sunlight streamed through the library windows, casting a golden glow over the rows of books, Alex found himself staring at Na