Unfinished Business

Alexander winced in pain as he settled into his seat, Mr. Sanchez offering a helping hand to ensure he was comfortable. As he made his way down the rows of seats towards the front desk, he couldn't help but overhear the worried whispers, gossip, and laughter among the students. Melissa, his partner, gently placed a soft hand on his shoulder, concern evident in her eyes. "Are you alright, bro?" she asked, her voice filled with genuine care. Alexander, consumed by ego and frustration, pushed her hand away. "I'm freaking fine!" he retorted, his frustration fueling his need to assert his dominance. To his surprise, the others seemed preoccupied with their own conversations, discussing nerd stuff that only served to further annoy him. He stomped his feet together, a surge of anger coursing through him. Acting on impulse, he grabbed the knife that been stabbed to his neck earlier, marking the knfie owner to with the symbol of The Bloodlines. He scoffed, tilting his head slightly as he addressed the class. "Dang Darkness clan, they're so annoying. We should meet them at lunch," he suggested to Jaehyeong, his voice firm. He felt the need to bring his crew along, ready to assert their presence.

The musty scent of chalk dust and worn books hung heavy in the cramped classroom as Alexander's frustrated roar echoed off the faded walls. His face flushed a deep crimson, the angry veins in his neck pulsing visibly beneath his sallow skin. He slammed his fist down on the scarred wooden desk, the sharp crack making several students flinch.

Kevin observed the outburst from his seat, his dark eyes narrowing with a mix of caution and annoyance. Alexander's anger was a potential threat, and Kevin's instincts told him to be careufl. The rough fabric of his worn t-shirt chafed against his skin as he shifted uncomfortably.

Suddenly, a sharp elbow jabbed him in the ribs, drawing his attention to Aroan. The other boy's thick-rimmed glasses glinted in the harsh fluorescent light as he leaned in conspiratorially, his breath warm against Kevin's ear. "Yo, peeps, check this out!" Aroan whispered, his voice barely audible over the din of chattering students.

Aroan eagerly thrust a playing card into Kevin's hands, the edges crisp and smooth against his fingertips. Kevin's eyes widened as he flipped the card over, revealing the vibrant image of a cute anime girl with striking teal hair. She was dressed in a revealing outfit, her arms crossed defiantly across her chest.

Kevin felt his cheeks flush with heat as he caught a glimpse of the rating in the corner of the card. Aroan chuckled, the sound low and mischievous, as he snatched the card back and began shuffling it into his deck.

Across the room, the male teacher was engaged in a hushed conversation with the female teacher, their brows furrowed with concern. Kevin remembered the earlier incident with the knife and wondered if they were discussing the implications of that near-tragedy.

Aroan gestured to a small group of students huddled in the corner, grinning widely. "Yeah, those are my friends - Max, Dakota, and Jamie. We're the card game squad around here," he boasted, snapping his fingers with a wink. The trio smirked and adjusted their glasses in unison, their eyes gleaming with mischief.

"Well, I'm glad to meet you guys," Kevin said, a relieved smile spreading across his face. "This school is new to me, so I could really use some friendly faces to help me navigate the ropes."

Aroan gave him a hearty pat on the back, his calloused hand firm and reassuring. "Aw, don't worry, we've got your back, dude. We're gonna be the best of friends, I can feel it!" he exclaimed, sliding seven consecutive playing cards across the desk in perfect rows of three.