Chapter 35 : Fear

Riya's heart raced as she stared at Amaya, her cheeks flushed and swelling from the tension. Her wide eyes, glistening with unshed tears, reflected sheer terror as they darted around, searching for an escape that didn't exist. A tremor coursed through her hand, betraying her shaky breathing, and she gulped hard, the sound echoing in the silence that enveloped them. Teachers from both Little Angel and Mystic tried to rush towards the scene, their voices a distant murmur compared to the storm brewing between the two girls.

Amaya's gaze was like ice, piercing and unyielding, fixed on Riya with an intensity that sent shivers down her spine. Blinded by a fury that seemed to radiate from her very core, she clenched her jaw, her body trembling slightly—not from fear, but from the raw rage that coursed through her veins. "You messed with the wrong people this time. You think I'll let you go after sending my friends to jail?" Her voice was sharp and frigid, colder than the Atlantic Ocean, while her eyes blazed with an emotion of hellfire. "You think I'll let you off after making my two closest friends fight with each other?"

With deliberate slowness, Amaya sat down, her fingers curling around Riya's chin, forcing her to meet that fiery gaze. A smirk curled on her lips, a blend of triumph and malice. "This was the face you used to seduce my friend, wasn't it?" Riya's body instinctively shrank back, but Amaya's grip tightened, the pressure making her wince in pain. "I-I'm sorry, please…" Riya's voice trembled as tears streamed down her cheeks, her desperation palpable. "I-It-It wasn't my plan! I just—" But Amaya leaned in closer, their faces mere inches apart, her voice a low, menacing whisper, "Do I look like I care?"

*Slap*

The sound of the slap echoed like thunder, and Riya felt a sharp sting as blood trickled down her cheek, the crimson droplets stark against her pale skin. Amaya's nails had left three angry cuts, each one a testament to her fury. "Ahhhh!!" Riya screamed, her hand flying to her face, horror etched in her features as she saw the blood on her fingers. The fear in her eyes deepened, mingling with disbelief, as the gravity of the situation crashed down around her.

"Amaya!" Hailey ma'am shouted, her voice slicing through the tense air as she finally reached the chaotic scene. Her eyes widened in horror, pupils dilating as they took in the sight of Riya, trembling and bloodied on the ground. Without a moment's hesitation, she hurriedly knelt beside Riya, her hands gentle yet firm as she helped her to her feet. "Take her to the nurse! Fast!" she barked at the students who stood frozen in fear, their faces pale and eyes wide, mirroring the shock that coursed through the crowd. A few students finally stepped forward, their expressions a mix of concern and urgency as they carefully guided Riya away, her body shaking with each step.

Hailey ma'am's chest heaved in anger, her face flushed and eyes blazing as she glared at Amaya, who stood defiantly a few feet away. Amaya's expression was icy, her gaze distant and unyielding, as if she were staring right through Hailey. "I warned you; it's your fault for not taking my word seriously," she whispered, her tone laced with a chilling calmness that sent shivers down the spine of everyone nearby.

"Don't think I can't expel you, Amaya!" Hailey ma'am gritted her teeth, her voice low and dangerous as she took a menacing step closer, trying to intimidate her. The tension crackled in the air, and for a moment, it felt like the world had stopped. Amaya met Hailey's gaze with a smirk, her lips curling in disdain. "Do I look like I care? A barking dog can never bite, Mrs. Hailey," she retorted, her voice dripping with contempt. She shot one last glare at Hailey ma'am, the fire in her eyes unmistakable, before turning on her shoes and striding away, her confidence radiating like a shield against the chaos she left behind. Hailey ma'am clenched her fist and glared at Amaya in anger.

After a few minutes, the game resumed, but the spark of excitement had vanished from the audience's eyes, replaced by a heavy silence that hung in the air like a thick fog. Everyone remained seated, their hands clenching the edges of their chairs, legs trembling as if caught in a sudden chill. It felt more like a tense boardroom meeting than a lively game.

Zeya, Somiya, and Demi sat together, their heads bowed, eyes wide with fear and disbelief. Their faces were pale, reflecting the shock that coursed through the crowd. They exchanged glances, and in that moment, the weight of the atmosphere pressed down on them like a lead blanket. With a collective shudder, they released shaky breaths, their chests rising and falling rapidly as they struggled to catch their thumping hearts, each gulp echoing the tension that gripped the stadium.

"I'm going to the bathroom," Demi whispered, her eyes darting around as she stood up from her seat. "Wait! We'll come too," Somiya said, her grip tightening around Demi's hand as she rose, Zeya following closely behind. The three of them hurried out of the stadium, urgency in their steps as they made their way to the bathroom.

"I told you to stay away from them! Especially Amaya," Demi hissed, her voice low and tense, glancing back as if someone might overhear. "C'mon Demi! That girl must have done something to piss her off like that," Zeya defended, her voice trembling slightly, revealing her uncertainty.

"Really? Zeya, you know very well Amaya and her friends are bullies!" Demi shot back, her eyes blazing with frustration. "So what if they're bullies! It's not like they bullied us. We hung out with them yesterday too!" Somiya interjected, standing firm beside Zeya.

"Somiya, we hung out with Elli not Amaya! And someone who threatens authority just because she's from a rich family, do you expect them to treat you well for life?" Demi asked, gritting her teeth, her jaw tense. "Not all rich people are like that! I'm rich too—" Somiya began, but Demi cut her off. "But she is like that! Didn't you see just now!? Do you think anyone could just go and slap a girl from another school in front of all the teachers and coaches!? Everyone isn't as innocent-minded as you!" Demi shouted, her voice echoing off the bathroom walls, a mix of anger and desperation in her tone.

"Wow, a fight?" Sophia exclaimed as she, Elli, and Amaya stepped into the bathroom, her voice echoing off the tiled walls. Demi and Somiya exchanged a glance, their expressions a mix of surprise and uncertainty, unsure how much they heard from the outside. Zeya, however, locked her wistful gaze onto Amaya, who seemed completely unfazed by the drama. "What's going on?" Elli asked, her brow furrowing as she noticed the tense silence enveloping the three girls. Amaya, with an air of nonchalance, walked over to the tap, letting the water run as she washed her hands, having no interest in their fight. Her calm demeanour left the others feeling even more unsettled.

"It was nothing. We were umm… just you know, having a casual fight–"

"We were talking about Amaya," Zeya blurted out interrupting Somiya, her voice trembling slightly, revealing her fear. She took a small step back, her body instinctively trying to create distance as if that could shield her from the intensity of the moment. Her hands fidgeted nervously at her sides, fingers twisting together, a clear sign of her anxiety. Somiya and Demi turned their heads in shock, their eyes wide as they exchanged glances, disbelief etched on their faces.

With a shaky breath, she added, "We were talking about what happened at the stadium." The words slipped out in a whisper, laced with anxiety and fear. Zeya's heart raced as she felt the tension in the air, the silence heavy with unspoken questions. Elli and Sophia also exchanged glances, their expressions shifting from surprise to curiosity as they looked at Amaya, who was staring blankly at Zeya's reflection in the mirror. Zeya could sense the shift in everyone's attention, their eyes now focused intently on Amaya, and a chill ran down her spine, intensifying her nervousness.

"Ah, about Riya from Little Angel!" Sophia exclaimed, breaking the tension. Amaya rolled her eyes, the splash of cold water hitting her face a refreshing contrast to the heat of the moment. "Long story short, she was the reason Seth and half our friends were kicked out of today's game," Sophia explained, her tone lightening as she shrugged off the weight of the situation. "And our Ama is quite possessive of her friends." With a playful smile, Sophia walked over to Amaya, wrapping her arms around her tightly, grinning from ear to ear. Amaya's eyes softened at the gesture, and the corner of her lips rose just a little, a flicker of warmth breaking through her earlier tension.

*Ding*

Elli pulled her phone from her pocket, her expression nonchalant as she read the message from Seth. "Seth is at the cafe. Let's go." She shrugged slightly, a casual smile playing at the corners of her lips, as if this was just another day in their routine.

"Hey, have you guys gone to a mini cafe?" Sophia asked Zeya, Demi, and Somiya, her voice breaking the silence that hung in the air like a thick veil. The atmosphere felt heavy, almost suffocating, until Demi replied, "We are going after the game," trying to keep her tone light despite everything.

"Let's go together then. We're going there as well," Sophia chimed in, her voice as warm and bright as the sun breaking through the clouds. A smile stretched across her face, lighting up her features and drawing the others in with its infectious energy. Somiya and Demi exchanged awkward glances with Zeya, sensing the unspoken feelings swirling among them.

"C'mon! Let's go!" Sophia exclaimed, wrapping her arms around Zeya in an enthusiastic hug, pulling her close as if to share her joy. Zeya widened her eyes in surprise, her smile faltering slightly as she felt a pang of guilt. She lowered her gaze, reflecting on her earlier doubts about Amaya. The warmth of Sophia's embrace contrasted sharply with the guilt gnawing at her conscience. Somiya and Demi, caught in the same web of emotions, also lowered their gazes, their expressions mirroring Zeya's unease.

Amaya lingered at the back with Elli, her icy gaze fixed on Demi, a storm brewing behind her eyes. "Is something wrong?" Elli asked, sensing the tension in the air. Amaya glanced at Elli, and shook her head, before turning her eyes back to Demi. "Nothing," she replied coldly, her voice lacking the warmth of the moment, and followed the group, the atmosphere thick with unresolved feelings and unspoken words.