Finally, it was closing hour, and Mike stood at the entrance, waiting for Stefan to finish gathering his stuff and join him.
"Come on here, Mike, you left one of your notebooks on my desk," Stefan called out.
"Oh, really?" Mike replied, attempting to step back into the classroom, but he bumped into Christina, who was rushing out.
"Watch it, asshole!" she yelled, her voice venomous, as she hastily departed, her bag bouncing behind her.
Mike's eyes caught something falling from her during their collision. He moved forward and bent down to pick it up - a gold chain with a locket attached.
Uncertain if it belonged to Christina, Mike opened the locket, revealing a single photo inside. The picture showed a young Christina, likely from her elementary school days, and a woman who bore a striking resemblance to her.
Judging by the uncanny likeness, Mike assumed she was Christina's mother. They are both smiling, their faces radiant with happiness.
Mike's eyes lingered on the image, sensing a deep emotional connection between the two. Without hesitation, he glanced down from the balcony and spotted Christina entering her car.
"Christina!" he shouted, but she didn't hear him. Or perhaps she just ignored him. Not that it would make sense if she acknowledged him.
He rushed downstairs, but he was too late; only the fading squeal of her car's tires could be heard in the distance.
The students heading home began to murmur among themselves. What did he expect? Everyone in the school is aware of their hatred for each other.
"What's wrong with him? Why's he chasing after the school queen?" one of the students said.
"Aren't they full-time enemies? What's going on between them?" another added.
"Heaven knows, maybe he's trying to settle their long-time grudges."
The whispers and snickers grew louder, and Mike could hear every single word and voice.
"Why the hell were you running?" Stefan's voice cut through the din.
Mike turned to see Stefan bowing, his hands on his knees, breathing heavily. "I was calling you, didn't you hear?"
Mike shook his head and turned back toward the school gate. "I didn't, why were you running like you're chased by a wild dog?"
"I thought you were running away," Stefan replied, his breathing labored.
Mike's eyes narrowed, his tone querulous. "Running away? Why would I? For what?"
"I don't know, maybe to avoid telling me about your sudden transformation," Stefan shrugged.
Mike shook his head, "Nonsense, why would I do that?" He said and turned back toward the school gate. "Do you know Christina's house?"
"Of course not, how would I know that bitch's house?" Stefan replied almost instantly, staring at Mike through the corner of his eyes. "Something is wrong."
"Exactly! Something is definitely wrong with her," Mike added, undeterred, nodding his head.
"I mean with you. Something is definitely wrong with you. Why are you so bothered by her?" Stefan asked.
"I don't know, but something feels off about her," Mike replied and turned back to Stefan. "Something is wrong with me, right?"
Stefan slowly shook his head and patted Mike on the shoulder.
"There's nothing wrong with you, dear friend. It's alright to fall in love; at least your heart is beating," he said with a smile, always being sarcastic.
Mike's anger flared, and he raised his hand to smack Stefan, but the latter ducked and leaped a few feet away, laughing.
"Come on, Mike, don't be like this. I was just kidding; I know you're not the type to like someone like… Christina."
Just then, a familiar voice came from behind. "I'm thinking of an idea to get home without the use of a cab or my legs."
Stefan and Mike turned to see Rachael, breathing heavily. "I'm beat right now," she added.
"Well, there's a way to do that. Your brother has a lot of abilities now, flying is one of them," Stefan smirked.
Mike's eyes widened in alarm as he clamped his hand over Stefan's mouth. "Keep it down, Stefan!" He growled through clenched teeth. "Your big mouth is gonna get us all into trouble."
Stefan chuckled. "You can't possibly think anyone would care about something so unbelievable, do you?"
"Walls have ears."
"Ever since when?"
"Ever since Valentina is still suspicious of us," Rachael intervened, harsher than she meant. "In fact, almost everything has ears as long as Tina's still in this school, so learn to keep your gob zipped."
Stefan's smile faltered. "I was just kidding," he whispered, his eyes darting between Mike and Rachael.
"Your joke might get my brother into trouble, and I can't let that happen," Rachael replied, her face still having a stern expression. "So… keep your joke to yourself for now, let's get out of here first."
"Don't be too harsh on him, Rachael," Mike said, attempting to diffuse the tension. "He's my best friend, don't forget."
Rachael's expression softened slightly, yet her voice remained firm. "Whatever!" she muttered.
"Let's go, I still have a lot to tell you guys," Mike urged.
"Guys, you coming in?" Laura called out from her car, parked a short distance away.
"We wouldn't be able to discuss something important with her in the car with us," Stefan whispered. "What do you say?"
Mike nodded in agreement. "I say we refuse the ride and trek home." He turned to Rachael and continued, "you'll have to trek eventually, we can't risk revealing our secrets to Laura."
Rachael nodded in concurrence and waved at Laura, who, understanding the situation, nodded and drove off.
Without further argument, the trio embarked on their journey back home. Along the way, Mike narrated everything - his encounters, changes, and transformation processes - leaving out no details. Stefan and Rachael listened with rapt attention.
The reaction he got afterward made him squirm.
"Are you for real!?" Rachael exclaimed.
"Something is happening to you, Mike," Stefan breathed. "You're...changing. Evolving into something—this is not good."
"I think it's good," Mike said. "I have super-hearing and super-strength. I'm fast too. When those armed men attacked me earlier, they looked slow and predictable."
Stefan stared at Mike for a moment, tapping his teeth. "If what you said is true, then I should be a bat too," he said finally.
"Nonsense! He can't even see properly during the day," Rachael scoffed.
"Of course I see well," Mike countered. "Better now than before I lost my sight. My vision is even clearer at night. Look at me now, is this not enough proof for you?"
Rachael raised an eyebrow. "Torchlight blinds you, don't forget."
"Whatever!" Mike grumbled relentingly. "Enough of your pretense now. I know you guys don't believe me."
"Of course we do," Rachael whispered, but Mike could see a hint of disbelief in her eyes. However, he said nothing.
"Don't bats make some inaudible sound?" Stefan intervened, attempting to drive the conversation right back on the track.
"It's called ultrasonic pulses; they use it for echolocation," Rachael clarified. "Why are you asking?"
Stefan turned to Mike, his gaze probing.
"What?" Mike groaned. "I'm not sure I like that comparison. Do I look like a bat?"
"Well, I couldn't find more ways to describe you," Stefan whispered.
"Then let me make it clear," Mike stated, a little seriousness coming to his face. "I am not an animal. Because I'm gifted doesn't make me a flying vermin."
"Gifted indeed," Rachael snickered.
"But… something has been bothering me since morning," Mike continued.
Rachael and Stefan leaned in in curiosity. "What?" they asked in unison
"I don't know," Mike shrugged. "I can't quite put my hand on it. But it's a strong feeling."
"Nonsense," Stefan muttered under his breath. "Who did he think he's deceiving?"
"He lives in a cloud-cuckoo-land," Rachael added, her voice barely audible.
Mike frowned as his ears picked up their whispers. "I can hear your whispers," he said. "Don't forget I have super hearing ability now. And what is cloud cuckoo anyway?"
Rachael rolled her eyes. "Forget it!" she rasped.
Mike shrugged. "Well... That's your headache, I couldn't care less."
His gaze drifted across the road, fixing on a particular spot. "I wasn't entirely conscious of what's happening around me during the morning confrontation. It was as if I was possessed, and…"
"And what?" Stefan and Rachael asked simultaneously. "Possessed and what?"
No reply.
"And what, Mike?" Rachael pressed. "You're not saying anything!"
But she got no reply.
"What are you staring at?" She followed Mike's gaze.
"Doesn't that blue Lambo look familiar?" Mike finally spoke.
"Yes, it does. Isn't that Christina's…?" He let his words trail off as his eyes narrowed back at Mike. "You're still interested in her?"
Mike pulled out the gold chain with a locket out of his pocket. "I have something that belongs to her." His gaze shifted beyond the car, and he spotted Christina sitting on the jetty.
"That's Christina!" he exclaimed. He swiftly handed his bag to Rachael.
"Go on, guys, don't wait for me!" he shouted before scurrying off across the road.
Rachael and Stefan exchanged a smirk. "He's crazy. He wouldn't last a minute with her," Stefan whispered.
"Absolutely, let's wait and watch them pick a fight," Rachael scoffed.
As Mike rushed toward Christina, Rachael and Stefan stayed behind, observing from a distance, and wondering what would unfold.