As Mike and Stefan settled into their classroom, they began to unpack their bags, taking out books and notebooks.
Stefan leaned in, his voice barely above a whisper. "Hey, Mike, don't you find Tina's quietness suspicious?"
Mike met his gaze, his expression thoughtful. "I thought about that," he replied, keeping his voice hushed. "Could she be planning something mischievous?"
Stefan nodded, his brow furrowed. "Exactly! It would be strange if she didn't make a move. The power is something she and her father wouldn't easily let go of."
Mike's eyes darted around the classroom, ensuring no one was listening.
"This should be the last time we talk about her or the power here at school," he cautioned.
Stefan's gaze lingered on his face before he nodded in agreement. "I bet she knows we stole the box," he whispered. "She just can't accuse us without solid proof."
"That's right. I saw her a few minutes ago when we were going up the staircase. She avoided us; isn't that strange?"
"Yes, it definitely is. She's plotting something for sure."
Just then, a familiar voice echoed from the back of the classroom, breaking their hushed conversation.
"Hey, Mike."
Mike and Stefan turned over their shoulders, scanning the room until they spotted Christina waving at them. Mike's face broke into a warm smile as he waved back.
Christina navigated through the rows of chairs with a confident stride. She settled into the chair she had occupied the previous day.
The classroom erupted into a flurry of whispers and pointed gazes as students witnessed the unexpected exchange between Mike and Christina, the school's esteemed queen. The atmosphere was electric with curiosity.
"Is that really Christina? Did she just smile and greet her arch-nemesis?" a student whispered.
"Something is definitely going on," another student chimed in.
"Aren't they supposed to be enemies? What's behind this sudden change?"
The murmurs spread, with students exchanging speculative glances.
"Settle down, class!" Mrs. Lydia's authoritative voice cut through the noise, silencing the classroom. Her eyes scanned the room, quelling the rising chatter.
As the room fell silent, Mrs. Lydia's gaze landed on Mike, her eyebrows arching in surprise. "You're quite early today, Mike."
Mike flashed a charming smile. "Yes, ma'am, I missed you too," he replied, feigning innocence.
Mrs. Lydia's expression turned wry. "What do you mean by that? I didn't say I missed you," she clarified, her words eliciting laughter throughout the classroom.
Mike's grin broadened, his eyes sparkling with mischief. "I bet you do, ma'am. I'm one of your favorite students," he said, and the class chuckled, enjoying the banter.
"I knew I'd be stressed whenever you're in my class, Mike," Mrs. Lydia replied. "You make me talk more... Behave yourself today, okay?"
"Yes, ma'am," Mike replied as he nodded.
The classroom settled into an uneasy calm, with students casting furtive glances at Mike and Christina, sensing an undercurrent of tension beneath the surface.
Mrs. Lydia's gaze drifted across the room and landed on Christina sitting in the corner, a bright smile illuminating her face.
"Christina Idris, I don't recall having you in my class," Mrs. Lydia said, forcing a smile. "I hope all is well?"
Christina's smile never wavered. "I'm in this class now, ma'am," she responded confidently.
Mrs. Lydia's expression flickered with discomfort, taken aback by Christina's unexpected warmth. "Since when?" she pressed.
"Starting today, ma'am," Christina replied. "Don't worry, I won't cause any trouble for you."
Her words sparked a wave of murmurs throughout the classroom.
Stefan leaned toward Mike, his gaze inquisitive. "What was that, buddy?" he asked.
"What do you mean?"
Stefan's eyes darted toward Christina before returning to Mike. "I mean with Christina. Not only did she greet you, but now she's being nice. She even changed her class. What's going on?"
Mike shrugged. "We settled our issues. That's all."
"That was easy—too easy," Stefan commented, feeling uneasy.
"Perhaps you've forgotten…"
"That?"
"I'm powerful now," Mike replied, a mischievous grin spreading across his face.
Stefan hissed and rolled his eyes in disdain. "What does being powerful have to do with...?" His sentence trailed off as he widened his eyes in stunned realization. "Don't tell me… You actually manipulated her?"
"Hell no!" Mike retorted loudly, disrupting Mrs. Lydia's order for silence. The classroom fell silent, all eyes on him.
Mrs. Lydia's sharp gaze locked onto Mike. "What do you mean by that, Mike?" she asked.
"What's going on?" Mike muttered under his breath, his eyes darting away from Mrs. Lydia's piercing stare, seeking an escape.
Laura leaned in and whispered, "She asked if we're going to keep quiet, and that's when you replied."
Mike's face flushed as he turned back to Mrs. Lydia. "I'm sorry, ma'am. I didn't mean to disturb your class. I apologize," he said.
Mrs. Lydia looked at him for a moment before turning her attention back to the class. "As I was saying… In my last class, I taught you about the differences between myth and legend. Today, we're going to discuss the importance of folklore in understanding our cultural heritage."
The class settled into the lesson as the tension dissipated, but Stefan's curious gaze remained fixed on Mike and Christina.
As the morning classes drew to a close, Mike rose from his seat and stretched his arms overhead. Stefan followed suit, and together they turned to Christina, who approached them with an unexpected smile.
"Going for lunch?" she asked.
Mike nodded. "Yes."
"Me too. Can I join you guys?" Christina asked, her tone revealing a hint of uncertainty, but her eyes demanded a positive response.
Mike nodded again, his smile widening. "Yeah."
Stefan raised an eyebrow, intrigued by Christina's sudden change in behavior.
"But what about your friend, Hannah?" Mike asked, his curiosity getting the better of him.
"She's absent from school today," Christina replied. She then turned to Stefan. "You can join us too if you want."
Stefan sensed that her offer was merely a polite gesture. However, he decided to play along, wondering if perhaps she was charming Mike rather than the other way around.
His eyes widened in mock surprise. "Really? You want me to join?"
"Of course not!" Christina snapped, her smile faltering for a brief moment before she regained her composure. "I'm just being considerate. I couldn't possibly take your best friend and leave you to eat alone."
Stefan smirked in disdain, muttering under his breath, "What was I expecting? People don't change that easily."
"Let's go then," Mike interrupted, leading the way with Christina and Stefan falling in step beside him.
"What's wrong with the school queen?" someone whispered.
"Isn't it obvious? She's definitely lost her mind," another student replied.
"Look at her now, clinging to the boy she once hated," a third added.
Everyone was shocked by the unlikely trio, their voices weaving a tapestry of curiosity and suspicion.
As Mike, Christina, and Stefan exited the classroom, the murmurs swirled behind them, a testament to the upheaval Christina's unexpected actions had caused.