"Did you think I didn't know?" Halle went on with a quizzical look. Worry etched deep lines on her forehead, causing her once smooth skin to crease with concern. Her brows knitted together. "Hazel told me, like the good Elite student she is, accompanied by her teammates. The question is, why didn't you come to me about something as important as this?"

Her lips pursed in a mixture of frustration and disappointment. Every muscle in her face tightened, revealing the storm of emotions raging within her. A glint of anger filled her eyes like sparks of flickering fire.

She's talking to me not as a mother, but as the Head of the Elite, Sky thought as he swallowed hard. In his hands, there was a subtle quiver, a restless energy which sought release. His fingers twitched, an instinctual response to the pressure mounting within.

"I just thought it was weird, but not important."

"You didn't think it was?!" she exclaimed as she smashed a hand on the couch.

With each breath she took, her chest rose and fell in a rhythm that matched the ebb and flow of her conflicting emotions. It was as if the weight of her worry and anger pressed down upon her, threatening to suffocate her.

"Sky, come on! No other phoenix has ever talked to us! This was a breakthrough. Mrs Evergreen is hellbent on getting that message deciphered. The moment she heard you were involved in it, she was mad—at me."

She displayed her canines when she said that last word. Her posture conveyed a sense of both strength and vulnerability. She struggled between the will to make her son understand the gravity of the situation and the hurt of being signalled by her boss.

"She came to see me in the arena the other day," he whispered.

"And why do you think she did, huh?"

I caught her attention—but not as a bright student or maybe the next MVS, I guess.

"You should've come to me about this message immediately! What were you thinking?!" She huffed.

"Does Naomi know?" There was a hint of vulnerability in his voice, a subtle trembling that betrayed the fear that swirled within. His shoulders hunched slightly, burdened by the weight of the accusations hurled his way.

"Of course she doesn't! She's not the Head of the Elite anymore." In her hands, there was a subtle tremor, an outward manifestation of the inner turmoil she struggled to contain. "Naomi's just your teacher. She's very proud of your improvement so far, but if she knew you're withholding information from us, from Mrs Evergreen, the board, me..."

She sighed with discomfort. Then, she leaned back on the couch, softly closed her eyes, and massaged her temples.

"Look, if you cooperate, I can make the MVS scholarship a sure thing." Her tone was calmer then, as she opened her eyes. Though her face may have appeared hardened by worry and anger, there was still a softness in her eyes, a flicker of love that refused to be extinguished.

"You want to make a deal?! What about Hazel?" An ice-cold kind of surprise filled his heart.

"She might've spilt the beans, but she doesn't know anything about what the message actually says—which makes her useless."

The harsh way she says 'useless' reminds me of her demeaning attitude towards me ever since I flunked the admission test, Sky thought. Anyone can easily fall from her high standards for any reason.

"Did you promise her the scholarship as a reward?" he asked, fearing the answer.

"Why? Are you worried about her?" She smiled slyly then.

"Well, yes. Of course, I am!" With each breath he took, his chest rose and fell in rapid succession, a rhythm that mirrored the rapid beating of his heart. The air seemed charged around him, crackling with unspoken tension.

"If you must know, no. Nobody promised her the scholarship as a reward. Now, will you cooperate or not?" The harshness in her voice was hard to miss.

"How am I supposed to cooperate when I'm as clueless about it as you are?!" His face was a canvas of conflicting emotions. I hate being ambushed and pushed around like that. I'm not a stupid puppet.

"Sky, don't lie to me." Her voice was acid being dripped into his ears.

"I'm not lying!" His brow furrowed deeply, creating a jagged line etched across his forehead as if his thoughts about his mother were knives carving into his mind.

"I know you know something," she went on with a devilish little smile. "Hazel also had this impression. Mrs Evergreen shares the same opinion."

"What?!"

"You see, she wants a meeting with you to get the truth out of you. I told her I could handle this issue. So, if you refuse to tell me the truth, you'll end up in her office—alone and vulnerable. She won't be as gentle as I am right now."

"I said I know nothing about who Endurance is!" His lips, usually curved in a youthful smile, were now tightly pressed together, forming a thin line of defiance. Every muscle in his face seemed to tighten as if he was readying himself for battle, prepared to defend his guarded secret.

I'm not lying to her, because I really am clueless about who this Endurance is, Sky thought with a defensive attitude. I'm just withholding from her who Haywire is and what I do with him every evening.

"Either you tell me what we need to know about this message—and get an impressive reward out of it—, or she will grab your tongue and rip it out herself if you're still not compliant. Believe me when I say she's not sunshine and rainbows when she's mad and wants something. That's just an act, a show for those rich investors and clients. In reality, she's a ruthless businesswoman. She will skin you alive to get what she wants from you."

"Mom!" he exclaimed with exasperation. "You can't be serious!"

"I am."

"I don't want to see Mrs Evergreen!"

His ragged breathing paired well with his dizziness. Each breath came in short, shallow bursts, his lungs struggling to find solace. Nervous beads of sweat glistened on his forehead, evidence of the racing thoughts and pounding heartbeat that consumed him.

I don't want to face Mrs Evergreen, talk to her, or be in the same room as her. Not like this, Sky thought in panic mode. At first, I thought her interest was purely a whimsical thing because I had accomplished so much in so little time, but now... Damn.

"Please, Mom, don't let her–" he begged in a faint whisper.

"I'll have no choice if you refuse to tell me what I want to know."

"I can't tell you because I don't know! Mom, please! Stop it!" His expression was clouded with anger and offence; however, there was still a flicker of vulnerability in his eyes, a plea for understanding amidst the chaos.

"You've been doing so well these last few days. Don't throw it all away!" she exclaimed with a furrowed brow full of concern. "You've become a valued Elite student. Your classmates start to like you again. You've proven me wrong."

"I said I only wanted you to feel proud of me, not–"

"Your father would be so proud if he could see you now!" she exclaimed, interrupting him.

Don't bring Dad into this, Sky thought, pressing his lips into a thin line, offended. Not now. I get the impression that you're toying with me just to make me do what you want me to do.

"If you can help Mrs Evergreen find out who this Endurance is, then why not?" she insisted with pride. "You'd be saving the Hovering Hive like no one else ever could!"

"I said I know nothing about this Endurance!" He clenched his fists in exasperation.

"Don't rush. Think hard. Tell me what you've been up to these last few weeks, after you failed the admission test. Maybe you did something that–"

"Nothing! I've done nothing!" he replied, panting. "Maybe... maybe this Endurance is that research and development scientist she fired, going by a nickname? Like a bad guy from those superhero books–"

"This is not one of your stupid comic books, Sky," she whispered as she leaned forward, staring deeply into his eyes. "This is real life. Kane Kovak wasn't a man with his head in the clouds. Evil, sure. A daydreamer with a passion for drama and fancy nicknames, no. Highly unlikely."

He sighed. "Then I'm clueless as you are."

She chuckled and smiled. "Come on, Sky. Don't–"

"I don't know who Endurance is!" he yelled, opening his shaking palms in a hopeless gesture in front of her. "Why don't you believe me for once in your life?!"

Once he said that, he stormed away to his bedroom and locked the door.

"Take that, you filthy piece of... straw!" Winona exclaimed at a small representation of a phoenix in the shape of a figure made of straw.

While the rest of the class watched, she aimed her flamethrower shotgun at it and raged as she ran through a circuit with targets which Naomi had prepared in the arena that morning.

Under the watchful gaze of Naomi, the students were lined up, waiting for their turn to practise aiming and shooting with flamethrowers for the first time.

"Nice, Winona!" Naomi smiled. "Go on, roast the motherfuckers!"

Another straw doll appeared on Winona's right when the first one turned into ashes. She gasped but wasted no time aiming and shooting at it. She finished the circuit, having scorched all the straw phoenixes.

Next, it was Hazel's turn.

She was a vision of unwavering focus as she raised her flamethrower with the grace of a seasoned warrior. With each precise shot, flames erupted forth, devouring the targets in a mesmerising display of power and precision. Her skill was a testament to her dedication and natural talent.

The other classmates waited for their turn. Soon enough, Luca's shots danced with flickering flames and Kenji's fiery bursts illuminated the arena. Even Charlotte was there. She was in pristine condition after a spectacular recovery from the venom on her face thanks to Anti-Ageing Inc.'s beauty products. Her aim marked a scorching path, too.

Though not perfect, their collective efforts echoed with pride and confidence as they cheered each other and high-fived.

Sky came last. He struggled to find his rhythm, his shots erratically missing their intended marks. A veil of disappointment shrouded his spirit as Hazel, ever the provocateur, couldn't help but smirk at his perceived clumsiness.

I wonder whether she's glad this won't look good for me in the race towards the scholarship, Sky thought. Maybe I should just stop this nonsense, fail every test, every exam, and every task... and forget this stupid phase as an Elite student ever happened.

Sky aimed this flamethrower at the target once more, but his pose was all wrong. He applied not enough strength and no passion.

"What's wrong with you today, wonder boy?" Kenji yelled from the distance while Luca and Charlotte laughed under their noses. "If there's no living phoenix threatening our lives, you can't find your mojo, or what?"

Not wasting an opportunity to mock me, huh? Sky thought and huffed with hunched shoulders.

Winona elbowed Charlotte, earning a weary eye-rolling from her dear friend. "Kenji, enough."

The rest stopped laughing and mocking Sky.

Naomi, ever the guiding light, approached Sky with an encouraging smile. "No one is perfect. No one expects you to be flawless every day."

"Both you and I know someone who disagrees," he replied in a bittersweet voice. Should I tell her what my mom told me last night? She would freak out. But she would know what to do without hesitation.

"Don't beat yourself up on account of her." She winked at him. "You're still learning. Besides, progress isn't linear. Failure is but a stepping stone on the path to mastery. You'll find your way."

She patted his shoulder with a warm smile on her lips and let him carry on with the training exercise.

She's right, Sky thought. I can find a way. A way to be a better shooter. But most importantly, a way to get out of this mess. A way to dodge any problems with Mrs Evergreen and my mom. A way to still be friends with Haywire, protect him, and also protect this city from harm.

The flames of determination flickered in Sky's eyes as he took a deep breath. With newfound determination, he raised his weapon once more, his finger caressing the trigger as he waited for the right moment to shoot.

The next three shots found their mark. With each resounding explosion, the targets yielded to his will. The once-doubting whispers of his classmates transformed into awestruck yet silent admiration. Although he missed the last two marks, a spark of pride ignited within Naomi's eyes.

I need to practise more, I guess, Sky thought as he smiled at the last two he had missed.

"Great job, Sky," Naomi said with pride. "You're set to achieve great things. Have patience and keep practising."

Amidst the residual, crackling flames, Hazel's countenance betrayed a storm brewing within as she glared at Sky with a furrowed brow. Even though his performance wasn't perfect, Hazel's facade cracked, revealing the depth of her envy.

The bell rang. The class was over.

Hazel didn't even notice. Her body tensed, a subtle tremor betraying the conflict raging within her. While some of her classmates were already on their way to the locker room, anger welled up inside her like molten lava coursing through her veins. The green flames of envy licked at the corners of her being.

The scholarship, the prestigious Most Valuable Student award—they were the elusive treasures she had set her sights on.

The path to victory was no longer a solitary journey. Sky's growing prowess threatened to overshadow her ambitions, and that realisation kindled a fierce fire within her.

"What's wrong, Hazel?" Charlotte asked as if she couldn't care less. "Aren't you coming?"

"Ah, yes. Yes, I'm coming."

Charlotte's eyes travelled from Sky to Hazel's and chuckled. "He missed the first and the last two. You were flawless."

Hazel clutched her weapon, her knuckles turning pale from the intensity of her grip as if seeking solace and control in its weight. A relentless desire to protect what she believed was rightfully hers fuelled her.

"Our marks today don't count, genius," Hazel replied with discontent as she went past her and headed for the locker room. "He'll get better before the flamethrower shooting exam."

Then Hazel hurried onwards, leaving her peers behind. She stood at the precipice of a choice—a choice between allowing her jealousy to consume her or channelling it into an unwavering resolve.

A smirk appeared on her face as an idea dawned on her.

As the echoes of the voices of Sky's classmates faded into the distance, Sky sought solace in the solitude of the guys' locker room. He enjoyed being alone there. Solitude and silence soothed his troubled soul. The air hung heavy with anticipation, for he knew his classmates would soon join him and his little piece of heaven would be over.

With each garment cast aside, his bare chest emerged. His muscles, sleek and supple, glistened in the soft glow of the room, a portrait of grace and resilience. The faint light danced upon his skin, tracing the contours of his physique, and highlighting sinewy trails. He wasn't as well-built as his male classmates, but that had never bothered him.

He closed his eyes. His chest rose and fell with the rhythm of his breath, a cadence of solace and peace. His shoulders, broad and steady, bore the weight of his aspirations, yet at that moment, they relaxed, free from the burdens of the world. The strands of his long fringe delicately brushed against his eyelids. They cast a shadow over them that hinted at a hidden depth.

With each article of clothing discarded, he shed the expectations, the bullying, and the noise, embracing the simplicity of being. He was a mere mortal, seeking solace within the sanctuary of his own skin. A long sigh escaped from his lips.

Little did he notice that Hazel stealthily slipped into the room to ambush him. The glint in her eyes, focused on Sky's bare back, betrayed a storm of emotions brewing beneath the surface, waiting to be unleashed.

Without warning, Hazel pounced upon him, her words laced with an aggressive fervour.

"What game are you playing, Sky?!" Her voice cut through the air like a sharp blade, startling Sky.

As a sudden jolt of surprise coursed through him, Sky's body tensed like a coiled spring, muscles rippling beneath his skin.

What the fuck is she doing in the guys' locker room?! Sky thought as his eyes widened, reflecting the flicker of alarm that danced wildly inside him.

Hello, my sugar cubes!

Ooh la la! Did you foresee a steamy scene with a bare-chested Sky and Hazel?

Stay tuned! 😉

XOXO

Mar