Chapter three: "Crystals, Crushes & Chaos"

---

As the days flew by, Maya found herself more drained than ever.
Training used to be her escape - her therapy. But now? She couldn't even sleep. And that... was torment.

~~~ A few days ago ~~~

Master: "Hello, my princesses. How was your first day?"

Emma (grinning): "Pretty okay, Master. Our class has lots of cute boys."
Maya (rolling her eyes): "...and annoying ones."
Master (chuckling): "Ah, of course. Without a little chaos, life would be awfully boring."

He reached into his cloak and pulled out a small, glowing diamond.
Master: "I've found something. This crystal holds a balancing dust - it could allow Emma to use her power without your guidance, Maya. But..." he looked at them gravely, "...this also means her abilities are now tied to this gem. If it falls into the wrong hands, she'll lose everything. Her power. Her balance. Herself. Protect it. At all costs."

Maya nodded. Emma swallowed. The air grew tense.

Master: "One more thing. There's a new force nearby. A strong one. I haven't identified it, but... they're looking for this crystal. Stay sharp. Now, enough gloom - let's train!"
He grinned wide before sprinting straight at Maya with a blast of wind.

---

~~~ Back to Now ~~~

The bus ride was... off.
Only Maya and Emma sat there - the others had early classes - and the hum of the engine felt too loud for her heavy thoughts.

Her gaze drifted out the window, but her mind went straight to him.

Luke.

Kindergarten. Middle school. The dumb jokes, the tantrums, the late-night pep talks.
He was fire and she was wind - always calming his storms with a word, a nudge, a stupid dance move.

But now?

Now there were girls in his class. Tall, model-like, with hair that sparkled and waistlines that didn't hold stubborn baby fat like hers. Her stomach twisted.

Emma: "You okay? You keep frowning."
She pulled out Maya's earbud.

Maya: "...Just thinking about Luke."
Emma: "Ooh... I get it. The girls. You're worried he won't be into you anymore, huh?"

Maya's silence said it all.

Emma: "Maya. Even if he doesn't want to be with you like that anymore, he's not leaving. He's your best friend. Ours. That's not changing."

Maya smiled softly. "Thanks. I needed that."

The bus hissed to a stop.

---

Mina: "MAYAAAA!!"
She ran toward her with full-on attack-hug energy.

Maya: "Hey, Min. Cute outfit today."

Mina (blushing): "You really think so? I thought I looked weird."
Maya: "Nah, you look edgy."

Karrie: "GUYS!!"
She darted from her class, arms open wide. Her smile was contagious.

Maya: "Hey, little one. How'd it go?"
Karrie: "The history teacher? A QUEEN. Remember that lady from day one?"
Emma: "The goddess?"
Karrie: "Exactly."

Luke: "Why am I always the last one to show up..."

Maya: "If you showed up faster, you could've spilled the tea first."

Luke: "Just say you missed me and I'll run next time."

Mina: "Gotta go! I'm on the other end today!"
Karrie: "Me too! Love ya!"

And then it was just the three of them.

Luke stepped closer.

Luke: "Sooo... I was wondering. If I want us to be official, I should probably take you on a real date, right?"

Maya: "What do you mean?"

Luke: "I want us to actually be together. But I don't wanna just blurt it out here like some cliché..."

Maya: "We don't have time for dates, stupid..."

Silence.

Her feet moved before her brain could stop them.

She rose on tiptoes, wrapped her arms around his neck - and kissed him.
Soft. Bold. Magic.

He froze for half a second before his arms slid around her waist. The kiss was short. But it left a thunderstorm in its wake.

Maya: "Yes. I'll be your girlfriend."

His smile practically cracked the sky. He picked her up and spun her, grinning like an idiot.

Emma: "Uh, HELLO? Third wheel over here."

Maya: "Sorry! Couldn't help it."

Emma: "Let's go. We'll be late."

Luke: "Bye, Emma. Bye, baby."
He kissed Maya's cheek and dashed off.

---

English Class

Mark: "Oh, you didn't stay home today, new kids."

Maya: "And miss your ugly smirk? Nah. I'd rather finish high school once than repeat it six times."

She slid into the back row. Emma plopped beside her.

Emma: "Okay, but like... the people in this class are too good-looking. I'm falling in love with all of them."

Maya: "Snap out of it, clown. We have a school to survive."

Emma: "Easy for you to say! You got a boyfriend five minutes ago who knows all your secrets. It's like the universe just handed you a perfect boy."

Maya: "Boohoo. Now tell me what really happened between you two."

Emma: "Lunch. Okay?"

Mark: "Hey, smurf! I think you dropped something - your brain!"

Maya: "Says the guy who's stuck in the same grade for the third time. What's the problem, genius? Too many numbers in math class?"

Mark: "You bit-"

??? "A-a-ah. Not in my class."

The voice was like steel dipped in honey. Everyone froze.

???: "No swearing. No yelling. No eating, no phones, no excuses. Speak without permission and you're out."

The woman strode in, heels clicking like war drums.
???: "I'm Ms. Karen Mero Punsing. I graduated top of my class - high school, college, and university. And I do not tolerate fools. Understand?"

Mark scoffed.

Mark: "Cute. But I run this school. You can't overrule me. I do whatever I want."

Karen: "Charming. Here's how this works: I am the rule. You don't follow me, you don't pass. And if you cross the line again, Mark..."
She leaned in, cool and unbothered.
Karen: "...you'll find yourself back in kindergarten with blocks and nap time."

The class went silent.
Mark seethed. Maya smirked.

She pulled out her notebook. Emma did the same.
For now, chaos could wait.

But they all knew - this year was going to be far from ordinary.