Chapter 6: Sparks, Cracks, and Concrete Hearts

The new school week had barely begun, but the four girls boarded the bus with electric energy and sleepy grins. The clock blinked 6:00 AM — painfully early — but today was different. Today, they were helping with the school’s activity fair, running booths like mini-professionals.

The classrooms had transformed into a wonderland of creativity: dancing, designing, cooking, painting, fitness, hairstyling, movies, makeup — a sensory overload of fun.

Mina and Kerrie would be in the design room, crafting pencil cases with eager students. Emma was head chef at the cupcake booth (which smelled like heaven), and Maya had the dancing room all to herself — or almost.

The girls nestled into a four-seat section on the bus, buzzing with plans.

Maya: “I’m the lead in the dance booth, but I’ve got backup — two girls who’ll cover when I need a break.”
Emma: “I have assistants too, but you can’t leave cupcakes unattended. It’s baking law.”
Kerrie: “We’ve got like... a whole squad. No worries there.”
Mina: “Exactly. Just bring cupcakes to our booth, thanks.”

---

In her assigned room, Maya took a shaky breath and faced the crowd of younger students, their eyes wide and expectant.

Maya: “Good morning, guys. Welcome to the dancing booth. I’m... a little nervous, so don’t roast my intro too hard, okay?” She laughed. “I’m Maya from Class 1-D, it’s my first year here, and I really hope you have fun today!”
She bowed quickly, cheeks tinged pink. Applause burst across the room.

The day soared forward — laughter, movement, vibrant colors. Everything was almost perfect.

Until it wasn’t.

---

Maya finally got a moment to visit the other booths... and that’s when she saw him.

Mark.

Leaning casually in the hallway like he owned it.

Mark: “Why do you even try so hard, huh? You know I’m not going anywhere.”
Maya: “You’re not allowed to be here.”
Mark (smirking): “I’m in the hallway. And I’m not the only one, you know...”
Then he vanished.

Maya's blood ran cold.

Kerrie.

She darted to the second floor, heart pounding. And there — in the shadows — she spotted two silhouettes. One of them was Kerrie, unmistakable with her glasses. The boy? Unfamiliar. And way too close.

He leaned in. Kerrie gave an uncomfortable laugh. Maya narrowed her eyes. The girl’s expression — her body language — it was wrong.

Before the creep could try anything else, Maya extended an arm. The boy flew back, crashing into a bench with a satisfying thud.

She rushed to Kerrie, hugging her tightly.

Maya: “Don’t worry, little one. I’m here.”
Kerrie (sniffling): “I didn’t like it... he was weird.”
Maya: “I know. I got you.”
She stroked her back, fury igniting behind her calm.

How dare anyone try to hurt Kerrie?

She didn’t choose to have delayed reactions. She didn’t choose her brain surgery or her soft laugh or skinny frame or gentle heart. God had already made her life complicated — and now this?

Maya was shaking with rage.

Another shadow lunged at her — backup.

She caught his fist mid-air, twisted his arm, and slammed him down like he weighed nothing.

Maya: “Touch her again, and I’ll rip that hand off.”
Then she took Kerrie’s hand and led her away.

---

Back in the design room, Mina was showing off her glittery creation.

Mina: “Isn’t this pencil case adorbs?”
Maya (smiling): “It’s amazing. Hey — can you two stay together? Some of the bullies are here, and I don’t trust myself to always get there in time.”
Mina: “Wait, seriously?”
Maya: “Yeah. One of them already tried something with Kerrie.”
Mina: “This son of a—” She stormed toward the door.

Maya grabbed her blouse, pulling her back.

Maya: “Handled it. Don’t worry.”
Kerrie: “Go check on Emma, please. I don’t want her caught up with them...”
Maya: “On it. Bullies, beware.”

---

In the cooking classroom, Emma was chatting with students, giggling. Too relaxed.

Then Maya saw him.

Jason. Sitting at a table, pretending to blend in.

Uh-oh.

---

Emma (whispering to a student): “I used to like Johnny, but now I cannot stand him. But Jason? He’s just... ugh, he makes my stomach do gymnastics. Am I in love? Ew.”

---

Maya (entering): “Hey, Em.”
Emma: “Ooh! I saved you a blue cupcake. Strawberry, of course.”
Maya (grinning): “You angel. But we’ve got a problem.”

She nodded discreetly toward Jason. Emma followed her into the hallway.

Moments later, Jason walked out of the classroom, looking around. His eyes narrowed. When he didn’t see them, he scratched his neck and walked off.

---

Maya: “Mark was here. Said I couldn’t get rid of him. But he hinted the others could do damage. One already tried with Kerrie.”
Emma: “Oh god. And Jason—”
Maya: “He’s eighteen. He’s not allowed to be here. Which means... Luke.”

Emma: “Wait. Do they know about—”
Maya: “LUKE!!” Maya was already sprinting.

---

She reached the training room on the top floor — and her world shattered.

Luke was kissing another girl.

Not just any girl. The prettiest girl Maya had ever seen. A walking heartbreak.

Her vision blurred.

Before she could stop herself, she stumbled. The sound made the couple turn.

Luke: “Maya!”

She barely heard him. Everything was static.

The boy tried to defend her — pushing the other guy away.

Luke: “Leave her alone, you jerk!”
They scuffled. Someone fled.

Luke turned to Maya, eyes filled with regret.

---

Outside, students were gathering as the school day wound down.

Luke (chasing her): “Maya, please! She kissed me! I swear!”

She stopped.

Maya: “Excuse me?”

Luke: “S-she kissed me...”

She looked into his eyes — and instantly regretted it. Her gift. She couldn’t not know.

Maya: “You’re lying.”

Her voice cracked.

Maya: “I trusted you. You knew what I’d been through. You knew my fears. And you still did this. Why? Was I just... convenient? Familiar? The normal one?”

Luke: “Maya...”

Maya: “Don’t. I can read your mind, remember?”

Silence.

She turned away, broken. He reached for her, but she shoved him back.

---

She collapsed on the pavement, sobbing — and no one helped.

Until someone yanked her out of the street just in time.

Mark.

Mark: “You could’ve died, idiot! Are you insane?!”

He stopped. Her sobs hit him like a punch to the chest.

Without another word, he pulled her into his arms.

Let her cry.

---

Emma (rushing over): “HEY! Get away from her!”

But she slowed when she saw the scene.

Emma: “M...? Are you okay?”

Maya: “L-Luke... he kissed her... lied... to my face...”

Mark stayed quiet, arms steady.

Emma: “Why are you here?”
Maya: “It’s okay... he saved me... please... don’t leave me...”
Her voice was a whisper, unraveling.

Kerrie: “Maya?? What happened?!”
Mina: “Is she okay? Did someone hurt her? WHO HURT HER?!”

Mark: “She’ll tell you tomorrow. Someone call her parents.”

Emma: “I’ll call her sister. M? Can I have your phone?”

Shaking, Maya handed it over.

---

Maya: “Mark?”
Mark: “Yeah?”
Maya: “...Thanks.”

He smiled without realizing. Then he caught himself.

Mark: “Forget this happened. I was just nearby.”

And he walked away like it meant nothing.

---

The girls watched him go, confused.

Emma: “Don’t worry about anything. You did amazing today, M.”
Maya: “Thanks... when is—”

A car pulled up. Window rolled down.

Maya: “Evie…”

Her sister stepped out, quiet strength in every movement.

Evie: “Come on. You’re not going to school tomorrow. We’re going to the hospital.”

The girls froze.

Evie: “And girls? I’ll drop you off.”

Maya didn’t say anything. She just got in the car, eyes staring out the window like she could disappear.