Timeline - October 15th | ( 4 days later)

The frustration that had been simmering within Eko for the past four days showed no signs of abating. Seated next to Jesse and Mya in the classroom, she was ostensibly there to assist the third-year cadets. However, her real intention was distraction, a desperate attempt to escape the relentless churn of her own emotions.

With her AirPods securely in place, Eko turned her focus sharply away from the classroom activities. Her phone became a portal to another world filled with whispers and reported gossip from Adelaide Spencer, Cadence White, Dakota Dalton, and Claire Burton. Known for their sharp insight into the city's most tantalizing stories, these four women hosted a live show that was a vortex of everything Eko was trying to distract herself with.

As the quartet's voices flowed into her ears, they spun a tapestry of rumors and secrets during their show. Eko hoped that immersing herself in their stories would wrap her thoughts in a cocoon, insulating her from the cold grasp of her depressive feelings. It was a temporary shelter, but one that she clung to, allowing the familiar cadence of the show to momentarily dissolve the boundaries of her personal anguish.

Host 1 (Adelaide Splendor): Adelaide's voice took on a playful lilt. "Alright, let's dive into some lighter news—have you all heard the latest about Kiara from Neptune? She was spotted cozying up to none other than the so-called ' Mr-Superhot-Butter-Could-Melt-Off-His-chest Prince of Mein' at the Winthrop Gala last night, right?"

Host 2 (Cadence White): Cadence's excitement through the roof. "Yes, they were the picture of romance, snuggled up like two lovebirds! Just thinking about it makes you believe in fairy tales again. Love always finds a way, doesn't it?"

Eko's expression tightened, a pang of irritation flaring up. Why now? she thought, dismayed that even her escape into gossip couldn't avoid the topic of love—a reminder of her own fucked up feelings for Matthew.

Host 2 (Claire Burton): "I doubt that's love, honestly. She's probably just with him to spite her father. Did you hear he married someone the same age as his daughter? She's like twenty-three! How is that love?" Claire half-faked a gag, her tone dripping with disbelief.

Host 3 (Dakota Dalton): Dakota laughed, teasing Claire in return. "Whatever you want to call it, Claire Bear. Given you've dated men nearly double your age, it's really just about the choices we make. You're either in love or you're not. There's no halfway in true romance."

Eko muttered under her breath, "You have no idea," her words tinged with resentment and introspection, reflecting on Dakota's blunt assessment.

Host 4 (Claire Burton): Claire rolled her eyes at Dakota, her voice calm but firm. "He was not double my age; he was like ten years older. There's absolutely nothing wrong with that. Are we really going to start this debate again on age-appropriate relationships? You get what you can, considering 75% of them are so fucked up in the head— you find a good one and you take what you can!"

"For fuck sake," Eko muttered snapping louder then intended.

Jesse and Mya, absorbed in aiding the younger cadets, were doing their best to help Eko navigate her recent depressive spell. She was visibly struggling, groaning in frustration as the four women on her podcast erupted into a competitive debate over some of the men that they had dated. 

"I just can't handle this right now!" Eko exclaimed, her irritation evident as her frustration peaked. "The universe is just kicking me when I'm down!"

Seeing her friend's distress, Jesse gently took the phone from Eko's trembling hands. "Thanks, Jesse," Eko sighed, removing her AirPods and setting them on the countertop with a small clatter.

"Honey, you don't need the Quartet's drama right now, not with everything going on," Jesse advised, her voice filled with concern.

"They usually distract me," Eko whined, her voice a mix of frustration and disappointment, "but today, it's just ramping up my stress levels!"

Mya, having finished her check on the students, returned to her friends. She immediately picked up on the tension in Eko's demeanor and exchanged a quick, worried glance with Jesse.

"How's it going over here?" Mya asked, her smile a thin veil over the concern evident in her eyes. Her voice was soft but insistent, trying to penetrate Eko's evident mood.

"Your babysitting duties suck," Eko retorted, her expression souring. She sounded almost childish in her frustration. "Today sucks, this shit you have the third years doing sucks. Nobody wants to grow magic. The fuck is this an actual lesson?" 

"Stopppp," a commanding voice cut through the classroom noise, perfectly timed to capture the attention of the trio.

Jesse, Eko, and Mya turned toward the source: a woman with a striking figure, curly blonde hair, and a dazzling smile. Gracie, known for her buoyant presence, was currently catching their gaze.

Eko's mood darkened slightly at the sight. Lately, Gracie had been a near-constant presence around Matthew, often seen laughing amidst his fan club. Each interaction Eko witnessed felt like a small jab to her already fragile state.

If it wasn't Gracie, then it was Madison and her ridiculous happiness adding to Eko's gloom. Her cousin had been beyond ecstatic to hear that she and Matthew had cooled off, telling her it was a victory of common sense over reckless passion.

It's when she then proceeded to tell her that they  were departing in the next three days. So, apparently, she was leaving now if she couldn't find a reason to stay. God, her mind mused, she'd have to leave everything behind—the girls, the life she was becoming accustomed to, and whatever fragile connection she had with Matthew.

"What are you going on about again?" Jesse's voice snapped Eko back to the present, her face marked by a mix of concern and confusion.

Gracie, seizing a flask from Jesse, began mixing various basic magic ingredients, her movements smooth and practiced. When she finally looked up and caught the trio's puzzled expressions, she offered an unsolicited lesson.

"Like this assignment, you can't rush growth, Eko," Gracie said, her voice soft yet filled with a hint of mischief. "He's young and not ready for the real world yet. You have to treat him with care, feed him, speak kindly, and perhaps even serenade him. He's sweet and innocent; you can't push him to love you, because it might just break both your hearts."

"Rightttt......t!" Eko clenched her jaw, the sweetness in her tone barely masking her irritation. She understood all too well the subtext in Gracie's words, but the woman, adorned with a large green bow, blithely continued.

"And the last thing I want is to break poor Mattie's heart. Have you seen him lately?" Gracie clicked her tongue, shaking her head in a theatrical display of sympathy. "I heard through the grapevine—Maggie told Yumi, who pieced it together—that the person he was seeing just dumped him. Left him utterly heartbroken!"

"Fucking broke his heart," Eko muttered under her breath, the bitterness in her voice barely audible. Gracie's casual words struck her like daggers. The thought that Matthew was suffering was ludicrous to her; he seemed perfectly fine, laughing and dining in full view of everyone in the cafeteria. To Eko, it all seemed like a cruel joke.

Gracie, ever the gossipmonger, was clearly thriving on the drama, and Eko's fists clenched at her sides. She felt like the vultures were circling, ready to swoop in now that they perceived 'her' they mysterious girl that he was dating, now out of the picture. Jesse and Mya glanced over, noticing the tension in Eko's posture and the intensity of her glare directed at Gracie.

"So, is it true that he's fair game again now that she's out of the picture?" Gracie prodded eagerly.

"Well, considering he was never really officially dating anyone, he's always been fair game," Mya interjected nonchalantly, drawing surprised looks from both Gracie and Eko. Jesse exhaled deeply, aware of the underlying games at play—Mya and Richie's wager on who could win Matthew or Eko over first was escalating dangerously.

The conversation continued, with Mya subtly trying to coax Eko into revealing her true feelings. Meanwhile, Jesse felt increasingly uneasy. She had even brought up the group's antics during her therapy sessions with Teddy, only to be frustrated when the therapist suggested that a gentle push might be what was needed.

Gentle push! Jesse scoffed internally. They were on the brink of pushing Matthew to the edge. From what she knew of him, from the times he had lost his anger, he kept control of a deep, consuming, volatile, and reckless rage that could be triggered if they weren't careful.

Despite her reservations, the group had made a decision after a recent training session—they were seemingly out of options. Jesse knew this wouldn't end well; the stakes were too high, and the potential for disaster loomed large as they all danced dangerously close to a burning flame.

Eko's face twisted with frustration as Mya continued unabated, seemingly entertained by the unfolding drama. The growing fissures of jealousy were becoming more apparent with each day, and Eko felt like a powder keg ready to explode. To Mya, it seemed she was witnessing a live-action soap opera.

"Look," Eko started, her voice strained as she forced a polite smile.

"No, no..." Gracie cut in sharply, her interruption forcing a sharp exhale from Eko. "You might think you're his close group of friends that he'd never date, but you don't see him the way I do. He's really struggling," she insisted.

Eko straightened, her offense palpable. "You need to close your mouth, Gracie," she snapped, her patience wearing thin.

"Seriously, stop," Jesse interjected, her expression one of disbelief. "That's enough, Grace."

Gracie, undeterred, leaned in with a speculative look. "He's like a wounded animal," she mused. "I'm going to fuck him till he forgets all his troubles."

Mya recoiled, disgusted by the callousness of the remark. "He's not a piece of meat, Gracie."

Eko, overwhelmed by the conversation, plugged her ears with her fingers, chanting, "La-l-a-la," attempting to block out Gracie's crude fantasies.

"Just turn around!" Mya snapped, giving Gracie's arm a frustrated swat. "We're done here. Focus on helping the other students, okay?"

Gracie smirked, unfazed by their reactions. "Oh, so you want me to switch topics? How about I tell you about Richie then? We could swap stories," she teased, clearly enjoying the discomfort she was causing.

Mya straightened up abruptly, her tone incredulous, "Excuse me? What did you just say?"

Gracie responded with a nonchalant wink and turned away, rejoining the oblivious chatter of the class, leaving Mya simmering with frustration.

Jesse decided not to intervene, yet she couldn't help but be moved by the sight of Eko's deepening distress. She was really starting to see just how much Eko had fallen in love with one of her closest friends, and it honestly tugged at her heart. 

"What am I even doing?" Eko murmured to herself, gently brushing her cheek with the back of her hand. She had resolved long ago not to cry anymore, saving her tears for the solitude of the shower where no one could witness her vulnerability.

"She's probably going to sleep with him soon," she whispered, her voice tinged with bitterness as she got lost in her thoughts. "With things the way they are now... He's out there, dining with those airheads, treating me as if I'm invisible whenever he sees me." She whispered bitterly. "He looks right through me like I don't even exist!"

Next to her, Jesse was all ears, focused entirely on Eko, that she hadn't noticed Mya storming out after Gracie or that the room had gradually emptied of other cadets.

"I'm not supposed to feel this way about him, Jesse. We both agreed that we were just here for the sex... so how did this happen? How did I fall in love with him?" Eko's voice cracked as she spoke, her usual composure slipping.

"I know everything's a little tender at the moment," Jesse responded with a gentle nudge, encouraging Eko to meet her eyes, her smile warm and reassuring. "You love him? You really do, don't you?"

Eko sniffled, nodding slowly, "Does it even matter?"

Jesse's expression softened, seeing the distress in her friend. "I might have something that'll cheer you up."

"Hmm," Eko responded, her voice a blend of skepticism and curiosity. "I'm listening?"

"Matthew hasn't been with any of them. He just has dinner, entertains a bit, and then it's back to the grind with his headmaster duties," Jesse explained, her voice filled with empathy. "I know for a fact he misses you. Right now, he's just as frustrated and pent-up as you are."

Eko's eyes lit up with a spark of hope as she met Jesse's gaze. "He really said that?"

"Babe, he doesn't need to say it. Anyone paying attention can see it. It's clear as day he loves you too," Jesse affirmed with a confident nod, her conviction clear.

"D-don't lie to me, Jesse. I don't think I can handle that right now," Eko whispered, her voice trembling with vulnerability.

"Probably tragically worse," Jesse quipped, attempting to inject a bit of humor into the heavy atmosphere. "And just so we're crystal clear—Matthew hasn't been with anyone else since you two got together. It's always been just you."

Silence enveloped the room for a moment.

"I hate to admit it, Jesse," Eko said as she dabbed at her cheeks, fighting back tears. "I-I didn't believe him when he told me the same thing at the ceremony. But now..." Her voice trailed off, and she let out a long, relieved sigh, leaning back into her chair to face Jesse.

"I want more with him... but... I'm scared he doesn't want the same," Eko confessed, the fear in her voice palpable. "He always says he doesn't do relationships—even if you think he loves me back."

Jesse scoffed, cutting Eko off mid-thought. "When was the last time he actually said he didn't want more? Okay, maybe declaring love is a big leap right now, but Eko, think about it—when did you both last talk about what you really want from this?"

Eko's mouth hung open as realization dawned on her.

"He wants more," Jesse asserted confidently. "I've known Matthew for years, and believe me, you've changed him. Even Toni has noticed the difference."

"What did Toni say?" Eko asked, knowing that Matthew confided in Toni about everything; they were inseparable best friends, and if Toni was convinced, then Jesse was convinced too.

Jesse grasped Eko's chin, ensuring she captured every word. "Matthew openly admitted to Toni that he was jealous. And not just a little—Completely, Toni couldn't calm him, like irate type of lost his shit."

"When did he say that? How did that come out?" Eko was visibly shocked.

"It was right after your little double date with Luke."

"But that was just as friends—I went with Luke because Mya was there, too. It wasn't a date. And despite what Matthew might think, nothing happened between us," Eko clarified, her voice tinged with frustration. "Nothing has ever happened between us."

"I know, and Mya told me the same, but Matthew isn't seeing things clearly right now," Jesse replied with a sympathetic tone.

Eko sighed deeply, her frustration morphing into concern. "So, what do I do? How can I make him see reason if he's avoiding me like the plague?"

Jesse gave a helpless shrug and said, "Honestly, he's convinced himself that you've just tossed him aside."

"This guy! I just can't win!" Eko cried out, her voice thick with frustration as she dragged her hands down her face, releasing a loud groan.

Jesse was about to offer Eko some much-needed advice, possibly even suggesting they follow Mya's outlandish plan. However, their discussion was suddenly cut short by a burst of loud yelling from the hallway.

Eko and Jesse quickly got up from their seats, weaving between tables as they made their way to the door. Stepping into the hallway, they found themselves in the midst of rising chaos. Two women were locked in a fierce argument, their voices loaded with anger and their gestures aggressive. The air was charged with hostility.

"What did Gracie say to Mya?" Eko whispered, her gaze fixed on the intense drama unfolding before her, her voice barely audible over the commotion.

Jesse shook her head, concern etching deep lines across her brow. "I'm not sure, but it must have been severe. Mya doesn't just snap like that without good reason."

As they stood at the doorway, the tension in the hallway surged to a breaking point. The air crackled with hostility, and the murmur of the crowd grew into a cacophony. Suddenly, Mya's restraint snapped. With a fluid, almost surreal motion, her hand arced through the air and connected with Gracie's cheek. The slap resonated like a gunshot, silencing the surrounding chaos and leaving a stunned silence in its wake.

Mya's face was a mask of fury, her breaths shallow and rapid; the usually composed young woman now stood trembling, the weight of her action sinking in. The echo of the slap lingered ominously, as the uproar began to weave through the crowd, Eko and Jesse exchanged a look of disbelief. 

"Oh fuckkkkk..." Jesse gasped.