As Kai and Sebastian exchanged bewildered glances, their confusion mirrored in the furrowed brows and puzzled expressions that danced across their faces. Had they heard Lucas correctly? Could it truly be Grace making her grand entrance into the cafeteria?

Sebastian's voice broke through the haze of uncertainty, his tone tinged with disbelief as he sought clarification. "I guess I heard it wrong, can you repeat?" he asked, his confusion palpable.

But Lucas, ever the picture of confidence, simply nodded in affirmation, his gaze fixed on the figure making her way through the crowd. "It's not Olivia," he reiterated, his voice carrying a note of certainty. "It's Grace."

And just like that, the pieces fell into place, the realization dawning on Kai and Sebastian like a bolt of lightning. Grace – the enigmatic newcomer who had captured their attention and fueled their curiosity – was the center of attention once again, her presence commanding the room with an effortless grace that left the boys in awe.

As she moved through the crowd with the regal poise of a queen, all eyes turned to follow her, their expressions ranging from amused admiration to outright adoration. Clad in the same crop top and olive green cargos that she had worn in the art room, Grace seemed unfazed by the attention, her demeanor exuding a quiet confidence that spoke volumes.

With her ears blocked by the headphones she wore and a bandanna wrapped around her hand, Grace appeared to be lost in her own world, oblivious to the whispers and stares that trailed in her wake.

As Grace made her way towards the exit with her meal, a familiar voice cut through the bustling chatter of the cafeteria, drawing her attention to the figure who had stepped into her path. With a curious tilt of her head, she removed her headphones, finally giving her full attention to the person before her.

"Hey, join us for dinner," Lucas invited, his tone warm and welcoming as he gestured towards the table where he and his friends sat. "My friends are here as well."

Grace's lips curved into a small smile at the invitation, a sense of curiosity twinkling in her eyes as she considered the offer. "So you are the new heartbreaker," Sebastian chimed in, popping up from behind Lucas's shoulder with a mischievous grin.

Returning Sebastian's grin with one of her own, Grace nodded in acknowledgment. "Where to sit?" she asked, her tone casual as she fell into step beside Lucas.

"The afternoon spot," Lucas replied, leading the way with confident strides as he guided Grace towards their chosen table. With a sense of camaraderie and anticipation hanging in the air, the four of them settled into their seats around the round white table, ready to enjoy their meal and each other's company in the bustling cafeteria.

As Grace settled into the chair between Kai and Lucas, she retrieved her phone from her pocket, briefly pausing her playlist before slipping it back into its place. With her headphones resting on the table before her, she turned her attention to Lucas as he began the introductions.

"Let me introduce you to my friends," Lucas said, directing his words towards Grace. "You've already met Sebastian, my best friend, and to your left is Kai."

Sebastian waved his hand with an exaggerated flourish, a playful grin lighting up his features as he greeted Grace once again. She couldn't help but smile at his jovial demeanor before turning her gaze to her left, where Kai sat with a forced smile that betrayed his inner discomfort.

"Nice to see you again," Kai greeted, his voice tinged with a hint of tension as he recalled their earlier encounter. He couldn't shake the feeling that he had made a terrible impression on Grace, his mind swirling with thoughts of how she must perceive him after their awkward exchange.

Surely she must think I'm a coward after what happened this afternoon, Kai mused, his nerves fraying with each passing moment as he braced himself for what he assumed would be a confrontation.

But to his surprise, Grace simply smiled in response to Kai's greeting, her expression warm and genuine as she echoed his sentiments. "Same here," she replied, her words carrying a sense of ease that washed over Kai like a wave of relief.

Sebastian's laughter suddenly filled the air, breaking the tension that had settled over the table like a heavy shroud. Grace glanced at him with a puzzled expression, prompting Lucas to nudge him discreetly in an attempt to silence his mirth.

Kai couldn't help but feel a sense of gratitude towards Grace for her gracious response, her kindness easing the weight of his earlier apprehensions. And as the laughter subsided and the conversation turned to lighter topics, Kai found himself relaxing into the warmth of their newfound camaraderie, grateful for the unexpected bond that had begun to form between them.

As Sebastian's mischievous inquiry hung in the air, Kai braced himself for the inevitable embarrassment he was about to face. But much to his surprise and relief, Grace came to his rescue with a response that shifted the focus away from their earlier awkward encounter.

"We met this evening in the art room," Grace explained, her tone casual as she recounted their brief interaction. "Kai helped me put my painting in the storage room."

Sebastian's eyes lit up with excitement at the revelation. "So you paint!" he exclaimed, his curiosity piqued. "I heard you're a selected student. What are the three things you're selected in?"

Grace shrugged, her expression thoughtful as she considered Sebastian's question. "I don't know exactly," she admitted with a sheepish smile. "Well, I don't know anything about this whole thing."

Sebastian leaned forward eagerly, his enthusiasm palpable. "They must have given you a card after your examinations and all those tests," he suggested. "You can check on it."

A brief lull descended over the table as everyone waited for Grace's response, the only sound the quiet hum of conversation drifting from nearby tables. Kai couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy for Grace's predicament, his own discomfort momentarily forgotten in the face of her uncertainty.

"I can help you with that," Lucas offered, stepping in with a reassuring smile. And before Grace could respond, Sebastian chimed in with an invitation of his own.

"You can join us on the terrace after dinner with your card," he suggested, his tone friendly and inviting.

As Kai listened to the exchange, a sense of gratitude washed over him for his friends' kindness towards Grace, their willingness to include her in their plans despite the awkwardness of the situation. And as they resumed their meal, Kai couldn't help but feel a glimmer of hope that perhaps, despite his earlier missteps, there was still a chance to make things right with Grace and forge a genuine connection with the newest addition to their group.

**

As Grace and Kai ascended the stairs together, a sense of camaraderie began to blossom between them, their earlier awkwardness fading away in the shared simplicity of the moment. With a chocolate in one hand and her report card in the other, Grace exuded a quiet confidence that put Kai at ease, his nerves dissipating with each step they took together.

"Hey there," Kai greeted, mustering up the courage to speak as they climbed the stairs. To his relief, Grace responded with a warm smile, offering him a piece of chocolate from her hand. With a grateful nod, Kai accepted the sweet treat, their shared indulgence serving as a silent bond between them as they continued their ascent.

As they reached the terrace, Kai and Grace were greeted by the welcoming sight of their friends gathered around a coffee table adorned with flowers and bathed in the soft glow of a lamp. Sebastian's signal to Lucas did not go unnoticed, prompting the group to focus their attention on the newcomers.

Grace took a seat at the empty chair, placing her performance card on the table with a sense of quiet determination. Kai settled in beside her, the warmth of her presence comforting him as he braced himself for whatever lay ahead.

"You two ate chocolate!" Sebastian exclaimed, his playful observation drawing attention to the remnants of their shared snack. Grace held the plastic wrapper in her hand, while Kai's chin bore a telltale smear of chocolate. Lucas and Sebastian shared a chuckle at their friend's expense, amusement dancing in their eyes as they watched Kai hastily wipe away the evidence.

With a gracious smile, Grace slid her performance card along the length of the table, offering it up for inspection. Sebastian eagerly accepted the card, his fingers tracing over the words in the dim light as he focused intently on its contents. As the group waited in anticipation, Kai couldn't help but feel a sense of gratitude towards Grace for her willingness to share this moment with him, her presence serving as a beacon of light in the darkness of uncertainty. And as Sebastian began to read aloud, the words on the card taking on new meaning in the soft glow of the lamp, Kai couldn't help but wonder what the future held in store for them all.

Sebastian's incredulous outburst echoed through the quiet night air, his disbelief palpable as he handed the card to Lucas, who mirrored his astonishment upon reading its contents.

"Academics 100/100, Outdoor Sports, Indoor Games, Musical Instruments, Classical Dance, Modern Dance, Sketching, Sculpting, Martial Arts..." Lucas trailed off, his voice tinged with awe as he recited the impressive list of accomplishments detailed on Grace's performance card. As he looked up at Grace, he found her expression mirroring his own confusion, her eyes wide with disbelief.

"Girl, you are amazing! You have all nine branches of specialization in this school," Sebastian exclaimed, his jaw practically buried in the ground as he struggled to comprehend the magnitude of Grace's achievements.

As Grace's gaze shifted from one stunned face to another, she couldn't help but feel a sense of pride at the recognition of her hard work and dedication. But as her eyes landed on Kai, she noticed the pained expression that clouded his features, his thoughts clearly elsewhere.

Worry gnawed at Kai's insides as he feared his earlier missteps had tarnished his image in Grace's eyes. But before he could voice his concerns, Grace's reassuring words washed over him like a soothing balm.

"It's fine, your image is not ruined," she reassured him with a gentle smile, her words carrying a weight of understanding that eased the tension between them.

Kai's attention snapped back to Grace, his curiosity piqued by her unexpected response. "What, can you repeat?" he pressed, eager to understand her meaning.

But Grace merely brushed off his inquiry with a cryptic smile, leaving Kai to ponder her words as they spent the rest of the evening in peaceful conversation. As Lucas and Sebastian departed early, unable to process the whirlwind of emotions that had engulfed them, Grace and Kai remained behind, sipping cold coffee as they cleared the air and addressed the doubts that had lingered between them.

As Kai returned to his apartment later that night, a sense of contentment settled over him, his thoughts consumed by the remarkable woman he had come to know. With a smile tugging at the corners of his lips, he slipped into bed, the memory of Grace's resilience and grace filling him with a newfound sense of admiration and appreciation.

**

As Kai made his way down the hallway, the events of the past week flashed through his mind. It had been a week of peace and camaraderie, with Grace seamlessly integrating herself into their group. Her presence had brought a sense of vitality and warmth to their interactions, her beauty and confidence capturing the attention of the entire school.

Meanwhile, Olivia seemed to have retreated into the shadows, her presence limited to the confines of the classroom. Kai couldn't help but wonder what had caused her sudden withdrawal, but the thought was fleeting as he arrived at Grace's door and knocked.

"Coming," came the response from inside, and moments later, Grace emerged, her usual air of confidence and seriousness tempered by a warm smile.

"Morning," she greeted, her smile lighting up her features.

"A very good morning to you too," Kai replied, returning her smile. "So, what's on the agenda for today?"

Grace glanced at her watch before replying, "Just a normal Wednesday. First half is busy, followed by two classes after lunch, and then probably dance practice. Why don't you join me sometime? I'm teaching the 6th graders."

Kai shook his head regretfully. "I won't be able to join you. Our art teacher wants me to paint the art room wall."

"I'll help you after my practice. But for now, let's get moving," Grace suggested, leading the way towards the cafeteria.

Upon arriving, they found Lucas and Sebastian already seated at their usual spot. Sebastian greeted Kai with a wrist bump, while Lucas extended an invitation to join them.

"Sure, what's on the menu today?" Kai asked as he settled into his seat beside Sebastian.

Grace, however, declined, mentioning that she wasn't very hungry and had some tasks to attend to. With a nod of understanding, Kai watched as she exited the cafeteria, her purposeful stride a testament to her determination.

Deciding to follow suit, Kai made his way to the counter, where he greeted the cafeteria staff with a warm smile. With a plate of white sauce pasta in hand, he returned to the table, ready to enjoy his meal in the company of his friends.

**

Lucas froze in place, his heart pounding in his chest as he listened to the chilling conversation unfolding just beyond the door of the junior high classroom. His mind raced as he tried to make sense of the sinister words he had overheard, his thoughts consumed by a growing sense of unease and apprehension.

"We will teach her a lesson... She hurt everyone, especially you," the first voice murmured, its tone laced with malice and resentment.

"Exactly! We will do this today only," another voice chimed in, its determination echoing through the quiet hallway.

As Lucas strained to hear more, a third voice, sharp and shrill, cut through the air like a knife. "Let's drag her to the room where she entered with your man. We will beat her to death."

A wave of horror washed over Lucas as he realized the gravity of the situation. These students were plotting violence against Grace, fueled by jealousy and anger. He knew he had to act quickly to prevent a tragedy from unfolding.

Without hesitation, Lucas pushed the door open slightly, peering into the classroom with wide eyes. The group fell silent, their faces turning towards the figure seated in the center of the room, awaiting her response.

And then, she spoke.

"I won't leave you like this, Grace Wargrave. You will pay for it," her voice rang out, filled with a cold determination that sent shivers down Lucas's spine.

With a sinking feeling in his stomach, Lucas realized that Grace was the target of their malicious intentions. He knew he had to warn her before it was too late, but fear and uncertainty gripped him as he contemplated the best course of action.

Gathering his courage, Lucas took a deep breath and stepped into the classroom, his heart racing as he prepared to confront the dangerous plot unfolding before him.