Everyone had left rather quickly after the confrontation yesterday. By the time Hillary returned with Tyson, hardly anyone remained except for her and a few people from her closer circle.

Aside from a bruised lip and the sprained wrist, Tyson seemed to be fine. Hillary, on the other hand, looked like she had been crying, but she'd pulled herself together quickly.

Cassie couldn't help but feel a twinge of admiration for her resilience. Despite everything, Hillary continued working as if nothing had interrupted her. She spoke with Luke, Royson, Lizzy, and a few others about the exhibition before turning toward Cassie and Tyson.

Cassie braced herself. Their last conversation hadn't ended on the best of terms, so she expected at least some tension. Instead, Hillary approached her with the same composed, businesslike manner she used with everyone else, catching her off guard. It was as if she had already moved on.

"It's getting rather late. I-well, we-have swim practice in half an hour," Hillary said, glancing at Tyson as she corrected herself.

"Yeah." Tyson nodded, though his swollen lip made it difficult for him to talk.

Hillary, however, seemed unconcerned. "The swelling should be nearly gone by tomorrow," she assured them. "It won't be a problem for the anchoring part."

Cassie wasn't sure if Hillary was saying it for Tyson's sake or her own, but she nodded anyway.

Hillary then crossed her arms. "I'm sure Luke did a great job with the scripting-he is a writer, after all-but you know how these things are. One can't be too careful."

Cassie could absolutely relate to that.

"I'll go through the script and get it to you guys tomorrow. That okay?" She looked at both of them for confirmation.

If Hillary wanted to pretend there were no hard feelings between them, Cassie figured she might as well play along. Forcing a bit of cheer into her voice, she responded, "Sure! We'll pick it up before rehearsals. That work for you, Tyson?"

Tyson agreed with a nod, and with that, they too dispersed.

By the next day, the entire school was buzzing with gossip about the confrontation. The story had spread overnight, growing more exaggerated with each retelling. After all, the most dramatic version was the one that sold best on the gossip circuit.

Some debated how the situation could have been avoided or handled differently. Others dissected the implications, whispering theories about what had really happened. Most, however, fixated on one particular question-how could someone like Hillary be so talented in so many different fields? It was unnatural, wasn't it?

Of course, the unsolicited advice soon followed. Everyone had an opinion on how Hillary should manage things. But Hillary ignored it all. With the fundraiser just a day away, she had bigger priorities.

She assigned tasks left and right, pushing for everything to be as close to perfect as possible. However, yesterday's easy had worn off. The same people who had admired her organization skills were now grumbling about how bossy she was being-never mind the fact that the event was literally tomorrow.

Cassie found herself at one of the food stalls, the one the Bladebreakers-more specifically Ray-were setting up for the exhibition. Hillary had insisted on a food safety check, requiring all food stall participants to prepare and present their best dishes the evening before the exhibition.

As Ray worked, the rich aroma of seasoning and sauces filled the air. Cassie inhaled deeply, her eyes widening. "Ray, your dish smells amazing."

Ray chuckled, rubbing the back of his head. "I do what I can."

"Come on, Ray, give yourself some credit! You make the best noodles I've ever had." Tyson, already holding an empty bowl, grinned. "Speaking of which-fill this up for me, will you? I'm starving."

Laughter rippled through the group.

"You just had lunch an hour ago!" Kenny exclaimed.

"Yeah, well, I forgot Ray was cooking today." Tyson shrugged, completely unapologetic.

Ray shook his head, amused. "Alright, alright. But first, let's call Mariah over. She's supposed to judge the dish and hygiene, remember?"

Tyson groaned but got up anyway. Looking outside, his face lit up. "I'll do one better. I'll just get Hillary. She's nearer. And the president. Mariah can't complain if we get a green signal from the president itself!"

Cassie winced internally, but didn't comment. Instead, continued to watch as Ray cooked, intrigued by the way he moved so smoothly in the kitchen. His precision and ease were impressive.

"You're really good at this," she commented. "Do you cook a lot?"

Ray shrugged. "Enough. But you know who's really good at cooking? Kai."

Cassie blinked. "Kai? Seriously?"

Max and Kenny turned to Ray, looking equally surprised.

"Wait, what?" Max laughed like he had misheard. "Kai cooks?"

Ray smirked. "Yeah. And he's amazing at it. You should try his pasta sometime."

Cassie frowned, glancing at Kai, who had been sitting nearby, quietly listening. "You? Cook?"

Kai shot Ray a look, clearly unimpressed. "You really need to stop talking," he muttered.

Max grinned, leaning forward. "This is new. How come we never knew about this?"

"Because I don't go around announcing it," Kai said dryly.

Cassie, still intrigued, leaned in slightly. "Okay, but now you have to prove it. Make that amazing pasta for me sometime."

Kai exhaled through his nose, as if she were being ridiculous. "Do I?"

"Yes," she said with absolute certainty.

Their eyes met, and though Kai's expression remained neutral, she could tell he was considering it. After a beat, the corner of his lips curved into one of those small, unreadable smiles that revealed nothing.

"Maybe."

Cassie narrowed her eyes. "That's not a yes."

"It's not a no, either."

She huffed. "You know, for someone who apparently makes great food, you're awfully stingy about sharing it."

Kai's smirk turned more pronounced, his gaze teasing. "I'll think about it."

Cassie rolled her eyes but couldn't suppress the small smile tugging at her lips. She knew him well enough by now.

That was as close to a yes as she was going to get.

*****

Hillary hadn't wanted to come.

She had too much to do, too many things to organize before the fundraiser. But Tyson had insisted, dragging her by the wrist with that infuriating mix of stubbornness and charm that made him impossible to argue with.

"Just one bowl, Hill! You gotta eat sometime, and Ray's cooking today. You can't miss that!"

And now here she was, standing at the Bladebreakers' food stall, feeling like a stranger in a place that used to be hers.

The scent of broth and sizzling vegetables wrapped around her, but instead of comfort, it made her stomach twist.

Everything looked the same-Max and Kenny bickering over some minor detail, Tyson shoveling food into his mouth like he hadn't eaten in days, Ray shaking his head at him with quiet amusement. Even Kai was here, arms crossed, looking disinterested but not unapproachable.

And then there was Cassie.

Sitting comfortably among them. Laughing at Tyson's joke. Nudging Max's arm. Acting like she belonged.

Hillary's hands curled into fists at her sides before she forced them to relax.

She shouldn't care.

She had chosen this.

She had been the one to step away, to create distance, to make sure she and her family stayed safe. Back then, it hadn't been a choice-it had been survival. The threats, the danger, the constant fear-she had lived it. She knew what it meant to be helpless when people who wanted to hurt you knew you couldn't fight back.

And the Bladebreakers had understood. They had accepted her decision, even if they hadn't liked it.

So why did they let Cassie in so easily?

She wasn't a blader. She wasn't part of the team, hadn't fought beside them, hadn't risked her life like Hillary had. But here she was, slipping into their group like it was the most natural thing in the world.

And worse-worse than that-was how they treated her.

Max smiled at her like she was a lifelong friend. Ray actually engaged in conversation with her, not just in polite nods but in genuine, easy exchanges. Kenny wasn't wary or hesitant around her like he had been with Hillary in the beginning. Even Kai, the most guarded of them all, didn't seem to mind her presence. Of course he wouldn't, he was dating her after all.

It wasn't fair.

Hillary had fought for every bit of respect, for every shred of trust, and yet Cassie had been handed it on a silver platter.

She clenched her jaw, inhaling sharply.

"You good?" Tyson's voice cut through her thoughts, and she blinked, realizing she had been standing still for too long.

Ray had already placed a bowl of noodles in front of her, steam rising in delicate tendrils.

She forced a small, tight smile. "Yeah. Just tired."

Hillary sat at the edge of the table, apart from the rest, picking up her chopsticks but barely tasting the food.

The conversation flowed around her, familiar but distant.

She had been here once.

She had belonged.

Now, she was just watching from the outside.

*****

A clipboard smacked against the table.

"Food inspection," Mariah announced, plopping down next to Hillary with a grin. She glanced around, checking for hygiene before snatching a bowl for herself.

"Good job, Ray," she said approvingly after a bite. "This actually tastes edible."

Ray rolled his eyes. "Thanks for your confidence, Mariah."

Hillary smirked before looking at Mariah. "Hey, don't go easy on him just because he's your boyfriend."

Mariah leaned closer, lowering her voice dramatically. "If anything, you should be worried."

Hillary raised a brow. "Worried?"

"If he messes up, I'm going harder on him," Mariah declared, jabbing her chopsticks in Ray's direction.

Tyson burst into laughter, nearly choking on his food. "Oh man, Ray, you're so done for."

Max chuckled. "She's already got high standards."

Ray sighed. "Glad to know my suffering is entertaining."

The tension in Hillary's chest loosened just a little as she let herself enjoy the moment.

*****

Cassie twirled her chopsticks between her fingers, half-listening to the conversation around her. The stall bustled with laughter and chatter, the kind that came naturally between people who had known each other for quite a while.

She was still getting used to this.

The Bladebreakers weren't just any friend group. They had a history, a deep bond forged through battles and victories, through struggles she couldn't even begin to imagine. Even though she had warmed up to them, and they to her, there were moments-like now-where she still felt like an outsider peering in.

That feeling only grew stronger with her here.

Hillary.

Cassie had never seen her like this before. The way Tyson grinned at her, the way Max didn't hesitate to include her in their conversations. The way Ray just paced a bowl of noodles in front of her as soon as she dropped in...

Even Mariah-who was technically here for food inspection-joked with her easily, like this was all second nature.

Cassie shifted in her seat.

It was unnerving.

Hillary-who wasn't even part of their world-was just there, sliding into the space like she had always belonged.

Cassie frowned slightly, poking at her food. Then something warm brushed against her hand.

She turned just as Kai leaned in, voice low and smooth, meant only for her.

"You know," he murmured, "I don't think I've ever seen you pout before. It's cute."

Cassie blinked. "I-I wasn't pouting!" Kai hummed, clearly unconvinced. His lips quirked up in the faintest smirk. "Sure. Keep telling yourself that."

Before she could argue, he leaned in further, brushing his lips against her cheek in a fleeting kiss.

Cassie's breath caught.

She barely had time to register the warmth before Kai straightened and turned to leave, hands in his pockets like he hadn't just thrown her completely off guard.

Unfortunately, the rest of the Bladebreakers were very aware of what just happened.

"OOOOHHH!" Tyson practically howled, smacking the table. Max leaned forward, eyes gleaming. "Did Kai just-?"

Mariah smirked. "Oh, he totally did." "Wait, do it again, I wasn't looking!" Kenny adjusted his glasses, like he needed confirmation.

Cassie groaned, covering her face. "Oh my god, you guys-"

Kai, of course, remained as unbothered as ever. "Idiots" Kai murmured. He shot Cassie an infuriatingly smug look before walking off, leaving her to deal with the aftermath.

Max cackled. "Oh, we're idiots? You're the one going soft on your girlfriend in public!"

Cassie swatted at him. "Stop it!"

The teasing didn't stop, but she wasn't really mad. The warmth from Kai's kiss lingered, and despite herself, she bit her lip, trying to fight a small smile.

Still, even through the laughter, Cassie caught something else-just a flicker, just for a second.

Hillary .

She was smiling, but it didn't quite reach her eyes.

Cassie's stomach twisted again, that same unease creeping back in.

And for the first time, she wondered -j ust who was Hillary to them?

*****

Words: 2048

*****

A/N: Sorry for the delay guys, my timetables changed and my free time has gotten a bit scattered. Maybe I'll change the updating day to Wednesday for now on, I'll confirm this next week.

So, how was this chapter? Do you see any changes in the writing style? Is it better or worse than before? I've been experimenting a bit, so your feedback would be wonderful. I want to see if you guys can even spot the difference.

Anyway, vote and comment guys! It truly means a lot to me...

Happy reading!