MRS. URMI PATEL MILLER

CHAPTER 10: ECHO

♦️ JUST FRIENDS ♦️
VINCENT's POV

My eyes were fixed on the board while the teacher went on explaining the day's topic to the class. I decided to be strong today and only focus on school and my activities and head back home.

A finger tapped my shoulder, and I turned to see a hand holding out a paper. Despite the voice in my head warning me not to take it, I hesitantly accepted the note. As I unfolded it, my heart raced with a sense of foreboding. The words "YOU ARE DEAD!!" stared back at me, sending a chill down my spine.

Before I could react, Katherine, my seat partner, swiftly snatched the note from my hand. Her eyes scanned the message, and her face darkened with anger. She tore the paper into shreds, then turned to glare at the person behind me, her voice low and menacing. "If you ever dare hand him such a thing again, I'll slit your throat and make your sibling drink your filthy blood."

The girl behind me looked startled, "I didn't write that, I just passed it!" She protested.

Katherine's glare intensified, "I'm warning you, don't try that again or you'll regret ever being pushed out of your mother's rotten vagina!."

The person cowered, "It's not even mine...I swear."

I felt weird and didn't want this to escalate and have her fighting for me. So, I intervened, placing a calming hand on Katherine's arm, "Hey, it's okay. Let it go." I gave her a reassuring look, and once she saw my face and understood, she relaxed slightly.

"That goes for all of you," she warned the others, her tone still fierce. "Fucking cunts," she muttered under her breath.

I let out a heavy sigh and smiled softly. Suddenly, her mood shifted, and she beamed at me, "You know what, beautiful? Let's grab pizza after school. My treat!" Her cheerful tone was a stark contrast to the tension just moments before.

I smiled. "I'd like that."

♦️ ➿ ♦️

"So, I've got the English homework from yesterday that is due next week, I'll send them to you so you can start working on it." Katherine said as we walked out of class and down the hallway.

"Thank you so much, you're a sweetheart."

"Well, don't let anyone know that I am." Katherine winked at me.

"How are you?" I asked her.

Katherine gave a small nod. "I'm good. Just need to sleep more and I also need to catch up on schitts creek because for some reason, I still haven't finished it."

"What's Schitts creek?" I asked, a little frown on my face.

Katherine looked at me like I had grown two heads. "Um...it's one of the best series of our fucking time, the fuck? How do you not know schitts creek?"

"I don't watch a lot of tv." I shrugged.

"Are you a jehovah witness or something?"

"Oh hush." I shook my head, chuckling.

"Also, have you seen Tae? He wasn't in chemistry and I don't think I've seen him since this morning." Katherine said as we walked.

I shrugged. "I haven't seen him either. I was gonna call him after class."

"Vincent!" I turned to face Ms. Urmi, who was hurrying towards me with a look of relief. "Oh, thank goodness I've found you!" she exclaimed.

"W-What's going on?" I asked, my curiosity piqued. "Did something happen? Am I...in trouble?"

Ms. Urmi's expression turned enthusiastic. "Oh no, no, nothing like that! It's just that I've been searching for you everywhere."

"Uh, why?"

"So, you've heard about the upcoming talent show, right?"

Katherine and I exchanged a quick glance before I responded, "Uh, yeah...I've heard something about it." Ms. Urmi's eyes sparkled with excitement. "Great! I have a proposition for you, Vincent."

I blinked. "Oh- no, no, no no no no. Don't finish that Mrs. Urmi." I said as I began to walk away.

"Oh come on, Vincent. You're one of my best students in my music class and I want you to be the finishing act for this."

"Mrs. Urmi, incase you haven't noticed, everyone hates me. They're gonna throw rocks and condom wraps at me and notes that say 'I hope you die, you fucking faggots.' Then what?" I turned to her with a shrug.

Mrs. Urmi looked at me unsure of what to say to that as she struggled for the words but then Katherine spoke. "Then I will set them on fire and burn the school down. It's a talent show and you've got a great talent according to Mrs. Urmi and I think you should show that out and stop being in the corners, Vincent."

"I like the corners very much, thank you."

"Katherine is right, Vincent," Mrs. Urmi said, her eyes shining with conviction as she approached me. "You're a talented young man who deserves to be in the spotlight, not hidden away. This talent show could be your chance to shine, to show everyone that you're more than just Julian's friend. And who knows, it might even open doors to amazing opportunities!" She paused, her voice building with excitement. "I've heard that scouts from prestigious institutions like Juilliard, Berklee College of Music, and the Curtis Institute will be in attendance. Just imagine the possibilities."

As she listed the renowned schools, my heart raced with anticipation. I felt the weight of her words, the potential for my dreams to become a reality. I took a deep breath, considering the prospect of performing in front of such a critical audience. The thought both thrilled and terrified me.

"I don't know about it."

Mrs. Urmi sighed. "Katherine, if you don't mind giving Vincent and I some alone time. I want to take him to the music room."

Katherine nodded. "Sure. I have to go find Tae anyways, and oh, if you need me just text me, okay?"

I nodded. "I'll be fine, mom."

Katherine pinched my cheek acting the role of what I had called her and left. 

"I see you're doing the friends thing, I love that."

"Don't start." I said and continued walking.

"Listen, I'm not gonna pressure you to sign in and show off your talent and probably win five thousand dollars."

"Wait, we are winning money?" My eyes widened as I turned to her.

"This school is ran by rich folks, of course there's gonna be a prize money." Mrs. Urmi huffed. "I think this is the time for you to put everyone who is anyone in this school in a trance, but if you don't want to do it and want to remain in the shadows then fine, I won't force you." She said and walked away.

I stood there, biting my nails as I thought about what she had said. Why was I contemplating doing so?

Fuck.

Where's Tae?

I took out my phone and dialed his number but it went straight to voicemail. I looked around the hallway hoping to catch a glimpse of him but nothing.

"Where are you, Tae?"

💠➿💠

THIRD PERSON's POV

Katherine strolled down the school hallway, her eyes fixed on her phone as she responded to her Instagram messages. Suddenly, she sensed a presence beside her, keeping pace with her strides. She glanced up, her brow furrowed in curiously, and found Julian walking alongside her with a cheerful smile. "Jesus! Julian, what are you doing?" she asked, her tone laced with exasperation. "Why are you walking beside me? I don't want people to get the wrong idea, especially Vincent."

Julian's expression turned puzzled. "What idea?" he asked, his innocence seeming genuine.

Katherine's eyes rolled in response. "The idea that I'm hanging out with the enemy - which by the way is you." Her words dripped with sarcasm, emphasizing the perceived animosity between them.

"Oh, come on. It's not like we were enemies to begin with."

"Yeah, but that's how we ended up, right?" Katherine said, not sparing him a glance as they walked. "Anyways, how did your apology go?"

"He uh....he didn't accept it. He said he needed more time to think about things and if he can forgive me."

Katherine smiled. "Ah, I'm proud of him. He didn't fall for your tears and instantly forgive you."

"I thought you were on my side?"

"Uh, when did I sign that document?" Katherine scoffed.

Julian smiled a little. "So, what do I do now?"

"Maybe give him the space he needs to think about forgiving you."

Julian nodded in understanding. "Would you put in a good word for me?"

Katherine blinked, frowning. "Um, I don't owe you anything."

"Yeah, but I'm begging."

"Not a chance."

"Katherine, please."

Katherine turned to him, stopping in her tracks. "It would be so suspicious if I just up and ask him to forgive you."

"You're smart, you know how to work this out."

"Oh my God, Julian. Go away, I hate you."

"No you don't."

"Well, I'm about to start hating your ass."

"If you help me, I'll buy you dinner."

Katherine gave him a disappointed look. "Julian, my father bought me a town in Michigan for my tenth birthday and you wanna get me dinner for a favour? If you can top that then maybe I'll consider it. I mean you're rich too."

"Yeah, but my father didn't buy me a town in some state. Wait, he really did that?"

"Mmhmm." Katherine nodded. "I'm his only daughter too so it's not surprising."

"Mmm. That does make sense."

Lu was walking down the hallway with Xavier and Ken, they engaged in a conversation. Suddenly, Lu's gaze fell upon Julian and Katherine, who were deep in discussion. Lu's curiosity was piqued, wondering when the two had become so close. They didn't seem like close friends, and Lu had never seen them talk so intensely before. Julian appeared relaxed, with a hint of a smile, while Katherine's expression was disinterested, yet somehow engaged. Lu's mind raced with questions.

"What could they be talking about?" Xavier whispered, echoing Lu's thoughts.

Lu called out softly, "Julian."

Both Julian and Katherine turned towards the trio, their faces a picture of contrast - Katherine's disgust evident, while Julian seemed unconcerned.

Katherine's gaze briefly locked with Ken's, and for a moment, they shared a silent understanding. Ken's eyes seemed to hold unspoken questions, but Katherine deliberately ignored them, her expression unreadable. She didn't break her stride, her focus fixed on distancing herself from the scene.

"Well, Julian, I'll leave you to your demons," Katherine said with a smirk, "because I don't want to break someone's face." She strode past the trio, her gaze flicking to Rob.

Lu took a step forward, "Julian, can we talk-" but Julian interrupted, "Katherine, wait up!" He followed her, leaving Lu and the others behind, his annoyance at Lu evident.

Lu felt a pang of hurt and betrayal as she watched Julian hastily follow after Katherine, leaving her standing there feeling ignored and disregarded. It stung even more given their recent history - they had been in a relationship until just yesterday. The sudden rejection and dismissal hurt Lu deeply, she swallowed hard, trying to process her emotions and come to terms with the harsh reality.

She turned, trying to hold back her tears and walked away. "Don't follow me." She said as she walked.

Mrs. Urmi appeared before the boys, a sly smile spreading across her face as she clasped her hands together. "Hello, boys," she said, her tone cheerful.

Xavier and Ken looked up at her, slightly perplexed. "Mrs. Urmi, hello," Xavier replied, returning her smile.

"Lovely day, isn't it?" she asked, her eyes sparkling with amusement. The boys exchanged a confused glance, but nodded in unison. "Um, yes," Xavier agreed. "We've got to head to class, though," Ken added, taking a step back.

But Mrs. Urmi's expression turned serious, her voice taking on a hint of authority. "Actually, the principal needs to see you both. It's quite urgent, I'm afraid." Her words piqued the boys' curiosity, and they hesitated. They both exchanged looks again, knowing what this was about.

"So, shall we?" Mrs. Urmi smiled again.

♦️ ➿ ♦️

VINCENT's POV

I was doing my homework in my room when my phone began to vibrate on the table and it wouldn't stop buzzing. I wanted to ignore it but then I thought: maybe it's Tae.

I picked it up to see who was texting me. But it wasn't a text - my Instagram was blowing up with notifications. I frowned, confused as I barely post anything on there.  I unlocked my phone to find dozens of messages waiting for me, all stemming from a single post.

The instagram page barely had up to 50 followers and had only one post  which I had tagged been tagged on. I looked at the photo and my blood ran cold. The photo was of me, it was taken at school and I had never seen that photo before which meant someone stalked and took it without my consent. My eyes had been crudely crossed out with X's and a rope was drawn around my neck, with the word 'DIE' emblazoned across it in bold letters.

I felt a shiver run down my spine as I swiftly removed the tag and turned on airplane mode, trying to shut out the ominous buzzing. Taking a few deep breaths, I tried to calm myself down before refocusing on my homework, attempting to shake off the unsettling feeling. But as I picked up the pen to write again, my hand wouldn't stop shaking. I couldn't write.

I grabbed it with my other hand trying to stop it as I took in several deep breaths, my heart pounding in my chest as I closed my eyes to drown the voices of the kids at school laughing at me.

"Stop." I muttered to myself. "You're only going to hurt yourself, Vincent."

As I tried to snap myself back to reality, a knock at the door breaking the depressing silence. Victor walked in, putting on his jacket. "Hey, I'm heading out to see a friend."

I forced a smile. "Okay."

Victor paused, eyeing me with concern. "You're okay, right?"

I nodded, trying to appear nonchalant. "Mmhmm. Why?"

Victor hesitated. "No reason. I just wanted to make sure you know I'm here for you, if anything's bothering you."

I picked up my pen, trying to dismiss him. "Nothing's wrong. I'm good. Now, let me finish my homework. You're distracting me, Victor."

Victor chuckled. "There's food if you're hungry."

I nodded, appreciative. "Thanks. What time will you be back?"

"Probably tomorrow morning. I'll head straight to work from there."

I nodded again. "Bye."

As Victor turned to leave, he called out, "Hey!"

I looked up, and he said, "I love you, okay?"

I stared at him for a moment before responding, "I love you too. Now get out of my room!"

Victor shook his head and left and as I stared at my book, I just froze. My book got wet from one tear and then another and another. I quickly wiped them off and took in a deep breath, I closed my book and went straight to my bed, laying on it and staring into nothingness.

⚜️JUST FRIENDS ⚜️
TAE's POV

As I entered the living room, I was met with an unsettling sight: my mother sitting alongside Uncle J, the man who had tried to choke me. "Ah, perfect timing," I said, my voice laced with sarcasm. "I see you're both here. How lovely."

It was late, something past seven pm. After I had gotten that phone call, I knew what I had to do.

They turned to face me, their expressions unreadable. "Great, you're back," my mother said flatly, her tone devoid of warmth. "You do know today's your last day in this country, I hope you've said your farewells to the leaches who you think are your friends because you can't get one."

I smiled. "Actually, that description seems to fit you more because what person in their right senses would want to befriend a woman like yourself?"

Uncle J's eyes narrowed. "Watch your tone when you speak to your mother."

"Actually, you should watch your tone while you speak to me in my father's house." I shot back.  "Anyways, to save ourselves from embarrassment and future drama, I am here to tell you all I won't be going with beloved Uncle J."

"You don't have a say in this, Tae," Uncle J sneered.

"Do you want the world to know what you've done?" Mother said.

I smiled sweetly, enjoying the upper hand. "Do you want the world to know what you've done, Mother? What you've been doing with Uncle J, for instance?"

Mother's expression turned icy. "I've done nothing."

I chuckled, pulling out the envelope from behind my back. "Oh, come on, Mother. Don't try to fool me. Anyways I've brought gifts to share with you both."

Mother's eyes narrowed. "What is that?"

I sat down on the couch, opening the envelope with a flourish. "Just a little surprise I wanted to share with you both." I pulled out the photos and tossed them onto the glass table, the images fluttering down like incriminating confetti.

The photos showed Mother and Uncle J leaving a hotel together, their body language unmistakable. Other pictures revealed them being touchy-feely, further incriminating their illicit relationship.

The tension in the room became palpable, the air thick with unspoken accusations and secrets revealed.

"I wonder what the media would think if they found out you're involved with your late husband's brother," I said, my eyes locked on Uncle J. Mother's gaze fell upon the photos, a flicker of shock dancing in her eyes before she quickly masked it.

"I'm sure they would love to know the real reason Uncle J left all those years ago," I continued, my voice dripping with insinuation. "And I wonder if they might just point fingers and think, 'Hey, maybe he didn't die of natural causes. Maybe...maybe his wife and brother had something to do with it.'"

The room fell silent, the weight of my words hanging in the air like a challenge. Mother's expression turned calculating, her eyes darting between me and Uncle J as she assessed the situation. Uncle J's face darkened, his jaw clenched in anger.

Mother shot up from her seat, her anger boiling over. "How dare you say such a thing! I loved your father!"

I smiled sweetly, unfazed. "Oh, I know you did. But the media might not be so convinced. And let's be real, Mother, you and I don't exactly have a loving relationship. If they came to me for a quote, do you think I'd sing your praises?"

Mother's face twisted in rage, but I continued, "I mean, it's not like I'd tell them about your secret trysts with Uncle J or how you've been carrying on behind Father's back. But I'm sure they'd love to hear about it."

Uncle J's eyes narrowed, his attention fixed on the photos. "How did you get these?"

I chuckled, enjoying the upper hand. "Oh, it wasn't hard to find something incriminating, Mother. You and Uncle J aren't exactly discreet. And I must say, you clean up well. But I'm just as smart as you are, Mother. We are related, after all."

My grin only seemed to enrage Mother further, her face purpling with anger. The air was electric with tension, the battle lines clearly drawn.

"Oh, imagine the headlines when they find out Uncle J has hobbies like being a drug lord who is wanted in two countries. And when his enemies find out where he's hiding, things might get......interesting."

Uncle J's face darkened as he took a menacing step towards me. I pointed a warning finger at him. "Don't come any closer, Uncle J. If you as to dare touch me again, I wouldn't hesitate to give Jorge Garcia a call, I'm sure he'd love to catch up with you. You might know him well as The Fox. Very famous in Mexico, Colombia, Brazil, Bolivia. Phew." I chuckled slightly. "We spoke earlier and he seemed very interested in your....extracurricular activists." I grinned. "I didn't know you were called The Blade."

Uncle J's eyes flashed with surprise and then anger. "You are messing with the wrong one, boy. You've crossed a line."

"No, you have." I stood up, facing him squarely. "You came into my father's house, fucked his wife and tried to kill his son. Who crossed the line? Tell me." I looked away from him and at my mother. 

"Also, Mother, I found out about your orphanage and I must commend you on your wonderful charity."  A sweet smile spread across my face.  "Admirable. An Orphanage that is actually a front for....well, you know what. Quite impressive, really."

Mother's eyes widened, her face pale, as she struggled to maintain her composure.

I clapped my hands together, my smile still plastered on my face. "Anyway, I think I've made my point. I'm staying here, and you two would do well to remember that I'm not someone to be trifled with. I have secrets, and I'm not afraid to use them and if anything happens to me, anything! I want you both to know I'm not the only one who knows about this, they will do well to let the media know too."

I turned to leave, but not before delivering a parting blow. "Have a lovely day, Uncle J...and Mother. Do try to stay out of trouble because there are people who just hate you and want your downfall and you wouldn't want that now, would you? I'm gonna go up to my room now." With that, I walked away, leaving them to stew in their own deceit and corruption.

I won.

♦️ JUST FRIENDS ♦️
VINCENT's POV

The door of my room creaked open, and my mom's voice filled the room "Sweetie, you're going to be late for school. Are you okay?"  I didn't respond because I wasn't sure if I was. I was laying on my bed, staring blankly at the wall, exhausted from a sleepless night spent wrestling with my own thoughts. The weight of another day felt so crushing, and I couldn't muster the energy to face it. I was tired and drained.

I could hear my mother's footsteps as she approached me, her hand hesitantly touching my forehead. I slowly turned to her, meeting her worried gaze. The silence between us was oppressive, heavy with unspoken fears and doubts. I felt trapped, suffocated by my own hopelessness but I couldn't let her know how I felt.

Why was I even feeling so down.

"I'm okay." I responded. "I'm just a little tired."

Mom smiled. "You must have studied too late, huh?"

I nodded. "Yeah....that."

"Well, you don't wanna be late for school, my love. Get up! Get up!" She said as she stood up. "I don't have work today so when you come home from school today, we'll spend time together, okay?"

I forced a smile as I sat up. "Mmhmm." I nodded.  "Make sure you do get proper rest today, okay?"

"Yes yes, my love. Do you want me to drop you off today?"!

"No." I shook my head. "It's okay."

"Oh, uh, okay. Invite Julian for dinner, I haven't seen that boy in forever and miss him."

I froze where I was, not knowing what to say to that.

"Mom, I..." I paused, unsure how to respond. "Invite Julian for dinner?" I repeated, stalling for time. Her words hung in the air like a challenge, forcing me to confront a truth I'd been avoiding. How could I tell her that Julian and I were no longer the inseparable friends we once were? That our friendship had fizzled out.

"Yes. He hasn't been over in a while."

Shit. What do I say? Do I lie? Do I tell her the truth? She's gonna want to know why and that drama is some love island casa drama that would expose a lot about me to her and I didn't want her knowing any of these or what I was.

Victor sauntered into my room, draping an arm around Mom's shoulder. "That's because Julian's been swamped with family obligations, ma." he said with a knowing glint in his eye. "Their family's kinda busy with...you know? Whatever it is rich people do." He added, his tone laced with a hint of sarcasm.

But it was his gaze that caught my attention - a brief, pointed look that spoke volumes. In that moment, I knew he was aware of the truth. He knew Julian and I were no longer friends. The realization sent a shiver down my spine as our eyes locked in a silent understanding, a secret acknowledged only between us.

I nodded. "Yeah....some...family uh...thing"

"Oh, well then invite one of your new friends, that boy that came over the other time. What's his name again?"

"Tae." Victor answered. "A good kid."

"Hm. I should get to know him a bit." Mom said with a smile and I nodded. 

"Yeah, sure. I'll uh...invite Tae over tonight."

"They are two, aren't they?"

"Two?" Mother frowned.

"Yeah, what's the girl's name? Uh..."

"Katherine." I answered.

"Her too. Lovely people."

"Well, invite her over too."

"They might be busy."

"I want to meet them, don't be embarrassed." She chuckled. "It's a good day!"

"You seem awfully happy today. What's wrong?"

"I got promoted at work yesterday, so, I won't exactly be returning so late anymore and will be earning more." She said with a big grin.

"Oh. I'm so happy for you." I said as I stood up and walked to her, giving her a hug. "You honestly deserved it, it was about time."

"Right?" She chuckled excitedly. "I'll make such a delicious meal for everyone. Victor, if you're less busy then you can come with me to the market, yes?"

Victor's brows flew up. "Uh, no. Vincent, go get ready so I can drop you. Mom, let's leave Vincent's room so he can get ready." He said as he pulled mom out with him. They closed the door behind them and I placed a hand on my chest, my heart was beating so fast like I was about to have a heart attack.

"Fuck."

♦️ ♾️ ♦️

"You gonna be okay?" Victor asked as I stared at Arrison high, my heart slowly racing. I looked at my brother and smiled at him.

"Of course. Just another day at school." I shrugged.

"You good? Really?"

"Why wouldn't I be?" I chuckled. "Now stop bugging me and go help mom at the grocery store."

"Anyways," he pulled out his wallet and gave me a fifty dollar bill.

"What for? Mom already gave me lunch money."

"It's just for you, incase you wanna hang out with friends or something after school."

"Look at you being such a good brother, one wouldn't know you're annoying." I said and took it. "Thanks."

"Vincent!!" a voice boomed from outside, grabbing both our attention. We both looked out the window from my side, and our eyes landed on Tae, who was waving enthusiastically with a radiant grin spreading across his face. He was dressed in a crisp white outfit, his long pants perfectly creased, and a cream-colored shirt tucked in with precision.

Behind him, Katherine trailed, her eyes fixed on her phone as her thumbs flew across the screen. Her dark hair cascaded down her back, contrasting with her edgy outfit - a black mini skirt that showcased her confident stride and a long black shirt that draped elegantly off her left shoulder, revealing a hint of skin. As they approached, their dynamic energy was palpable, and I couldn't help but feel a spark of excitement.

"Bye now." I said as I got out of the car, shutting it behind me. "Tae, where have you been?"

Tae pulled me into a hug once he got to me. "Sorry I vanished, I had a family emergency." He said, smiling.

"Hi, baby." Katherine hugged me. "How are you?"

"I'm great. You both really compliment each other with your outfits." I chuckled.

"Hi, Victor!" Tae gave him a small wave. We all turned to look at Victor who had a smile on his face as he watched us.

"Hey, kids. How are you guys?"

"We're good. It's been a minute." Katherine said, folding her arms.

"It has. Hey! Our mother want you both over for dinner tonight, she wants to really get to know Vincent's new friends."

"Victor!" I snarled. "What the fuck? It was my announcement to make."

"I wasn't sure you were going to make it." Victor shrugged.

"You both don't have to if you're super busy which I'm sure you are." I said.

"What time?" Katherine asked. "I'm free tonight."

"Me too." Tae shrugged and I mentally face palmed.

"Seven?"

"Awesome." Tae gave a thumbs up.

"See you at seven then." Katherine said and gave a small wave.

"Bye, Vincent's brother." Tae said as he put an arm around my shoulder and pulled me along with him while Katherine held my other hand, and we all walked towards the entrance.

"You look like you've barely slept." Tae said and I sighed.

"Yeah, I had to work on some assignments."

"What are you both doing next weekend?" Tae asked and I shrugged.

"Uh, I don't think I have plans, why?"

"How about you, Kat?"

"Uh, I'm not sure, it's still next weekend so I don't know if something might pop up." Katherine answered as we walked into the school doors. "Why asking? Want to murder us in a barn?"

"Ew. Why would I do it in a barn? Well, maybe out of respect for poor people, sure but I wouldn't do it in a barn. Anyways, I want to host a little weekend-over with you guys at my cousin's place next weekend."

"A weekend-over? What's that?" I asked, confused.

"It means we get to spend Friday to Sunday together at a penthouse with a pool, a hot tub, all of that stuff."

"Oh, I'm down for it as long as it's with you both." Katherine shrugged.

"Great. So I guess we are all gonna be there then?"

"Uh, I don't know. I'm not sure if—"

"Vincent," Tae called as we got to my locker. "You're coming. End of story. I know you're like part of the two percent in this school that is poor but I want you there so case closed. Plus you need a time away from all of these apocalyptic shit."

"You know you insult me sometimes that I don't know if it's intentional or you are just speaking like a rich kid with no sense of empathy."

"I have empathy." Tae pouted. "Right here." He pointed at his dick spot.

Katherine and I both rolled our eyes. "Jesus, Tae." Kat shook her head while I smiled.

Tae grinned widely. "Anyways, I will text you both the address and we'll meet there."

"Awesome." Katherine said. Her phone immediately chimed in her hand and she sighed heavily.

"You okay?"

"Yeah. It's this stupid fucktard." She sighed again as she looked at the message. "I've gotta go, I need to go handle some stupid boy drama. I'll see you in class."

"Uh...Okay, bye."

"Bye, babies." She said as she walked down the hallway.

"So," I looked at Tae. "Are you alright?"

Tae frowned, confused. "What do you mean? Of course I'm okay."

"You vanished from school yesterday and you didn't reply to my text messages or calls. I was a bit worried something happened and you were probably dead in a ditch or something."

"Very funny," he smiled. "However, I did call you back last night but it didn't go through."

Shit. I had put my phone on airplane mode.

"Oh, yeah. Airplane mode so I could study."

And it was still on airplane mode.

"Did something happen?"

I forced a smile. "Nothing did." I said as I opened my locker. "I'm just worn out from reading and working on assignments. Did you see yours? I sent it to you on WhatsApp."  I asked as I took out a textbook from my locker.

"Yes, I did, and thank you. See why you're the best?"

I smiled. "Just being a friend." I said as I closed my locker.

"You know, V. I'm really glad we're friends because your life would have been chaos without me."

I laughed shortly. "My life is chaos right now, Tae."

"Meh. Could have been worse."

I shook my head at him. "Stupid."

As we strolled down the hallway, my gaze finally landed on the banner advertising the school talent show. Tae's question caught me off guard: "Are you gonna perform?" I hesitated, unsure of how to respond. "Mrs. Urmi thinks I should, says it's a great opportunity but I'm not sure."

Tae's encouragement was unwavering: "So, do it."

But I was torn, fearing that pursuing my passion might derail my plans to become a doctor, the only way I knew to support my family.

Tae sensed my doubts and pressed on: "Is this about you becoming a doctor?" He asked and I looked up at him, wondering if he had become a mind reader.  He continued. "That's not what you want to do, V. Don't dedicate your life to a job you'll hate. You know what? Sign up for the talent show and just consider it a uh...a hobby." He shrugged. "If the right opportunity arises, you can take it. You're meant for something more, something incredible. Don't hide in the shadows of Arrison High."

His words echoed Ms. Urmi's, striking a chord deep within me. I did want to perform, I wanted shine on stage, to do something just for myself. If I was never going to sing on a stage or be big like I wanted to, if I was never going to pursue music, maybe I could do this one thing.

Tae's persistence wore down my resistance: "You know it feels right, Vince. This is your chance to chase your dreams, to bask in the spotlight." I swallowed hard, my heart racing with the possibility. Maybe, just maybe, I'd take the leap.

♦️ ♾️ ♦️

I knocked on the door of the music classroom, stepping in a second after. Ms. Urmi was at her desk going through some papers. Her gaze lifted from them and at me and once she saw me, her eyes sparkled with warmth, her expression brightening the room.

"Vincent, hey! We don't exactly have music class today."

"Uh, yeah. I'm not...uh," I walked over to her. "I um....I signed up, for the school talent show."

"Oh! Well, what changed your mind?"

I shrugged. "Well, you and someone won't stop insisting I do it and you're both right, I want more for my memories in high school so yeah."

"I am glad you really decided to do this. Makes me happy because everyone is supposed to know how talented you are, Vincent. Three people from our class have even registered for the talent show and you're one with tremendous talent,  oI'd hate for that voice to only be heard in closed doors." Mrs. Urmi said, a smile on her face.

"Would you mind being my coach for this?" I asked as I walked over to a desk and sat on the table. "I'm not sure where to start from or what song to sing. I don't know where to start? Jesus. Why am I suddenly nervous? I feel like my heart is gonna beat out of my chest."

"It is perfectly normal to feel that way especially if you're doing something out of your comfort zone." She said as she stood up and treated against her own desk, facing me with her hands intertwined. "And I'm proud of you."

I nodded. "Thanks. So, what am I doing? Pop? R&B? Who am I singing? Billie? Rihanna? Beyoncé?"

"Actually," Ms. Urmi interrupted, smiling. "There is a different approach I want you to take for this talent show. I don't want you to just...sing like a lot of people will."

I frowned, confused. "What do you mean? What approach?"

"There is something called a vocal enchantment, which means being spellbound by someone's voice, that is what I want you to do. It goes by different names as well. I want you to hypnotize everyone listening, make them attracted to your melody and the sound of your voice."

"Melodic mesmerization." I muttered.

"Yes."

"Is...Is that even possible to do?"

"Famous artists do it. I remember how I was when I first heard Adele's love in the dark, I was entranced. It's hard to do but it's something you could master and everything will flow out of you naturally, you will be singing but not just singing, you'll be a siren."

"It sounds like some villain shit."

Mrs. Urmi smiled. "Do you know what gave my husband the courage to ask me out?"

"I don't think I was born then."

"I'm twenty eight, Vincent, not ninety."

"Sorry."

"He watched me perform at a festival. He was a friend of my friend's boyfriend and we used to just hangout and one college festival, I performed. It was just me and my piano. I liked him, Elijah, but I wasn't sure if he liked me back since none of us made a move and I didn't want to be embarrassed." She said with a small smile.

"I had just mastered something called the Love-Struck Echo. It's a singing technique like hypnosis that leaves a lingering presence of one's voice in another's mind, echoing an emotion. Love. Now while everyone might think 'wow! Emotional! I love her voice' and shed tears. The person who does love you in that crowd, will feel something different and won't be able to get you out of their mind. All they'll be able to think of is you, their feelings will become more clearer as the days goes by."

"Really? It works that way?"

She nodded. "They'd want to hear more. They'll look for the same song but it won't feel the same. It's like a burning inside of them that they need to quench and the only person who can....is you, the singer." Ms. Urmi sighed. "Elijah summoned the courage and told me there was something in the way I sang that made him restless and he thought he could go through college not confessing his feelings because he feared he would ruin our friendship, but now he'd rather get rejected than not know and well, here we are. It's been five years and a beautiful boy."

"Wow." I breathed. "And you think I could do that?"

"Find your heart in the audience? Yes." She nodded.

"But, Elijah loved you. I don't think I have that...being loved like that by anyone."

"And what if that's just what you tell yourself to discredit yourself? There has got to be at least one person." She said and I gulped. "By combining melodic memorization with a love-struck echo, you'll become a god amongst men," Ms. Urmi declared.

"That sounds like a feat meant for only great vocalists, and I'm not sure I'm that good," I replied, my doubts resurfacing.

Ms. Urmi's expression remained steadfast as she approached me, her hands enveloping mine. "If you were merely average, I wouldn't entrust you with this responsibility," she said, her voice infused with conviction. "You possess a rare gift, Vincent – the ability to resonate with your audience on a deeply emotional level. You've demonstrated this talent before, why do you think your classmates clamor to hear you sing in class?" Her tone implored me to acknowledge my potential.

"Your voice can weave a sonic tapestry, connecting you, your music, and your instrument in a way that transcends the ordinary. You have the power to enthrall a hundred people with a single thread of sound." She chuckled slightly. "Vincent, you're capable of evolving into a musical genius, reaching unprecedented heights. Which is why I fear the day you might stop singing without realizing your full potential."

I swallowed hard, captivated by the sincerity shining in her eyes, as if she, too, had once been spellbound by my voice. "You're a modern-day siren, Vincent," she said with a gentle chuckle. "Are you prepared to ascend to new heights, to hypnotize your audience, make the heart of a hidden admirer beat faster than normal, and to claim that prize?"

I hesitated before nodding resolutely. "When you put it all like that Ms. Urmi, I feel like I'd be stupid to say no."

"Well then, Vincent." She patted my cheek as she walked back to her desk. "There is a lot to learn."

♦️♾️♦️

I was in the library, it was another place asides the music room that I found solace in. I'd immerse myself in fiction while the rest of the school bustled with activity. The library was my sanctuary, a place where I could temporarily escape reality. I was engrossed in a book about hypnosis, driven by a personal need to understand its mechanics after speaking with Ms. Urmi. I didn't want to go into this blindly, I needed more knowledge, to understand how I was going to go about this practice of black magic.

My curiosity was piqued by the concept of melodic mesmerization, it wasn't my first time hearing it, I had stumbled upon in a book years ago. Although it wasn't described in the same captivating way Ms. Urmi had spoken about it, I was now eager to learn more.  To know what I was working with and not go in fully blinded.

Just as I was absorbed in my reading, a voice broke the silence. "Vincent!" Katherine and Tae hurried towards me, their faces filled with an air of urgency. I looked up from my book, my eyes locking onto theirs as they approached.

"Ah, missed me already?"

"Why was your phone on airplane mode last night?" Tae suddenly asked as they both sad on the bench across me, his question catching me off guard.

I blinked, looking at both of them, confused. "Um....to read?"

Katherine raised a brow, unimpressed. "Come on, Vincent. You can do better than that when you want to lie, don't sound like a five year old who is still learning the basics of lies."

"Okay, I'm so confused."

"So are we!" Tae spoke. "Why didn't you tell us there was a fucking bullying account created for you? And don't tell me you didn't know because I know you knew."

I rolled my eyes. "It's no big deal, guys. It's only a big deal if you make it one."  I shrugged, downplaying the situation.

"You're so used to pretending everything is okay that you don't even want to make it okay." Katherine said, her expression stern.

I looked up at her, unable to say a word as her words had struck a chord.

"V, we need to tell the principal."

"No." I shook my head at Tae. "I don't want to be a bother. He already suspended Xavier and some of the other kids, didn't he? I heard some kids talking about it earlier."

"Regardless," Katherine cut in. "This isn't right and I've reported the page but that won't be enough. We need to like...I don't know, do something. Find them and maybe kill them?"

My eyes widen. "Woah! Katherine. No...No killing."

"I was just thinking out loud, I mean it's not like we won't get away with it but fine, no doing that." She sighed. "I am so annoyed."

"It's nothing. Besides, the page has like what- forty followers? We are good." I shrugged. 

"Forty?" Katherine scoffed and took out her phone, she typed on it and then showed me her screen and once I looked at it, my eyes widened and my heart stopped for a bit.

"It was just forty last night! How did it become two hundred and fifty already?"

"And it's not even twenty four hours yet, so we need to handle this."

Tae's calm tone belied the concern in his eyes. "Why didn't you tell us, Vincent?"

I shrugged, looking down, feeling a mix of guilt and gratitude. "I didn't want to burden you guys with my something as stupid as an instagram page. You always get dragged into my mess, and I feel like I'm constantly indebted to you."

"You're not." Tae softly said.

"Tae, you got a bruised eye because of me... and I don't want to keep putting you both in harm's way." My voice trailed off, the weight of my thoughts evident in my words. "You've done enough as my friends, I'd hate to be the victim you all have to come save every time."

"Which is why you need to fight for yourself then." Katherine said. "If you won't let us help you then help yourself by punching some niggas and biting some hoes."

"What Katherine is trying to say is that you'll always have us. We are your friends and I know if we were ever in such a down position, you'd be there to cheer us up as well."

I smiled softly. "Thanks, guys. But it's okay, really, and I'm fine. Now, I'm gonna need you two to shuu away because I have to read this book quickly."

"Are you sure you don't want us to stay?" Katherine asked.

"No." I shook my head. "I promise I'm okay, so go now because you're being a huge distraction, loves."

"Okay, okay." Katherine stood up. "I love you."

"I love you too, now bye."

"Come on, Tae." Katherine pulled him up and locked arms with him. "Let's go get lunch."

"Be safe." Tae said to me and I nodded in response.

"And please, don't do anything. If you ignore the problem, it will go away." I told them.

Katherine flashed me a smile. "I love your logic." She said before turning and walking away with Tae.

💠♾️💠
THIRD PERSON POV.

"Miss Davis, Mr. Moon, what brings you both here today?" Principal Moore asked, her gaze fixed on the two students seated across from her. Tae and Katherine sat with their legs crossed, their expressions grave, hinting at a serious issue. The principal's stern demeanor suggested she was bracing herself for a confrontation, but she was unprepared for the concerns they were about to raise.

Vincent had underestimated the loyalty and resourcefulness of his friends, thinking they would simply stand by and do nothing. But Katherine and Tae knew they possessed a certain influence that Vincent lacked, and they were determined to wield it on his behalf.

Principal Moore was a poised blonde woman in her fifties with impeccable hair, had led the school for more than a decade. Her confident demeanor commanded respect, but Katherine's words pierced the air.

"Did you know your school is becoming a breeding ground for bullying?"

Principal Moore's expression turned attentive, her hands intertwining. "Clarify."

Katherine sighed, frustration evident. "Your school is becoming a haven for those with the 'right' connections, while others are left vulnerable."

"And what is the...connections you speak of?"

Tae added sternly, "The power she's talking about is money."

Principal Moore's frown deepened. "If you're referring to the Lockhart boy, I've already taken action. Ms. Urmi informed me, and I suspended the responsible parties."

Katherine pressed on, "An Instagram page was created to harass him, and it's still active."

Principal Moore's eyes narrowed. "Well, do you know who?"

"It has to obviously be Xavier." Katherine answered.

"But he's not the only one who's after the Lockhart kid, right? So we don't know. There's no proof it's him, except you have one right now." She said but the duo remained silent.

"Exactly. And I don't control instagram,, I am not Principal Mark Zuckerberg, my jurisdiction ends at these school gates." Principal Moore gave a dismissive shrug.

"Well, that's reassuring." Tae said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "And how well do you think you're running this school? Because from where we are sitting, it's not looking good."

The dig was subtle, but the implication was clear.

Katherine's eyes locked onto Principal Moore's, her voice dripping with subtle menace. "I'm sure my father would be fascinated to hear about the school's...successes. He's always eager to learn more about the institutions I attend."

Tae chimed in, his tone nonchalant, but with a hint of veiled threat. "And my mother...oh, she'd be absolutely delighted to discuss the school's performance with you. One-on-one, of course. She's always so...passionate about education."

Tae's gaze flicked up, his eyes glinting with a hint of challenge, despite his own strained relationship with his mother. The unspoken implication hung in the air: we have influential parents, and we're not afraid to use that to our advantage.

Principal Moore's smirk twisted her lips. "I've heard rumors that the Lockhart boy tried to drown Luciana at a party. Care to explain?"

Katherine's eyes flashed with defensiveness. "That's not true. He was set up."

Principal Moore's expression remained skeptical. "Your word against a hundred witnesses. And once Luciana's father finds out, do you think you two can shield him from his fury? I doubt it. The evidence will only pile up against him, and I'm sure The Bates will make sure he pays for what he's done." Her voice dripped with condescension, implying that Katherine and Tae's efforts to protect the Lockhart boy would be futile against the influential Bates family's wrath.

Katherine smirked as she stood up. "I guess we'll get to see who wins on this chess board then, Principal Moore."

Principal Moore's voice turned calculating, her voice taking on a hint of intrigue. "If you can bring me concrete evidence then I'll make sure these kids suffer for their wrongdoings. I've known the Lockhart boy for years, he's a good soul. However, being good won't protect him from wolves. I can only do so much for him, but if you get me what I need, you won't have to be bothered so much anymore." Principal Moore turned her gaze to Tae who was watching her. "I am on your side, but like Katherine here said, this is a delicate game of chess and we must thread carefully, making our moves wisely, lest we sacrifice the piece we intend to protect."

"And if we get what you need, you can shield him?"

Principal Moore nodded. "Yes. In here. Out there? It's up to you two and him to protect himself."

Tae gave a small nod as he thought about it. He got up and walked out the door with Katherine following behind him.

As they navigated the school hallway, Katherine turned to Tae with a determined look. "So, how do we find this coward behind the account?"

Tae exhaled, frustration etched on his face. "I don't know. I was thinking we could get a tech expert to trace the IP address. However, the problem here is how to get concrete evidence and prove V didn't push Luciana?"

Katherine's eyes sparkled as a sudden idea struck her. "Oh, we can ask Julian!"

Tae halted, his expression incredulous. "Julian? Why would we ask him?"

Katherine explained, "He told me he found out his girlfriend and friend had been plotting to ruin Vincent and he heard them say it was all a setup."

Tae's eyes narrowed. "Wait! Wait! Why was Julian confiding in you? Are you two like buddies now?"

Katherine rolled her eyes. "Ugh, no. He came to me for advice on how to make amends with Vincent, and I told him he was on his own." She shrugged nonchalantly.

Tae gave a small nod. "But he said he heard them talk about it?"

Katherine nodded. "Yeah."

"We'll find another way."

Katherine rolled her eyes. "Tae. He's our best bet."

"Katherine, we'll think of something else." Tae said and continued strolling down the hallway. Katherine groaned and followed behind him.

💠♾️💠

Mrs. Moon glided down the grand staircase, her black heels clicking on each step, her designer dress rustling softly. She entered the living room, where a suited man rose from his seat to greet her.

"Mrs. Moon," he said, his voice respectful.

She acknowledged him with a brief glance before settling onto the plush couch across from him. Her eyes finally met his, her gaze piercing. "You're Anthony, I presume?"

Anthony nodded, his buzz cut gleaming in the soft light. "Yes, ma'am."

"Your...associate referred me to you."

"Must mean I'm the best then."

Mrs. Moon's response was a noncommittal "Hm." A maid arrived with a tray, bearing a steaming cup of tea for Anthony. As he took the cup, Mrs. Moon gestured to a nearby portrait.

"You see that boy?"

Anthony's eyes followed her gesture, taking in the framed image of Mrs. Moon, a man, and a boy he didn't recognize. His gaze lingered on the boy's face, curiosity piqued.

"What about him?"

"That's unfortunately my son, Tae." Her voice filled with disdain. "Lately, he's grown....black wings. I want to know what he's doing, where he goes, who he's talking to, especially that. Who his friends are. There's something different about that boy and I'm curious to know what it is, so I know what move to make." She said, her smirk was calculated and her eyes glinted with a hint of malice.

"You want me to spy on your son?" Anthony asked, his tone neutral.

"Wasn't that clear the first time?"

"Crystal."

"And I'll pay you for every new worthy information you provide every day."

Anthony nodded. "Got it, ma'am."