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Chapter 104
~Author’s POV~
Jade noticed the exact mont Pen asked her out. Isadora seed to stop breathing entirely, her shoulders going stiff as though the words had caught her completely off guard.
For several seconds, she stared at him, wide-eyed and silent, and Jade wondered if her friend had even processed what had just happened.
The hallway around them buzzed with students passing by and lockers slamming shut, yet Isadora appeared completely frozen in that mont.
Nearly half a minute passed before she finally released the breath she had been holding and gave a small, almost disbelieving nod.
Relief spread across Jade’s face almost imdiately. She was genuinely happy for her friend, and beside her, Ziva leaned closer and nudged her with her elbow, clearly pleased with herself.
"See," Ziva whispered with a smug little grin, "I told you."
Before Jade could respond, a sharp vibration cut through the mont. Pen’s phone buzzed inside his pocket.
Jade’s eyes narrowed slightly as he pulled it out and glanced down at the screen. Whatever he saw there made the colour drain from his face so quickly that it did not escape her notice.
"Is sothing wrong?" Isadora asked carefully, the earlier excitent in her voice giving way to concern.
Pen quickly slipped the phone back into his pocket and forced a nod, though the movent seed a little rushed. "Yeah... just sothing I almost forgot I had to take care of. I’ll see you later?"
Isadora nodded instinctively, but before he could step away, Jade spoke up. "What’s the hurry if you’re not even waiting for her confirmation about the date?"
Several nearby students turned their heads at the remark, glancing over curiously.
Pen shifted awkwardly under the sudden attention, his face flushing slightly, but Jade did not look the least bit apologetic.
"It’s okay, Jade," Isadora said quickly, trying to smooth things over. "I’m sure he just—"
"Forgot?" Jade finished for her with a scoff, folding her arms. "I don’t think so, bestie. If a man wants a woman, he should at least put in a little effort."
Pen rubbed the back of his neck, clearly embarrassed, before nodding in agreent. "You’re right. Sorry about that."
He stepped closer to Isadora again, eting her gaze with more sincerity this ti.
"So... what do you say, Isadora?" he asked gently. "Would you go on a date with ?"
This ti, Isadora did not glance toward Jade or Ziva for reassurance. Instead, she lifted her chin slightly and nodded with far more certainty than before, excitent lighting her face.
"Yes," she said eagerly. "Yes, I would love to."
A grateful smile spread across Pen’s lips as he closed the distance between them and pressed a quick peck to her cheek.
"Thank you," he said warmly. "I really have to go now."
Jade watched him leave, her eyes narrowing slightly. Sothing about the way he rushed off after checking his phone did not sit right with her.
***********
The mont Pen disappeared down the hallway, the noise of the school seed to settle back into place, but not for everyone.
Behind the main building, where the walls cast long shadows and fewer students passed through, a figure slipped quietly along the edge of the corridor before stepping out toward the back field.
Troy kept his hood low, his movents careful as he scanned the area before approaching the large tree tucked away behind the science block.
A smirk graced his lips as soon as he saw Pen already there, leaning against the trunk.
"You took your ti," Pen muttered, straightening slightly.
Troy let out a low scoff. "I had to make sure no one saw . Or have you forgotten I’m not exactly welco here right now?"
Pen raised his hands slightly. "Relax. I just didn’t expect you actually to show up."
Troy’s expression darkened almost imdiately. "After what Silvie pulled? You think I’d sit back and do nothing?"
Pen studied him for a mont before speaking. "You’re still pissed, I get it."
"Still?" Troy let out a humourless laugh. "I’m just getting started."
Pen sighed. "Don’t forget you had a one-month suspension for a reason."
"Trust , staying put in my father’s hellfire is more than enough daily reminder. I do not need your ass reminding ."
Pen lifted his hands in mock surrender. "Easy."
There was a brief pause before sothing seed to click in Troy’s mind. His gaze sharpened as he looked directly at Pen.
"I saw the post," he said flatly. "You asked Isadora out."
Pen blinked, clearly caught off guard by the sudden shift. "Yeah... so?"
Troy pushed himself off the tree, stepping closer. "Don’t tell you actually like her."
Pen frowned slightly. "What’s that supposed to an?"
Troy tilted his head, his tone turning colder. "It ans you better not say you did it because you like her."
Realisation dawned slowly on Pen’s face before a small, knowing smirk ford.
"Of course not," he replied. "You think I’d go for soone like her just because?"
"I don’t know; you tell ."
"Duh... Soone needed to pay for what they did to you." Troy’s eyes narrowed slightly, but he said nothing, allowing Pen to continue. "She’s close to Jade. And Silvie," Pen added. "Figured breaking her heart would hit both sides."
A slow, approving nod followed.
"Clever," Troy admitted, though his tone carried a hint of doubt. "But I don’t think Silvie cares enough about Isadora for that to sting."
Pen shrugged lightly. "Maybe not. But Jade will. And that’s enough."
Troy smirked faintly at that, satisfaction flickering across his face. "Yeah... Jade definitely will."
Pen shifted, glancing around uneasily. "Still doesn’t explain why you’re here. If Xavier or any of the professors see you—"
"I know the risks," Troy cut in sharply. "I didn’t co here for fun."
He leaned in slightly, lowering his voice. "I ca because I want to know what Silvie’s planning. Every move. Every little sche. And then..." his lips curled, "...I make sure it all blows up in her face."
Pen raised a brow. "And how exactly are you planning to pull that off?"
Before Troy could respond, the soft sound of footsteps approached from behind them.
Both boys turned to see a girl from the senior class step into view from the side path, her brown hair catching the light as she walked closer, her hazel-brown eyes flicking briefly toward Pen before settling on Troy.
Pen frowned. "She?"
Troy nodded without hesitation. "She’s always been loyal to . I placed her in Vera’s circle for a reason."
He turned fully toward her, his expression easing into sothing almost charming. "Well then," he said smoothly, "what do you have for , my precious?"
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