Back at home, I was technically there.
Physically? Yes.Mentally? Hosting my own show.
"Welcome back, ladies and gentlemen," I muttered to my imaginary audience, flopping onto my bed. "Today's episode: My Brother Ruins My Life, Again."
Cafeteria – R4's Table
Meanwhile—because apparently the universe loves switching scenes—
The R4 sat like kings.
Jake leaned back like he owned the school.Liam was digging through his bag like he lost a national treasure.Mark was reading like the world depended on it.Ethan? Sitting there like Wi-Fi was his only emotional support.
Then—
BANG!
Liam slammed the table.
Everyone jumped.
Even the lunch lady flinched.
Jake clutched his chest. "Are you trying to kill us??"
"My homework!" Liam said dramatically. "It's gone!"
Jake blinked. "So is your sense."
"I'm serious!" Liam said. "It's not in my bag!"
Mark didn't even look up. "Relax. It's with the Book Prefect."
Pause.
"…Ayana."
Liam froze.
Then nodded slowly. "Oh."
Jake raised a brow. "Since when do you care about homework?"
Liam leaned back. "I don't. I paid someone to do it."
"How much?" Jake asked.
"Ten."
Jake smirked. "Make it twenty. Inflation."
Liam sighed. "Already paid twenty."
Ethan finally spoke, flat. "You got scammed."
Liam pointed. "Silence, Wi-Fi user."
Mark turned a page calmly. "You're all embarrassing."
Enter: Me (unfortunately)
I walked in with my tray.
Nerd mode: activated.
Glasses. Cardigan. Ponytails. Confidence? Missing.
Mission: pass quietly.
Then—
"Ayana!"
I froze.
LIAM WHY.
I turned slowly, smiling like I was about to cry and laugh at the same time.
"Yes, Liam?" I said sweetly.
"Homework?" he asked.
"I gave it to the teacher," I replied calmly. "Safe. Secure. Away from you."
Liam nodded. "Good. I like responsible people."
I turned to leave.
Freedom—
"No."
Jake's voice.
I paused.
Of course.
"Don't you think you should dress like other girls?" he said, smirking.
I blinked.
Excuse me??
Liam leaned forward. "Nah, I like it. It's cute."
I shot him a look. Do not help.
Mark smirked slightly. "Better than brainless fashion trends."
I paused.
…Was that a compliment?
Ethan added, calm and cold, "Most of them are just noise."
Then he muttered, "Especially Regina."
I nodded slightly.
Okay… Ethan, I see you.
Then I turned back to Jake.
"If you buy me clothes, I'll consider it," I said, crossing my arms. "Until then, I like me."
Liam burst out laughing.
Jake scoffed. "Dimwit. Say something mean next time."
They all laughed.
Even Ethan.
Wow. Betrayal.
My face heated up.
But I didn't stay.
I walked away.
With dignity.
And revenge plans.
Emma Appears (aka Trouble in Cute Form)
At my peaceful spot—
—or what was peaceful—
a girl literally bumped me aside with her butt.
I blinked.
"Did I just get attacked?"
She smiled.
Cute.
Too cute.
Suspicious.
"Hi, I'm Emma," she said, shaking my hand like we signed a contract.
"You must be Ayana."
"…How do you know me?"
"Not important."
Oh.
Okay.
That's normal.
"I need a favor," she said.
Alarm bells.
"Depends," I said.
She pulled out—
A pink envelope.
Of course it was pink.
"To Liam."
I stared.
Then immediately handed it back.
"Oh hell no."
She blinked.
"Listen," I said, pointing dramatically. "That man is a walking red flag. He dates like it's a hobby. A sport. A full-time job."
She laughed softly. "Maybe I'll be lucky."
"Or unlucky," I muttered.
She pushed the letter back into my hands.
"Please?"
I sighed.
"…Fine. But if this ends in heartbreak, I warned you."
She smiled like she just won something.
Then—
blew me a kiss.
And left.
I stared at the envelope.
"…This is how side characters die."
The Road (yes, capital R)
I was walking home.
Alone.
Kicking rocks.
Complaining internally.
"Stupid brother," I muttered. "Left me like expired milk."
Then—
Four guys appeared.
Bad vibes.
Very bad vibes.
One behind me.
Great.
Surrounded.
"I know Taekwondo," I said, striking a pose.
They laughed.
Rude.
The big one stepped closer.
And sniffed me.
I froze.
"…Did you just smell me??"
I shoved him.
He stumbled.
Then—
"We need her," he said. "She's pretty. Jake's sister."
My fists clenched.
"Don't touch my brother," I snapped.
Yes, I can insult him.
You cannot.
They grabbed me.
I was ready.
Then—
HONK!!
A car drifted in like a movie scene.
R4.
Of course.
Mark stepped out first.
Calm.
"Let her go," he said quietly.
Jake cracked his knuckles.
Liam grinned. "This looks fun."
Ethan? Already walking forward like this was routine.
The goons charged.
Big mistake.
It was chaos.
Punches.
Shouting.
Liam laughing like it was a game.
Mark precise.
Ethan silent but terrifying.
Jake? Of course winning.
Then the belly guy stepped forward.
"You think you can beat us—"
Jake didn't even listen.
He pulled me forward.
"Slap him."
I blinked.
"…You serious?"
Then I stepped forward.
And punched him.
Hard.
He folded.
Ran.
Everyone ran.
I clapped my hands. "And that's how you uninstall a problem."
Liam laughed. "She's crazy."
"I warned you," I said proudly.
Jake smirked. "Not bad, goat."
I rolled my eyes. "Say that again and I'll uninstall you too."
Mark adjusted his glasses, looking at me thoughtfully. "You handled that well."
"…Thank you?" I said, suspicious.
Ethan glanced at me. "You talk too much."
I gasped. "You talk too little. Balance it out."
Liam laughed louder. "I like her."
Jake groaned. "Don't encourage her."
I crossed my arms.
"You're welcome, by the way. I saved your reputation."
Jake blinked. "What?"
"Yeah," I said. "Imagine your sister getting kidnapped. Very embarrassing."
Liam nodded seriously. "She has a point."
Mark almost smiled.
Ethan looked away.
And me?
I put my hands on my hips.
"Anyway," I said, flipping my ponytail dramatically, "thanks for saving my life… or whatever."
Pause.
"…Now who's buying me food? Because someone owes me a burger."
I looked straight at Jake.
He sighed.
"…Fine."
Victory.