Jay's POV
Break time always turned the school hallways into chaos.
Students poured out of classrooms, voices overlapping, lockers slamming, shoes squeaking across the polished floors. The air buzzed with laughter, gossip, and the occasional shout from a teacher trying to control the noise.
I was walking down the corridor beside Matteo, my bag slung lazily over one shoulder.
Matteo was talking about something… again.
I wasn't really listening.
"…and then Felix said he could beat Yuri in a race," Matteo continued, clearly amused. "Which is ridiculous because Yuri literally runs track."
I raised an eyebrow.
"Felix also thinks he can cook."
Matteo snorted. "Fair."
We turned the corner toward the main hallway.
And that's when I saw them.
Freya and Matilda.
They were standing near the lockers, whispering to each other. The moment they noticed me, their conversation stopped.
Matilda's lips curled into a small smile.
Freya looked… satisfied.
I narrowed my eyes slightly.
"That can't be good," I muttered.
Matteo glanced at me. "What?"
Before I could answer, something caught my attention.
The floor ahead.
A thin, shiny layer of water spread across the polished tiles.
I stopped walking.
"…Seriously?"
Matteo followed my gaze.
"Oh."
He blinked.
"Oh wow."
"Creative, right?" I said dryly.
He looked between the puddle and the girls behind us.
"They want you to slip."
"Obviously."
I crossed my arms for a second, unimpressed.
Freya and Matilda were pretending to talk now, but their eyes kept flicking toward us.
Waiting.
Watching.
Expecting me to fall flat on my face.
I almost laughed.
"Let's ruin their fun," I murmured.
Matteo grinned slightly.
"Gladly."
We stepped carefully around the puddle.
Simple.
Easy.
Their trap had completely failed.
But just as we passed it—
A sudden yelp echoed behind us.
"S—!"
SHRRRK—
THUD.
Both Matteo and I turned instantly.
A girl had just stepped into the puddle at full speed.
Her shoes slid across the wet floor, arms flailing as she lost balance.
Everything happened in one second.
"Whoa!" Matteo shouted.
He rushed forward instinctively, reaching out to catch her.
For a moment it looked like he might actually succeed.
But the floor was still wet.
His foot slipped too.
"Wait—!"
THUMP.
Both of them crashed to the floor in a messy tangle.
Matteo landed first.
The girl fell partially on top of him.
His bag slid halfway across the hallway.
For a moment…
The entire corridor went silent.
And then—
I burst out laughing.
I tried to stop.
I really did.
But the sight of Matteo lying on the floor, blinking in confusion, while the poor girl tried to untangle herself from him was just too ridiculous.
"Wow," I said between laughs. "That was… impressive."
Matteo groaned.
"Jay… not helping."
The girl quickly pushed herself up, her face bright red.
"I'm so sorry!" she said quickly. "I didn't see the water—"
She froze suddenly.
Her eyes widened.
She stared at me.
"…Jayjay?"
I blinked.
"…Do I know you?"
She stood there for a moment, still shocked.
Then she laughed softly, brushing her hair back.
"You probably don't remember me."
Matteo finally sat up, rubbing the back of his head.
"Can someone help me up before I become part of the floor?"
I stepped forward, offering him a hand.
"Maybe you should consider ice skating. You seem talented."
He glared at me but took my hand anyway.
"Very funny."
I then turned to the girl and helped her stand as well.
"Are you okay?" I asked.
She nodded quickly.
"Yes. I'm fine."
She dusted off her uniform and gave a small embarrassed laugh.
"First day at a new school and I already fell in the hallway. Amazing start."
"That's actually pretty normal here," I said.
Matteo nodded seriously.
"Yeah. Welcome to Higher Value International School."
She smiled slightly.
"I'm Mila."
"Jay," I replied.
Her expression changed again.
A spark of recognition flashed in her eyes.
"You really don't remember me?" she asked.
I tilted my head.
"Should I?"
She hesitated.
Then she shook her head lightly.
"Maybe later."
Matteo picked up his bag and slung it over his shoulder.
"So, Mila… which class are you in?"
"3-C," she answered.
Matteo blinked.
"Wait, seriously?"
She nodded.
"Yes. I just transferred today."
"Then you're in my class," he said.
Her face brightened slightly.
"Oh, really?"
"Yeah. And Rakki too."
Mila's eyes widened.
"Rakki San Diego?"
"Yep."
She smiled.
"Then I guess I'm lucky."
I crossed my arms, amused.
"Lucky?"
Matteo shrugged.
"Our class is chaotic but fun."
"Speak for yourself," I said.
From the corner of my eye, I noticed movement.
Freya and Matilda were still standing near the lockers.
But now their expressions had changed.
Their plan had clearly not worked the way they wanted.
Instead of humiliating me…
They had accidentally taken down a new student.
And Matteo.
I almost laughed again.
Mila followed my gaze toward them.
"Are those the girls who left the water there?" she asked quietly.
I shrugged.
"Probably."
Matteo leaned closer to her.
"Rule number one here," he whispered. "Watch your step."
"Rule number two," I added.
"Don't trust suspicious puddles."
Mila laughed.
"Noted."
The bell suddenly rang through the hallway.
Students immediately started moving again.
Matteo adjusted his bag.
"Come on," he said. "Class."
Mila nodded and started walking with him.
After a few steps, she glanced back at me again.
Her eyes were thoughtful.
Curious.
Like she was trying to confirm something.
I raised an eyebrow.
"What?"
She smiled.
"…Nothing."
Then she turned and continued down the hallway with Matteo.
I watched them disappear into the crowd.
Strange.
Very strange.
Because that girl had looked at me like she already knew who I was.
Behind me, Freya and Matilda were still glaring.
But honestly?
I was more curious about the new student.
Mila Gonzalez.
And why she seemed so sure…
That she recognized me.
End of Chapter 31📖