Emirates Academy – After Exams
I finished in less than thirty minutes.
As I looked around, pens were still scratching, heads still bent, sweat still dripping from some others.
And I was already done.
""Are these even questions…?"
I walked forward and dropped my script on the desk.
The examiner picked it up… glanced at it… then slowly looked at me.
Then back at the paper.
"…You can't be serious."
A pause.
"This is a two-hour test."
I shrugged slightly.
"No worries, I did well."
He removed his glasses… exhaling sharply.
"You really don't care, do you?"
His voice hardened.
"You poor rascal… wasting your guardian's money like this."
He leaned forward.
"People like you…"
A pause.
"…bring shame to their families."
Silence.
"Take this paper back."
He pushed it toward me.
"Write something meaningful."
I stepped closer.
Slowly.
Locked my eyes into his.
"If you have a talent for wasting resources or you raised children without talent don't compare them to me."
The air froze.
His expression flickered.
Shock.
"…Very well then." he said,
Cold now.
"You may leave."
I didn't reply.
I turned… and walked out.
The hallway felt quieter.
Like stepping out of noise into something… hollow.
I walked slowly, hands in my pockets, observing everything the walls, the structure, the exits, the people.
The school was indeed a work of art.
Then,
Bump.
I walked straight into a group of boys. Four of them to be prescice.
"Are you blind?" one snapped. "Can't you see where you're going?"
I lifted my gaze slowly.
I was about to respond
Then I felt it.
An aura.
Familiar.
Very similar.
My eyes shifted… and landed on one of them.
He had a birthmark close to his eye but used a cross tattoo to cover it.
He stepped forward slightly, smirking.
"You want to lose that pretty face, mate?"
…
Silence.
That phrase.
That exact tone.
It echoed.
Not here.
Not now.
But from over two thousand years ago.
Carlos.
For a brief second, something deep inside me moved.
I couldn't say a single word but I kept my composure and walked away.
"Hey!" one of them barked. "Don't you dare walk away!"
He stepped forward to chase me.
But the one with the cross tattoo stopped him.
"Let him go," he said quietly.
His eyes stayed on me.
"This won't be the last time we meet."
I didn't turn back.
But I heard him.
Clearly.
I walked toward the school gates, hands still in my pockets.
"HEY ANDRE! WAIT!"
I stopped.
Of course.
Marco came jogging toward me, slightly out of breath. Misheal followed, full of energy as always, and Maria trailed behind more carefully.
""You just leave like that?" Misheal said.
"No goodbye?"
"I don't do goodbyes," I replied.
She grinned.
"What you did back there was Badass."
"You're not even enrolled and you're already causing problems."
I glanced at her.
"He started it."
"Not me."
Marco laughed.
"Yeah… that checks out."
"So where you headed?"
"Home."
Maria hesitated.
"…Where?"
"Greywood."
They froze.
"…Wait."
"No way."
"You live on Greywood?"
"…Yes."
"Mrs. Jenkins?"
I stopped walking.
"…You know her?"
Misheal burst out laughing.
"Know her? She fights with our mom every Sunday like it's a sport."
…
I exhaled.
Of course I don't expect more from that pushover of a watch woman.
Then
The crowd shifted.
Whispers spread.
"Why is she called the stone cold queen."
"For your sake stay away from that hottie."
Movement.
I turned slightly
And saw her again.
Esmeralda.
She walked like the world adjusted itself for her.
Perfect posture. Controlled steps. Beauty wrapped in wealth like it had never known struggle.
Two girls laughed beside her.
And again
Everything went quiet.
Why…
Why does this keep happening to me?
Just then, a girl stumbled into her, books scattering across the ground.
"I—I'm sorry!" the girl stammered, dropping to her knees.
Esmeralda looked down at her.
"Watch where you're going," she said coldly.
The girl's voice was already shaking. "I—I'm sorry."
Then—
Esmeralda lifted her foot…
And stomped on the girl's hand.
A sharp cry rang out.
"Next time you come near me," Esmeralda said calmly,
"I'll throw you in the trash where you belong. Now get lost before you ruin my perfect day?"
"Yes, ma'am…"
Silence fell.
Marco's face twisted. "What the hell was that?"
Maria clutched Misheal's sleeve, shaken.
Misheal's eyes darkened.
I didn't move.
Didn't react.
"She's… an angel," I said.
The words came out uninvited.
Marco heard me. "Bro, what the hell? She's no angel she's more like a spoiled brat who's used to having people lick her shoes."
Suddenly
Shouts erupted outside the gates.
"What's going on?" Marco asked.
"Its a hugeFight!" someone yelled.
"No, some students of the school are jumping someone!"
Marco clenched his jaw. "This is awesome double action in a day. This school is the main dish. Let's go."
Outside
Four boys surrounded one.
They rained punches on him without mercy as they mocked him.
"This is messed up," Marco muttered.
A nearby student spoke. "He just looked at that rich, sassy girl… and they jumped him."
Marco scoffed. "I bet that arrogant girl caused this. I better get hold of Misheal before"
"She's already there," I said quietly.
He turned
Too late.
"No—nooooo! This girl!"
Misheal had already stepped in.
"Back off!" she shouted, arms spread. "Four against one? That's pathetic! You all are sick, you don't even have an iota of shame!"
The boys stopped.
One of them stepped forward slowly.
"You should move," he said. "I don't mind hitting girls."
Marco rushed forward instantly. "Touch her and see what happens!"
The boy smirked. "Oh, the big brother is here. Well, do your math and count properly four of us… one of you. So take your sister and leave."
Then
Another figure stepped forward.
Big. Broad. Muscular.
"I think I can take two of you," he said.
One of the boys stepped forward. "If it isn't Hugo the Messiah of the poor and helpless. You know I always wanted to put my hands on you."
"Well, today is your chance."
And just like that
Everything exploded.
Hugo held off two of them as punches flew.
Marco held his ground against another.
Then the boy with the cross tattoo, the leader stood up and moved toward Misheal.
I saw it and pushed through the crowd
But Maria moved first.
She stood in front of her sister.
Shaking.
Terrified.
But standing.
"Don't touch her," she said, voice trembling.
The boy smiled slowly.
"Because of you, cutie… I won't."
He reached out
Touched her cheek.
SLAP.
Maria struck him.
Hard.
"Don't touch me."
His smile vanished.
"You know, you're really hot. That's why you'll be on my bed after I give you and your company a hell of a beating."
He raised his hand
But I was already there.
Holding his wrist.
Tightly.
"Don't do that," I said calmly.
"She's my company."
He stared at me.
Then smiled.
"The avenger is here," he said. "I saw you earlier. So quick question… do I know you?"
"I don't recognize you, so I don't know you."
His eyes locked into mine.
"Well, let me share something with you. From the moment I saw you, something ignited inside me. I have this urge to hit you so hard that you'll never get up again. It feels like my blood is on fire… begging to exchange blows with you."
I tilted my head slightly.
"Funny," I replied.
"I feel the same. And soon, that wish will be granted. Because I also feel like smashing your head into the ground."
He leaned closer.
"One day… you will," he whispered.
"When I beat you until you bleed."
Silence.
Tension.
"Carlos… is it over, or should we make them pay for disrespecting you?"
"Wrap it up boys. We're done here."
…
Everything stopped as they moved behind him.
My grip tightened slightly.
"…Carlos… how?"
He smirked.
"Watch your back, mate. You never know when something will happen."
They left.
Just like that.
The noise returned.
The world resumed.
But I stood still.
Carlos…
That name…
That aura…
That voice…
"…Could it be…"
"…a reincarnation?"
For the first time since I stepped into this world—
Something felt… wrong.