🌹 THE ROSEGLID INTERNATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
Episode 4 — "Not Your Enemy"
At the far end of
Roseglid International High School
where most students never bothered to go…
the air felt different.
Quieter.
Softer.
The Rose River flowed slowly, reflecting sunlight like liquid gold. Beside it stood the Rose Bridge, old but elegant, covered in vines and tiny blooming roses.
And there—
lying on the grass like she didn't have a single problem in the world—
was
Ashylene Rae Valyne.
One arm under her head. Phone beside her, music playing out loud.
No headphones.
Big mistake.
She sighed, eyes half closed.
"…should've brought them."
The breeze moved her hair slightly.
For a second, she looked peaceful.
For a second.
Then—
noise.
Shouting.
A rough laugh.
A sharp "Move, idiot—"
Ash's eyes snapped open.
"…of course," she muttered.
She pushed herself up slightly, crawling forward just enough to peek over the small slope.
Two familiar faces.
Noah.
Blake.
Cornered.
Three guys from another section stood around them.
One shoved Blake lightly.
"Thought you guys were big deals, huh?"
Blake rolled his eyes. "Bro, your insults are outdated."
Another grabbed Noah's collar.
"Say that again."
Noah didn't even react.
"Statistically," he said calmly, "you're making poor decisions."
Ash blinked.
"…yeah no," she said under her breath.
She reached behind her, grabbing her geometry box.
Stood up.
Walked forward.
Slow.
Casual.
Like she was just passing by.
Until—
she wasn't.
The metal box flew out of her hand.
Straight.
Precise.
It smacked into one bully's shoulder.
"WHAT THE—"
Before he could turn—
Ash was already there.
A sharp punch landed on the second guy's face—not overdone, just enough to knock him back.
The third one froze.
Ash cracked her knuckles slightly.
"My geometry," she said calmly, picking it up, "has a habit of slipping."
Blake blinked.
"…did she just—"
Noah adjusted his sleeve, completely unfazed.
Ash tilted her head.
"You guys done?" she asked the bullies.
They exchanged looks.
Decided very quickly—
not worth it.
And ran.
Ash dusted her hands like she just completed a small task.
Turned to Noah and Blake.
Looked them up and down.
"You alive?"
Blake nodded slowly. "Yeah…"
Noah studied her.
"You intervened."
Ash shrugged.
"Don't make it deep. I hate noise."
Then she pointed at them.
"I accept payment in food or boba."
Blake blinked again. "Payment??"
Ash started walking away.
"And don't be a loan shark about it. I'm not paying interest on saving you."
She paused.
Looked over her shoulder.
"Next time, try not to look so helpless."
Then left.
Just like that.
Back in Section F—
the class was loud as always.
Blake slammed his hands on the desk.
"BRO— SHE JUST WALKED IN AND HANDLED THEM—"
Kai laughed. "You? Getting saved?"
Jett grinned. "I need video proof."
"It's true," Blake insisted. "She threw a geometry box like a weapon—"
"Sounds fake," Rowan said calmly.
Noah walked in behind him.
Silence shifted slightly.
Kai looked at him. "You too?"
Noah sat down.
"Yes."
That shut a few people up.
Blake pointed. "SEE??"
Jett leaned back. "Damn… new girl's got hands."
From the back—
Damien Alexander Sinclair
watched quietly.
Expression unreadable.
But his eyes?
Focused.
The door opened.
The teacher walked in.
And behind him—
Ash.
The room quieted.
Not fully.
But enough.
The teacher placed a file on the desk.
"I've had enough of this section," he said. "We are minimizing records, not maximizing them."
Blake whispered, "Too late for that."
The teacher continued.
"And Miss Valyne—"
Ash leaned against the wall, arms crossed.
"Yes, sir?"
"Punching students is not a sport."
A boy from the side muttered loudly—
"She doesn't look like she can even fight. Doll girl."
A few snickers.
Ash's head tilted slightly.
Slowly.
The teacher paused.
"Oh really?" he said.
He opened the file.
Adjusted his glasses.
"Let's see…"
Silence built.
"Ashylene Rae Valyne…"
Flip.
"34 suspensions."
Flip.
"56 violations."
The class froze.
Completely.
All eyes turned to her.
Even Blake.
"…what."
Ash didn't move.
Didn't react.
Just looked at the boy who mocked her.
And mouthed slowly—
"Doll girl?"
With a smirk.
He looked away instantly.
Lunch break.
For the first time—
Ash didn't sit alone.
She walked into the cafeteria.
Paused.
Because—
an entire table of Section F was looking at her.
Blake waved.
"Yo. Sit."
She raised a brow.
"…this an interrogation?"
Kai smirked. "Nah. Appreciation lunch."
She walked over.
Sat down casually.
"Good. I don't answer questions for free."
Jett pushed a drink toward her.
"Payment," he said.
She looked at it.
Then at him.
"…you learn fast."
Noah sat beside her.
Quiet.
Comfortable.
Blake leaned forward.
"So like… who taught you to fight?"
Ash shrugged.
"Life."
Kai grinned. "That's not an answer."
She took a sip of her drink.
"It's the only one you're getting."
They laughed.
And just like that—
something shifted.
She wasn't just "the new girl" anymore.
She was part of the table.
From across the cafeteria—
Damien watched.
Silent.
Still.
His jaw tightened slightly.
She was getting close.
Too close.
To them.
To his circle.
And the plan?
It was working.
But something about it…
didn't feel right anymore.
Later—
Ash walked alone near the Rose Bridge again.
The sky turning soft orange.
She leaned on the railing.
Quiet.
For once.
Footsteps behind her.
She didn't turn.
"Following me now?" she said.
Silence.
Then—
Damien's voice.
"Don't flatter yourself."
She smiled faintly.
"Too late."
He stepped beside her.
Close.
But not too close.
"You fight for people you barely know," he said.
She looked at the water.
"I fight for peace and quiet."
"That's a lie."
She glanced at him.
"And you care too much for someone who doesn't."
Their eyes met.
Tension again.
But different this time.
Less sharp.
More… complicated.
Night.
Damien sat in his room.
Phone in hand.
A message open.
From an unknown contact.
A photo.
Blurry.
But visible enough.
Ash.
At the Rose Bridge.
With Noah earlier.
And another message under it:
"You sure she's not hiding something bigger?"
Damien's grip tightened.
His eyes darkened.
"…good," he whispered.
But his voice didn't sound satisfied.
It sounded…
uneasy.
🌹 END OF EPISODE 4