Evil eye

"Today, you have to find out who's going to have chicken for dinner!" Tim exclaims in the hallway, causing you to chuckle at the seriousness with which he addresses your friend Dummy.

"Give me a break, Tim, please... Yesterday it was COD, today it's PUBG. Are you that **** to beat me? Let me rest in peace, my friend," Dummy replies, fatigue evident in his voice.

"No! When you challenge me, you must bear the consequences of victory! Come on, Lasse, today I'm definitely having chicken for dinner!" Tim retorts, and you can't help but laugh at his and Dummy's exchanges. All the while, you're oblivious to the figure sneaking up behind you until she greets Dummy with a light punch on his shoulder.

"Hey, Lasse, have you and Tim finished your game yet?" You turn towards the source of the voice. It's Laura, another close friend of yours. You've known her for a long time; she's your second-best friend after Tim. Now, she's also a friend of Dummy's. Following her is Juliette, a close friend of Laura's who has a disliking towards you.

"Hey, Laura, and... Juliette, h... hi..." Dummy greets them, but Juliette ignores him and continues on her way, knocking him down as she goes.

"Hey!!" You yell at Juliette, but she merely glances over her shoulder before continuing on her way, ignoring your calls for an apology.

"Juliette, come back here and apologize to him!" You continue to shout, but Dummy pulls you back, shaking his head in resignation.

You remember Juliette because she's been friends with Laura since childhood. You also recall that she has an unexplained dislike for you.

Juliette is an athlete, excelling at multiple sports provided by the school, with her most exceptional talent being pole vaulting. Her skill level has earned her a significant scholarship and national recognition. However, her motivations remain a mystery to you.

Rumours from Kaya's friends suggest Juliette harbours a crush on Laura. But despite working hard to prove her worthiness to Laura, she has yet to gather the courage to confess her feelings.

As you watch Juliette walk away, her gaze fixated on Dummy and Laura, Dummy reassures you, "Let it go, Kaya, I'm fine." He dusts himself off and picks up his bag from the floor.

You're still flustered by Juliette's actions. "She knocked you down, and you didn't do anything to provoke her. Why is she suddenly acting out?"

Dummy soothes your concerns. "I know, I know, but it's over. Next time, we should avoid her," he advises.

Laura, who has been silent until now, apologizes on Juliette's behalf. "She was in a bad mood because the rain made her wet. Are you alright?"

"I'm fine, Laura, just bumped into a locker a bit, but nothing is damaged," Dummy responds, showing her his undamaged bag.

Your conversation is interrupted by Tim's crude comments, causing you to reprimand him for his insensitivity.

Regardless, Dummy manages to mediate the situation, urging both you and Tim to calm down. You whisper a promise to discuss the matter with him later, to which he nods in agreement.

Laura then invites you all to eat together, offering to buy Dummy a drink as an apology. Tim insists on joining, promising not to pester Dummy about games. Dummy extends the invitation to you, but you decline, citing plans with other friends.

After the group disperses, you can't help but sense the hostile gaze from the surrounding students. You try not to panic; you realize that those from the department have already infiltrated the school.