LATER AT NIGHT.
Megara's boots thumped softly on the pavement as she stepped out of the car. The night air, thick with the scent of damp earth, did little to soothe the ache in her chest. Her house loomed before her, a silent witness to the afternoon's harsh words with her father. She pushed the memory aside, a familiar knot tightening in her stomach. He was who he was, stubborn and set in his ways, a trait she recognized with a wry twist of her lips – perhaps too well.
She offered Tobi a small wave as he blew her a kiss, the car's headlights sweeping across the compound before disappearing into the diffused glow of a distant streetlight.
The front door closed behind her with a soft thud. In the living room, her father sat hunched on the couch, his face buried in his hands. He looked up as she entered, his posture shifting from dejection to a hesitant relief. He reached for her, pulling her into a tight embrace.
His voice was thick, a raw edge to its usual calm. "I'm sorry, sweetheart. I should never have shouted. Truly sorry." He held her close, a tremor running through him. "I only wanted to make sure you were safe, that you have everything you need. Can you forgive me?"
Megara pulled back, her grey eyes, usually shimmering with warmth, held a steady, almost cool gaze as they met his. "I forgive you, Dad. I wasn't angry, not really. But I need some time to think, to understand everything that's happening." She turned towards the stairs. "I'm going to shower. I won't eat tonight; I already had dinner."
The words struck him, the casual statement echoing in the quiet room. "With whom, sweetie? I thought you never ate out." His voice was suddenly strained, laced with concern.
"I had dinner with Tobi, and... I made a new friend. Just wanted to tell you." She started up the stairs, pausing on the landing to face him. "Dad," she continued, her tone softer but firm, "people change. I'm not the same as I was."
He ran a hand through his hair, a gesture of agitation. "How was school today? Did you make any friends? Was anyone unkind to you?" He clung to the familiar questions, hoping for a thread of connection. "I know I'm not your mum, not a girl, but I still care about what happens to you."
Megara's nostrils flared, her fists clenching at her sides. A sudden wave of defensiveness washed over her, her heart pounding. "Please, Dad, don't mention anything about Regina. I'm just tired. I need to rest; tomorrow's another school day." Her voice sharpened, a hint of suppressed anger coloring her words. "Goodnight, Dad. I'll tell you about it when I'm ready. Right now, I just need to sleep."
He watched her ascend the remaining stairs, a sigh escaping his lips. Turning, he walked towards the kitchen. "Alright, sweetie. Goodnight, sweet dreams." He offered the words like a fragile peace offering as Megara disappeared into her room. "God help me be patient," he murmured to himself, his gaze fixed on her closed door. "Help Megara understand I'm only doing this because I care."
He sat heavily at the kitchen table, staring at the untouched plate of food. A heavy burden settled in his chest, a dull ache of worry and a profound sense of pity for his daughter. The night deepened, the rhythmic hooting of owls and the insistent chirping of crickets filling the silence, each sound amplifying the unspoken anxieties that hung heavy in the air. The future, like the darkness outside, held an unsettling uncertainty.
THE NEXT MORNING
The morning sun illuminated Jefferson Mansion as Uriel emerged, a picture of self-assured style. His burnt orange Balenciaga sweatpants and crème wool turtleneck short-sleeve shirt showcased the defined contours of his arm muscles and the smooth expanse of his pale skin. A JB headset rested casually around his neck, a diamond bronco pin sparkled on his chest, and a Gucci scarf was knotted jauntily around his head. Adidas Ozgaia sneakers grounded the high-fashion look. His emerald eyes, full lips, and a flawlessly sculpted Greek nose added to his striking presence, lending a regal air to his attire. He radiated confidence and effortless power.
Mariah, the head maid, approached, a Gucci mini Ophidia messenger bag held delicately in her hand. Her gaze remained fixed on the bag, carefully avoiding his piercing stare. "Young Master, your bag arrived this morning, as you requested," she said softly, extending the bag towards him.
A subtle smirk touched Uriel's lips as he accepted the bag, his eyes briefly lingering on the iconic logo. He slipped his phone inside, the soft click echoing slightly, before slinging the bag across his shoulder. He then strode towards his waiting Agusta A109s. The helicopter's blades began their rapid, rhythmic whir as the pilot prepared for ascent. Just then, Gabriel, the ever-present butler, waved frantically, signaling an immediate stop.
The pilot peered at Gabriel's small figure, then adjusted his microphone, a flicker of uncertainty in his eyes. "Young Master, the butler is waving. It appears he wishes to speak with you," he informed Uriel, awaiting his instructions.
Uriel's expression hardened, a vein throbbing visibly at his temple. "What else could he possibly say besides reiterating my deadbeat father's ludicrous decree forbidding me from using any aircraft?" he asked, his voice sharp with skepticism, causing the pilot to glance back again.
Gabriel, having procured a microphone from a nearby maid, switched it on and held it to his mouth. "Young Master," his voice resonated across the manicured lawns, "remember the explicit instructions of your father. You are strictly forbidden from using any aviation."
A defiant smirk stretched across Uriel's face as he leaned out of the helicopter window. "Tell my deadbeat father that I do precisely as I please, and he has absolutely no authority over my life!" he declared, before retracting his head and gesturing impatiently to the pilot. "Hurry up! If I'm even a minute late for school, I'll dock your pay."
Sinking into the luxurious embrace of the helicopter seat, he settled the black headset over his ears. The opening chords of the Backstreet Boys' "I Want It That Way" filled the cabin. His eyelids fluttered closed, the familiar melody resonating deep within him, momentarily eclipsing the world and its attendant anxieties.
IN SCHOOL
Megara stood before her locker, its door a blank canvas awaiting her personal touch. With meticulous care, she adorned it with yellow glitter star stickers, enhancing its aesthetic appeal. Taking her permanent marker, she inscribed the words "Christ in me the hope of all Glory," a serene smile gracing her lips as she opened the locker. Inside, she placed cherished photos: one of her father, and another of her with Tobi. Finally, she set about organizing her books, arranging each in its designated spot, a small smile playing on her lips before tucking her pencil case between the pages of a textbook.
The tranquility of the hallway was shattered by the furious stride of Brianna. Her heels clicked with sharp, staccato beats against the tiled floor, the angry sway of her uniform skirt mirroring the tempest in her eyes. Her curls bounced with each forceful step, and students instinctively parted, avoiding the palpable rage radiating from her. Oversized Chanel eyeglasses shielded her eyes, while layers of heavy makeup and a red painted lipstick attempted to conceal the depth of her fury. Reaching Megara's locker, she slammed the door shut with a resounding bang that echoed through the hall, instantly drawing the attention of onlookers who swiftly produced their phones to record the unfolding drama.
Megara bit down on her lower lip, a spark of anger igniting within her. She gently closed her locker and turned to face Brianna, whose fury seemed boundless. "Wow, Brianna, this is quite the spectacle," Megara remarked, folding her arms across her chest. "If you have a problem, come to me directly. Taking it out on an innocent locker isn't exactly a mature move. So, what's wrong, and what do you want?"
Brianna dramatically removed her eyeglasses, revealing eyes red with anger and irritation. She then unbuttoned her collar, exposing a rash on her skin. "Megara, look what you've done to me! Now I have to hide this eyesore under layers of makeup for three weeks!" she exclaimed, pointing an accusing finger at Megara, who remained unfazed.
As Megara took a step closer, Brianna instinctively recoiled, fear flickering in her eyes. "You don't look particularly good, I'll grant you that," Megara stated calmly, "but that's hardly my fault or my concern, Brianna. A frog landed on your face – what does that have to do with me?" She paused, and Brianna, though trembling momentarily, regained her composure. "Everyone saw what happened, so you can hardly blame me for your three weeks of discomfort."
Brianna tossed her hair over her shoulder with a dismissive gesture, her eyes, now magnified by her glasses, fixed on Megara with unconcealed animosity. "Megara," Brianna continued, her voice laced with a hint of mockery, "I'd advise you to ask for my forgiveness. You see, I'm the sun, and you're merely the dust I tread upon." She punctuated her words with a light poke to Brianna's chest. "If I decided to do anything to you right here, no one would defend you, and no one would question my actions. They obey me and would simply dismiss it as an accident or your own fault."
"Am I right, guys?" Brianna added, a wicked smirk playing on her lips.
"Yes, Brianna, it was her fault!" the onlookers chorused loudly.
Megara sniffed disdainfully, then leaned closer to Brianna, inhaling deeply before recoiling and pinching her nose. "Hmmmm, that's a strong stench. Smells like donkey dung, and for some reason, I think it's coming from you." Brianna staggered backward, surprise etched across her face. A collective gasp rippled through the observing students. "I never intended to be this blunt," Megara continued, "but you bullies have pushed me beyond my limits of patience, and it's not a virtue I possess."
Brianna lunged at Megara, grabbing her ponytail. Megara instinctively tried to pull away, careful not to yank her attacker like a rag doll to avoid further escalation and potential repercussions for her and her father. The crowd remained silent, watching the struggle without intervention. Brianna raised her hand, poised to strike, but before she could connect, Hugo appeared, yanking Brianna backward, causing her to fall heavily.
Megara gently cradled her ponytail, trying to soothe the throbbing pain. She looked up at Hugo, who pulled her into his arms, his gaze filled with concern as he examined her flushed face. "Hey, look at me, Meg. Are you okay?" he asked, his voice laced with worry. "What happened, Brianna? Why the hell would you grab her like that? Are you asking for trouble?"
Brianna bit her lip hard, the taste of blood almost metallic, her heart pounding in her chest. She had never witnessed Hugo this calm yet intensely angry. Could she be his girlfriend? No, surely not. But why is he defending her so fiercely? she wondered, her thoughts a whirlwind of confusion and jealousy. Looking at Hugo with pleading eyes, she spoke, "Hugo, it's not my fault. This lowlife provoked me. Look what she did to my face!"
Hugo's gaze shifted to Brianna, who removed her glasses, pointing to her visibly swollen face with a mixture of disgust and anger. "Are you deranged or just plain stupid?" Hugo's voice rose in volume, shocking the onlookers. "Who gave you the right to call her a lowlife? Apologize to her right now, or you'll be facing your transfer slip within the next minute."
"She will do no such thing!" A booming voice echoed from across the crowd. The collective gaze of the students shifted, a pathway forming to reveal the imposing figure of Uriel, with Zack flanking his side. The three kings were present, as always, yet a palpable tension hung in the air, a silent division between them. Hugo stood firm, his protective arm still wrapped around Megara's shoulders.
Uriel's eyes scanned Megara from her black boots upwards, finally settling on her face and then to Hugo's arm resting on her shoulder. "What an amusing spectacle! I decided to arrive a bit earlier than usual and am greeted by this… unprecedented scene," he remarked, turning to the silent crowd, expecting an explanation.
Brianna, seizing the opportunity, burst into exaggerated tears, dramatically displaying her swollen face to Uriel. "Uriel, look what this vixen did to my face! Now I have to endure this humiliation, and she has even seduced Hugo, forcing him to demand an apology from me!" she wailed, her words shocking both Hugo and Megara, who exchanged disbelieving glances at her theatrical performance.
Uriel silenced her with a sharp glare before walking towards Hugo and Megara. "Tsk, what a pity! Hugo, no one will apologize to her, not on my watch. And rest assured, you cannot protect her forever." Hugo frowned, turning towards Megara, who gently tapped his bicep.
Zack strode forward, snatching a phone from a nearby student before smashing it onto the ground and stomping on the remnants. "If any of you recorded this, I'll blow your fucking head off. Now scram!" he threatened, his voice booming through the hallway. The students quickly shoved their phones into their bags and fled.
Now, only Megara, Brianna, Hugo, Uriel, and Zack remained, locked in a silent battle, the tension escalating with each passing second as they awaited the inevitable victor.
"Hugo, please don't fight because of me," Megara said softly, pulling away from his embrace. "I'm not worth the trouble, and neither is she. Class is about to start, and I think I can handle myself." She opened her bag, handing him a water bottle before walking away. "I'll be in class, and your coffee is in the bottle, so I owe you nothing."
He watched her retreat towards her classroom, while Brianna stood rooted to the spot, a smug grin spreading across her face. She had achieved her initial goal, but this was just the beginning.
"Do you want me to call security, or would you prefer to leave on your own? Choose one, and I'll grant it," Uriel threatened, his voice hard and icy. "Scram!"
Brianna flinched, fear washing over her. Without a word, she turned and fled hastily. "Well done, Hugo. You may possess power and authority as a Z3, but don't forget that I call the shots here, and everyone obeys," Uriel stated confidently before turning and walking away, Zack following closely behind.
Zack glanced at Uriel's retreating figure before facing Hugo, who still looked visibly angry. "You should go check on Megara. I think she might need a doctor," he suggested before joining Uriel.
Hugo stared at the yellow water bottle in his hand, his anger slowly dissipating. He sighed in relief, reaching into his leather jacket to retrieve the Samsung phone he had finally bought for Megara. A small smile touched his lips as he turned and walked towards their private classroom, where Zack and Uriel had gone.