Protector (TFP)

ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ᴛᴇɴ -ᴀ ʀᴜᴅᴇ ᴀᴡᴀᴋᴇɴɪɴɢ-

"We should probably get to class, especially since I don't want to get any more detention," I muttered, shuddering at the memory. The weight of the encounter with Vince still lingered, leaving a sour taste in my mouth. The joke, however, seemed to lift the mood, and Raf couldn't help but snort as he started his journey to class.

"I'll see you later?" he wondered, pausing for a moment. I grinned sheepishly, shoulders relaxing slightly.

"Actually, I've got work tonight, so probably not," He nodded understandingly, waving as he turned.

"See you tomorrow then!" With those parting words, we exchanged goodbyes. Miko still seemed disgruntled, her frustration evident, but I chose to ignore it for the time being. I only hoped she wouldn't do anything stupid.

Quickly, I rushed to my class, praying to any higher power that I'd make it in time. Luckily, I did, the teacher not even sparing me a second glance as I stealthily snuck into her classroom. While the day had started somewhat intensely, the rest had been as boring as usual, and it wasn't long before I was in my last-period class.

The history class seemed to stretch on indefinitely, each minute dragging on as the teacher droned on and on. I let out a breath as the teacher continued to talk, barely paying attention. My notes, which had started as neat bullet points, now were abstract doodles, evidence of my non-existent interest.

Miko, my partner in academic suffering, leaned back in her chair, seeming to feel the same overwhelming boredom I felt. However, the girl wasn't even trying to pretend she was paying attention. Instead, she busied herself with some game on her flip phone, the soft keys of the pad barely audible over the lecture.

How is this class not over yet? I thought, my head gently thudding against the notebook as I laid on my notes in defeat. At this rate, I'm going to die of boredom. If I die, make sure to tell my mother I love her and give Miko my slash monkey poster; I know she'll cherish it forever-

A gentle tap on the side of my head interrupted my dramatic inner monologue. Slowly lifting my head, I spotted a crumpled ball of paper on the ground. I deadpanned, staring at the smirking perpetrator sitting at the desk beside me. Miko met my stare with a cheeky grin, her eyes sparking with a glint of mischief.

Never mind, you no longer get the poster. Watching the teacher for a moment, Miko waited until her back was turned before leaning closer to me. "Vince needs a taste of his own medicine," she whispered. I only shook my head, turning my attention back to my notes.

"Don't even think about it," Miko groaned, throwing her hands up in the air as she shot me a disbelieving stare.

"You didn't even consider it!" The girl angrily whispered, quickly stealing a glance at the teacher. However, the teacher continued to talk, unaware of our "discreet" conversation. After making sure the coast was clear, I answered her.

"As much as I don't like Vince, Raf said to leave him be." I quietly reminded her, tapping her nose with my pencil. Her face scrunched, her brows furrowing as she crossed her arms.

"Raf is too nice for his own good. Anyway, it doesn't have to be super big. Just something to get back at him." As much as I was trying to act uninterested, I couldn't help but be tempted. Miko wasn't wrong, and the images of Raf's project from this morning sparked the tiniest flame of anger. Her smile grew as she watched my determination slowly waver, an evil glint in her eye.

"Come on... I know you wanna." Chestnut hues locked mine in a silent exchange, both locked in a battle of will. Finally, after a moment, I sighed, slumping in defeat.