Xerxes sprinted through the hallways, dodging a group of students loitering near the lockers. Damn it. Late again. He had planned to wake up early, but somehow, his bed had felt like the most comfortable thing in the world this morning.
As he reached the classroom door, he exhaled sharply, straightened his shirt, and knocked three times before pushing it open.
The moment he stepped inside, a voice from the back rang out.
"Oh look, Romeo is always five minutes late!"
A ripple of chuckles spread across the room. Xerxes resisted the urge to roll his eyes. Right. I flirt once, and now I've got a reputation. He ran a hand through his hair as he strolled to his seat, unfazed.
At the front, Ms. Ivy Laurent stood with her arms crossed, giving him an unimpressed look. "Lost in your thoughts again, Mr. Raven?"
Xerxes smirked. More like lost in my sleep, but sure. Instead, he shot back, "Nope, I knew exactly where I was—just running on 'Romeo Standard Time.'"
Laughter broke out across the room. Even Ms. Laurent's stern expression twitched as if fighting off a smile before she sighed.
"Take your seat, Mr. Raven. Before you start believing you're the main character in a romance novel."
Xerxes slid into his chair with a smirk. "Too late for that, Miss."
Another round of laughter followed, and even Ms. Laurent shook her head in amusement.
Alright, survived another late entrance. Let's see if I can survive the rest of the day.
Xerxes scanned the classroom, his sharp eyes darting from one face to another. Where the hell is Dick?
But instead of finding his target, his gaze locked onto Seraphina. She was already looking at him. Caught off guard? Curious? He couldn't tell, but he wasn't about to let the moment go to waste. A smirk tugged at his lips as he sent her a playful wink.
"So, does that make you my Juliet?"
Seraphina's reaction was instant—her face flushed a deep red, her lips parted as if to fire back, but no words came out. Damn, too easy.
Before she could recover, a familiar voice cut through the moment.
"Ah, young love in the air," Ms. Laurent mused from the front of the room, arms crossed, an amused smirk on her face.
A few chuckles rippled through the class, and Seraphina groaned, shrinking into her seat. If looks could kill, Xerxes would've dropped dead right then and there. But he just grinned.
"Alright, lovebirds, settle down. Class is starting," Ms. Laurent continued, tapping the desk for order.
Xerxes stretched, leaning back in his chair, still amused. Guess I'm Romeo now. Not bad, but I don't plan on drinking any poison.
As the lecture started, his focus shifted. Right, back to business. He glanced around once more—this time, spotting Dick.
Two seats away.
How the hell did I miss him earlier? The answer sat right in front of him—another student blocking his view.
Xerxes adjusted his posture, casually tilting his head. His eyes locked onto Dick, and with a small but deliberate motion, he gave the signal.
After class. We need to talk.
Dick saw it. His body tensed.
Good. He knows what's coming.
Xerxes leaned back, watching as Dick shifted uncomfortably in his seat. The lecture droned on, but for him, the real lesson would begin once the class was over.
Would Dick try to run? Or would he stay and face what was coming?
Either way, Xerxes was ready.
Ms. Laurent stood at the front of the room, explaining the finer points of the lesson with practiced ease. Most of the class was zoning in and out, some furiously scribbling notes while others subtly checked their phones under the desks. But one person, surprisingly, was laser-focused.
Xerxes Raven.
His eyes were locked on Ms. Laurent, his expression serious, as if absorbing every word she said. This didn't go unnoticed.
Ms. Laurent smirked, placing a hand on her hip. "Well, this is rare. Mr. Raven, actually paying attention?"
A few chuckles echoed around the room.
Xerxes, without missing a beat, leaned back in his chair and shot her a lazy grin. "Of course, Miss. How could I possibly take my eyes off you?"
The class went silent for half a second.
Then—
"BRO—AGAIN?!"
"HE DID NOT JUST SAY THAT."
"Xerxes, I swear, you have no shame."
"Man's too smooth, it's illegal."
Even Ms. Laurent arched an eyebrow, amusement dancing in her sharp eyes. She sighed dramatically before shaking her head. "If you're so focused on me, then surely you understand today's lesson?"
Xerxes gave a one-shouldered shrug. "Obviously."
"Good. Come solve this problem on the board."
The class roared with laughter as Xerxes groaned but stood up anyway. He made his way to the board, grabbing the chalk and looking at the problem with a smirk. Easy.
As he scribbled his answer down, Ms. Laurent crossed her arms and casually asked, "By the way, Mr. Raven, why transfer schools in your sophomore year?"
Xerxes didn't even pause. "Ah, well… I had a special relationship with my professor at my last school."
The classroom EXPLODED.
"BRO?!"
"SIR, YOU CAN'T JUST DROP THAT INFO LIKE THAT."
"NO WAY THIS MAN JUST SAID THAT."
Seraphina nearly choked on air. What the hell does he mean by 'special relationship'?!
Ms. Laurent tilted her head, unimpressed. "Is that so?"
Xerxes smirked, then spun toward Seraphina, locking eyes with her before adding smoothly, "Nah, I was just kidding. Truth is, that school didn't have Seraphina Cross."
He sent her a wink.
Seraphina's face burned instantly. Oh my god—
The classroom was WILD.
"OH, HE'S A MENACE."
"SERA, HE'S TALKING ABOUT YOU."
"CALL THE POLICE, HE'S TOO SMOOTH."
Seraphina groaned, hiding her face in her hands. Why me?!
Xerxes, satisfied with the chaos he'd caused, turned back to the board and finished his answer. He stepped aside, dusting his hands off with confidence.
Ms. Laurent inspected his work, then nodded. "Correct."
Before Xerxes could bask in his success, she made a face.
"…But what the hell is that handwriting?"
The entire class leaned forward, squinting at the board.
"What is that, ancient runes?!"
"Bro, are those even letters?"
"Xerxes writes like a serial killer."
"This looks like a secret code, we need a translator."
Someone from the back chuckled. "Damn, man, you smooth talk like a poet but write like a doctor on caffeine overdose."
Another voice chimed in. "How can a guy who spits the slickest lines have handwriting rougher than his love life?"
Laughter erupted again, and even Ms. Laurent shook her head in exasperation. "Sit down, Mr. Raven, before I start deducting points for crimes against handwriting."
Xerxes sighed dramatically, placing a hand over his heart. "This is why I type everything, Miss."
Seraphina, still recovering from his earlier comment, snuck a glance at the board. ...Yeah, no. That's unreadable. But despite herself, she found her lips twitching into a small smile.
With a satisfied smirk, Xerxes strolled back to his seat, stretching his arms behind his head.
As soon as Ms. Laurent bid her goodbye, students started chatting and packing up. Xerxes casually stacked his notebooks, sliding them into his bag.
"Damn, you really took the spotlight today, man."
"Yeah, smooth-talking the professor and then flexing your math skills? What a combo."
"Except for the handwriting—"
"Yeah, we're still filing a petition to get you a personal scribe."
Xerxes chuckled, ready to fire back, when—
FWIP!
A blur shot past the classroom door.
Dick.
The guy ran faster than Ms. Laurent herself, slipping away before anyone else even stood up.
Xerxes' eyes widened. He's running?
Without a second thought, he grabbed his bag and made a move, but—
"Whoa, whoa, chill, dude!"
"Damn, where's the fire?"
"Yo, where you off to?"
A group of students blocked his way, their curiosity chaining him in place.
Xerxes let out an exasperated sigh, raising his hands. "Sorry, guys. Not ignoring you, but I really gotta catch someone right now."
He maneuvered through them, brushing past stunned expressions.
Behind him, Seraphina watched, her brows furrowing.
Why is he in such a rush? Why is he chasing that guy?
Her gaze flickered toward the door, then back to Xerxes' retreating figure.
Her mind flashed back to Dick's face from earlier—tense, almost… fearful.
Could it be… he's a bully?
That thought alone made her stomach churn. No, that didn't add up—he was cocky, flirty, annoying even, but bullying? He didn't seem the type.
Then, her mind drifted back to the moment in class when Ms. Laurent asked why he transferred.
His answer was a joke.
A distraction.
And just now, he avoided another conversation, like he had something more important—something urgent—to deal with.
Her curiosity burned hotter. There's more to him than he lets on.
And I'm going to find out what it is.
Meanwhile, Dick's thoughts raced as he sprinted through the hallways.
He saw me.
He knows.
And now he's coming after me.
His heart pounded as he swerved past a group of students.
No. I can't let him corner me.
Xerxes burst out of the classroom, his eyes scanning the hallway. Damn it, where'd he go?!
He spun toward the nearest group of students loitering by the lockers. "Hey, did you see where Dick went?"
One of them snorted immediately. "Dude, which one? There's a lot of dicks in this school."
Another student burst out laughing. "You mean the Dick? Dick Ryder?"
Xerxes groaned. "Yes. The one who just ran past here like his life depended on it."
The first student smirked. "Oh yeah, Ryder's always ridin'—straight to the nearest exit when things get rough."
"Yeah, I saw him. He bolted toward the stairs."
Xerxes didn't wait for more jokes. He was already moving, his footsteps echoing through the hallway.
Dick, you slippery bastard. Why are you running?
Meanwhile, Dick was practically flying down the stairs two steps at a time. His heart pounded in his chest.
No way. No freaking way. He's after me.
His mind flashed back to that moment in the classroom—their eyes meeting.
He knows. He knows something.
But how? What does he want from me?!
Xerxes reached the stairwell, skidding slightly as he turned to another group of students lounging by the railing. "You see a guy run through here? Shorter than me. Wears glasses. Looks like he's running from the cops."
One of them smirked. "Oh, you mean Dick Ryder?"
Another one chimed in. "Man, Dick's really living up to his name today. He's Ryder-ing for his life."
Xerxes pinched the bridge of his nose. "Yes. And where exactly is he 'Ryder-ing' to?"
One of the guys pointed toward the campus courtyard. "Saw him heading that way, man. Looked like he had a ghost on his tail."
Perfect.
Xerxes smirked. Alright, Dick. Let's see how far you can run.
With that, he shot down the stairs, hot on his trail.
Xerxes was sprinting down the stairs, laser-focused on catching up to Dick, when—
THUD!
He crashed into someone, sending them tumbling back.
Damn it! Not now!
Xerxes barely managed to regain his balance, but the person he bumped into wasn't so lucky. A tray of food went flying—burger, fries, cola, and an extra side of chaos. The drink exploded mid-air, splattering everywhere. The burger did a full 360 before hitting the ground with a tragic splat.
This is the worst timing ever.
Xerxes immediately reached out, grabbing the girl's hand and helping her up. "Crap, I'm so sorry. Are you alright?"
The girl blinked up at him, her brown eyes wide with shock. She wasn't even registering the mess around her.
Oh… oh my god. He's hot.
Chloe Arden felt her heart slam against her ribs. She had seen good-looking guys before, but this? This was like running into a movie star.
Xerxes, still internally cursing his luck, kept his face straight. Why now? Why her? Why a flying burger? Fate, are you messing with me?
Chloe, on the other hand, was stuck in a completely different crisis. Is this love at first sight? No, no way—wait, but maybe?? Look at his jawline. Look at his EYES. Look at—wait, why is he staring at me? SAY SOMETHING, CHLOE!
Xerxes cleared his throat. "What's your name?"
Chloe snapped out of her trance. "Chloe Arden! Second-year—Civil Engineering! I, uh—yeah, that's me!"
Xerxes raised an eyebrow at her enthusiasm but nodded. "Right. Look, I'm really sorry about this. I'll make it up to you later—I'll find you and pay for your food. And your clothes." He glanced at the soda-stained fabric. "Damn, that's a mess."
Chloe was still staring. Did he just say he's going to find me? As in, look for me? As in, remember me?!
Before she could say anything else, Xerxes continued, "But first—did you see Dick come this way?"
Chloe blinked. "Wait, what?"
Xerxes sighed. "Dick Ryder. Glasses. Runs like he's being hunted."
Chloe shook her head, trying to focus. "Oh! Yeah, he's probably at the shade near the courtyard. I always see him there."
Xerxes gave her a quick nod. "Thanks, Chloe. See you later." Then, with that same effortless cool, he turned and sprinted off.
Chloe stood there, frozen, staring after him.
See you later.
See you later.
He said he'd see me later.
A group of students who had just witnessed everything walked up to her. One of them cautiously waved a hand in front of her face. "Uh… Chloe? You good?"
Another one pointed at the disaster zone on the floor. "Your food didn't survive, man."
Chloe finally snapped back to reality, touching her cheek in disbelief.
"…I think I just fell in love."
The students exchanged amused looks.
"Damn. Dude really hit her with a 'bump and run' and stole her heart in the process."
"Forget Dick Ryder, we got Chloe Faller over here."
Dick lay sprawled on the pavement near the courtyard, his chest rising and falling rapidly as he struggled to catch his breath. His entire body was drenched in sweat, his arms weak, his legs trembling. He had never run this hard before—not even during PE.
I can't… I can't keep running…
He barely had time to process anything before a sharp voice cut through the air.
"DICK RYDER!"
Dick flinched at the sound of his name being yelled out loud. His already exhausted body tensed up, his breath hitching. Slowly, he turned his head and saw Xerxes walking toward him. No—stalking toward him.
Oh crap, oh crap, oh crap! His mind spiraled into panic. It's over. I'm dead. My college life is over. No—my actual life is over.
Xerxes' steps were slow and deliberate, his expression unreadable. The closer he got, the heavier the air around Dick felt.
Why does he look so intimidating right now?!
Finally, Xerxes stopped in front of him, looking down at his pathetic, sweaty mess of a form. Dick, without even thinking, blurted out, "I'm sorry!"
Xerxes blinked, confused. Huh? I haven't even said anything yet.
Dick kept rambling, his voice shaking, his words barely making sense. "I—I swear I didn't say anything! But now that you know, my college life is done for! It's over! It's gonna be worse now! I'm screwed!"
Xerxes narrowed his eyes. What the hell is this guy even talking about?
For a moment, he just stared at Dick, trying to piece together his panicked words. Did he just confess to something? What exactly do I 'know' now?
Meanwhile, Dick kept muttering under his breath, clutching his head like a man who had already accepted his doom.
Xerxes crossed his arms. Alright. I was just gonna ask him a few things, but now I'm curious.
He crouched down slightly, his tone casual. "You mind explaining what exactly I 'know' now?"
Dick froze. His already pale face somehow got even paler.
Oh, shit.
Dick was still panting, his breath uneven, when a loud voice cut through the tense moment.
"DICK RYDER!"
Dick flinched—again. But this time, it wasn't Xerxes calling his name.
His face twisted in sheer dread. Oh no. No, no, no, no!
Xerxes raised a brow. Another one? He turned his head just in time to see a tall, broad-shouldered guy approaching with a confident swagger, flanked by two others. The guy's expression was twisted into an irritated smirk, his presence practically screaming "trouble."
Dick let out a nervous laugh, barely above a whisper. "Xerxes… your boss is here."
Xerxes' brows furrowed. My what now?
He turned back to Dick with a deadpan look. "The hell are you talking about?"
But Dick wasn't even paying attention to him anymore. He was already scrambling to sit up, his hands raised as if in surrender. "Troy! I—I wasn't running away from you! I swear!"
Xerxes glanced back at the approaching trio, finally realizing what was happening. Oh. So that's Troy Maddox. And these guys… yeah, I recognize them.
Troy's smirk widened as he came to a stop, cracking his knuckles. "You sure about that, Ryder? 'Cause I'm pretty damn sure I saw you sprinting like your life depended on it."
Dick swallowed hard. Because it did!
Before Dick could stammer out another excuse, Xerxes let out an amused chuckle, cutting in.
"You've got it all wrong, Dick." He grinned, eyes glinting with something unreadable. "That's not my boss."
Dick blinked, confused. "Huh?"
Xerxes took a step forward, standing between him and Troy.
"That's my prey."
For a second, there was silence.
Troy's confident smirk twitched slightly. His two lackeys exchanged quick, uncertain glances. Dick? He just about stopped breathing.
What… what did he just say?
Xerxes rolled his shoulders, his grin widening ever so slightly as he locked eyes with Troy. Alright, let's see how this goes.
Dick groaned as Xerxes yanked him up, his legs trembling like they could give out at any moment. Before he could even steady himself, Xerxes quipped, "Damn, Dick, can't even stand up straight? What, you limp or something?"
Dick shot him an exhausted glare. I swear this guy's mouth is more dangerous than these bullies.
Xerxes just chuckled and threw an arm around Dick's shoulder, dragging him forward as he faced the trio. "Alright, boys, here's the deal—me and my buddy Dick here are heading out for some lunch. He's treating."
The three bullies scowled. Troy's jaw clenched, Zane's brows furrowed, and Damien muttered, "What the hell did he just say?"
Dick's eyes widened in horror. "The fuck do you mean, I'm treating?!" He turned to the trio, whose expressions were a mix of confusion and growing rage. "Dude, do you want me to die?!"
Xerxes just smirked. Got 'em right where I want 'em.
Troy stepped forward, his nostrils flaring. "You think you can just take what's mine?" His voice was low, dangerous.
Zane added, "You got some nerve, man."
Damien cracked his knuckles. "Hope you can back it up."
Xerxes ignored them, casually turning away as if they weren't even there. "Come on, Dick, let's go before the food gets cold."
Dick whispered frantically, "You do not understand what you just did. My life is officially over."
Xerxes chuckled. "Nah, it's just getting interesting."
Dick gulped, looking over his shoulder. The trio was fuming, their footsteps heavy as they followed. Their anger radiated off them like heat waves. This is bad. This is really bad. These guys will kill me just for being next to this lunatic.
As they walked, Dick hissed under his breath, "Dude, Troy Maddox is a full-fledged gangster. And the other two? Just a bunch of parasites sucking up to him."
Xerxes tilted his head slightly. "Oh yeah?"
"Yeah!" Dick's voice was almost a whimper. "They'll jump us as soon as we leave campus. I guarantee it."
Xerxes exhaled through his nose, his fingers subtly clenching around his lighter. Good. His free hand slid into his pocket, fingers wrapping around his pen.
Behind them, Troy exchanged a glance with Zane and Damien.
Zane whispered, "They're making this too easy."
Damien grinned. "Let them think they're getting away. We'll smash 'em the second they step off campus."
Troy nodded, his eyes dark and dangerous. Cocky little shit. We'll see if he's still smiling in five minutes.
As soon as Xerxes and Dick stepped off the school grounds, Xerxes whispered, "Run."
Dick's entire soul left his body. "WHAT?!"
"Just run, man."
Dick didn't have the energy to argue. His survival instincts kicked in, and he bolted, his legs barely holding him up. I can't… I can't… His lungs burned, his body screaming in protest. I swear, if I survive this, I'm never running again.
Dick could barely keep his legs moving, his breath ragged as he stumbled forward. Why the hell am I running again? Oh right, because I don't want to die! His legs burned, every step feeling like his knees were about to give out. The sweat dripping from his forehead blurred his vision, but he didn't dare slow down. The heavy footsteps behind him sent a jolt of fear through his spine.
Xerxes, on the other hand, was grinning. This wasn't even a sprint for him—it was a light jog. Man, it's been a while since I felt this thrill. The chase, the tension, the incoming fight—beautiful. He adjusted his grip on the lighter in his pocket, feeling the weight press against his palm. His other hand rested near his pen, ready to pull it out if needed. Three guys, huh? Wonder if they'll come at me all at once or if they'll be stupid enough to take turns.
Behind them, Troy Maddox's face twisted with anger. "These little shits—running like they got a chance," he muttered, his breathing controlled but his patience wearing thin. They think they can just embarrass me and get away? No fucking way. His fists clenched, veins popping as adrenaline surged through his body.
Zane Holloway, lagging slightly behind, groaned in frustration. "Damn, why are we even chasing these losers? We could've jumped 'em back there." Troy's making this too dramatic. Just beat the shit outta the kid already.
Damien Holt chuckled, clearly enjoying the thrill. "Nah, this is better. Let 'em run. They'll tire out, and then we'll enjoy every second of what comes next." There's nothing better than watching someone break when they realize they can't escape.
As they turned the last corner, the alley where Dick had once been cornered came into view.
Dick's heart dropped. Oh hell no. Not again. NOT AGAIN! His lungs burned, his legs felt like they were made of cement, and his entire body screamed at him to stop. He didn't need to turn around to know they were right behind him.
Xerxes exhaled through his nose, still smirking. Perfect.
The moment they entered the alley, Xerxes yanked Dick by the collar and shoved him aside. "Alright, enough cardio," he muttered. His eyes locked onto the trio. His casual smirk remained, but his posture shifted slightly—his weight settling, his stance loose but ready.
Troy slowed his steps, grinning as he cracked his knuckles. "End of the road, dipshits."
Zane scoffed. "Not so cocky now, huh?"
Damien rolled his shoulders. "Let's make this quick."
Dick, still struggling to catch his breath, looked at Xerxes with pure terror in his eyes. "W-We're dead."
Xerxes simply rolled his neck, the bones cracking as he exhaled. "Nah." He reached into his pocket, fingers wrapping around the lighter.
Then, with a grin that sent chills down Dick's spine, he muttered, "Now the real fun begins."
Meanwhile, back in the classroom, as Sera glanced around the classroom, her mind was already racing. Where is he? She frowned slightly, trying not to make it obvious that she was looking for someone in particular. Xerxes and Dick should be here by now…
"Looking for someone?" a voice chimed in, snapping her out of her thoughts.
She turned, only to find one of her classmates smirking at her.
Damn it, was I that obvious? She quickly shook her head. "No, I was just—"
"Ohhh, you're searching for Xerxes, aren't you?" Another classmate grinned, leaning in with amusement.
"No!" she said a little too quickly. Ugh, get it together, Sera! "I was actually looking for Reina Vaughn."
Her classmate gave her a skeptical look. "Reina Vaughn? But this isn't even her subject."
Shit. She had messed up.
"R-Right, I knew that. I just… I thought this was also her class," she said with an awkward chuckle, hoping to brush it off.
Another student nearby snickered. What a weak excuse. "Why would an Architecture student attend an Entrepreneurship lecture?"
Sera forced another chuckle, but internally, she was dying. Kill me now.
As she quickly walked to her seat, she could feel their eyes on her.
"Don't worry, Juliet," one of them teased. "Your Romeo will come back soon!"
The entire group burst into laughter, and Sera felt her face heat up. I swear, I'm never looking around the class again!
As she sat down, she tried to focus on anything else, gripping her pen tightly. But no matter how much she tried to push it aside, one thought kept creeping back in.
Where the hell are Xerxes and Dick? Class is about to start…
Meanwhile, her classmates exchanged amused looks.
"Damn, she's totally into him."
"No way she was looking for Reina Vaughn. That was the worst cover-up ever."
"Xerxes has been here for like a day, and he already has Juliet wrapped around his finger, huh?"
Sera, unaware of their thoughts, buried her face in her notebook. I hate all of them.
A few minutes later, the classroom door swung open, drawing the attention of a few students. Sera barely noticed at first—until she realized her eyes had flicked toward the entrance on instinct, her anticipation rising.
It's him… right?
She straightened slightly in her seat, only for her excitement to deflate the moment Professor Adrian Calloway stepped inside. His presence was followed by a wave of hushed murmurs, and then another figure entered right behind him—Dick.
Sera blinked, watching as the exhausted boy trudged in, looking as if he had run ten laps around the campus. His shirt clung slightly to his back with sweat, his hair was messier than usual, and there was a distinct lack of life in his eyes. What happened to him?
But before she could think further, she caught herself glancing past Dick, waiting… waiting…
The door slowly swung shut.
No Xerxes.
A chorus of whispers and snickers rippled through the room.
"Aw, too bad, Sera. It's just Dick, not Romeo."
"Yeah, where's the star of the show? Maybe he's out reciting sonnets under someone's window."
"Or he's just five minutes late again. Gotta keep that dramatic Romeo timing, huh?" another student added with a laugh.
Sera felt her face warm slightly, but she quickly masked it with an eye roll. They're so annoying. She grabbed her pen and tapped it against her notebook, forcing herself to focus anywhere but on the teasing.
I wasn't looking for him. I was just… curious. That's all.
The murmurs quieted as Professor Calloway cleared his throat and glanced around the room. His sharp eyes scanned the class before settling into a mild frown.
"Romeo? Do we have a Romeo in this class?"
The room went silent for a second.
Then, someone muttered, "Technically, yeah… but he's missing in action."
A few chuckles followed, and the professor sighed.
"I assume this is about the student who keeps arriving fashionably late?"
A few students nodded, grinning.
"Well, let's hope Romeo doesn't make it a habit, or else he'll find himself reciting poetry to my office door for extra assignments," Professor Calloway mused dryly before turning to the whiteboard.
Meanwhile, Dick had reached his usual seat, but before he could drop into it, Sera gestured for him to sit beside her instead. He hesitated, blinking in confusion.
"Sit," she mouthed.
He sighed heavily before dragging himself to the seat next to her, collapsing into it as if he had just survived an ambush.
"You look like you've been through hell," Sera whispered, raising a brow.
Dick exhaled, rubbing his temples. "You have no idea."
Sera tapped her pen against her notebook, barely registering what Professor Calloway was saying. Her mind kept circling back to one thing—Xerxes wasn't here.
She glanced at Dick, who looked like he had been through a warzone. His uniform was slightly wrinkled, and there was still a faint sheen of sweat on his forehead. She leaned in, lowering her voice.
"What did Xerxes do to you?"
Dick stiffened. He turned his head slowly, looking at her like she had just asked if he survived a near-death experience.
"If I had known… I wouldn't have run away from him," he muttered, shaking his head.
Sera frowned. Run away? Her confusion deepened. What the hell does that mean?
"Dick, what happened?" she pressed.
Dick hesitated, then exhaled through his nose. He ran a hand through his hair and muttered, "Xerxes is so fucking cool."
Sera blinked. Of all the things she expected, that wasn't one of them.
"Cool? What did he do?"
Dick sighed, clearly reluctant. "Well… we were talking, and then… the trio appeared."
The moment she heard trio, something clicked.
"Wait, you mean—"
"Yeah, them," he muttered. He looked uncomfortable, like he didn't want to say too much. "And… Xerxes just randomly provoked them."
Sera's brows furrowed. Provoked them? Why would he do that?
Dick glanced away, scratching the back of his head. "Anyway, he lured them outside the campus. He told me to go and said he'd deal with them real quick before heading back to class."
Sera's fingers tightened slightly around her pen. He lured them outside?
Dick leaned back in his chair, rubbing his temples. "After that, I don't know what happened next."
Sera's stomach twisted uneasily. Xerxes… just what are you doing?
She wasn't the only one concerned. Dick, despite his exhausted state, was clearly uneasy. His knee bounced slightly under the desk, and every so often, he'd glance toward the door.
"He'll be fine, right?" Sera finally asked, almost to reassure herself.
Dick hesitated before answering.
"I don't know," he admitted. "But if anyone can handle those guys… it's him."
Still, neither of them could ignore the small weight of worry pressing down on their chests.
A few minutes before Dick left Xerxes…
Still gasping for air, barely able to stand after all the running, Dick looked up just in time to see Troy Maddox stepping forward, a smirk plastered across his face.
"So, what now?" Troy drawled. "You're cornered. What's your move?"
Xerxes tilted his head, rubbing his chin as if deep in thought. Then, completely deadpan, he said, "I wanna be your slave instead of Dick."
Silence.
Then, laughter exploded from the trio.
Dick, on the other hand, was frozen, eyes wide in pure disbelief. Did this lunatic just VOLUNTEER to be a slave?! His brain crashed. Did he hit his head while running or something?!
Still laughing, Zane wiped a tear from his eye. "Why trade one for the other? We could just keep you both."
Xerxes pulled a ridiculous face, looking like a complete idiot on purpose. "Nah, I don't do second place. If I'm gonna be a slave, I wanna be the only one. I take pride in my servitude, you know?"
The trio howled in laughter. Even Damien, usually the quiet one, was bent over, gasping for breath.
Meanwhile, Dick stood there, mentally checked out. Why am I even witnessing this?
Xerxes gave him a pat on the back. "Alright, buddy, you should get to your second lecture."
Dick, still half-dead from exhaustion, dragged himself toward campus, practically crawling. But just as he neared freedom, Troy stepped in front of him, blocking his way.
"Who said you could leave?" Troy sneered.
Xerxes sighed, then casually lifted his foot and gave Dick's ass a light kick. "Just go, man. You're cramping my style."
Dick gave him a betrayed look but took the chance to bolt—well, more like limp—toward the campus. As he passed the trio, Troy leaned in and muttered, "You better be ready. We're coming for you after we finish with him."
Dick swallowed hard. He wasn't even sure if he should be more scared for himself or for them.
Xerxes, still smiling, waved goodbye like he was sending a friend off on a vacation. "Take care, buddy. Hope you live."
Instead of heading straight back to class, Dick slipped behind a corner, peering out to see what would happen next. His gut told him Xerxes wasn't done yet.
Troy stepped right up to Xerxes, cracking his knuckles. "You're dead."
Before he could finish—
PFFT!
A wet splat filled the alley.
Everyone froze.
Troy's smirk vanished. Damien and Zane's faces went slack.
Dick's jaw dropped. No way…
Xerxes had just spit in Troy's face.
Troy twitched, his nostrils flaring as he slowly raised a hand to wipe it off—
That was his mistake.
The second his guard dropped, Xerxes swung his leg up and—BAM.
Direct hit.
A full-force, no-mercy kick straight to the balls.
Troy's body locked up. His expression twisted into something beyond pain, something beyond regret—he looked like he was about to astral-project from sheer agony. Then, as if his soul had left his body, he collapsed to the ground, hands clutching his crown jewels like they were his last hope of survival.
Zane and Damien flinched so hard, they almost felt it themselves.
From his hiding spot, Dick saw the whole thing—and he felt it in his soul.
"OH, HELL NO—"
And he ran.
As Dick disappeared around the corner, probably sprinting straight into another bad decision, Troy was still on the ground, curled up like a shrimp in boiling water. He clutched his stomach, wheezing in agony, the pain in his groin robbing him of any dignity he had left.
Xerxes, ever the considerate guy, placed his foot on Troy's face—not too hard, just enough to make a statement.
"Alright, guys, let's keep this rolling," he announced, flashing an easygoing smile. "I mean, we already started, might as well finish, right? I've got a class to catch, but I can spare a few more minutes for some… bonding time."
Zane and Damien stiffened. Their fearless leader was currently eating dirt, and the guy responsible was treating this like an icebreaker activity.
"Bro, what the fuck," Damien muttered under his breath, his confidence evaporating like a drop of water on a hot pan.
"This isn't how it's supposed to go," Zane thought, his eyes darting to Troy, who looked like he had been hit by a truck—and that truck was named Xerxes.
Troy groaned, his pride shattered. "Kill… you…" he wheezed.
Xerxes tilted his head, amusement dancing in his eyes. "Oh? You wanna go again? That's the spirit!" He pressed his foot down ever so slightly. "Man, you're really dedicated. Respect."
"This guy's a fucking lunatic," Zane realized, taking an unconscious step back.
Damien nudged him. "Dude, we should—"
"Don't say run," Zane warned. "We can't just—"
"Then YOU fight him," Damien shot back.
Silence.
Xerxes sighed dramatically. _"C'mon, don't leave your boy hanging. You were all barking earlier. What happened? Oh wait…" He glanced down at Troy. "Looks like someone neutered the big dog. Tragic."
Damien and Zane shared a look. Neither of them wanted to be next.
Zane clenched his fists, his mind made up. With a deep breath, he rushed in, throwing a wild right-handed punch, aiming straight for Xerxes' face.
Idiot move, Xerxes thought, amused. Going for a big strike right at the start? Rookie mistake.
With effortless precision, Xerxes slid to his left, dodging the punch with minimal movement. As Zane's arm extended past him, Xerxes casually caught it with his left hand. Before Zane could even react, Xerxes' right hand shot forward, clamping around his neck. In the next instant, Xerxes swept Zane's legs from under him, sending him crashing onto his back with a painful thud.
Zane gasped, the impact knocking the wind out of him. Before he could recover, Xerxes slammed a stomp into his stomach, forcing an agonized grunt out of him. Then, with a swift kick to the face, Xerxes finished the job, knocking him unconscious.
That was… four seconds, Damien realized, his mind still struggling to process what just happened. FOUR SECONDS?! His mouth was slightly open, frozen in shock. One second, Zane was attacking. The next, he was down. Just like that.
Meanwhile, Troy was still writhing on the ground, feeling the aftershocks of the cheap shot to his jewels. His groans mixed with Zane's defeated silence.
Xerxes cracked his knuckles and turned his gaze toward Damien, a slow smirk creeping onto his face.
"Well, well… Last man standing. You wanna keep this rolling, or should I help you take a nap like your buddy here?"
Damien stood frozen, his eyes darting between Zane's unconscious body and Troy, still groaning on the ground. A deep pit of dread settled in his stomach.
I gotta run…
The thought barely formed in his mind before Xerxes' voice cut through the alley, laced with amusement.
"If you run now, you're just making an enemy out of both Troy and me. Troy, because you abandoned him in his time of need… and me? Well…" Xerxes shrugged. "I just don't like cowards." He smirked. "Oh, and I really don't like people who make me waste my energy chasing them."
Damien gulped. Damn it! He knew Xerxes was playing with him, but the fear was real. His eyes darted around desperately, looking for something—anything—that could give him an edge. Then, he spotted it. A rock, roughly the size of a fist, just lying on the ground a few feet away.
Perfect.
Without hesitation, he bent down and snatched it up, gripping it tightly.
Xerxes raised an eyebrow, clearly entertained. "Wow. Look at that. Even cornered prey has the instinct to fight back." He grinned. "Natural selection at work. I love science."
Damien didn't hesitate. With a burst of adrenaline, he hurled the rock straight at Xerxes' head.
This is my chance!
But before Xerxes could dodge, Troy, still on the ground, grabbed his foot, attempting to hold him in place.
Damien's eyes lit up. YES!
However, Xerxes simply tilted his body to the side, the rock sailing harmlessly past him. He looked down at Troy, then back at Damien, sighing.
"You know… I could've just dodged without moving my feet." He shook his head. "Man, this is getting sad."
SHIT! Damien panicked. He had one shot, and it failed. But now—now—was his chance! Xerxes was distracted.
Damien lunged forward, throwing a desperate punch.
Xerxes slid effortlessly to the side, his movements as smooth as water. Before Damien could retract his arm, BAM—Xerxes' elbow crashed into his face.
A sharp burst of pain shot through Damien's skull. His vision blurred as his body instinctively began to drop.
But Xerxes wasn't done.
Before Damien could even hit the ground, Xerxes caught the back of his head, forcing him to stay upright.
"No, no, no…" Xerxes chuckled darkly. "You don't get to go down yet."
He yanked Damien's head down—and greeted him with a knee straight to the face.
CRACK!
Pain exploded across Damien's nose as his body jerked backward, his knees buckling. Blood dripped from his nostrils.
He's too fast… He's too strong… I—I never stood a chance…
His body swayed, barely conscious, before finally collapsing onto the cold alley floor.
The alley was silent. The trio—Troy, Zane, and Damien—were all sprawled out on the ground, completely wrecked.
Xerxes stood in the middle of the carnage, cracking his neck. "Whew. That was a fun little workout." He rolled his shoulders, looking down at the mess he made.
Troy groaned, still conscious—barely. His hands weakly tried to push himself up, but his body refused.
Xerxes crouched in front of him, resting his elbows on his knees.
"Hey, Troy," he said, his tone light, almost casual. "You guys were looking for a slave, right?" He tilted his head. "Tell me, what's the point of a slave you can't control?"
Troy could barely focus on the words, but the humiliation burned deeper than the pain.
Xerxes sighed dramatically, shaking his head. "Man, you really didn't think this through. Here's the deal. If I ever catch you guys bullying someone again…" He grinned. "You three will be my slaves."
Zane and Damien groaned, barely registering the threat. But Troy? He felt it.
Xerxes stood up, dusting off his pants. "And just so you don't forget…"
Before Troy could react, Xerxes swung his foot straight into his face.
BAM!
Troy's head snapped back. His body stiffened for a moment—then slumped.
Out cold.
Xerxes exhaled. "Always gotta send a finishing blow. It's like signing my masterpiece." He turned away, stepping over the unconscious bodies without a care.
He casually raised a hand in a lazy wave as he walked off.
"Later, boys. Thanks for the entertainment."
And with that, he left the crime scene.
Aftermath of the Alley Beatdown
Troy lay on the ground, his body refusing to move. His mind was barely clinging to consciousness, the pain surging through every nerve like an electric shock. What… the hell… was that? He never even got a chance to fight back. That bastard… that monster…
He tried to open his eyes, but one was already swelling shut. His pride was crushed, ground into the dirt beneath Xerxes' heel. How the hell did it go this wrong?!
He wanted to scream, to curse, to promise vengeance—but all he could do was lay there.
Xerxes strolled away, hands in his pockets, his mind already shifting gears. Damn, that took longer than expected. I was only supposed to handle them quickly, but… I guess I got carried away.
His steps slowed.
Wait a second…
His head snapped up, eyes widening.
"Shit."
He wasn't just five minutes late anymore.
He was really, really late.
His pace picked up. Okay, new plan: I run, make it to class, and pretend I was lost in deep thought somewhere. Yeah, that sounds believable…
Then he remembered Sera.
…Nah. She's definitely gonna call me out.
Xerxes groaned, rubbing his temple. "Damn it. Why does being cool come with consequences?"
With a sigh, he quickened his pace, heading back toward campus.
Meanwhile, in the classroom....
Professor Adrian Calloway was in the middle of his lecture when a familiar sound echoed through the classroom.
Knock. Knock. Knock.
Every student's head turned toward the door. Sera's breath hitched, her fingers unconsciously gripping the edge of her desk.
The door creaked open, and there he was—Xerxes Raven, standing there like he was arriving at a red-carpet event instead of a classroom.
The moment he stepped in, the class erupted.
"It's Romeo!" someone shouted.
Laughter filled the room as several students turned to Sera with knowing grins.
"Ohhh, Sera, your prince has arrived."
Sera groaned internally, her face heating up. Can't these people just shut up for one second?!
Meanwhile, Professor Calloway simply raised an eyebrow. "So… this is Romeo, huh?"
The class, still laughing, enthusiastically responded, "YES!"
Calloway turned to Xerxes with a blank stare. "Alright, Romeo. Care to explain why you're late?"
Xerxes casually ran a hand through his hair and sighed dramatically. "Ah, you see, Professor… I had an upset stomach and was held hostage in the bathroom for a tragic amount of time."
He placed a hand over his chest like he was about to recite Shakespeare himself. "A tale of poison and despair! Much like Romeo, I too, suffered greatly… except instead of poison, it was bad cafeteria food. And instead of dying for love, I almost died in a battle with my digestive system."
The classroom lost it.
Even Calloway, who usually kept a strict demeanor, pressed his fingers against the bridge of his nose. "Right. Let's hope this is the first and last time you have such a dramatic fate in my class. I'm not as gracious as Ms. Laurent."
Xerxes grinned and strolled to his seat, high-fiving Dick on the way. As he sat down, he leaned toward Sera and whispered, "Did you miss me, Juliet?"
Sera turned away, pretending to look at her notes. No. Absolutely not.
But the redness in her ears said otherwise.