Chapter 5: Face the Game [3]

The first round was over, and I should've been focused on the next step, but life had other plans.

I had just stepped out into the courtyard, trying to breathe in a bit of normalcy before my brain started spinning strategies again, when a voice cut through my thoughts.

"So, Miss Rising Star, how does it feel to leave the rest in the dust?"

I didn't even have to turn around. The smugness in that voice was unmistakable. Jax.

I sighed, rolling my eyes before finally looking at him. He was leaning against a pillar, arms crossed, that ever-present grin plastered on his face. The kind of grin that said he knew something you didn't, and he was enjoying it.

"You tell me," I shot back. "You seem way more interested in my business than I am."

He let out a low chuckle, pushing off the pillar to stroll closer. "Can you blame me? You pop outta nowhere, make Felix act all weird, and now you're running through this contest like it's nothing? I gotta admit, I'm curious."

I kept my expression neutral, but inside, alarms were ringing. Felix? Acting weird? That wasn't something I had accounted for. But I wasn't about to let Jax see me sweat.

"Weird how?"

Jax tilted his head, studying me like I was a puzzle he was piecing together. "Hard to explain. Just little things. He's watching you more, thinking more. That's not normal for him."

I scoffed. "Maybe he's just got too much free time."

Jax laughed, shaking his head. "Nah, it's more than that. And you? You're interesting. I can see why he's keeping an eye on you."

I narrowed my eyes. "You're not gonna start following me around too, are you?"

Jax smirked. "Wouldn't that be fun? But nah, I'm not that bored. I just wanted to see what makes you tick."

He was fishing. Not obviously, but definitely testing the waters. I had to be careful with him—Jax wasn't just some loudmouth. He was sharp, and if I wasn't careful, he'd see through the cracks before I even realized I had any.

"Well, keep wondering," I said, flashing him a sweet, fake smile. "Because I'm not gonna make it easy for you."

Jax's grin widened. "Oh, I like you. This is gonna be fun."

And just like that, he strolled off, whistling like he hadn't just poked at something dangerous.

I watched him go, exhaling slowly. Great. Another complication.

Returning to class felt like stepping into a war zone. The air was thick with unspoken words, glares sharp enough to cut glass. The girls who got eliminated weren't handling it well—some sat in stony silence, others whispered behind cupped hands, and a few made it obvious they wanted to rip my head off.

I strolled to my seat, acting like I didn't notice, though I could feel the weight of their resentment pressing down on me. If looks could kill, I'd be six feet under.

Mrs. Hara walked in, heels clicking against the floor, instantly silencing the murmurs. "Alright, now that we've had our first round, it's time to discuss what comes next. The second round of selection will be held tomorrow. Only two of you will make it through."

That got everyone's attention.

"The challenge will test not just beauty but composure under pressure. Details will be revealed tomorrow. For now, I suggest all of you prepare accordingly."

No one dared to ask questions, but the tension only thickened. Two out of five. That meant three of us would be cut next. I could already see the gears turning in my competition's heads.

I leaned back in my chair, pretending to be uninterested, but my mind was already at work. I had no intention of losing.

And then there was my other problem.

Juno.

The second school ended, I had a fight to attend. The arena was the only place where words meant nothing and fists spoke louder. I wasn't about to back down, not after the day I'd had.

Let's see if Juno was ready for this.

Just as I was about to slip out—got a fight to prepare for, after all—Mrs. Hara's voice rang out.

"Collin, stay behind. We need to talk."

Oh, great. What now?

I turned back, keeping my face neutral. No need to show my hand too soon. The rest of the class filed out, some whispering, some throwing side-eyes my way. Once the door clicked shut, it was just me and Mrs. Hara, who was already watching me like she could see straight through my skull.

"About earlier," she started, leaning against her desk. "Your little... exploration."

Right. She wasn't dumb. Skipping class, wandering off, then magically reappearing for a school-wide contest wasn't exactly the move of a model student.

"I needed air," I said, casual as ever.

She raised a brow. "And that air happened to be in the cafeteria? With Felix?"

Okay, she did her homework. I kept my expression relaxed, like this conversation was a minor inconvenience instead of a potential landmine.

"Didn't know I needed a permission slip to breathe, Mrs. H."

She sighed, rubbing her temples. "Collin, I know your type. Smart, but reckless. You think you can handle everything on your own, but that arrogance will get you in trouble."

I bit back a smirk. "Arrogance? Or confidence?"

She gave me a look. "The difference is knowing when to listen."

Silence stretched between us. I knew she wasn't just lecturing me—she was feeling me out, seeing if I was going to be a problem or an asset. That was the thing about teachers like her. They didn't just enforce rules. They played their own game.

"I'm not here to make trouble," I finally said, voice steady. "I just want to do my thing. And right now, that means winning."

Her lips pressed into a thin line, but she didn't argue. Instead, she just sighed. "Tomorrow's round is going to be tougher. If you're serious about this, you better be ready. And Collin—" her eyes locked onto mine, sharp, assessing. "Try not to make more enemies than necessary."

Too late for that.

I nodded, giving her a half-smile before finally stepping out. Juno was waiting. And so was my fight.

The halls were louder than usual, buzzing with leftover tension from the first round of the contest. The defeated candidates weren't exactly subtle with their resentment, throwing glares like daggers, some whispering behind cupped hands. I ignored them. If they wanted to stew in their loss, that was their problem.

Nexus was a massive school, sleek and expensive, a place where only those with deep pockets could thrive. But even in a place like this, the pecking order was brutal. The seniors were ghosts, rarely seen unless they had business with underclassmen. Events, assignments, extracurriculars—whatever kept them occupied made their presence rare. Which is why, when I turned a corner and nearly bumped into Jax and Daniel, I knew my day was about to get more complicated.

Jax, as always, was leaning against the wall like he owned the place, a lazy smirk on his face. Daniel, in contrast, stood straight, arms crossed, eyes filled with something between worry and disbelief.

"You're fighting him?" Daniel's voice was low, almost disapproving.

I raised an eyebrow, playing dumb. "Who?"

"Juno," Jax cut in, tilting his head. "You know, the trained guy?"

I exhaled through my nose, keeping my expression neutral. "Yeah. So?"

Daniel frowned, clearly unimpressed. "So? Collin, Juno isn't just some guy. He's trained, and he's got the advantage in every way."

Jax was watching me closely, something calculating in his gaze. "Felix mentioned something interesting," he mused. "Said this fight might be... revealing."

My eyes flicked to him, but I didn't take the bait. Felix was too observant for his own good. If he'd picked up on something, Jax would dig deeper, and that wasn't something I needed right now.

Daniel ran a hand through his hair, exhaling sharply. "This isn't some schoolyard brawl, Collin. You sure you know what you're doing?"

I met his worried gaze with something softer than usual. Daniel was one of the few who actually seemed to care, and not in a condescending way. But that didn't change my answer.

"I know exactly what I'm doing."

Jax grinned, but it wasn't amusement—it was intrigue. "Then I guess we'll see, won't we?"

I walked past them, feeling their eyes on my back. The whispers in the hall, the tension in the air, the unease in Daniel's voice—none of it mattered. This fight wasn't just about Juno.

It was about what happened after.

The arena was packed, buzzing with the voices of fighters eager for blood—or entertainment. When I stepped inside, the noise died instantly, replaced by a wave of shocked murmurs.

"Wait, seriously? Juno's fighting her?"

"Is he out of his damn mind? She's about to be the face of Nexus!"

"Coward move, picking on a girl like that."

Juno didn't flinch at the whispers. He just rolled his shoulders, exuding confidence as he tugged off his uniform shirt. Muscles flexed, showing off years of training. A cheap intimidation tactic, really.

I cocked a brow, unimpressed. "What is this? Should I take off my clothes too?" I mused, voice dripping with mock innocence.

Juno smirked. "Yeah, if you wanna embarrass yourself."

I snorted. "Hell nah. I'm afraid that'll be the reason you lose. Can't have you getting distracted by my body."

The crowd howled at that, a mix of laughter and gasps. Felix, standing near Rio, let out a low whistle. Jax, beside Daniel, chuckled under his breath. The S-level senior in the shadows? Unmoved.

But Juno? His eye twitched. Gotcha.

He was already getting emotional, which meant he'd fight on impulse instead of skill. Perfect.

I took off my coat, rolling my shoulders as I stepped forward, still in my uniform. Keeping it intact would be tricky, but I had to be careful.

"You talk big for someone who's about to be on the floor," Juno sneered, rolling his wrists as he got into stance. "I'll give you one chance to back out, princess."

I smirked. "You talk big for someone who's about to lose in front of the whole school. Let's get this over with."

The referee—a senior fighter—stepped between us. "Rules are simple: No weapons, no excessive force. Tap out or get knocked out. Got it?"

We both nodded.

"Begin!"

Juno moved first, just like I expected. Aggressive, fast—but not as fast as me. His punch aimed straight for my jaw, but his footwork was a half-second off. Sloppy. I twisted to the side, letting his fist skim past my ear, and countered with a sharp kick to his ribs. Not full force—just enough to sting.

He staggered, eyes narrowing. "Lucky shot."

I shrugged. "If you say so."

He rushed again, a feint followed by a knee aimed at my stomach. I blocked, stepping back just in time, but his next move was sharper—a quick jab toward my ribs. I barely dodged, feeling the wind of his strike against my skin. He was fast, sure. Strong, obviously. But he had gaps.

His left guard was weak. His chin was slightly open when he attacked. And worst of all? He fought with anger.

I smirked. This was going to be fun.

I let him think he had control, dodging at the last second, making my movements just slow enough to frustrate him. He thought he was pushing me back, but in reality, I was leading him exactly where I wanted.

"Stop running!" he growled, swinging another punch.

I ducked, sliding behind him before slamming my elbow into his exposed back. He stumbled forward, coughing. That one hurt.

"Not running," I said, my voice low and taunting. "Just making you work for it."

Juno turned, fury burning in his eyes. He was losing it. Perfect.

Felix, from the sidelines, grinned. "Don't tell me that's all you got, Juno?"

The crowd erupted, feeding into the chaos. Rio smirked, arms crossed. Jax watched with sharp eyes, curiosity glinting. Daniel? He looked between me and Juno, worried.

"Tch." Juno wiped his mouth, then smirked. "Fine. No more games."

He lunged. Faster. Sharper. This time, he wasn't holding back.

And that? That was exactly what I wanted.

His movements were aggressive, no hesitation this time. A low kick to my shin, a quick left hook, then a brutal spinning kick aimed at my ribs. He was going for damage now.

I avoided the first, barely blocked the second, but the third? I let it graze me, staggering back a step.

The crowd gasped, thinking I was finally slipping.

Juno grinned like he had me. "See? You can't dodge forever."

I let out a slow breath, rolling my shoulders. "Yeah, you're right. Guess I should start fighting for real."

His grin faltered. Just a bit.

Then I moved.

Not dodging. Not teasing. Just striking.

A sharp jab to his side, forcing him to twist.

A quick sweep, throwing him off balance.

A knee to his gut before he could regain footing.

Juno gasped, doubling over. I grabbed his arm, twisting it behind his back, and shoved him forward, making him stumble onto his knees.

Silence.

The crowd wasn't laughing anymore.

Juno tried to yank free, but I leaned in close, my voice just for him. "You lost the second you let your pride get in the way."

His body tensed.

The referee hesitated, waiting for him to tap out.

Juno growled, trying to force himself up, but I pushed down just a little harder.

"Tap out," I whispered, voice smooth. "Or I make this worse."

His breath was ragged. He wanted to fight. But he wasn't stupid.

After a long, agonizing pause, his free hand slapped the ground.

"Winner: Collin!"

The arena erupted. Some cheered. Some were stunned. Juno stayed kneeling for a moment before pushing himself up, rage burning in his eyes.

I just smiled, brushing nonexistent dust off my sleeves. "Better luck next time."

My breath was steady, my body humming from the fight. But that wasn't what held my attention. It was Felix.

He stepped forward, his usual smirk tempered by something else—something unreadable. The flickering lights overhead cast sharp shadows across his face, making his eyes look darker. Deeper.

"You really don't remember me, Collin?" His voice wasn't mocking. It wasn't teasing. It was low, almost hesitant.

Something about the way he said my name sent a jolt through me, like a cold hand gripping the back of my neck. A memory stirred, half-formed, out of reach. Then—

A different arena. Different walls. The sharp scent of sweat and blood.

Felix, standing across from me, younger but still just as sharp-eyed. A street fight—territory disputes, nothing unusual. His fist connecting with my lip, the sting, the warmth of blood trickling down my chin.

I reached up, fingers brushing the small scar at the right corner of my mouth. A scar I'd carried for years.

My breath hitched. "You—"

Before I could even finish, before I could process what the hell was happening, Felix moved. One hand curled around the back of my neck, pulling me in, and then—

His lips were on mine.

It wasn't rough. It wasn't soft. It was something in between—controlled, deliberate, but charged like a live wire. The taste of adrenaline and copper still lingered on my tongue, mixing with something undeniably Felix.

The crowd went silent.

My brain lagged, caught somewhere between fight and flight. What—what the hell?

He pulled back just enough to whisper against my lips, "I waited for this moment. All this time, I wanted to see you again. And you don't even remember me?"

His eyes held something sharp, something unreadable. Was it sadness? Was it something else? I didn't know.

My pulse pounded in my ears. My fingers curled into fists at my sides. My voice, when I finally found it, came out steadier than I expected. "What the hell are you playing at, Felix?"

A slow smirk curled at the corner of his mouth. "You tell me, Collin."

The arena wasn't buzzing anymore. It was roaring.

And then, just like that, he turned and walked away, leaving me standing there like a damn idiot.

I blinked. Once. Twice.

What. Just. Happened.

The room was still in chaos, but I could barely hear it over the ringing in my ears. My brain was stuck on one thing.

Did Felix just… kiss me?

Jax was suddenly beside me, nudging my arm with way too much amusement. "Okay, hold the hell up." He snorted. "You won. Cool. But what the hell was that? A kiss?"

I opened my mouth, then closed it. Then opened it again. No words came out.

Jax's grin widened. "Oh my god, you're actually speechless. This is gold."

Meanwhile, on the other side of the room, Rio was standing stiff as a board, teeth clenched so hard I swore I heard a crack. His hands were balled into fists, his whole posture tense. His eyes—dark and stormy—were locked on Felix's retreating form. If looks could kill, Felix would've been six feet under.

Then, with a sharp breath, Rio turned and stalked after Felix, his expression unreadable.

I was still stuck. Frozen. Processing.

Jax, having the time of his life at my expense, leaned in. "Yo. Earth to Collin. Say something."

I finally managed to form a coherent thought. "I—What—That was—"

Jax laughed, throwing an arm around my shoulders. "Damn. you sure are an idiot when it comes to romance."

I shoved him off, my face heating up. "Shut up."

But the damage was done. Jax wouldn't let this go anytime soon. And worse? My brain wouldn't either.