the truth(4)

The sharp ding of the school bell echoed through the halls, marking the start of another ordinary day. The classroom hummed with a mix of excitement and anxiety as students took their seats, all eyes turning to the front where their teacher, Mr. Lanson, stood holding a thick stack of papers.

His sharp gaze swept over the room as he adjusted his glasses, the movement slow and deliberate.

Mr. Lanson: (serious) "Alright, class, this is your last chance in this semester to prove you've been paying attention. No talking, no cheating. You have exactly one hour. Begin."

A wave of tension filled the room as the students straightened in their seats, pencils poised above their papers. But amidst the nervous energy, Michael sat lazily at his desk, spinning a pen between his fingers. His expression was one of utter boredom.

Beside him, Emily leaned over slightly, her voice a whisper laced with amusement.

Emily: (smirking) "Five minutes?"

Michael didn't even look at her. He smirked and answered without hesitation.

Michael: (grinning) "Four."

From the seat behind them, Marie rolled her eyes, already knowing how this would go.

Marie: (scoffing) "You two are so annoying."

Despite her words, her pencil was already moving at an inhuman speed, the answers flowing effortlessly. Ethan and Alex weren't far behind, their expressions calm as they filled in their answers with practiced ease.

Meanwhile, the rest of the class was suffering. Sweaty palms gripped pencils tightly, nervous glances darted across the room as students struggled to recall formulas and concepts that had vanished the moment the test began.

Fifteen minutes in, the sound of pencils dropping broke the tense silence. Michael, Emily, Marie, Ethan, and Alex were all finished.

Michael leaned back in his chair, stretching his arms over his head as he let out a loud yawn.

Michael: (bored) "That was too easy."

Mr. Lanson, already expecting this, barely glanced up from his desk.

Mr. Lanson: (sighing) "If you're done, put your papers at my desk and wait quietly."

Michael and his friends casually walked up to the desk, dropping their papers with a lazy flick of their wrists before returning to their seats. The rest of the class gawked in disbelief, barely halfway through the test while Michael's group looked as if they had just finished a warm-up exercise.

From the present, Henry watched the illusion unfold, letting out a low whistle of admiration.

Henry: (impressed) "I knew they were smart, but damn, they're insane."

Ava crossed her arms, smirking at the sheer audacity of Michael's group.

Ava: (grinning) "No stress, no panic. Just casually destroying everyone academically."

Liam chuckled.

Liam: (amused) "I almost feel bad for the other students. Almost."

The illusion continued.

The cafeteria was a war zone.

Students pushed and shoved, fighting their way to the best food options before they were gone. The noise was deafening—a mix of laughter, shouting, and the occasional tray clattering onto the floor.

Michael and his friends, however, were already seated at their usual table, watching the chaos unfold with disinterest.

Ethan, who had been the first to finish his test, had claimed their seats early. He was lazily flipping through a sports magazine while munching on a burger.

Ethan: (muttering) "This school really needs to upgrade its menu."

Marie, sipping on a juice box, shot him a teasing glance.

Marie: (mocking) "Then start cooking your own food, genius."

Michael leaned back in his seat, lazily observing the cafeteria. Nothing ever changed. Loud chatter, students stuffing their faces, and the occasional food fight breaking out in the corner.

Then, Jason and his group walked by.

Jason, still nursing his bruised ego from their last encounter, scowled at Michael but didn't say a word.

Jason: (muttering) "Tch. Stupid know-it-alls."

Michael didn't even blink. He smirked but let it slide. Jason had learned his lesson last time.

Instead, Michael turned back to his group, taking another sip of his drink.

Emily: (grinning) "So, any plans after school?"

Michael: (shrugging) "Nah. Just heading home."

Ethan: (yawning) "Same. Probably gonna sleep."

Marie: (teasing) "You're always sleeping."

Ethan: (grinning) "It's called conserving energy."

Alex chuckled.

Alex: (smiling) "Let's just finish the day without any trouble, alright?"

Michael waved him off dismissively.

Michael: (carefree) "Yeah, yeah. No trouble."

If only he knew what was waiting outside.

The final bell rang, and the students poured out of the school like a tidal wave, eager to escape for the day. The sun was already beginning to set, casting an orange glow over the streets.

Michael and his friends walked together, their conversations light and relaxed.

Then they stopped.

A group of older teenagers had stepped in front of them, blocking their path.

There were five of them, each around sixteen or seventeen, dressed in leather jackets and radiating cocky arrogance. The leader, a tall guy with short, messy hair, smirked lazily as he took a step forward.

Teenager Leader: (mocking) "Hey, you kids. Would you mind giving us some money?"

Michael raised an eyebrow.

Michael: (bored) "Sorry, but we don't have any money."

The group didn't move. Instead, they spread out slightly, ensuring there was no easy escape.

Teenager Leader: (smirking) "No, no. You have something. Now give it."

Michael sighed, rubbing the back of his head.

Michael: (deadpan) "Look, we don't have time for this. Just let us through."

The leader reached out and grabbed Michael's shoulder.

Bad move.

Michael reacted instantly, grabbing the guy's wrist and twisting it just enough to make him stumble back. The cocky smirk on the teenager's face vanished, replaced by an angry scowl.

His friends stepped closer, their fists clenching.

Teenager Leader: (growling) "Hey, kid, don't you dare mess with us. We'll beat you up."

Michael exchanged glances with his friends.

Marie cracked her knuckles. Emily grinned, stretching her arms like she was warming up for a workout. Ethan rolled his shoulders, looking almost amused.

Michael smirked.

Michael: (taunting) "Oh yeah? You can try."

The air grew heavy with tension, both sides waiting for the other to make the first move.