the truth(7)

The school day had barely begun, but Michael and his friends already commanded the hallways like they owned them. Every step they took carried an effortless confidence, a natural presence that turned heads and drew whispers.

The cafeteria, the classrooms, the gym—no matter where they went, it was clear. They were the top dogs.

Michael casually strolled down the corridor, his bag slung over one shoulder, a lazy smirk on his face. Ethan walked beside him, dramatically stretching as if the weight of school itself was dragging him down. Emily, Marie, and Alex followed close behind, their conversation light and full of amusement.

Michael: "Man, another day of absolute dominance."

Ethan: (grinning) "Naturally. We're just built different."

A group of freshmen scurried past, making way for them without a second thought. They weren't bullies, but they held a certain reputation—one that came from years of establishing themselves as the school's most unshakable group.

They aced their exams, dominated in sports, and never lost a battle of wits. If there was an argument, Michael had already won it before it started. If there was a challenge, Ethan would take it head-on, no hesitation. Emily? She was the strategist, always one step ahead. Marie was the cool, logical one, and Alex was the silent powerhouse. Together, they were unstoppable.

As they entered the classroom, Michael slumped into his chair, propping his feet up on an empty desk.

Michael: "Alright, let's get this over with. What's today's suffering?"

Emily rolled her eyes, setting her notebook down neatly.

Emily: "You really act like school is some kind of battlefield."

Michael: "That's because it is, Emily. A war of endurance, patience, and willpower."

Ethan: (laughing) "And somehow, we always win."

The class began, the teacher droning on about literature, but Michael barely paid attention. Instead, he exchanged glances with his friends, their silent communication saying everything they needed to know.

Lunch came quickly, and their usual table in the cafeteria was waiting for them. Trays full of food, the sound of chatter, and the occasional burst of laughter surrounded them.

Michael stirred his drink with his straw before glancing at Ethan.

Michael: "Hey, Ethan, when are you finally going to introduce us to this girl of yours?"

Ethan leaned back, a smirk tugging at his lips.

Ethan: "Soon, Michael. Soon."

The group shared a knowing look. They were eager to meet this girl, to judge if she was truly worth Ethan's attention. But none of them could have guessed that this meeting would change everything.

Michael: (grinning) "Alright then. We're waiting."

And somewhere, beyond time and space, Dakota was watching it all unfold.

The scene flickered, the cafeteria fading into nothingness as the memory dissolved.

Dakota and his friends stood together in the endless void of recollection, their expressions filled with confusion.

Ava furrowed her brows, her voice uncertain.

Ava: "Dakota… why are we seeing these memories? Shouldn't we be seeing yours?"

Henry crossed his arms, glancing at Dakota.

Henry: "Yeah, these are Michael's memories, not yours."

Dakota let out a sharp, humorless laugh, shaking his head. His next words cut through the silence like a blade.

Dakota: (flatly) "Are you goddamn stupid?"

Ava blinked.

Dakota: (exasperated) "Why do you think I said I'd tell you the truth and show you my memories, and yet you're seeing Michael's?"

The realization hit them like a crashing wave. Their eyes widened, their bodies stiffening as the pieces of the puzzle locked into place.

Henry: (shocked) "No way… impossible…"

Ava: (gasping) "Dakota… you're Michael?"

Dakota smirked, as if amused by how long it took them to figure it out.

Dakota: (mockingly) "Yes, wow, you finally caught on. How have you only realized now?"

The group was stunned, struggling to process the revelation. The idea that Dakota had lived a past life—as Michael—was almost too much to comprehend.

Lucas: (shaking his head) "Of course we're shocked! We didn't think you had a past life!"

Dakota: (shrugging) "Well, now you know. That's one of the truths I wanted to show you."

Ava took a step forward, her expression shifting from shock to understanding.

Ava: (softly) "Ah… that makes so much sense now."

Dakota glanced at her, curious.

Ava: (nodding) "No wonder when we went back to Old earth, you were so shocked to see your former friends. I realize that now."

The rest of the group slowly nodded, their previous confusion melting into clarity.

Henry: (muttering) "Yeah… that really does make sense."

Lucas: (thoughtfully) "It explains everything…"

Dakota let out a dry chuckle.

Dakota: (casually) "Yeah, yeah, it does."

But then, something flickered in his expression. A shadow of hesitation.

He opened his mouth, then stopped himself.

Dakota: (muttering) "Speaking of it, actually… never mind."

Immediately, the group jumped on it.

Ava: (raising an eyebrow) "Whoa, whoa, what were you about to say?"

Henry: (leaning forward) "Yeah, don't pull that. Tell us."

Dakota: (flatly) "Oh, nothing. It's nothing. Just leave me alone, and I'll tell you later."

They weren't satisfied with that answer, but Dakota's tone made it clear he wasn't going to budge.

And just like that, the vision shifted once more, plunging them back into the past.

Michael and his friends were finishing up their lunch, their conversation still light and carefree.

Michael turned to Ethan, curiosity still burning in his mind.

Michael: "Hey, Ethan, seriously. When are you going to make us meet this girl of yours?"

Ethan chuckled, crossing his arms.

Ethan: (grinning) "Soon, Michael. Soon."

The group exchanged eager looks. They were all excited to see what kind of person had managed to capture Ethan's interest.

Marie smirked.

Marie: (teasingly) "We'll be the judges of that."

Alex nodded.

Alex: "Yeah, she better be worth all this suspense."

Ethan laughed, shaking his head.

Ethan: "Relax, you'll meet her soon enough."

But watching from the shadows of the past, Dakota's voice cut through the memory like a whisper of venom.

Dakota: (darkly) "Ah… soon we're going to meet that bitch."

His voice was laced with hatred.

The storm was coming.

And no one—not even Michael—was ready for what lay ahead.