Chapter 134: Cracks in the Facade

The sense of liberation that had surged through Luca in Ms. Carter's office began to fade as the day wore on. The initial adrenaline rush was replaced with a gnawing uncertainty that tightened his chest. Standing up to Darren had been a monumental step, but now he couldn't shake the feeling that the battle was far from over.

He walked down the hallway, his mind racing, when suddenly a familiar voice called out, "Luca!" He turned to see Ethan jogging toward him, his face pale and anxious. "We need to talk," Ethan said, grabbing his arm and pulling him into an empty classroom.

"What's wrong?" Luca asked, his heart hammering in his chest.

Ethan's eyes darted to the door before he spoke, his voice a low whisper. "I heard some of Darren's friends talking. They're planning something… retaliation. They're saying we're just trying to ruin his life, and it's going to backfire."

Luca's stomach twisted at the news. "What do you mean, 'planning something'? Are they going to try to hurt us?"

"I don't know," Ethan replied, his voice trembling slightly. "But I think we need to be ready for anything. They won't go down without a fight."

The thought of facing more confrontations filled Luca with dread, but he knew Ethan was right. Backing down now would only make things worse. The only way to end this for good was to stand their ground, no matter the consequences.

Elsewhere, Darren prowled the hallways like a caged animal, his gaze drifting over the students who now avoided his stare. It was as if an invisible line had been drawn, and he was on the wrong side of it. The whispers that trailed him were louder than ever, no longer just fearful murmurs but full-blown conversations about him.

He clenched his fists, his knuckles turning white as a fresh wave of anger surged within him. How dare they? How dare those two nobodies try to destroy his reputation? Darren had always ruled this place with fear, but now that grip was slipping, and he was determined to reclaim it.

As he turned a corner, he spotted Ethan and Luca talking in the empty classroom. His eyes narrowed, and his jaw tightened. They were the reason for his downfall, the reason everyone suddenly thought they could stand up to him. Darren's mind raced, formulating a plan—if they wanted to ruin him, then he would drag them down with him.

The school day ended with a heavy air of anticipation, as if everyone was waiting for something to happen. Luca and Ethan headed home together, their conversation subdued as they walked side by side. There was a sense of comfort in knowing they had each other's backs, but the uncertainty of what lay ahead cast a shadow over their steps.

As they reached the park near Luca's house, Ethan hesitated, glancing around as if searching for answers in the empty playground. "Do you think we made the right choice?" he asked quietly, his voice carrying a hint of doubt.

Luca stopped walking and faced him. "I do," he replied with conviction. "We couldn't just let him keep getting away with everything. Even if it's going to be hard, it's worth it to finally stand up for ourselves."

Ethan's gaze softened, and a small smile crept onto his face. "Yeah, I guess you're right," he said, and they continued their walk.

But as they reached Luca's house, a chill ran down his spine. Parked across the street was a familiar car—Darren's. There was no sign of Darren himself, but the sight of the vehicle was enough to set Luca's nerves on edge.

"What's his car doing here?" Ethan asked, his voice low.

Luca shook his head, the unease growing stronger. "I don't know… but I don't like it."

End of Chapter 134

To Be Continued...