Beneath the Hidden Dale

Sky

After what felt like forever, we finally reached the center of the forest. In the middle of the clearing sat a small garden, its flowers standing tall with long stems and enormous white petals swaying gently in the breeze.

"Okay, everyone! We're here," Miss Brown announced. "Take a break, rest up, and then we'll begin the lesson."

I let out a quiet sigh and slumped to the ground.

Walking this much wouldn't have been a problem back then.

I absently massaged my left knee, wincing as a familiar ache flared up. The leaf-covered ground crunched beneath me as I shifted, trying to find a comfortable position. Around me, students split off into their usual cliques, laughter and chatter filling the air.

Pulling out my sketchbook and pencil, I focused on the flowers, using them as my subject. As my pencil glided across the page, voices filtered through the noise—one, in particular, caught my attention.

Trevor.

I glanced toward him and Victoria. The two were deep in conversation, both smiling, even laughing.

At least there's progress.

Curious, my eyes drifted across the clearing, scanning for the rest of my group. Minnie stood off to the side, locked in what looked like a tense conversation with her boyfriend. Rose, on the other hand, was wrapped up in her own world with her junior boyfriend. Natasha sat with a group of friends but kept stealing glances at Minnie and her boyfriend.

Interesting.

Before I could think more about it, a sudden kick to my ribs knocked the air out of my lungs. My glasses flew off my face, my pencil and sketchbook scattering to the ground. I barely had time to register what happened before a second kick landed, sharp pain blooming in my side.

Disoriented, I frantically patted the ground, searching for my glasses.

Not being able to see what's happening around me? Annoying.

No—frightening.

I forced myself to focus on my hearing.

"Hey, slut's brother. Let's talk."

That voice.

My hands clenched into fists.

Danny.

A third kick struck my ribs, harder than the last. I swallowed a groan, my body instinctively curling up to absorb the impact. Blinking rapidly, I tried to make out the blurry figures standing over me. The sun hung just behind them, turning them into shadowy silhouettes.

"Where's your sister, loser?"

I didn't bother answering.

Another kick was coming—I could feel it in the way the air shifted—when suddenly, Trevor's furious voice cut through the moment.

"Hey, piss off!"

The sound of a dull thud followed.

Fighting.

I shoved aside the pain, my fingers finally finding my glasses. Sliding them back onto my face, I adjusted them just in time to see Trevor throwing punches, taking on three guys at once. He was holding his ground, but barely.

Gritting my teeth, I pushed myself up and grabbed one of Danny's friends by the wrist, twisting with momentum and throwing him over my shoulder. His back hit the ground hard.

But the second I let go, a sharp pain flared up in my left shoulder.

Shit.

I barely had time to react before another fist crashed into my jaw, sending me sprawling back onto the ground.

A third guy straddled me, pinning me down. Then the punches came, one after the other, raining down like a damn storm. I threw my arms up, shielding my face as best as I could.

"HEY! HEY!"

Teachers rushed in, shoving us apart. The weight on top of me disappeared, and I gasped for air, rolling onto my side. Trevor's face was bruised, his lip split, but he was already helping me up.

My glasses were cracked. My ribs ached. My arms throbbed from blocking hits.

Trevor wasn't much better.

"What the hell is wrong with you guys!?" Miss Brown snapped, her gaze bouncing between Danny's group and us.

I said nothing. I just stared at Danny, my expression blank but my mind anything but.

Trevor was still fuming, fists clenched, ready to lunge at Danny again. Before he could, I grabbed his arm, holding him back.

Miss Brown let out a frustrated sigh. "All of you—detention when we get back!"

I clenched my jaw. Of course.

"Wait, Miss Bro—" Trevor started, but I cut him off, covering his mouth with my hand. "It's fine," I muttered.

He looked at me, concern flashing in his eyes, but he let it go.

We turned to walk away.

"This isn't over, Blake," Danny taunted.

I didn't even look at him.

"Piss off," Trevor shot back instead.

Once we put some distance between us and the others, Trevor stopped abruptly. "Sky... what about work? And your little sister?"

"I'll figure something out," I said.

He didn't look convinced.

Before he could press further, Victoria ran up to us, her face twisted in worry. "Are you guys okay?"

"Just fine," I replied.

Pulling my glasses off, I checked for further damage—just a few more cracks. They'd survive. I dusted myself off before reaching over to brush the leaves off Trevor's back.

I forced a smile. "Nothing to worry about."

Our group watched us from a distance. My shoulder was still screaming in pain, but I ignored it.

Minutes later, the lesson began. Miss Brown droned on about the flowers, and I jotted down notes like nothing had happened.

Then, out of the corner of my eye, I caught Olivia watching me. Concern was clear in her gaze.

I offered a faint smile. She hesitated before smiling back.

Before I could look away, Trevor nudged me with his elbow, a shit-eating grin on his face.

"Eh, eh, eh."

My smile vanished.

"What?" I muttered, still writing.

"Don't 'what' me. I see you making eye contact with Olivia."

I elbowed him back. "I'm trying to focus."

"Focus on what? Olivia?" His smirk deepened.

"Fuck off. Go to Victoria."

Before he could retort, Miss Brown's sharp voice cut in.

"Mister Kane. Mister Blake. Would you two like to share with the class?"

I froze.

Slowly, I glanced at Trevor.

Trevor, now completely silent, gave me a guilty side-eye. His look translated to: Sorry. I'll buy you something later, okay?

I sighed.

Time to bullshit my way out of this.