Fractures in the Bubble

The next morning, the halls of Nightingale Academy buzzed with whispers. The latest vigilante video had spread like wildfire, and the whole school was talking about it.

And then, the royalty arrived.

Jackson, Carter, and Emily strolled through the entrance like they owned the place.

Jackson led the way, exuding effortless confidence. The kind of aura that made people want to be near him. The kind that made people gawk. He barely had to acknowledge them, his presence alone was enough.

Emily walked close beside him, as if she belonged there, because she did.

Carter was a different story. He thrived on the attention. Every few steps, he greeted someone with a casual nod, a fist bump, a secret handshake, whatever was needed to keep his reputation as one of the coolest guys in school.

"Yo, Carter!" Some sophomore waved.

Carter didn’t break stride, simply pointing at them with two fingers. "Stay sharp, kid."

The sophomore almost fainted.