Chapter 2 Forced Together

Time seemed to freeze.

Their eyes widened in shock, their breaths caught in their throats. Wind's fingers were still tightly gripping Sea's collar, but neither of them moved. Their bloody lips lingered together for a moment too long just long enough for the realization to hit.

Wind was the first to react. He sprang

back as if he had been burned, his face contorted in disgust.

"What the hell?!" he spat, furiously wiping his lips.

Sea scrambled to his feet, glaring at him. "Do you think I wanted this to happen?!"

Their shouting match was abruptly cut short by the teacher, who was now beyond furious.

"Enough!" she snapped. "Both of you to the Headmaster's office NOW ."

She turned to the crowd that had gathered, their eyes still wide with disbelief.

"Go! Get to class!" she ordered, waving them away. But the damage had already been done.

As the students dispersed, whispers echoed through the halls:

"Did you see that?"

"Wind and Sea... I cannot believe it."

"This is going to be all over the school."

Sea groaned as he heard the gossip spreading like wildfire.

Wind clenched his fists, his jaw tightening. He turned to Sea, his voice dangerously low.

"This never happened got it?" His tone was sharp, but beneath it, there was something else panic? Embarrassment?

Sea scoffed, dusting off his uniform. "Trust me, I'd rather eat dirt than admit to this. "

Neither of them spoke as they walked toward the Headmaster's office, their shoulders tense, their gazes stubbornly avoiding each other.

The Headmaster's office was eerily quiet, the air heavy with unspoken words.

Headmaster Pattaya sat behind his desk, fingers interlocked as he studied them with a tired expression. "So," he sighed. "Would either of you care to explain why I had to hear about your fight and... the other incident from half the school before I even got my morning coffee?"

Sea exhaled sharply. "I was just walking to class when he suddenly punched me."

Wind scoffed. "You conveniently left out the part where you barged into me."

They both turned to glare at each other, and within seconds, their childish bickering resumed.

"You threw the first punch!"

"You weren't looking where you were going!"

"You tackled me to the ground!"

"You kicked me!"

The Headmaster pinched the bridge of his nose, clearly regretting his career choices. He let them go on for a few more seconds before slamming his palm on the desk.

"Enough! " His voice was calm but firm. "I can see you two don't get along, and frankly, I don't care. What I do care about is putting an end to your nonsense."

Sea and Wind fell silent, watching him warily.

"So," the Headmaster continued, a smirk creeping onto his face, "I've decided that from now on, you two will be partners in all school activities until further notice."

The room went dead silent.

"What?!" they shouted in unison.

"That's completely unfair!" Wind protested.

"There's no way I'm working with him!" Sea added, crossing his arms.

The Headmaster leaned back in his chair, utterly unfazed by their protests. "I think it's a brilliant idea. Maybe being forced to work together will stop you from trying to kill each other in the hallways."

Sea and Wind exchanged horrified glances.

"There has to be another way," Sea tried again. "Detention? Community service? Anything but this."

Wind nodded in agreement. "Yeah, I'd rather clean toilets than be stuck with him."

The Headmaster simply smiled. "Well, if you refuse, I can always extend the punishment to cleaning the entire school for the rest of the semester."

Wind and Sea paled.

"...Fine," Sea gritted out.

Wind clenched his teeth. "Fine."

The Headmaster clapped his hands together. "Excellent! Now get out of my office before I storm up another punishment."

They wasted no time storming out of the office, shoulders tense with frustration.

The second they stepped into the hallway, Wind turned to Sea with a scowl.

"This is all your fault."

Sea exhaled sharply, rubbing his temple. "You always say that. Maybe you're 're the problem."

Wind huffed, shoving his hands into his pockets.

As they walked, more whispers followed them, the stares lingering a second too long. Sea could feel the rumors already solidifying into some ridiculous story.

Wind seemed to sense it too. He gritted his teeth.

Sea sighed. Neither of them said anything else. They didn't need to.

Because despite the lingering tension between them, they both knew this wasn't over.

It was only the beginning.