Chapter 8: The Quiet Storm and the Spark.

*****

Desmond,Laura and Edmond 

On the rooftop, Laura found Desmond leaning on the railing, his back to her, jacket fluttering slightly in the wind. The school below was buzzing, and she knew exactly what they were all talking about.

Her cowboy shoes clicked against the floor as she approached.

"So that's what we're doing now?" she said, folding her arms. "Coming to the rescue of a scholarship girl who clearly doesn't know her place?"

Desmond didn't move. His eyes remained on the horizon, like the view mattered more than her words.

"You embarrassed me, Desmond," she said, her tone sharper now. "In front of everyone."

Still, nothing.

"They already talk. They say you defended her. Do you know how that looks?"

Finally, he spoke.

"I don't care how it looks."

His voice was low, firm—unapologetic.

"But she—"

"Don't start," he said, cutting her off. "I don't want to hear it."

He pushed off the railing, walked past her like she wasn't even there.

"Desmond!" she called, turning sharply. "I'm talking to you!"

He stopped. For a second, just a second, she thought he might turn around.

"That's the problem," he said without looking back.

"You're always talking."

And then he walked away—leaving Laura frozen, lips parted, her pride bruised.

From the stairwell corner, someone had been watching quietly. Edmond exhaled slowly, shaking his head.

 "You keep pushing, Laura," he murmured, "and one day, he's not even going to speak at all."

Laura was still standing there, arms crossed tightly, eyes locked on the stairs where Desmond had disappeared. Her pride burned more than the afternoon sun.

She heard soft steps behind her.

 "You shouldn't have come at him like that," Edmond said.

She turned, tension sharp in her shoulders.

"Are you taking his side now too?"

"I've always been on his side," Edmond replied calmly. "Even when he ignore me for it."

Laura scoffed and looked away. "He's impossible."

"No," Edmond said, stepping closer. "You are."

She blinked at him.

"You think you get to keep showing up, saying what you want to say, controlling how he feels… after everything?"

 "I just wanted to talk," she muttered.

"Talk?" Edmond laughed bitterly. "After you helped tear him down? After you stood beside people who made him question everything?"

Laura flinched. The words hit too close.

"You can't pretend like it didn't happen," Edmond continued. "Like what you did was small. Like he didn't bleed from it."

She looked down, unsure for the first time.

"And now because he defended some girl in the cafeteria, you want to make it about you again?"

"I didn't mean—"

"Yes, you did," Edmond cut in sharply. "You meant every choice you made. So don't act surprised when the wall he built includes you."

There was a long silence.

"He used to listen to me," she whispered. "He used to see me."

"Then you shouldn't have helped bury the version of him that did."

Edmond walked off, leaving Laura standing alone in her silence—surrounded by all the echoes of what she once was to Desmond… and what she might never be again.

Desmond POV

The last bell echoed, but I didn't move.

Class emptied around me like water down a drain — noisy, cluttered, annoying.

One of the students from the cafeteria,Juliet, was packing her notes neatly, sharp as always. Most people rushed out. She stayed behind.

Of course.

She didn't speak right away, which meant she came with something.

"You always wait for everyone to leave before you move," she said, sliding her bag over her shoulder.

I leaned back in my chair, arms crossed. "Helps me breathe."

Juliet smiled, quiet and unbothered. "I get that."

You gave her a long look. "You do?"

"Mm-hmm. It's easier to think when people aren't crowding your space."

His eyes narrowed slightly. "You're not like them. Your friends."

"I hear that a lot." She smiled.

I turned back to my desk, like she wasn't there anymore. But for some reason I didn't tell her to leave.

"I didn't get a chance earlier," Juliet continued, "so… thanks. For what you did in the cafeteria."

I kept my back to her. "I didn't do it for Juliana." 

Why did I even say that? I just want her to know I didn't do it for that her loud mouth rude friend like the whole school thought.

She nodded, stepping forward but keeping her distance. "That's fine. Maybe you did it for yourself. Or for the idea of fairness."

Silence.

She didn't fill it like Juliana would. She let it sit. Let it breathe.

"Or maybe," she added gently, "you just hate bullies."

That made me glance at her.

"I said thanks. I'm not asking for more." she added 

"Then why are you still here?" I asked. My tone was smooth, neutral — but not harsh.

"I wanted to see something."

I raised a brow. "What?"

"If you're human."

I scoffed, leaned back in my chair, and gave a slow smirk. "And?"

Juliet met my eyes, voice calm. "You bleed sarcasm."

My smirk grew — not arrogant, just amused.

"You're different," he said.

"So are you."

I looked at her for a quiet second, so did she.

"I'm not here to fix anyone, Desmond," she added. "But I notice things. And I think maybe… you're not as cold as you want to be."

I look at her and frowned slightly. "That's dangerous for you to believe."

"I'm not scared of you."

"You should be."

"I've seen scarier things than a quiet boy with a sharp tongue."

I blinked at her.

She gave a small nod and stepped away. "Anyway, see you next class."

She walked out — no expectations, no pressure. Just real. Just calm.

And for the first time that day, I didn't feel like punching a wall.

I just… thought.

"She's strange."

But maybe strange was exactly what I could tolerate.

Juliana POV 

The final bell rang, and students spilled into the courtyard like a river let loose. Laughter, chatter,the beep of private car remotes. But one name was on everyone's lips.

"Look, those are the scholarship students."

"No way! That's her—the one who clapped back at Rose and Ivy."

"She didn't just clap. She wrecked them with words."

 "Heard her name's Juliana. She's kinda… bold."

"Bold? That girl's got nerve. I like her."

"Wait—was that Desmond who defended her at lunch?"

" Apparently all of them but yes, Can you believe it? Desmond doesn't even talk to people."

"He never even looks at Laura that way. But for her?"

"She must've cast a spell."

"Or maybe she's just not scared of them."

Mixed opinions floated like perfume.

Some stared in awe. Some with jealousy. A few with open dislike. But no one could ignore us anymore.

I walked through the halls, head high, bag over one shoulder. Juliet beside me, fixing her glasses. Julius just behind, teasing Matt who was sketching even while walking. We weren't trying to be anything special. We are here to learn, to survive, to be better, if allow help others too.

But Diamond had already made up its mind.

We weren't just the scholarship students.

We were the disruption.

The new names in an old system.

And my name is already in their mouths.

Even today when it being two days after, when I walk in the hallway I can here these same lines.

"Did you see the way Desmond jump in to save her?"

"She's bold, I admire her."

"Are we going to see more of her and Desmond now?"

What are these people thinking?

I don't mind them say my name, I don't really mind but pair it with Desmond is what I don't like.

I hurried down the hall, weaving through the final trickle of students returning to class. I have one goal: bathroom, peace, back to class. That was the plan—until I turned the corner and nearly slammed into a wall.

Correction: Raymond.

He was leaning against the wall, arms folded, one foot lazily crossed over the other. When I stopped short, he pushed off the wall smoothly, stepping directly into my path.

"Well, if it isn't the storm in a scholarship uniform."

Juliana narrowed her eyes. "Move, Raymond."

"You say my name like we're already on first-name terms." He smirked, stepping even closer—just enough to be annoying, not enough to be dangerous. 

"I feel honored." he added.

"You should feel concerned. I have a knee, and I'm not scared to use it."

"Ouch. Violent." He leaned slightly, his head tilting with exaggerated curiosity. "Tell me something, Juliana—how did you do it?"

"Do what?"

"You know…" He leaned in dramatically, as if whispering a national secret. "Tame the beast. Make Desmond Lennox step in like some dark knight."

Here we go again I roll my eyes and crossed my arms. "I didn't make him do anything."

"Exactly," Raymond said, straightening. "That's what's fascinating. Most people beg for his attention. You just existed—and he showed up."

I definitely don't like the way his eyes scan me. Not creepy… just calculating. Like I was a puzzle he was trying to crack.

"You were amazing, by the way," he added, his tone suddenly softer—more sincere. "That comeback to the twins? Chef's kiss."

"I didn't do it for an audience," I said flatly.

"But you had one," he pointed out with a grin. "And we loved the show."

"You make quite an impression and I'm impressed."

I stepped sideways, trying to pass, but he shifted to block her again.

"Do you like him?" Raymond asked, and it didn't sound like gossip—more like a dare.

I didn't flinch. "Do you always hover around people's business, or am I special?"

"Very," he said without missing a beat.

"Then do me a favor—go be very somewhere else." I stepped past him, not giving him the satisfaction of another glance.

"You know," he called out as I walked away, "you're the first girl to call me annoying and mean it."

"Then I'm glad to be your first," I say over my shoulder.

That guy he's charming. But that charming have teeth. I should be careful around him.

No. I said checking his thought off.

Raymond Pov

My grin lingered long after she disappeared into the bathroom.

"Interesting," I muttered to myself. "No wonder Desmond's messed up."

I didn't plan to run into her here.

But sometimes opportunity walks down the hallway... straight into your trap.

Juliana Johnson.

The girl who dared to shut down Rose and Ivy without flinching. The girl Desmond defended.

So I stepped into her path—just outside the bathroom hallway, where fewer eyes linger and whispers are louder.

She blinked up at me, sharp eyes already assessing. Defensive. Perfect.

"Bathroom's that way," she said, arms folded.

I leaned slightly forward, just enough to make her pause. Not enough to invade. "Relax, Juliana. I'm not here to fight you."

"Move, Raymond"

God, she was electric. And she said my name, Nice.

"Don't worry," I added, lowering my voice, "I'm impressed. Watching you this week's been... thrilling."

She narrowed her eyes. "You talk like I'm on some reality show."

"Maybe you are. Diamond is full of cameras, after all—just invisible ones."

She was going to leave then I asked.

"Do you like him?"

Her beautiful face hard. That got her attention.

I offered a light chuckle. "You don't have to say anything. I've seen that stare before. He gets under people's skin... even when he's dead silent."

"And you know him so well?" she asked flatly.

I gave a cryptic smile. "Better than most."

She called me bluff and say I should get out of her business. Then leave without looking back.

Huh,that girl's not like the others.

Most girls here… they flutter.

They fold when you lean in. When you smile just right. When you wear your last name like a crown.

But not her.

Juliana Johnson.

Scholarship girl with fire in her eyes and venom on her tongue. She didn't just show up at Diamond — she arrived like a challenge.

And Desmond noticed.

Of course, he did.

He always notices the rare ones. The outliers. The ones that don't bow.

But he won't say it. He never does.

That look he gave her in the cafeteria…

It wasn't pity. It wasn't protection.

It was interest. Caution. Like he was trying to read a book that refused to open.

He thinks I can't see it. But I always do.

Desmond and I — we used to walk in rhythm.

Until things changed.

Until he changed.

And now there's her. Unexpected. Unapologetic. Unafraid.

I wonder if she knows what she's stepping into.

This isn't just some school full of rich kids and student council posters.

It's a maze of old blood, quiet wars, hidden scars. And Desmond… well, he's built a wall so tall around himself that anyone who tries to scale it ends up broken.

But what if she doesn't scale it?

What if she shatters it?

Huh.

That would be fun to watch.

Or dangerous.

Or both.

And either way…

I'll be there.

Watching.

Waiting.

And I'm coming Desmond Lennox.

Because whatever game is starting here 

I'm all in, not gonna sit on sidelines. Gonna see the fucking way Desmond gonna survive this.

Desmond.

Always the quiet storm.

And Juliana 

This unpredictable spark.

Let's see how long the two of them burn before everything explodes.

This gonna be fun.