It was finally resumption day everyone has been looking forward to. Ruby Hart ran around the house searching for the other pair of her shoes while a delicious aroma escaped through the space beneath the kitchen door. As Chloe Hart tended to several things at once in the kitchen, Ruby still hadn't found her shoe. Chloe rounded up her morning hassle by packing Ruby's lunch and setting the table for breakfast. "Ruby, don't tell me you still haven't found your shoe!" Chloe yelled, as she untied the apron, sweat dripping down her face. Ruby hurried down the stairs with the other pair in her hand, her neatly combed hair was now in a tangled mess, "Found it!" "Holy shit!! Your hair is messed up!" Chloe exclaimed, hurrying to grab the brush. The house wasn't luxurious, instead, it was a warm and cozy space for an average family of three. Since her mother died, Chloe had taken up responsibilities she didn't sign up for and watching Ruby grow without a genuine care from her mother broke her heart every time. Chloe hurriedly brushed Ruby's hair, packing it into two neat buns, "Hurry up and eat before the bus arrives." Ruby hurried to the dining table, taking huge chunks of her breakfast, "I know I told you to hurry up but don't choke yourself!" Chloe tidied up the sitting room before running upstairs to get dressed. In less than ten minutes, the bus taking Ruby to school honked outside. Ruby wiped her mouth, rushed to carry her backpack and lunch box before yelling on the top of her voice, "Chloe!!! The bus is here, I love you!!" Before Chloe could respond, Ruby was already out of the house running towards the bus. Chloe looked through the window and didn't look away until Ruby got into the bus. She checked the time and she had barely thirty minutes to get to school. She had taken her bath already, so she hurriedly got dressed, styled her hair in a messy bun before hurrying downstairs. Not having enough time to eat, she took three bites, rushing towards the door. As soon as she got to the door, her gaze landed on her mother's portrait, she blinked back the tears threatening to fall before whispering, "Wish me luck." Chloe steadied her emotions before leaving the house. She ran to the bus station hoping the bus would arrive in time. Chloe waited for almost ten minutes but the bus still hadn't shown up. Chloe stomped her feet on the floor as she kept checking the time repeatedly. Finally, the bus arrived. The fourth stop was her destination but not entirely. The moment Chloe alighted from the bus, she took off immediately, running as fast as her legs could carry her. She had barely gotten to the bridge that led to a shorter route to her school when a car sped past her, splashing muddy water on her. Could her day get any better? Chloe gasped and yelled, "Heyyyyy!!!!!!!!!!!" Her neatly ironed uniform was already a mess and thinking of going to school covered in mud completely drained color from her face. Like the driver knew he had wronged somebody, he halted the car. Chloe seized the opportunity and ran towards the car, hitting the window aggressively. In the car. A young lad sat at the back seat with his headset on and eyes shut, completely unaware of the chaos happening outside. The driver turned to look at him, wearing a worried look. With no other choice, he rolled down the window, "Young lady, I'm sorry this happened to you." Chloe scoffed, nodding her head vigorously, "What I'm I supposed to do with your sorry? My uniform is ruined!!" The driver sighed, bringing out three notes from his pocket, handing it over to her, as Chloe was about to protest, he rolled up the window and drove away. Chloe bursted into a loud laughter as people assumed she was deranged. "Three notes?? Seriously? To buy a new uniform or what?" Chloe complained angrily but there was nothing she could do. Chloe glanced at her watch, "Oh shit!" She took off again, running down to school. ••••• KINGSTON HIGH At exactly 9:00 a.m, Chloe Hart stood at the gate for almost thirty minutes before finally making her way in. As she walked in, the students around pointed at her, giggling softly. Some even went as far as taking pictures and videos of her in a mess. The parking lot buzzed with excitement. Seniors laughed like they owned the place while freshmen looked like they wanted to disappear. Chloe Hart tightened her grip on her backpack and lowered her gaze as she made her way to the restroom to clean up. After thirty minutes, she was able to wipe it clean to an extent before proceeding to the registration hall to grab her books, Grade 12th badge and new locker key. It was resumption day and there were so many students around, waiting in line to get theirs. As soon as Chloe Hart arrived at the hall, she spotted Madison Ellis and her clique, heading out with their heads high. Chloe hurriedly stepped back but she wasn't quick enough, Madison spotted her before she could go too far. "Isn't that Chloe? She looks like a huge mess." Madison said with disgust, her voice echoing the entire hall. Chloe swallowed hard without saying a word. The students immediately turned to her, some whispering some inaudible words. Madison chuckled and took some steps forward, "I saw your registration form to join the cheerleading squad. Oh dear, don't you have pastries to sell?" The moment Madison asked that question, the students bursted into a loud laugh because only a few knew she worked in a pastry café. "Madison, can you stop it?" Chloe asked, clenching her first tight. Madison chuckled again, "Barbie girl wants me to stop, how about you....." She paused, throwing her books on the floor, "How about you pick up these books and come with me? If you really want to join the cheerleading squad, you have to do as I say." Madison smirked, watching Chloe stand there, wallowing in shame. "Madison.........." "Seems Ben Carson got himself a new patient! Are you insane? Oh, yes you are!" Tessa yelled from the entrance, interrupting Chloe. Madison turned to the girls, before diverting her gaze back to Tessa and Chloe, "Here comes her crazy dog." Tessa Morgan is Chloe's best friend, who has a fierce spirit. She was willing to cross moral boundaries if it meant keeping Chloe safe and her impulsive actions often escalated conflicts. Students knew better than getting on her wrong side. "Call me a dog one more time and I will show you how dangerous it is to be around a crazy dog." Tessa threatened, dropping her school bag on the floor. Chloe hurriedly picked up her bag, "Tessa, they are not worth your time. You don't have to fight anybody." "I guess you are the one insane here! Let me teach this shitty things a lesson they would never forget!" Tessa yelled at Chloe, not willing to back down. Madison crunched her face in disgust, she looked at her books on the floor and the students. Immediately, she concluded in her mind, there was no way she was going to pick that up. Someone has to do it and it was Chloe! Madison Ellis smirked, taking slow strides towards them, "Well, if you are really keen on joining the squad, pick up my books with your mouth! I'm in charge and you have to do as I say!" The hall became tensed as they all anticipated Tessa's reaction. No one in the school doesn't know Tessa, in fact, she has gained more popularity than the Kingston Hawks. Tessa gave Madison a quick glance before bursting into a loud laughter, Chloe as well couldn't help but chuckle. Madison sounded very ridiculous! "Say that again if you dare!" Tessa challenged her. Madison scoffed and repeated, "Chloe has to pick up my books with her........" Slap! The hall erupted into a collective gasp immediately Tessa's hand met with Madison's face.

The hall fell into a collective gasp as one of Tessa's hands connected with Madison's cheek. Madison froze, still trying to process what had just happened. The teachers nearby, who had stayed conveniently silent through all of it, finally stepped forward. Before they could speak, Tessa interrupted, "Consider that the tip of the iceberg. Who exactly do you think you are? If you think people need your permission to join a squad, you're dead wrong. Right here, right now, I'm giving Chloe full clearance to join, and I have every right to report you to the coach for a suspension. You don't outrank me! I'm the sports rep, not you." Her voice rang clear across the hall. "I already grabbed your stuff. Let's go," she added, pulling Chloe along by the arm. Madison stood there with her mouth open. Between the humiliation and the sting on her cheek, it was too much to hold together. Without another word, she bolted from the hall, one hand pressed to her face while her friends scrambled to gather her books before chasing after her. The teachers chose not to intervene any further. Madison's family held the largest shares in the school, and no one wanted to risk their job over a minor issue. Order was called, and registration resumed. A few minutes later, a commotion started outside. A black Mercedes C300 rolled into the lot, and students gathered to see who was arriving in something that expensive. The moment Ethan Carter and Lily Carter stepped out of the car, more students trooped out in their numbers to take a peek. Ethan Carter tucked his hands into his pants, taking casual but arrogant steps towards the main building, alongside his sister, Lily Carter. Phones came out immediately and within minutes, the school blog had a new post: "The Carters pulled up in a sleek Mercedes C300 today. Westbridge, show us what your idol's got." A direct jab, aimed straight across town. ••••• WESTBRIDGE HIGH. As the car rolled into the school, his phone buzzed repeatedly, interrupting his playlist. With a crossed expression and irritation, Ronnie Calloway pulled out his phone, ready to burst at whoever it was. Ronnie's mind was fixated on Mason, as he was the only one who could pester Ronnie that way. Instead, it was the pictures of Ethan and Lily Carter arriving at school. Ronnie's gaze settled on Ethan's smug expression and he could tell Ethan was enjoying every bit of it. Ronnie smiled sadly, quietly tucking his phone away. "We have arrived." The driver announced. Ronnie grabbed his backpack and stepped down. As usual, the moment he walked towards the building, students trooped out in numbers, taking pictures and videos of their idol. Immediately, they updated their blog with the headline, "Your idol can't compare!" Ronnie Calloway simply paid no one any attention as he made his way to the hallway. Ronnie Calloway is the Captain of the Westbridge Wolves Football Team. Numerous victories have been registered since the team has been existing. He wasn't only their idol, he was also their scholar! Unlike Kingston High where lectures commenced almost immediately, Westbridge was different. The first week was completely lecture free, giving room to those willing to participate in any extracurricular activities to be a part of the team. Also, the first week is where they elect their school representatives. As soon as Ronnie got to the hallway, he bumped into Mason smiling sheepishly, "Hey buddy, I sent you tons of texts, did you see them?" Mason questioned, pulling off his headset. "I did." Ronnie replied, snatching his headset from him. Mason chuckled lightly, "So you decided to ignore my texts? Well, how excited are you about the Riverton Elite Cup?" Ronnie finally smiled, releasing the tension in his body, "I'm super excited, we need to get that cup, claim the victory and prove to Kingston who the kings are!!" "That's the energy!!!! We are the Westbridge Wolves!!" Mason yelled. Mason Grey is Ronnie's best buddy and a midfielder in the Westbridge Wolves. Mason patted Ronnie's shoulder as they made their way to the court for their first meeting for the session. ••••• At the football pitch, the twenty members of Westbridge Wolves sat on the benches, listening attentively to their coach's enlightenment. "I got an email last night that the preparation for the Riverton Elite Cup has begun and we were advised to prepare the teams before the event. We all know how important this is to us right?" Coach Marcus questioned. "Yes sir!" Coach Marcus nodded, "We would commence training at once tomorrow while other activities would also commence tomorrow. I need you all to turn up aggressively, I have developed some new formation we could use to outrank the others. Remember, we are competing, our opponents are not going to back down either. The school has provided everything we would be needing and if any need arises, the school will make adequate provisions for them. I need you all to give this your best! This is your final competition before you graduate, put in your best and trust the process." "Ronnie, this is not the time to slacken, as the captain, you must prove to stand! Tomorrow, different people will be taking on different positions while the rest serve as substitutes. If anyone fails to commit to their positions, they should be prepared to become a substitute. With adequate training, we would shuffle and conclude." Coach Marcus rounded up while they stood to their feet, placing their hands on each other's hands. "Westbridge Wolves!!!!!" "We bring home victories!" "Westbridge Wolves!!!!!!" "We don't compete, we win!!" They kept on chanting their slogans, attracting other students. Coach Marcus dismissed the meeting while the boys waited behind to have a chitchat. "Babe!!!!" A tiny voice called out to one of the team members. Jaden, the team's superstar defender, turned immediately, a sweet smile spreading across his face, waving at her. Mira hurriedly ran towards him, pulling him into a tight hug. Kai rolled his eyes immediately, turning to Ronnie, "Yo man, Jaden got himself a girl during the holiday. I'm waiting for yours." Mason laughed immediately while Ronnie hissed, "Dream on!" "You can't die single, you need a girl!!!" Kai yelled as Ronnie went farther away from them. ••••• THE CALLOWAY ESTATE The villa was quiet, the kind of quiet Ronnie had long since stopped noticing. His parents weren't home yet, not that it surprised him. Ronnie Calloway sat by his window with a photograph in his hands, the evening breeze blowing softly, as if trying to ease the pain in his heart. As he stared at the photograph in his hands, his mind went to Ethan, wondering if he had completely gotten over the mess that happened years ago. Tears welled in his eyes but he shut them immediately, his fingers clenched around the picture, his veins almost popping out. "I should have gotten over you." Ronnie whispered, his eyes still shut. He glanced at the clock and it was exactly 8:00 p.m. when his phone buzzed. It was a text...... "We are set, aren't you coming?" Without responding, he turned off his screen, opening a drawer in his closet and pulled out his helmet. Downstairs, he could hear nothing but the hum of the empty house, the same silence that had followed him for years, ever since he had learned not to expect anyone waiting up. Seeing the path was clear, Ronnie slipped quietly toward the back of the house, jumping over the fence with the helmet tucked under his arm. Tonight, he wasn't Westbridge's captain, or the son the Calloway name was counting on. Tonight, he was no one at all and that was exactly how he needed it.

MAPLE BEAN CAFÉ Chloe Hart loosened the apron around her waist, ready to close up for the day. The café had just a few people left in it, and closing time was 9:00 p.m. "Chloe, I thought we could walk home together, but I'm going to have to leave you on your own tonight," her coworker said. Chloe smiled and replied, "It's not a problem, I'll be fine by myself, don't worry about it." Chloe winked at her, then headed into the changing room to switch back into her regular clothes. Chloe worked part-time to support her widowed father. She knew how hard it was for him to make ends meet, and she wanted to help, even though he had always been against it. She was done within minutes, grabbed her backpack, and collected her pay for the shift. "Bye, Rosey." Chloe said, hurrying out of the café. Chloe Hart hurried down the road, hoping she could still catch a taxi. She had barely reached the bus stop when a motorbike sped past her at the highest speed she had ever seen. As she stepped back to avoid being hit, she stumbled over a large stone by the roadside and lost her balance, twisting her ankle in the process. "Aaaargh!" Chloe let out a sharp cry, grabbing at her ankle. The biker didn't stop, neither did he look back. Chloe hissed in pain, "I hope you crash and burn, you reckless idiot!" Chloe Hart grabbed her backpack off the ground, since there was nothing else to do, and staggered the rest of the way home. The moment she walked in, she found her father in the sitting room, wearing an expression that wasn't friendly at all. "Chloe, why do you keep disobeying me? I've told you to quit that job. Why are you just getting home at this hour? You are a young lady, for goodness' sake!" George, Chloe's father snapped. Chloe stood still, saying nothing. She should have taken a taxi home, but she couldn't get one, so she had walked, spending over an hour on the road. "I'm sorry, Dad," she said, lowering her gaze, but George wasn't having it, "You keep saying sorry, Chloe. I appreciate the effort, but this has to stop. You can't keep coming home this late. Watching you struggle like this makes me feel like I have failed as a father, Please!" George stormed off to his room, leaving Chloe standing there, wondering if she was really wrong. Chloe had only ever wanted to help him. Tears welled in her eyes as her gaze drifted to her mother's portrait on the wall. Chloe Hart quietly looked away, limped quietly to Ruby's room to check on her, adjusted her blanket, and slipped out again. Back in her own room, Chloe changed, freshened up, and lay down, scrolling through her phone. She checked the school blog like she always did and her name sat boldly in one of the headlines. Her phone buzzed almost immediately.......... It was a text from Ethan Carter. Chloe rolled her eyes and ignored it. Another text came in, and this time she gave in and opened it, she skimmed it but didn't bother replying. The phone kept buzzing, clearly annoyed that she wasn't responding to his texts. "I'm trying to sleep. Can you stop texting me?" she finally replied, irritation clear in every word. Ethan immediately started typing back, but before his reply could land, she switched off her phone. Still, sleep didn't come easily. She tossed and turned for a long while before finally drifting off. ••••• The eastern part of Riverton buzzed with a different kind of nightlife, racing, noise, motion. Ronnie Calloway leaned against his bike, flicking a lighter open and shut while the crowd around him grew louder, eager for the race to start. What was supposed to be a straightforward match turned chaotic when someone in the crowd threw open a bet between Ronnie and a rider named Javan Steel but Ronnie's odds were by far the highest. "Hey, buddy, can't wait to crush you tonight." Javan jabbed. Ronnie only smirked and said nothing. He was willing to give the race everything he had. "I'm gonna make you cry for your mommy!" Javan yelled, pumping the crowd up. Some booed while some cheered him on. Ronnie swung onto his bike and pulled on his helmet. He revved the engine with pride and eased into a smooth drift, a quiet show of readiness. Ronnie glanced around at the crowd, no one here knew who he really was, where he came from, whose son he was. No one was here to lecture him about grades or legacy or business. They were here for the show, and this garage was the only place his worries went quiet. The Ladybug of every race blew her whistle, signaling the start, and both riders gunned their engines in response. She stepped between them, raised both hands, then fired a shot into the air. They tore off at once, neither willing to give an inch as the crowd roared for their pick. At one point they both veered briefly off the main track, leaving the audience murmuring in confusion, before swerving back onto the route and pushing their speed even higher. The moment Javan glanced over at him, Ronnie surged ahead, refusing to give him the satisfaction, "Fuck!" Javan cursed, straining to close the gap, but Ronnie's bike had the edge. As they neared the finish line, Javan made one last desperate push, then, without warning, he hurled something sharp straight at Ronnie's tire. Before Ronnie could react, the tire gave out beneath him. Thrown off balance by the sudden stop, Ronnie hit the ground hard, rolling down the road. Javan crossed the finish line first with his arms raised while his supporters chanted around him, "I'm the king of this race! Not even your golden boy can....." Before he could finish, he landed on the floor as Ronnie boot pressed hard against his face. The crowd gasped. "What the hell did you do to my bike?" Ronnie snarled, grabbing him by the collar with his eyes blazing in fury. Javan let out a short laugh, "Do whatever it takes to win, buddy." Ronnie's fist connected with his face almost immediately, his eyes bloodshot. Javan tried to swing back, but another punch landed on his face, followed by a hard kick on his groin. Javan tumbled over with a loud groan, blood dripping down his lip, and still managed a smug, triumphant laugh that made something in Ronnie snap further. "I'm going to kill you!" Ronnie yelled, aiming another kick. Before it could land, Logan shoved his way between them, hauling Ronnie back, "You're going to kill him!" Javan bared his bloody teeth in a smug grin, clearly satisfied. He had wanted this reaction, and he had gotten what he wanted. Ronnie glared at him, still fighting against Logan's grip, "Enough! Can't you see he is baiting you on purpose?" Ronnie shot Logan a hard look, his anger nowhere near settled. He took a brief glance at the audience, grabbed his helmet and stormed off. Not ready to let it go, Javan shouted after him, "This isn't over! I'm going to make you regret this!"