FINDING THE MISSING AMETHSYT

Chapter 4

Aaron hurriedly called out, "Where are you guys?" His voice echoed through the bustling hallway.

"We're in the bathroom, the one by the library!" came the response, slightly muffled.

In no time, Aaron sprinted down the corridor with remarkable speed. Just as he burst through the door, a teacher's voice boomed from the opposite end, reprimanding with authority, "No using your super speed in the hallway!"

Ignoring the teacher in his urgency, Aaron swiftly scooped Ana up from the tiled floor where she had collapsed. Without wasting a moment, he rushed her to the school hospital, the faint sounds of the bustling school day fading behind him.

Once inside the clinic, the nurse immediately sprang into action, guiding Aaron to a bed. They carefully laid Ana down and connected her to an IV drip, the cool fluid flowing into her veins as concern filled the air. The clatter of medical equipment set the scene as everyone worked quickly to ensure she received the needed care.

After a brief visit to the clinic, the nurse gently reassured us, her voice calm and soothing, that everything would be alright and that we could return to class without any worries. With relief, I quickly made my way out of the clinic, my mind racing. I hurriedly stopped by my locker to grab a few essential items before rushing to class.

As I walked through the bustling hallway, I was completely unaware that Aaron was right behind me, his presence shadowing my every step. Upon entering the classroom, he made a beeline for Anita's desk, his expression a mix of anger and frustration. Without a moment's hesitation, he reached out and grabbed her arm, his voice sharp and demanding.

"What has she ever done to you?" he shouted, his eyes blazing with intensity. "What did my sister ever do to deserve this? Did you have to go to such lengths to disgrace her, pouring a bucket of paint over her like that?" His words echoed in the room, drawing the attention of our classmates, all of whom were now staring in disbelief at the unfolding drama.

"Let go of my arm!" Anita squealed, her voice tinged with both fear and frustration. Aaron glared at her, a mix of anger and defiance in his eyes. "I don't hit ladies," he snarled, the muscle in his jaw tightening, "but I'll make yours an exception." The threat hung in the air, unsettling and charged.

As I felt the tension in the air rise, I realized that Mrs. Steph could walk in at any moment, and the potential for chaos loomed. My heart raced as I instinctively stepped between Aaron and Anita, desperate to diffuse the escalating situation. "Hey, Aaron, look at me," I said, forcing my voice to remain steady despite the apprehension knotting my stomach. I gently grasped his chin, tilting his face to meet my gaze while guiding him away from Anita, who stood there defiantly. "She's not worth it," I insisted, my tone firm yet imbued with a calm authority. "Let's just leave, okay?" I locked eyes with him, hoping my words would penetrate his anger and quell the fire that was brewing between them.

Just then, Aaron shot Anita a venomous glare, his frustration palpable as he swatted her away dismissively with a flick of his hand. I could barely make out the hissed words tumbling from his lips—something dark and unintelligible that sent a chill down my spine. The tension in the room was thick, and just when I thought it might become unbearable, the door swung open with a creak. In strode Mrs. Steph, her presence effortlessly commanding attention as she surveyed the scene before her.

"Oh wow, what brings you, Mr. Huggins, to our class today?" she inquired, her voice laced with an intriguing mix of curiosity and concern. I stole a glance at Aaron, feeling my pulse quicken in rhythm with the uncertainty swirling around us. The question lingered in the air, heavy with unspoken implications. I couldn't predict how Aaron would respond, and my mind raced as I weighed my options. It felt as if I were walking a tightrope, trying to maintain the delicate balance of our unsteady dynamic.