Ultima's Bite!

The rest of the school day passed uneventfully—at least on the surface.

Tessa didn't make another move, but April could feel her watching. The queen bee wasn't done. Far from it.

Still, it wasn't Tessa that set off April's instincts.

It was something else.

As she walked out of the school gates, she became aware of a presence. Not loud, not obvious—just... there. A lingering weight in the background.

Someone was watching her.

April adjusted her bag strap, walking as if she hadn't noticed. She wasn't the type to imagine things. Her Gear had enhanced her instincts beyond normal human levels. 

If she felt something, it was real.

The real question was who.

And why.

She took her usual route home, letting the presence follow. A few streets down, the crowd thinned, and she took a sudden turn into an alley.

A dead end.

Then, she stopped.

Silence.

The presence hesitated.

'Got you.'

April turned on her heel. "Alright," she called out, voice calm but sharp. "You can come out now."

Silence stretched.

Then—

A figure stepped forward from behind a parked car.

A young man, maybe a few years older than her. Dark hoodie, hands in his pockets, expression unreadable.

He didn't seem threatening. Just... watching. Studying.

April crossed her arms. "You've been following me."

The guy didn't deny it. "You noticed."

April tilted her head. "You wanted me to notice."

He smirked slightly. "Not many people would."

"Lucky me." Her voice stayed flat. "Now, are you gonna tell me why, or do I have to start assuming the worst?"

He exhaled. "Relax. I was just... curious."

April narrowed her eyes. "About what?"

He studied her for a moment. Then, with a small, knowing smile, he said—

"You."

April's patience thinned. "Not an answer."

His smirk didn't fade. "You're not like the others."

April felt something cold settle in her chest.

This wasn't about high school drama. This wasn't about Tessa.

This was something else entirely.

And she was about to find out exactly what.