Chapter 4 First Day, First conquest

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The morning sun crept through the dusty blinds, casting faint lines of golden light across Jake's small bedroom. He groaned, rubbing his eyes as he stretched. Today was the day-his first at Ridgewood High.

He already hated it.

Dragging himself out of bed, he shuffled into the hallway, where the faint sound of giggling met his ears. He followed it to the kitchen and found his little sisters, Emily and Sophie, sitting at the table, their cereal bowls nearly overflowing with milk.

"Morning, troublemakers," Jake muttered, reaching for the loaf of bread on the counter.

Emily, the older of the two, wrinkled her nose at him. "You look like a mess."

Jake smirked as he tore off a piece of bread and popped it into his mouth. "And you look like you need to eat faster, or we'll all be late."

Sophie, her curly brown hair barely tamed in two puffy pigtails, giggled. "Jake, you're always late."

"Shh," Jake said playfully, putting a finger to his lips. "That's a secret."

Just then, heavy footsteps echoed behind him. Jake didn't need to turn around to know who it was.

"You're up late," his father's rough voice cut through the lighthearted morning mood.

Jake exhaled sharply, turning to face the man who had once been strong and proud-now tired and worn. His father eyed him with a look that was all too familiar.

Disappointment.

"I was up late," Jake shot back, tossing the bread into his mouth. "Kinda hard to sleep when you're being forced into a school I don't wanna go to."

His father's expression hardened. "You're going to Ridgewood, and you're going to behave. No fighting, no attitude, and no screw-ups."

Jake scoffed. "Yeah? And what happens if I do screw up? Gonna send me to another school? Oh wait-there aren't any left."

His father slammed his fist on the counter, making Emily and Sophie jump. "You think this is a joke? This is your last shot, Jake. If you mess this up, you're done."

Jake clenched his jaw, meeting his father's gaze without flinching. "Maybe I don't care."

"You will," his father snapped. "Because if you get kicked out of Ridgewood, I won't be the one picking up the pieces."

Silence hung heavy in the air. Jake's fists tightened at his sides, anger bubbling just beneath the surface.

Then, a small hand tugged at his shirt.

"Jake," Sophie's soft voice broke through the tension. "Please don't fight today."

Emily nodded, her big brown eyes pleading. "Yeah, just... try, okay?"

Jake let out a long sigh, his anger deflating just a little. "Fine," he muttered. "Let's just go."

His father didn't say another word.

Jake grabbed his backpack, took his sisters by the hand, and walked them to school.

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First Day at Ridgewood

By the time Jake arrived, the hallways were already bustling with students. The walls were spotless, the floors polished to a shine. Everything about Ridgewood screamed discipline and order-two things he didn't care for.

As he made his way to his class, a sharp voice stopped him in his tracks.

"Young man, do you have any idea what time it is?"

Jake turned to see a teacher-short, stocky, with glasses that sat too low on his nose-staring at him disapprovingly.

He flashed a lazy grin. "Uh... time for me to be in class?"

The teacher scowled. "Late on your first day? Not a good start."

Jake shrugged. "Figured I'd make an entrance."

The teacher huffed. "Get to class. Now."

Jake rolled his eyes and strolled away, shoving his hands into his pockets.

As he turned the corner, something-or rather, someone-caught his attention.

She was standing by her locker, her long blonde hair cascading down her back, eyes bright as she laughed at something a friend said.

She was beautiful. Effortlessly so.

Jake smirked and walked over. "Hey, didn't know angels went to Ridgewood."

The girl turned, her blue eyes scanning him with amusement. "That's original."

"Only for a girl as pretty as you," Jake said smoothly. "Name's Jake."

"Sofia," she replied, her lips curving into a smile. "New here?"

"Yeah," Jake leaned against the lockers. "And you just made my day a whole lot better."

Sofia blushed slightly, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.

But before Jake could continue, a sharp voice cut through the hallway.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?"

Jake turned to see a tall, broad-shouldered guy approaching. His dark hair was styled with effort, his uniform crisp, and his expression deadly.

Jake didn't need to be told-this was the boyfriend.

"And you are?" Jake asked, feigning innocence.

Andrew clenched his jaw. "I'm the guy who's about to rearrange your face."

Jake smirked. "Damn. That's a lot of effort for a stranger. You must really like me."

Andrew's nostrils flared. "Stay away from my girl."

Jake glanced at Sofia, then back at him. "Didn't see your name on her, man."

That was it.

Andrew swung.

Jake barely dodged, stumbling back against the lockers. The hallway erupted in gasps and whispers as students turned to watch.

Jake straightened, rolling his shoulders. "You really wanna do this?"

Andrew didn't answer. He lunged again.

Jake took the hit this time, a solid punch landing against his jaw. He tasted blood.

That pissed him off.

With a sharp inhale, he swung back, his fist connecting with Andrew's ribs. The fight escalated-fists flying, students cheering, some shouting for a teacher.

Andrew tackled Jake against the lockers, gripping his collar.

Then, a loud, commanding voice rang out.

"Enough!"

A teacher stormed toward them, fury written across his face. "To the principal's office. Both of you. Now."

Andrew shoved Jake one last time before stepping back, his chest rising and falling with heavy breaths.

Jake wiped the blood from his lip and smirked.

Before walking off, he turned back to Sofia and winked.

"See you after school, pretty."

Sofia's cheeks flushed.

Andrew's fists clenched.

Jake grinned.

This was going to be an interesting first day.

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