" Ariana didn't turn. Not immediately. Instead, she finished tying her shoe, stood up slowly, brushed her hands off, and finally faced them calm, expression unreadable. Logan smiled like a wolf. "So polite, " he taunted.
"Didn't think you people had manners. " The words hit the air like a cracked whip. Mason snickered. This is perfect. Keep going.
Students nearby glanced over, but no one stepped in. Some froze, unsure. Others watched with sick anticipation. A few whispered, "Is he seriously doing this? " But none dared interrupt Logan Pierce in his chosen arena.
Ariana stood still, her breathing even. Logan stepped closer until he towered over her. What's wrong? No smart comeback, no attitude, nothing to say. His voice rose theatrically.
Guess you really are just some charity case transfer they dumped here. The insult rippled through the gathered students. Some gasped, others laughed nervously. Mason zoomed in, capturing every second. Ariana remained silent.
Logan's smirk sharpened. He reached out and grabbed her wrist, fingers clamping down with the confidence of someone who had never suffered consequences. "This wrist, " he sneered, lifting it slightly. "Is that what you used to dodge my boy earlier? " "Huh?
" he squeezed harder and harder. Mason whispered. "Yes, yes, this is the shot. " Ariana didn't pull away. She didn't recoil.
She simply let him hold her wrist, letting the pressure sink in, letting his grip tighten to the point where most students would have gasped or yanked free. But her face stayed neutral. Calm, "Almost bored. " Logan's confidence ballooned instantly. "She's weak, " he muttered under his breath.
She can't even pull her hand back. He squeezed again, wanting her to flinch, craving it, but nothing. Instead, Ariana tilted her head just slightly and looked at him with a softness that made no sense in this moment. A softness that wasn't fear. It was patience.
The kind of patience that made Logan's stomach twist, though he didn't understand why. You think you're tough now? He barked, raising his voice so the entire class could hear. "You think one cute little dodge makes you something? " the crowd murmured, shifting uneasily.
Something felt off. Mason zoomed in tighter. "Peak humiliation, " he whispered, thrilled. But Logan didn't notice he was too busy feeding his ego. He leaned closer, lowering his voice to a venomous hiss.
"Say something. Anything. " Ariana finally inhaled, steady, and measured. Her eyes lifted to meet his calm, controlled, unshaken, and she spoke. Not loud, not trembling, not angry, just calm.
If you're trying to scare me, you should squeeze harder. Logan froze. Mason blanked. The entire gym seemed to lose sound for a split second. Ariana slowly nodded toward Logan's hand, still wrapped around her wrist.