Dice rattled on the table as it was tossed on the table. The twenty-sided dice slowly rolled and stopped on the number ‘1’.

Jane melted in her chair and slowly slid down. The dice had spoken. She had no choice…

“Well, you made the loudest sound possible and the guards saw you,” Callum spoke before gesturing, “Roll initiative, Jane.”

She groaned as she adjusted herself to sit properly and grabbed the dice. She pursed her lips while shaking her fist.

“It was a perfect setup too…” She muttered.

“Too bad your role sucks.”

Jane grumbled and tossed the dice while Callum grinned.

Amy sits on an armchair reading quietly near the bookshelves in the corner of the club room. It had been a routine; Amy would wait in the Werewolves & Witches Club room after school for her older sister Jane, who is a member of the club. It baffled her that Jane would want to join something as, what people affectionately call it, nerdy as Werewolves & Witches, but she didn’t complain. The club members were friendly, constantly updated their reading materials and their club room was air-conditioned.

“Holy shit I survived!!” Jane exclaimed and sagged on the chair. Other players at the table laughed and Callum patted her back. He was Jane’s best friend and the club president for Werewolves & Witches. He was also the one that welcomed Amy even though she wasn’t registered for it.

The bell of Woodsbury High echoed and Callum clapped his hands. “That’s it for today’s session!” He announced. All the players, especially Jane, groaned. He grinned as he continued, “Don’t forget to update your character sheet. All of you levelled up and some of you… ahem, picked up some stuff too.”

Jane did just that while the rest packed up and dismissed themselves. Then she packed up her stuff; maps, sheets, minis and dice into her case. Amy was already by her side by the time she finished packing. Jane looked up with a smile, “Got everything?” she asked. Amy nodded.

The brunette stood and swung her briefcase over her shoulder but not before calling out, “Good game, Callum! See ya!”

Callum waved as the two girls left the club room.

Other students were leaving their club rooms so the hallways were cramped from so many of them rushing to get home. Amy moved closer to Jane who, at the same time, wrapped her arm around her waist. They squeezed themselves through the crowd until they managed to get out of the building.

As soon as they were out in the courtyard…

“Look out!!”

The sisters failed to see a coming basketball and hit Amy’s arm when she instinctively raised her arms. She yelped and collapsed to her knees. Jane dropped her case and knelt beside her. Concern painted on her face and she didn’t bother the coming footsteps towards them as she took Amy’s arm.

“O-oh shit, Jane, I’m so sorry!”  Lucas stammered. His heart thumped harder when he saw the bruise on Amy’s arm. Jane either didn’t hear him or ignored him as she fussed over her little sister.

“Does it hurt?” Jane asked softly. Amy shook her head. Lucas was torn between helping or just letting Jane do her work. Clearly, she knew better what to do in this situation than him.

The brunette looked up at him. For a split second, he saw the faintest of glare from her eyes. Then, as quick as it came, the glare softened and she smiled politely.

“It’s not your fault. You tried to warn us but we didn’t see.”

Lucas wasn’t good at reading people’s emotions, but from Jane’s tone, he knew enough that the brunette wasn’t fuming at him. He sighed shakily.

“A-anything I can help? I can–...”

Amy froze. She quickly pulled her sleeve down to cover her bruised arm. Her face flushed red and tears formed at the corners of her eyes as the voices of those girls continued.

Amy wasn’t the confrontational type. She didn’t like to argue even if to defend herself. So she covered her ears so she wouldn't hear them. Her body wouldn’t move and her voice stuck in her throat. Meanwhile, the girls continued to throw insults, but it was short-lived when a dark-haired girl jumped out of the bushes they were passing by and startled them.

“I’ll give you fucking rabies if you won’t shut up!!”

It happened so fast in that short span of time. Jane was glaring daggers at the girls while holding Amy but immediately changed to shock when the dark-haired girl jumped. Lucas had to pause from picking up the basketball as he watched as well. The dark-haired girl huffed and then turned towards them and approached.

She gently held Amy’s shoulder, startled the pink-haired girl but her eyes softened.

“S-Skye…?” Amy muttered.

“I chased those mean girls away, Amy!” Skye exclaimed proudly. Jane loosened her hold around her younger sister. A smile stretched on her lips.

“Thanks, Skye. I’m so glad you’re Amy’s friend,” Jane said. Skye sheepishly grinned as she scratched her head. Her cheeks flushed red from the compliment. She then snapped back to hold Amy’s hand, gently pulling her back to her feet. Amy’s knees were shaking but the pink-haired girl mustered a grateful smile.

“Let’s go to my house! My mom’s making chicken noodle soup,” Skye said.

Amy glanced at Jane who gave her a nod. Amy immediately lit up and let herself be dragged by Skye. Jane watches them leave the school courtyard until she can’t see them. She sighed softly.

“S-sorry that your sister had to go through that, Jane…” Lucas spoke up after a long silence.

The brunette sighed.

“She didn’t deserve all that…” She muttered as she picked up her case. Lucas watched her leave as well.