Upon arriving home, Liora went straight to her room without saying much. The calm and familiar atmosphere made her feel a little more at ease, but it wasn’t enough to calm her mind, which was still haunted by everything that had happened at school.

Not long after, there was a gentle knock on her door. Liora opened it to find Mikhail, her older brother, standing there with a concerned expression. Mikhail was always there for her, though he could sometimes be quieter and more serious. But this time, he could see how tired Liora was, and it made him a bit anxious.

"Liora," Mikhail said softly, "Are you okay?"

Liora nodded slowly, but her eyes showed exhaustion. "I just need some time, Abang."

Mikhail entered and sat on the edge of Liora’s bed, looking at her with concern. "What happened at Blackridge? I know something’s not right."

Liora sat at her study desk, staring blankly out the window. "Everything’s getting harder, Abang. The student council there... they’re all involved in a bigger game than I thought. They don’t care about the truth. Everyone only cares about image and power."

Mikhail looked at her intently. "But you know what’s right, right? You know that what they’re saying about you is wrong."

Liora bit her lip, finding it hard to admit. "I know... but it feels like they’ve controlled everything. I can’t just stay silent and let them win. But if I fight back, I could also become a target."

Mikhail sighed deeply, then stood and walked closer. "Liora, nothing’s easy in situations like this. But you need to understand, fighting back doesn’t mean you’ll lose. Not every battle has to be won the same way. Sometimes, fighting is about staying true to what’s right, even when the world around you doesn’t agree."

Liora lifted her head and looked at Mikhail, who stood before her. "But I’m scared, Abang. I’m scared they’ll ruin everything."

Mikhail smiled faintly, though he knew how heavy the situation was. "They might try to ruin everything, but they won’t be able to destroy your principles. What matters is how you stay true to yourself. No one can stop that."

Liora felt a little more at ease hearing Mikhail’s words. While it didn’t erase her fear, she knew she wasn’t alone. And perhaps, with a little courage, she could face the issues at Blackridge.

"Thank you, Abang," Liora said, her voice soft but full of gratitude. "I’ll try to think more clearly. I can’t keep running away."

Mikhail gently patted her shoulder. "I’m always here for you, Liora. Don’t hesitate to rely on me."

Liora nodded, feeling more ready to face whatever would come. She knew the path ahead wouldn’t be easy, but at least she had the support of her family.