Since yesterday, something had shifted inside Axel. He didn't know what it was exactly just that it started after that night, after Noah. He didn't sleep much. He kept thinking about it Noah's words, his face, the way he didn't judge him. It was annoying. Distracting. It made everything feel weird today, and Axel hated feeling weird. He hated feeling...soft. By lunch, the tightness in his chest hadn't eased. Javier was late. Nat had texted that she was skipping lunch altogether. So now he was alone, standing in line, trying not to punch the vending machine for running out of his favorite drink. That's when he showed up. "Yo," a voice said behind him. Deep. Lazy. Cruel. "Ain't you that kid who's been expelled from, what five schools now?" Axel didn't turn around. He rolled his eyes and stepped forward in the line. But the guy stepped closer. "I mean, damn. Westbridge must be desperate if they're taking in charity cases now." Axel's jaw clenched. He still didn't speak. Then a soft shove to his shoulder. Just enough to tip the balance of his tray. "You don't talk much, huh? I like that. Makes you easier to mess with."

Axel turned around slow. His eyes were fire now. "You trying to impress somebody, or is this just how you make friends?" The guy smirked. "Touchy. Guess your temper's as real as they say." Axel moved forward, but the guy followed. "You know what I heard?" he said low, leaning closer. "That your own parents didn't even want you. Sent you here to rot." That was it. Axel snapped. He shoved the guy, hard. His tray hit the floor. A loud clatter of metal and plastic echoed through the cafeteria. People turned. The guy shoved him back. "Oh, you wanna go?" A punch. Another. Tables got shoved, people backed away, phones came out someone yelled for a teacher. Axel didn't care. He didn't stop until strong hands grabbed him and yanked him off. His knuckles stung. Lip split. Breathing fast. The other guy had a bloody nose and a busted ego. "Office. Now!" a teacher barked. And then, out of nowhere Noah. He didn't say anything at first. Just looked at Axel, disappointed but calm. Axel glanced away. "Come on," Noah finally said. "You're bleeding." "I'm fine." "Didn't ask." Axel hated how easily Noah grabbed his arm, how easily he let him.

Infirmary

The nurse didn't say much. She just cleaned the cut on Axel's lip, wrapped his knuckles, and told him to stop being an idiot next time. Noah leaned against the wall the entire time, arms folded, quiet. When the nurse left for a minute, Axel looked over. "You gonna lecture me too?" Noah didn't move. "Nah. I figured you already know you screwed up." "Tch." Silence stretched between them. Then Noah said, "You almost had people thinking you changed." Axel's jaw tightened. "Don't act like you care." "Maybe I don't. But I was starting to." That shut him up. Noah turned and walked out. Axel stayed sitting on the infirmary bed, staring at the bandage on his hand like it meant something. He didn't know why that last line stung worse than the punch.