As the bell rang at Royal Woods High School, all the students rushed in and out of their classes, including cousins Ross, Third, and Lani, Lincoln's oldest children, Lynn, and Luna.

Throughout the day, it was not uncommon to hear all kinds of screams and explosions caused by the members of this new Loud generation along with the commotion and noise of the other students, but the sound dissipated in the mind of a young girl who was watching from a distance. Intently, like a lioness waiting to ambush her prey and with a look of anger, Neit O'Groon waited for the opportunity to take revenge on Third.

Since they met, they had both had different confrontations, but despite being stronger, Third had managed to beat her every time with tricks.

In three non-consecutive events, he had tricked her into believing that he knew martial arts, after he challenged her in a game of dodgeball, and in the end he beat her in a arm wrestling in front of the whole school; Since then, she has sworn revenge on the McBride boy.

Initially she wanted to beat him up and leave him badly hurt, but changed her mind when an upperclassman arrived first to take Third's lunch money, just to get hit by some of the biggest, meanest and dumbest students in school. who referred to Third as "Boss".

What Neit didn't know was that Third used to tutor troublesome students, who after raising they grades, were so grateful that they returned the favor whenever they got the chance.

Seeing this, Neit changed her strategy, because although she was physically strong, she was also smart enough to know that she could not face a group of primates with more muscles than brains alone, so she decided to wait.

Since then, Neit took every opportunity to annoy Third, she was older by a year, so they didn't have classes in common, but whenever they met in the same room, she made sure he noticed her presence, from small insults, even throwing balls of paper at her, occasional shoving, tripping, and getting ahead of the line, small annoyances that became part of their daily routine, but she wasn't satisfied until one day her opportunity presented itself.

One morning, during a free hour Neit was playing on the computers in the library, when he saw Third come in very alarmed by a task he had forgotten and had to finish, Neit realized that the computer plug was near her foot and she saw her chance for revenge, all she had to do was unplug it and her enemy would lose all work.

Hidden behind a monitor, she watched Third work, just waiting for the exact moment, finally, Third had finished and was ready to send his work to print when Neit pulled the cable with her foot, but nothing happened.

The monitors did not turn off, and the job started to print without any problems.

Neit felt confused for a moment, until she saw that the librarian was angry that her computer had shut down unexpectedly.

With her revenge frustrated and seeing that Third was leaving the place with his papers in hand, Neit was about to do the same, but when she stood up, she stumbled noisily in front of all those present who tried to stifle their laughter and maintain silence in the library.

Completely in pain and embarrassed, Neit realized that her foot had become entangled in the cables that she had previously disconnected, and while she was trying to untie herself, the librarian found her and punished her for the rest of the afternoon, which only increased her desire of revenge, but it wouldn't be long before she tried again.

Her second chance came days later at the end of classes when she saw Third and his cousin take out the trash from the classroom, they were going to the garbage cans and she thought about hiding, taking the bags from her hands and throwing the trash away before running, not it was very complicated, but it seemed infallible.

Careful not to be seen, she positioned herself behind the garbage cans, and as soon as she saw two shadows, she went out and took the bags from their hands, throwing all the contents to the ground, but as she did so, she saw pieces of food stinky, she looked up to see two of the cafeteria cooks.

What had happened was that Third and Lani had stopped a few meters earlier to put their paper trash in the recycle bins, leaving the place when the cooks showed up to dump the old food in the organic trash where Neit had hidden, for for which she was again reprimanded, punished and forced to clean up the garbage, again increasing her anger.

Time later she became more systematic, and after following Third to find out his daily routine, she altered one of the water sprinklers in the corridor so that it would open when he crossed.

According to her experiments, it was just a matter of loosening a couple of nuts for the sprinklers, she calculated the times and waited patiently, hiding behind a corner so she could see, but when Third appeared chatting with his cousin, the sprinklers only let out a couple of drops, making both of them uncomfortable.

Quickening the pace, both boys left the place, and when they were out of sight, Neit approached a ladder and climbed to the roof to see what had happened, getting upset to see that the school sprinklers was different from the one at home.

Frustrated, she went down the stairs to leave, but her progress was stopped by the director who glared at her and her tools.

Neit was about to come up with an excuse, when suddenly the pressure of the water opened the sprinkler, drenching them both and earning Neit a week of punishment, increasing her hatred with each day.

By this time, Neit was so angry with Third that she could barely look at him without huffing in anger, and if she continued like this, maybe they would stop caring about her bodyguard and she would decide to take more direct and violent actions.

That's what she was thinking at the end of classes when when she opened her locker she found a letter from Third.

"This has already gotten out of control, if you want to end this, I will see you in the gym to fix things once and for all.

Signed: Lynn McBride III.

P.S. Do not be late"

Finishing reading, Neit was shocked along with a strange mix of other emotions, she never really expected her to be challenged, but now that it happened she only had one thing on her mind.

-Revenge- she said with a big smile -revenge!- she yelled as she ran to the gym.

In the middle of the darkness of the school gym, Third is sitting on the bleachers preparing himself mentally while he listened to the sounds of fast approaching footsteps.

-Where are you hiding?- Neit yelled as he flung open the doors.

Neit contemplated the darkness of the place barely illuminated by the light that entered through the small windows, until the sound of footsteps on wood made her look towards the stands, and as her eyes adjusted to the low light, she was able to distinguish Third's figure emerging from the shadows with a serious look.

-So it really was you who sent me that letter- Neit said, smiling mischievously -You surprise me, I didn't think you would have the courage, but at the same time I'm very happy, you have no idea how much I've waited for this moment, just you and I- she said while holding her fist with his other hand.

Neit got closer to Third, expecting to see him scared and willing to ask for mercy, but she was surprised to see him with the same serious look that she had seen in the distance.

-What's wrong?, aren't you going to say anything?- Neit said, stopping in front of him, lowering her hands and thinking that perhaps he had planned some other of his tricks -whatever you have planned is better that you do it now , because I no longer plan to continue with these games.

-You're right about that, enough of the games- Third finally said with the same expression, took a breath and said -I'm sorry, but right now I'm not interested in having a romantic relationship.

The gym was completely silent for a few seconds, between Third's serious look slightly bent to the ground and Neit's confused face, who was staring at him due to the shock of what he heard.

-What... what did you say?- Neit finally said.

-I understand how you feel, I too would have fallen in love with me.

-What?

-A year isn't much of a difference either, but I really don't think we can be a good couple, do you understand?

-What do you say?- Neit said intermittently while she struggled to understand how it was that the boy she hated so much and whom she had tried to hurt so many times, now he was rejecting her right under her nose.

-It's not okay for you to have false hopes, you should look for someone who suits you better, please, just forget me and let's go our ways, bye- Third finally said before turning around and beginning to walk dramatically towards the exit.

He continued walking and smiling to himself, thinking that his performance had been perfect and that everything would be resolved, until he felt a soft breeze touch the hair on the nape of his neck.

Third instinctively ducked before a fist crashed into his head, and quickly moved away to see Neit trying to hit him, he had never been strong, but thanks to his mother's forced training, he had managed to develop great speed, enough to dodge the attacks of a furious girl.

-I see you're upset- Third said trying to look calm while dodging another blow -it's just that I need to grow up- he dodge another blow -but there are many fish in the water- he dodge a kick -it's not you, it's me- he dodge another kick as he came down from the stands trying to put more distance between them.

-Stop talking nonsense! - Neit shouted very annoyed -I don't even like you! Silly!

-No?-Third answered confused as he walked back so as not to turn his back on her.

-No!, Where did you get that silly idea?!- Neit asked as she tried to catch Third like a cat catches a bird.

-You followed me around and always tried to get my attention when we entered the same room- Third replied as he hid behind the pile of mats.

-I was bothering you clumsy!- she yelled while surrounded the mats to catch him -I wanted to know where you were to ambush you!

-That could be true- Third kept talking as he hid inside the ball cage -but I also saw you trying to be a good person.

-What the hell are you talking about?!- Neit asked as she tried to find he.

-I saw you helping in the library, picking up trash and repairing the sprinklers in the hallway- Third said in a whisper in an attempt not to be found -it was as if you wanted me to see you helping others.

-I was grounded- Neit answered trying to whisper to be able to find Third in the silence- they forced me to clean the remains of the traps I had made for you.

-Well, that makes sense- Third said forgetting to whisper and being found by Neit.

Annoyed and happy to have found him, Neit opened the cage of the balls, making them roll with Third while he thought about how he had been so wrong in his interpretation of the facts.

-But if that's the case, why didn't you just try to hit me earlier? It would have been easier- he asked as he tried to stand up between the balls on the ground.

-Because I'm not stupid- Neit said as she picked up a couple of balls -whenever I saw you you were surrounded by teachers, big guys and/or potential witnesses, if it wasn't for that, I would have smashed your bones a long time ago!- I scream while He began to throw balls with all her might.

Third felt like a duck at a shooting range as he dodged the furious shots by mere inches, and in an attempt to save himself, he grabbed two balls so he could hit and deflect.

-Well, I think that explains everything, I apologize for misinterpreting it- Third said as he continued to hit and dodge -it's honestly a relief.

At the moment of saying that and in the middle of the chaos of the ball storm, Third hit a ball that bounced directly to Neit's face.

After the sound of the blow, the gym fell silent again, while Third felt how his blood froze with fear.

-A relief?- Neit said, breaking the silence -what do you mean by that?- her voice sounded increasingly annoyed -Perhaps you?- she lashes out at himand she catches him by grabbing his shirt collar. -ARE YOU INTENTING THAT I'M NOT GOOD ENOUGH FOR YOU?!

Time slowed as Third's mind desperately searched for a way to escape and as he watched Neit raise his fist to strike him, he said the only thing he could think of to save himself.

-On the contrary- he continued speaking when he saw how Neit stopped her blow -I'm the one who's not good enough for you.

-What the hell are you saying?- Neit questioned without letting go.

-I don't know much about relationships, but I do know that it is normal for both parties to share interests, tastes or purposes, there can be no love if there is no interest and in comparison, I am a pretty boring person for you- he finished saying with a face and voice that reflected calm and control, when in fact he was dying of fear inside.

Third's fear increased with the return of silence, not knowing if he would be hit or not, when suddenly Neit's laughter filled the room, which only made him more nervous.

-In the time that I have been watching you, I have seen you be arrogant and relentless, but all of that is nothing more than a mask- Neit began to explain before the confused look of the boy -whenever you face someone who surpasses you, you do it with cunning, patience and security, when it is close you pretend to be far and when it is far you pretend to be close and you use tricks to confuse them and make them calm down, you are an expert liar, and you use it to hide your fear.

Appearing the same calm and without changing the expression on his face, Third was inside impressed and at the same time scared that she had read he so easily, he quickly thought of his next move to save himself, but Neit continued speaking.

-And yet, it's not for you that you fear, you do it for your family and your friends, you lie to protect and help them, you lie so that they only look for you and leave them alone- her mood seemed to calm down -and that's annoying!- she said, recovering her anger, but she quickly changed it to laughter -you're very annoying, but you?, Boring? Don't make me laugh- she said as let go.

While Third breathed relieved to touch the ground again and rubbing the bruises left by his shirt, Neit looked at her hands with an expression that showed calm, as if she had lifted a great weight off her shoulders.

-Hehe, I suddenly lost all desire to hurt you- she said while looking at him with a smile and annoyed eyes -was that your plan?- Third just remained silent without answering -I'm sure yes, well, it will be all for today, I'm tired, I'm going home.

Neit walked away from Third and went to the stands where she had left her backpack, took it and continued walking to the exit.

-Again, sorry for misinterpreting the situation- this time it was Third who broke the silence before she walked out the door -no hard feelings?

-Just because I let you live, doesn't mean I forgive you- she said without turning to look at him -as I said, you're annoying, and I'll make sure you pay for all- she turns to look at his eyes -listen to my words McBride, from now on, whatever you do and wherever you go, I'll be there, I won't leave you alone, I'll be the last thing on your mind when you sleep and the first thing when you wake up, and when you least expect it, I'll take away everything you care about, I swear that- she said with a threatening tone -I will crush your heart one way or another- she said turning around and kicking the door to leave and leave.

Third was finally left alone in the place listening to the sound of her footsteps with attention and only when he was sure that she would not come back he dropped to the ground with complete relief.

-Of course it was just a misunderstanding- he said to himself as he checked that he still had all his limbs -what was he thinking?, this is the last time I pay attention to a printed magazine, no wonder it was hidden in Grandparents' basement- he said as he remembered how he had found an old magazine from his aunt Leni.

When he finally felt his strength recover, he stood up, he was ready to leave, but seeing all the mess that had been left around him, he decided to pick it up to relieve some of the guilt he felt. .

-I suppose it could have been worse- he said as he put the mats back -at least this time he didn't break my shoulder- he began to pick up the balls -if she gets misunderstood like that, I don't want to be the poor soul that breaks her the heart, although surely she would be the one who would break it first... with her bare hands, hehe- he laughed at him own joke -she said that before she tried to set traps for me, she must be good at planning, but not much with execution- he said while was finishing -if that's the case, maybe I don't have to worry so much about her threat- he left the gym -on the other hand, she knew how to read me correctly- he finally left school -and if she is able to discover that by watching me from afar , I wonder what he will realize now that she has sworn to be with me, to know me and hold me responsible for her....- at that moment something resonated in Third's head, the same words that Neit had told him -wait a minute, that It sounded like a... no, it can't be, it's just another misunderstanding, surely that was it...- he said trying to calm himself down, but not feeling very sure about that.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the city, a tired, but much calmer Neit returned to her house, greeted her parents and went to her room while she thought to herself.

-That idiot, he seriously thought that I had some interest in him, as if it were possible, what a fool- she said entering her room, where she had many photos of Third hanging, most of them torn or hung on targets and a boxing bag -and to think of all the times I have imagined having him in front of me, looking at me with his black eyes while I break his neck- she said as he picked up a voodoo doll with a photo attached to it from her desk -cunning fox, with just a few words I manage to quench my fury , more than that, he made me reveal my plans, without a doubt he is more dangerous than he appears- she said as she lay on her bed and looking at the doll in her hands she remembered when she had he in front of her -idiot, reject me without having proposed it , who does he think he is?- the dream began to overcome her -you'll see, you won't get rid of me so easily, I will fulfill what I have promised, I will find out what you like and hate, I will enter every aspect of your life and I will remain at your side...- she seemed that she had finally fallen asleep, when suddenly the memory of her words resonated in her head, the same ones that she herself had said to Third -wait, but what did I say? that sounded like a...- her face turned red -no, it can't be, after today, it's not possible that he misunderstands, besides, I didn't mean it in that sense- she said trying to calm herself down herself, but without feeling very sure about it.

For the rest of the afternoon, through the night and into the early morning, the minds of these two young were restless as they tried to translate for themselves the meaning of their own actions and words, but neither had figured it out and they only managed to spend one sleepless night.

Arriving at school and seeing their cousin slow and dazed, Ross and Lani couldn't help but worry about him, even asking him to go back home to rest, but Third refused, insisting that he would be fine after lunch, neither both of them were sure of his words, but they knew their cousin well enough to know that insisting would be useless, and without further ado, the three of them prepared to enter the school, but when they did, they saw Neit sitting on the stairs.

Knowing how hostile she was to them, Ross and Lani suggested turning around to surround her, but to they surprise, Third continued walking and approached her.

For her part, Neit was in the same state as Third, but when she saw him stand in front of her, her attention was drawn to him.

-Hey, today I'm not in the mood to take care of my back- Third said with obvious tiredness -I'll be in the library until classes start, it's quiet and you can watch me from one of its soft and comfortable chairs if you want.

-That would be fine- Neit answered showing the same tiredness -don't think for a moment that I'll lose sight of you McBride.

Third just nodded, he helped her up and they started walking together to the library, both of them were too tired to fight or defend themselves, but all the way they hurled different insults, sarcasms, ironies and answers, most not noticed something different, but for Ross and Lani, that was a completely foreign scenario, so they could only ask a question between them.

What... what did we just see?