POWDER STOOD up with a decisive movement, turning toward Professor Sevika, who was watching the scene with a raised eyebrow and crossed arms.

«I'm taking her to the infirmary.» Powder declared without hesitation, her voice strong and clear above the chaos of the field.

Sevika opened her mouth to respond, maybe to protest, but Powder didn't give her the chance. She grabbed Stella's hand with a firm gesture and pulled her toward her.

«Let's go.» she said simply, without even looking at the professor for confirmation.

Sevika took half a step forward, ready to call her back, but in the end, she just sighed. «Don't take too long.» she muttered, shaking her head, but her words were lost in the wind.

Powder held Stella's hand tightly, dragging her toward the school building with quick steps. She never looked back, never slowed down, and didn't say a word as they crossed the courtyard. Her face was serious, almost grim, and her eyes were fixed ahead.

Stella tried to keep up without stumbling, surprised by Jinx's determination. She could feel the warmth of her hand around hers, and the unexpected contact made her heart beat faster than usual. She wasn't used to this kind of attention, especially not from someone like Jinx, who seemed so confident, so... untouchable.

They entered the building, and the noise of the courtyard faded, replaced by the muffled silence of the hallways. Jinx kept walking, with Stella trailing behind her, and her face was still tense, almost angry.

Is something wrong? Why is she so upset? Stella wondered, but she didn't dare break the silence.

When they finally reached the infirmary, the blue haired girl pushed the door open too forcefully, making it slam against the wall. The room was empty, as it often was at that time of day. The nurse was probably out getting coffee, leaving behind only the sterile scent of disinfectant and the neatly arranged white beds.

«Of course.» Jinx huffed, letting go of Stella's hand and looking around with an irritated expression. She pointed to one of the beds. «Sit there.» she said, her voice firm but gentle.

Stella obeyed without protest, sitting carefully on the edge of the bed. She felt out of place, a little lost, as she watched Jinx move around the room with restless steps.

Jinx walked over to a small fridge in the corner, yanking the door open. Inside was a box of instant ice packs, and she grabbed one without hesitation. As she shook it to activate it, she started muttering under her breath.

«Idiots... morons... and that stupid Mike, who the hell does he think he is? Throwing that hard, and at her of all people...»

Her words were almost incomprehensible, but Stella could still catch the tone. Jinx was grumbling to herself, and the way she spoke was a mix of anger and protectiveness that left Stella speechless.

When she returned with the ice pack, she stood in front of the bed and handed it to her. «Put it here.» she said, pointing to the spot where the ball had hit.

Stella hesitated for a moment, looking at the ice pack and then at Jinx. «Thank you.» she murmured finally, taking it with trembling hands and pressing it against her sore side.

Jinx crossed her arms, leaning against the edge of the bed. She kept muttering, this time in a lower tone, but Stella could still hear her.

«I should've told those idiots off... and that smug grin he had... ugh, makes me want to kick the shit out of him.»

Despite everything, Stella couldn't hold back a small smile. It was rare for anyone to care about her like this, and seeing Jinx so upset over what had happened made her feel... special.

Her heart flipped.

«It's not your fault.» she said softly, trying to reassure her.

Jinx looked at her incredulously. «Of course, it's not my fault. It's his fault, and he's lucky I didn't punch him instead.»

Stella lowered her gaze, pulling Jinx's jacket tighter around her shoulders. It was still warm, and the faint scent of lavender and something metallic—maybe paint—gave her a strange sense of comfort.

Seeing her go quiet, Jinx seemed to calm down a little. She took a step back and let herself fall into a chair beside the bed. Running a hand through her blue bangs, she let out a deep sigh.

«Sorry.» she finally said. «I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable. It's just... it pisses me off. What they did. What they do to you.»

Stella looked up, surprised by the sincerity in her voice. She wasn't used to being defended like this. «You don't have to apologize.» she replied softly. «Thank you for coming... for helping me.»

Jinx shrugged, but there was a small smile on her lips. «Someone had to.» she said, with that casual, almost unspoken-hero way of hers. «I don't like seeing people like you treated that way.»

«People like me?» Stella asked, curious.

«Yeah.» Jinx replied, crossing her arms and tilting her head slightly. «People who don't do anything wrong but always seem to have a target on their back. It's unfair, that's all.»

Her words hit Stella harder than she wanted to admit. No one had ever said anything like that about her before. She pulled the jacket tighter around herself, trying to hide the blush coloring her cheeks.

She's so kind.

The silence that followed wasn't uncomfortable, but it was filled with something new. A silent understanding, maybe, or simply the awareness that, in that moment, they weren't just classmates.

«My jacket looks good on you.» Jinx said, breaking the silence with a mischievous smile.

Stella lowered her gaze, embarrassed. «I can't keep it, I will give it to you tomorrow.» she murmured.

«Of course you can keep it.» Jinx replied with a shrug. «Consider it a long-term loan.»

Stella didn't know whether to laugh or protest, but she decided not to argue. She simply smiled softly, hugging the jacket closer.

She wasn't sure how much time had passed since Jinx had brought her to the infirmary. The ice pack on her side was starting to lose its effect, the cold fading into a dull numbness, but her heart was still pounding, as if trying to fill the silence between them.

Meanwhile, the blue haired girl had crouched beside her, rummaging through a small metal cabinet with a focused expression. After a moment, she found what she was looking for: a tube of ointment. She came back to Stella, tearing off the seal with her teeth and squeezing some of the contents onto her fingertips.

«Okay.» Jinx said, sitting beside her on the bed. «Let me see your side again.»

Stella's eyes widened. «W-what?» she stammered, instinctively clutching the jacket around herself.

Jinx raised an eyebrow, as if the question was obvious. «I need to put this on.» she explained, lifting the tube and waving it slightly to emphasize her words. «It'll help with the pain. I promise.»

Stella froze, unable to respond. She could feel the heat rushing to her cheeks, and she wanted to disappear, but there was no way out of this without looking ridiculous.

Jinx noticed her embarrassment and tilted her head slightly. «Oh, come on.» she said, her smile both reassuring and slightly amused. «I don't bite. And besides... it's no big deal. I swear.»

Despite the teasing, Stella felt a little less nervous. She hesitated for just a moment before slowly nodding and carefully shifting the jacket aside. Jinx leaned in, lowering herself to her level, and Stella held her breath when her fingers brushed against the skin beneath her shirt.

«Sorry if it's cold.» the girl murmured, applying the ointment with extreme care.

The touch was light, almost imperceptible, but to Stella, it felt like every fiber of her being was suddenly on high alert. She wasn't used to this kind of contact—intimate, gentle—and Jinx's closeness made it all the more surreal.

Calm down, it's just ointment... nothing weird is happening. She told herself, but it was useless. The warmth of Jinx's fingers against her skin felt amplified, and her heart refused to slow down.

Jinx, on the other hand, was completely focused on the task. Her blue eyes were fixed on Stella's side, and her touch was incredibly careful, as if she was afraid of hurting her. Stella couldn't help but watch her. The light streaming in from the window illuminated her profile, highlighting the delicate lines of her face and the way her messy blue hair fell over her forehead.

How does she look so... beautiful? Stella wondered, unable to look away. How could she took her breath away just by existing.

Jinx finished spreading the ointment and began gently massaging the sore area in slow, circular motions. Stella barely suppressed a small gasp; it didn't hurt, but the sensation was so unexpected that the blush on her cheeks deepened even more.

«You okay?» Jinx asked, looking up at her.

Stella nodded quickly, unable to find her voice. She felt like she was under a magnifying glass, like Jinx could see every single thought running through her mind.

«Okay, almost done.» Powder said, turning back to her task. «If it hurts, tell me. Ok, Star?»

Stella didn't say anything, didn't move, barely even breathed. The sensation of Jinx's fingers on her skin was almost hypnotic, holding her in place, and the silence in the room was broken only by the faint sound of their breathing.

She's couldn't think. She couldn't look anything but her.

When Jinx finally stopped, Stella almost felt disappointed, though she would never admit it. Jinx stood up, putting the ointment away and washing her hands in the small sink beside the bed. Then she turned to Stella, crossing her arms.

«Listen.» she started, her voice more serious now. «If those idiots bother you again, tell me. I'm serious.»

Stella looked up at her, surprised by the intensity in her tone. Jinx was staring at her with a determination she had never seen before, and she didn't seem willing to back down.

«I... I don't think it'll happen again.» Stella murmured, lowering her gaze to her hands, which were clasped tightly in her lap.

«Doesn't matter.» Jinx replied, shaking her head slightly. «If it does, come to me. I'll take care of it.»

Stella remained silent, feeling the weight of Jinx's words. She wasn't used to this kind of protection, and she wasn't sure how to respond. When she finally lifted her gaze, she realized Jinx had placed a hand on her knee.

It was a simple gesture, but it carried so much meaning. Stella felt a wave of warmth rush through her, and she quickly looked down again, unable to hold the girl's gaze.

«Alright.» she finally murmured, nodding slightly.

Jinx smiled, but her smile was softer than usual, less teasing. «Good.» she said, giving Stella's knee a gentle tap before turning toward the door.

Stella continued to hug the jacket around herself, Jinx's scent still fresh in her nose. She didn't know what was happening, but a part of her knew that, from this moment on, something between them had changed.

I posted like 23 hours ago, but I love writing and I have nothing to do today.

Stella is my baby😤

Also, notice how I change Powder's name in the chapters, it's a bit important 👀

Ps: WHOS READY FOR THE GRAMMYS?