🎶: Mirrors - 070 Shake

PILTOVER UNIVERSITY - Campus

A few days had passed since their initial encounter at the club fair. The campus was settling into the rhythm of the new semester, with students finding their routines and navigating the maze of lectures, assignments, and social activities.

Vi was making her way across the quad, headphones on and music blasting, providing a temporary escape from the noise of the world. She had just left the boxing gym and was heading to the library to grab a book for one of her classes. Her outfit was casual yet edgy today, perfectly reflecting her rebellious spirit. She wore a fitted black tank top under a loose, plaid flannel shirt, sleeves rolled up to her elbows. Her ripped jeans, frayed at the knees and hem, revealed glimpses of her well-toned calves. A black beanie sat snugly on her head, adding an extra layer of cool to her ensemble.

As she walked, Vi couldn't help but notice the stares from freshmen and other schoolmates. Most of them quickly looked away when she caught their gaze, their expressions a mix of awe, curiosity, and a hint of intimidation. She was used to it by now—being the infamous Vi had its perks and its drawbacks. Some freshmen whispered to each other, clearly intrigued by the tales they had heard about her. Vi noticed some girls pointing their phone cameras at her, thinking she wouldn't notice. She did, of course, but she didn't give a fuck. Let them look. She was used to the attention, and it didn't bother her one bit. Vi's direct approach and no-nonsense attitude had earned her respect, but it had also painted her as someone not to be messed with.

Despite the attention, she relished the sense of anonymity that her music and headphones provided. The beat of "Mirrors" by 070 Shake pulsed through her, syncing with her steps and lifting her spirits. As she rounded a corner near a secluded part of the campus, she nearly collided with someone coming from the opposite direction.

"Whoa, watch it!" Vi exclaimed, tugging her headphones down to rest around her neck, her voice sharp but tinged with surprise.

Caitlyn, equally startled, took a step back, nearly fumbling her notebook in the process. Her eyes narrowed as she straightened, irritation flashing across her face. "Maybe you should watch where you're going," she retorted, her tone crisp and pointed.

Vi's eyes widened briefly in recognition before a smirk tugged at her lips. She slipped her hands casually into her jacket pockets, tilting her head slightly as she sized Caitlyn up. "Well, aren't you a little ray of sunshine? Didn't expect to bump into anyone out here."

Caitlyn raised an eyebrow, standing her ground as her sharp gaze swept over the figure in the black beanie. "You should try paying attention," she said coolly, her voice steady. "This campus isn't your personal playground." Her words hung in the air as she took a closer look, realization dawning as her posture shifted subtly. Wait... it's her.

Vi chuckled, her smirk deepening as she caught the flicker of recognition in Caitlyn's expression. She leaned slightly closer, her posture loose but deliberate, her eyes glinting with teasing intensity. Her voice dropped to a husky murmur, the edge in her tone unmistakable. "Not everyone is as graceful as you with that bow," she said, her words a mix of challenge and compliment. The glint in her eyes made it clear she was savoring every second of Caitlyn's reaction.

Caitlyn's gaze sharpened as her memory clicked into place. "Oh, it's you," she said, her tone laced with realization and a touch of wariness. "The observer from the range."

Vi's smirk widened, her stance shifting slightly as she rested her weight on one foot, her hands still tucked in her pockets. "The observer? I like that," she murmured, her voice low and smooth. "You've got skills, I'll give you that." Her words dripped with playful intensity, her unwavering gaze adding weight to the compliment.

Caitlyn raised an eyebrow, a flicker of surprise crossing her face. She hesitated for a moment, her grip tightening on her notebook before composing herself. Her lips curved into a small, cautious smile, though her eyes stayed sharp, focused on the burgundy-haired girl.

"Thank you, I suppose," she said, her tone measured but laced with genuine acknowledgment. Her smile shifted into something wry as she added, "Though I can't tell if that's a compliment or just another one of your games."

Vi's smirk took on a more deliberate edge as her gaze lingered on Caitlyn, her voice dipping slightly. "Let's just say you've got a way of catching attention," she murmured, the hint of a challenge playing at the corners of her lips. "Hard not to notice."

Caitlyn's expression softened slightly, though her wariness lingered. "Well, I guess I appreciate the attention," she replied, her tone carefully neutral, though the faintest blush betrayed her.

Vi leaned back just enough to add a moment of space, her eyes never leaving Caitlyn's. "No problem. Just keep hitting those bullseyes," she said, her voice smooth and confident, though the intensity in her gaze made it clear she was enjoying Caitlyn's subtle shift in composure.

For a moment, neither moved, the tension between them thick enough to cut through the stillness. Caitlyn finally broke the silence, her tone dry but sharp. "Do you make a habit of lurking around archery ranges, or am I just lucky?"

Vi chuckled, a low, easy sound as she straightened. "Lurking's a strong word. Let's call it… appreciating talent," she said, her voice casual but laced with sincerity. "Name's Vi, by the way."

Caitlyn hesitated for only a second. "Caitlyn. Nice to officially meet you, Vi."

"Likewise," Vi said, her tone light but tinged with intrigue. She crossed her arms, a small grin tugging at the corner of her mouth. "So, are you always this intense, or is it just when you're holding a bow?"

Caitlyn smirked, deciding to play along. She shifted her stance slightly, her arms folding confidently. "Depends on the target. Some require more focus."

Vi arched a brow, interest sparking in her eyes. "And what kind of target am I?"

Caitlyn's eyes sparkled with a mix of challenge and amusement. "One that's hard to miss, but tricky to hit."

Vi laughed, the sound genuine and warm, breaking through the lingering tension like sunlight piercing a cloud. Caitlyn's lips twitched into the faintest smile, though it faltered almost as quickly as it appeared. A flicker of shyness crossed her face, her gaze dropping briefly to the ground before darting away entirely.

"Well, it was nice running into you, Vi," Caitlyn said, her voice softening just enough to hint at sincerity, though her composed demeanor remained intact. She shifted her weight slightly, her fingers brushing the edge of her notebook as if to anchor herself. "I should get going—lots to do." Her tone was polite but distant, a subtle reminder that she wasn't one to linger too long.

Vi nodded, her smirk lingering as her sharp eyes followed Caitlyn's every move. She didn't step aside, instead shifting her stance with a lazy grace, like a cat watching its prey. Her movements were deliberate but unthreatening, her voice low and almost purring. "Sure thing, Cait," she murmured. "See you around."

Caitlyn hesitated, her eyes widening slightly at the unexpected nickname. A flicker of surprise crossed her face, but she quickly masked it, her lips twitching as though a smile threatened to break through. She said nothing, choosing instead to turn away with her head held high. As she walked, her grip tightened briefly on her notebook, her thoughts swirling. Well, Vi's certainly... different.

Vi watched her go, her smirk fading into something more thoughtful. The confident yet guarded way Caitlyn carried herself intrigued her, and the brief encounter left her with more questions than answers. As the archer disappeared into the distance, Vi couldn't shake the feeling that their paths would cross again soon.

With a shrug, she slipped her headphones back on, letting the music drown out the silence around her. She adjusted the straps of her bag and turned toward the library, her mind still replaying the encounter as a quiet grin tugged at the corner of her lips.

This year's going to be interesting.

-ŕ­¨ ŕ­§-

🎶: Get Jinxed - LoL, Djerv

PILTOVER HIGH SCHOOL - THE UNDERCURRENT CAMPUS

Piltover High School's Undercurrent Campus was a stark contrast to the city's elite institutions, despite being above ground and just a stone's throw from the bridge linking Piltover to Zaun. Its proximity to the industrial undercity meant it served mostly Zaunite students, with only a handful of Piltover-born attendees. The school's weathered facade, a patchwork of faded paint and reinforced steel, reflected its lack of funding compared to other Piltover academies. Vibrant murals painted by students adorned the walls, their bold Zaunite motifs standing defiantly against the gray skyline of Piltover's industrial zone.

Inside, the school was no less modest. Classrooms were filled with scuffed desks, smudged chalkboards, and flickering fluorescent lights—a testament to years of use and limited resources. Yet, the students made it their own, turning adversity into creativity. Hand-me-down boots clashed with cutting-edge gadgets, and improvised science equipment brought lessons to life. Undercurrent Campus wasn't pristine, but it was a space where resilience and determination thrived, a unique meeting point of two worlds under Piltover's shadow.

The quad, alive with energy, was the beating heart of the campus. Overgrown garden patches and mismatched benches provided a lively backdrop as students spilled across the area, their laughter and chatter filling the air. At one of the tables, Powder, Ekko, Mylo, and Claggor sat in their usual spot, their dynamic a perfect snapshot of the school's unique spirit.

Powder sprawled across the bench, twirling a screwdriver in her fingers, her mischievous grin firmly in place. "Ugh, another chemistry test next week," she groaned, kicking her legs out dramatically. "It's like they think we've got nothing better to do than memorize the periodic table. Pfft, as if."

Ekko leaned back in his chair, exuding calm confidence. "Speak for yourself, Powder. Some of us actually enjoy a good challenge."

Mylo snickered, nudging Claggor. "Yeah, like our resident genius over here never gets tired of acing tests. What are you, a robot?"

Claggor adjusted his glasses, his voice even. "It's not about being perfect. It's about understanding the material. Besides, a little studying never hurt anyone."

Powder rolled her eyes dramatically. "Sure, Claggor. But not all of us have your patience. I've got better things to do than memorize chemical reactions."

Mylo leaned in with a grin. "Like blowing stuff up in the lab?"

"Exactly!" Powder exclaimed with a wink, her grin widening. "Gotta keep life interesting, right?"

Ekko smirked, steering the conversation elsewhere. "Speaking of interesting, anyone checked in on Vi? Wonder what she's up to."

Claggor nodded thoughtfully. "I haven't been able to. She's probably busy doing her thing."

Mylo scoffed, crossing his arms as he leaned back. "Please. Vi's probably too busy getting into trouble with that hot head of hers. You know she can't go anywhere without throwing a punch."

Powder perked up at that, pride sparking in her eyes. "Yeah, but she's also got moves. Imagine her showing off those punching skills to those stuck-up Pilties. I bet they don't even know what hit them."

Ekko chuckled. "You think she's making friends up there or just causing trouble?"

Claggor shrugged, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "Knowing Vi? Probably both. She's got a way of surprising people, no matter where she is."

Mylo leaned forward, lowering his voice conspiratorially. "You know what'd be interesting? The four of us joining her. Stirring things up in Piltover's big leagues. Imagine the chaos we'd cause."

Powder's eyes lit up, and she sat upright with a sudden burst of energy. "Ooh, that sounds fun! We could take over the place, show those Pilties how it's really done."

Ekko nodded, his expression turning thoughtful. "Yeah. University might actually be worth it if we all ended up there. Can't wait to see Vi's face when we show up."

Mylo smirked, leaning in closer. "Bet she's already busy with the hotties. University's gotta be crawling with 'em."

Powder froze mid-spin of her screwdriver, her grin fading into a look of shock. She sat bolt upright, her voice sharp. "What? No way! Vi doesn't need distractions."

Ekko's grin widened, amused by her sudden change in tone. "Aww, you jealous, Powder?"

Powder shot him a glare, her voice rising defensively. "Jealous? No! I just… I just don't want Vi getting all soft over some tits and ass, okay? She's got bigger things to focus on." She crossed her arms, huffing. "Vi would never go for a Piltie anyway. Even if they came with a plate of Zaun's finest fried rat skewers."

The group erupted into laughter, Powder's dramatic outburst only fueling their amusement. She huffed and leaned back, her annoyance fading into a begrudging grin. Yet, as the banter swirled around her, Powder couldn't shake a gnawing sense of unease. The thought of Vi getting close to a Piltie—someone who could pull her sister's attention away from their tight-knit group, away from her—left Powder brooding and restless. The storm of emotions churned inside her, a tangle of overprotectiveness and insecurity she couldn't quite tame.

She pulled out her phone and quickly typed a text to Vi:

"Hey, you better not be getting all mushy over some Piltie. Keep your head in the game, sis."

Powder hit send, her mind still swirling with worry and possessiveness. Moments later, her phone buzzed with a reply from Vi:

"Calm down, Pow. I'm not fucking a Piltie. Just keeping things out here interesting. You know me."

Powder read the message, a mixture of relief and lingering anxiety washing over her. She trusted Vi, but she couldn't help but feel like a change is coming. With a sigh, she put her phone away, determined to keep an eye on her sister and make sure nothing came between them, soon.

ŕ­¨ END OF MINI CHAPTER ŕ­§