Piltover high

The morning air felt crisp as you walked toward Piltover High, the weight of your backpack heavy on your shoulders, a reminder of the busy day ahead. Isha had run off to school with your mom, leaving you to navigate the complicated social web of high school alone. While you were getting used to the rhythm of the school, you still didn’t feel like you fit in anywhere—not yet, at least.

The campus buzzed with activity as you made your way through the gates. Students milled around in clusters, talking in low voices, some laughing, others deep in conversation. You felt like an outsider, hovering on the edge of it all, unsure where to go or how to break into these existing groups.

You spotted Jinx almost immediately. Her long blue braids swayed as she sprinted past a group of students, clearly in a rush for something—or someone. Vi was trailing behind, walking with her usual steady pace, her sharp eyes scanning the area like she was always on alert. You’d been seeing them around a lot lately, but the last time you spoke to them was when they passed by on their bikes, meeting you and Isha.

It had been strange, how easily Jinx had connected with Isha, and how Vi seemed to take everything in stride. They were… different, both of them, but in ways that kept you intrigued.

You kept walking, trying to shake off the uneasy feeling that always crept up when you passed the various cliques and groups. Some students gave you odd looks, but most ignored you completely. You wished you could just slip into the crowd and go unnoticed. But that wasn’t likely to happen, not at Piltover High, where everyone seemed to have a place—except for you.

By the time you reached your locker, the bell rang, signaling the start of the first period. You’d almost made it into the classroom when someone called your name.

“Y/N!”

You turned to see Caitlyn, her posture straight and confident as she jogged toward you. The soft smile on her face made you feel like maybe—just maybe—you weren’t as invisible as you thought.

“Morning,” she greeted you, her tone warm.

“Morning,” you replied, trying to hide the sudden nervousness in your voice. It was always strange when someone like Caitlyn spoke to you. She had this aura of authority around her, but her friendliness made it feel less intimidating.

“How’s it going?” she asked, her eyes scanning you briefly, probably making sure you weren’t still on the outskirts of the social scene.

“Good, I guess,” you said. “Just… adjusting.”

Caitlyn nodded knowingly. “I get it. It’s a big school, and it’s not always easy to find your place. But you’re doing great.”

You raised an eyebrow at her. “Really? You think so?”

She smiled again, her gaze softening. “Yeah, you’ve been handling it well. Don’t let the cliques get to you. You don’t need them.”

You felt a strange sense of relief wash over you. “Thanks, Caitlyn,” you said, not sure if you were thanking her for the reassurance or for simply being kind.

Just then, Jinx appeared, seemingly out of nowhere. She had a mischievous grin on her face, her eyes darting from you to Caitlyn. “What’s all this about, huh? Making friends without me?”

Caitlyn rolled her eyes but smiled. “You always have to make an entrance, don’t you, Jinx?”

“Of course! How else will they know I’m the fun one?” Jinx winked at you before turning her attention back to Caitlyn. “Vi’s waiting for me. You know, the serious one.”

You couldn’t help but smile. “I get that vibe.”

Jinx gave a dramatic sigh. “She’s a tough one, for sure. But I think you’ll get along with her once you get to know her. Don’t let the scowl fool you.”

Caitlyn chuckled at Jinx’s antics. “Just don’t scare her off too soon, alright?”

“Well, I should get to class,” Caitlyn said, her smile lingering for just a second longer. “See you later, Y/N. And if you ever need anything, don’t hesitate to reach out.”

You nodded, watching her walk away. Caitlyn was one of the few people at school who didn’t seem to care about the social hierarchy. It was refreshing to see someone so confident and approachable.

Jinx lingered a moment longer, bouncing on the balls of her feet as she studied you. “You know, I think you’re kinda cool. You’re not as boring as the rest of these people.”

You chuckled. “I’m glad I’m not boring.”

Jinx smiled brightly, her eyes gleaming with that unmistakable spark of mischief. “Nah, you’ve got some edge to you. I can see it.”

Before you could respond, she skipped off toward Vi, who was waiting by the door, giving you one last look over her shoulder. You couldn’t help but notice the sharpness in her gaze, always scanning, always aware. It was like she never let her guard down.

The rest of the day passed in a haze. Classes were filled with the usual banter and the occasional group project, but you couldn’t shake the feeling that your interactions with Jinx and Caitlyn were just the tip of the iceberg. There was something more about Piltover High—something you hadn’t quite figured out yet.

By the time the final bell rang, you were exhausted. You shoved your books into your bag and made your way outside, eager to leave the crowded hallways behind.

But just as you were heading toward the gates, you spotted Mel. She was standing by a sleek, black car, her dark brown hair cascading down her back in smooth waves. Her confident posture, the way she effortlessly commanded attention, made her seem like she belonged to a different world than you.

When she noticed you, she straightened up and walked toward you with a purposeful step.

“Y/N,” she greeted you with a cool smile. “How was your day?”

You tried not to let her intensity unnerve you. “Good. Just the usual stuff.”

Mel’s eyes narrowed slightly, but the smile never left her lips. “That’s good. I heard you’ve been making some waves around here.”

You frowned. “Waves?”

“People are talking about you,” she said, her tone casual but with an underlying edge. “You’ve been talking to Caitlyn and Jinx. And Vi, too, I hear.”

You shrugged, not sure where this conversation was going. “I’m just… getting to know people.”

Mel chuckled, her gaze sharp and calculating. “I’m not judging. Just… be careful, alright? This place has its rules. And sometimes, it’s better to stay out of the spotlight.”

The warning in her words was clear, but it only made you more determined. “Thanks for the advice,” you said, though you weren’t sure if you’d follow it.

“Of course,” Mel said, her eyes flicking behind you briefly. “Anyway, take care of yourself, Y/N. You don’t want to get on the wrong side of people like Jayce.”

You raised an eyebrow. “Jayce?”

Mel gave a slight nod. “He’s got a lot of power around here. Just be careful who you align yourself with.”

Before you could respond, she turned and walked back toward her car, leaving you standing in the middle of the campus, her cryptic words echoing in your mind.

As you walked home that afternoon, the weight of Mel’s words stayed with you. What did she mean by staying out of the spotlight? What was so dangerous about aligning yourself with the wrong people? You weren’t sure, but something told you that your path at Piltover High was only going to get more complicated from here on out.

You had a feeling your involvement with people like Jinx, Caitlyn, and even Vi, would soon lead you into a tangled web of alliances and rivalries—one that would be impossible to avoid. The question was, were you ready for what was coming?