Piltover high

The morning fog had barely lifted when you found yourself once again walking down the cracked sidewalks toward Piltover High. Your feet dragged with a dull rhythm, and the weight of the past few days felt heavier than ever. With Isha safely at school and your mom’s absence leaving a silence that clung to the apartment, you tried to shake off the unsettling feeling that had been creeping in ever since Mel’s cryptic warning.

The sun was still low in the sky as you walked, trying to keep your mind from wandering too far. The streetlights flickered in the distance as you passed the familiar houses and empty storefronts. You couldn’t shake the feeling that something was about to shift in your life, but whether it was for better or worse, you couldn’t say.

As you rounded the corner toward the school, you spotted Vi and Jinx up ahead, riding their bikes in that unmistakable chaos-filled style. Jinx, as usual, was darting back and forth on her bike with no concern for balance, while Vi rode in a more grounded, methodical manner, her sharp eyes scanning the streets as she pedaled along.

You hesitated for a moment, unsure if you should stop and talk to them. But before you could decide, Jinx spotted you from down the street. A bright, mischievous grin spread across her face.

“Yo, newbie!” she shouted, veering her bike sharply toward you, making it seem like she was about to crash. She swerved at the last second, pulling up beside you with a flourish. “What’s up? You’re looking all serious today.”

Vi slowed her bike down as she joined the two of you, her expression more neutral but still watching you intently. “Everything okay?” she asked, her voice softer than you expected, but no less guarded.

You exhaled, feeling the tension in your shoulders ease a little. “Yeah, just… trying to figure some things out.”

Jinx leaned in, grinning widely. “Ah, secrets! I love secrets. Got any for me?”

You rolled your eyes but couldn’t suppress a small smile. “I don’t think you want to know.”

Vi shot Jinx a warning look. “Cut it out, Jinx.”

Jinx just shrugged, unbothered. “Whatever, I’m just trying to make her laugh. You seem like you could use it.”

You appreciated the attempt, even if it was a little chaotic.

“Anyway,” Vi continued, her expression turning more serious. “You been talking to anyone else at school? Mel, Caitlyn…?”

You stiffened, the memory of Mel’s conversation from the day before still fresh in your mind. “A little. Just trying to meet people.”

“Mel’s got her eyes on you,” Vi said casually. “She’s got a way of knowing everything that goes on around here. And when she talks, people listen.”

The warning in Vi’s voice was clear, but there was something else, too—almost like she was trying to prepare you for something, though you weren’t sure what.

Jinx, still bouncing on her bike, added, “She’s not all bad though. You just have to play the game if you want to keep your head above water around here.”

“Play the game?” you echoed, feeling more confused than ever.

Vi nodded slowly. “Yeah. Piltover High is a lot like that—people watching each other, testing each other. You can get by if you know how to navigate it.”

You nodded, trying to understand, but the weight of it all felt like too much to take in all at once. “I just want to survive the day,” you muttered, almost to yourself.

Jinx grinned. “Well, you’ve got two options—become part of the chaos, or let it eat you alive.”

“Jinx…” Vi warned again, but the grin on Jinx’s face only widened.

“Relax, Vi. I’m just saying, sometimes it’s better to lean into it. Besides, you’re already hanging out with Caitlyn, and she’s a good influence… for the most part.”

“I didn’t think you were a fan of Caitlyn,” you said, looking at Jinx with surprise.

She shrugged nonchalantly. “I’m not. But I respect her. She knows the rules around here.” Then she leaned in closer, dropping her voice. “And trust me, if you’re gonna survive this place, knowing the rules is important.”

Before you could ask more, the bell rang, signaling the start of the school day.

“Anyway,” Vi said, pulling herself off her bike, “we should get going. Don’t want to be late.”

“Yeah, me neither,” you muttered, but as you started to walk away, you couldn’t help but feel like the weight of the conversation had settled in your chest. There was so much more beneath the surface, so much that you didn’t understand. And Piltover High, with all its cliques and tensions, wasn’t going to make it any easier to figure out.

The Tension with Mel

The day crawled by slowly, each class dragging you deeper into the confusion of the school’s social web. You spent most of it trying to stay under the radar—getting through your assignments, keeping to yourself, and observing the people around you. It wasn’t until lunch that the tension really began to surface again.

You were standing in the cafeteria line, idly watching the lunch choices, when you felt a familiar presence behind you. Before you could turn, Mel’s voice cut through the noise of the cafeteria.

“Y/N.”

You froze, then turned slowly to face her. Mel stood there, her arms crossed, her expression as calculated as always. She was dressed impeccably, like someone who knew the power of their image.

“Can I help you?” you asked, trying to keep your voice steady despite the flutter of nerves in your chest.

Her lips curled into a smile, but there was no warmth in it. “I see you’ve been making friends. Caitlyn, Jinx… interesting choices.”

You frowned. “I’m just getting to know people.”

“Of course,” she said, stepping a little closer. “Just be careful who you trust around here. Some people aren’t what they seem. And you don’t want to end up in a situation where you’re caught in the middle of something you don’t understand.”

The warning was subtle, but it was there.

“I can handle myself,” you said, your voice firmer than you felt.

Mel gave you a long, appraising look, as if trying to decide how much you really understood. After a moment, she tilted her head slightly. “Maybe. But remember this: Piltover High is a game, and it’s one that you can’t afford to lose.”

Before you could respond, she turned and walked away, her heels clicking against the floor with authority.

You stood there for a moment, the weight of her words sinking in. Was she trying to help you? Or was she just trying to manipulate you into playing a game that had no clear rules?

As you gathered your lunch and walked toward Caitlyn’s table, you couldn’t shake the feeling that you were being pulled into something much bigger than you anticipated. The pieces were starting to fall into place, but the picture was still far from clear.

And with every warning, every cryptic conversation, you knew that Piltover High would never be as simple as just fitting in.

The Unseen Players

The afternoon passed by in a blur, and before you knew it, the final bell rang. You shoved your books into your bag, already thinking about the walk home and the time you’d spend with Isha.

But as you headed out of the school gates, you spotted Jayce standing by his car, surrounded by a few students who seemed to hang on his every word. His presence was magnetic—calm, collected, and somehow powerful. There was a certain ease to the way he commanded attention, as though he knew exactly what was going on at all times.

You tried to ignore him, but as you passed, you saw his eyes flick over to you. He offered you a casual nod, a small, knowing smile tugging at the corner of his lips.

It was a subtle acknowledgment, but it made you feel like you were being watched. More than that, it made you realize how much more there was to this world—this school, these people—than you had ever imagined.

The tension was building, and you could feel it in the air, as if everyone was waiting for something. What that something was, you weren’t sure. But you had a feeling that the game was about to begin—and you weren’t sure if you were ready for it.