Piltover high

The sun was starting to dip below the towering spires of Piltover, casting long shadows over the cobblestone streets. The day had been long, filled with lectures and the usual hustle of academia. But today, it felt different. There was a heaviness in the air, something you couldn’t quite shake off, as if the quiet tension that had been building for weeks was about to spill over.

It had been a few days since your unexpected encounters with Viktor, and you had tried to bury your thoughts beneath your schoolwork. But every time you closed your eyes, his words echoed in your mind: Make the rules. What did he mean by that? You had so many questions and no answers.

You tried to focus on your usual routine—going to class, hanging out with Caitlyn during lunch, and walking the streets of Piltover with a sense of purpose. Caitlyn was a familiar comfort; she was the bright, friendly girl who always seemed to know the right thing to say. You’d been friends for what felt like forever, and she was always there to remind you that, no matter how complicated life got, you could always lean on her.

Today, like most days, you met Caitlyn outside the cafeteria. She was waiting for you by the courtyard, her usual bright smile lighting up her face. Her presence was like a breath of fresh air after the claustrophobic weight of your thoughts.

“Hey!” Caitlyn greeted, her blonde hair bouncing as she waved you over. “Did you finish that biology assignment? I swear, they keep getting harder each week.”

You smiled, grateful for the normalcy. “Not yet, but I’ll figure it out later. Maybe you can help me?” you teased, knowing she’d already gotten it done hours ago.

“Of course!” she grinned. “You know I can never resist helping out.”

The two of you chatted about school for a while, your conversation easy and light. Caitlyn was always the one to make you laugh, to pull you back from the swirling thoughts that threatened to overwhelm you. But today, as you sat at your usual spot under the large oak tree, you couldn’t help but feel that something was off. There was a subtle shift in Caitlyn’s demeanor—her smile seemed a little forced, her laughter just a touch too bright.

Before you could ask her what was wrong, a figure appeared in the distance.

Jayce.

He was walking across the courtyard with his usual confident stride, his broad shoulders carrying the weight of someone used to attention. You couldn’t help but notice the tension in his jaw, the set of his posture. His eyes briefly met yours, and he gave you a quick nod, but there was something more in his gaze—something guarded. You had no idea what it was, but the feeling lingered.

“Is something going on with him?” you asked Caitlyn, sensing the change in her expression as well.

Caitlyn glanced over at Jayce, her face briefly hardening before she forced a smile. “Not sure. He’s been acting… distant lately. I think he’s just got a lot on his mind.”

You furrowed your brow, confused. “He’s usually so confident. It’s strange seeing him like this.”

Caitlyn shrugged, clearly not wanting to say more. “I don’t know. Maybe it’s just the stress. You know how he gets when he gets caught up in something.”

You nodded, but your curiosity remained. Jayce was the golden boy of Piltover—intelligent, charismatic, and ambitious. Seeing him struggle was unsettling.

But before you could think much more on it, Caitlyn stood up abruptly. “Hey, I think we should go somewhere quieter today,” she said, her tone light but hurried. “I heard there’s a new cafe by the eastern bridge. We should check it out.”

You raised an eyebrow. “What’s going on? You seem a little off today.”

She hesitated, glancing back at Jayce for a moment. He was talking to a few of his peers now, his posture rigid as ever, his expression strained. She quickly turned away from him and smiled at you, though there was a faint edge of unease in her voice. “Nothing, really. Let’s just get away from here for a bit.”

You agreed, though you didn’t miss the way Caitlyn’s eyes kept darting back toward Jayce as you walked away.

The cafe was a quiet escape from the bustling streets of Piltover. As you and Caitlyn found a seat by the window, a cool breeze ruffled the curtains, and the hum of the city outside felt like a distant memory. You tried to focus on the relaxing atmosphere, but Caitlyn was quiet, fidgeting with the edge of her napkin as she stared out at the passing people.

You waited a few moments before speaking, sensing that now was the time to address what had been on both your minds. “Caitlyn, what’s going on with you and Jayce?”

Her eyes snapped to you, and for a brief moment, she looked almost surprised by the question. Then, she sighed deeply, her shoulders sagging as if a weight had been lifted.

“I… I don’t want you to get caught up in this, y/n,” Caitlyn said quietly, her voice thick with concern. “There’s a lot happening with Jayce, and I’m not sure you know the full story.”

Your heart skipped a beat. “What do you mean? What’s going on with him?”

Caitlyn hesitated, glancing around the cafe as if to make sure no one was listening. “Jayce is involved in something bigger than any of us realize,” she began, her words slow and careful. “He’s been working on these projects with some powerful people, trying to push the boundaries of what Piltover can do. But it’s not just about progress—it’s about control, too. And… well, the thing is, he’s been keeping a lot of it from you.”

You blinked, trying to process her words. “Control? What does that mean?”

“Look, Jayce has always been passionate about his ideas, but lately it feels like he’s becoming obsessed with them,” Caitlyn explained, her voice low. “I think he’s starting to believe that the end justifies the means. And if that means pulling you into something you’re not ready for… he’s willing to do it.”

The pieces clicked into place in your mind. Jayce had been distant recently, but you hadn’t thought much of it. He was ambitious, yes, but hearing it from Caitlyn gave it a different weight.

“You think he’s using me?” you asked, your voice trembling with the realization.

Caitlyn’s eyes softened with sympathy. “I don’t know if he means to. But I think you need to be careful, y/n. I don’t want you to get hurt by whatever he’s trying to do. He’s not the same person you think he is.”

You sat back in your chair, the world around you suddenly feeling much smaller, much more uncertain. You had always admired Jayce’s brilliance, his drive. But now, with Caitlyn’s warning in mind, it was clear that there was more to the story. More than you could have ever imagined.

Just then, as if on cue, you saw Jayce standing outside the cafe, talking to someone you didn’t recognize. His eyes briefly met yours through the glass, and for a moment, it felt like the world between the two of you was closing in. The connection you once thought you had was slipping, and all the doubts that had been building in your mind suddenly felt much more real.

Caitlyn noticed the direction of your gaze and gently placed a hand on your arm. “You don’t have to make any decisions now, y/n. Just… just keep your eyes open.”

You nodded, your mind racing. Caitlyn was right. You didn’t have to rush into anything, not yet. But as the weight of the situation pressed down on you, one thing was clear: things were changing, and you couldn’t ignore it anymore.

And as you watched Jayce turn and walk away, you couldn’t help but feel like a part of you was about to be pulled into something far deeper than you were ready for.