<h4>Chapter 221: You broke a Record.</h4>


    She stood in front of the ssrooms, staring as if she had walked into a ce that did not belong to her. Was she dreaming? Nothing made sense and she had no idea how she even ended up here. Her eyes searched the faces around her, hoping to see someone she knew, and relief came when she noticed a few familiar ones.


    The halls were alive with movement. Students walked past, someughing, some deep in talk, others ying without care. The normalcy of it all only confused her more. Ang pushed herself forward and entered the ssroom, praying her friends would give her answers. Maybe they could exin what was happening because she could not understand it herself.


    It was break time, and Alex sat with Stales in quiet discussion. A smile touched her lips when she saw them, and without hesitation she squeezed into the little space between them. They shifted their seats, giving her room to settle, and she feltfort simply being near them.


    "We are not going to get mad at you no matter what you do," Stales said warmly, his smile soft as he looked at her. "Alex wants to apologise."


    Ang blinked, her face full of confusion. "Apologise for what? I don’t remember him doing anything wrong to me." Her gaze moved from Stales to Alex, searching their eyes.


    "For keeping something from you," Stales replied, nudging Alex to speak for himself.


    Alex finally lifted his eyes, and she saw regret swimming in them. "I am sorry, Ang. I never meant to hide it from you," he said, his voice low and heavy with honesty. She could feel he truly meant every word, yet her heart tightened because she did not even know what he was sorry for.


    "I ept your apology," she said carefully, her brows drawn together. "But what is it you are sorry about?"


    "It is about Eliza," Alex murmured, his eyes falling to the floor as though he could not bear her stare. "We should have told you. Kaito already exined the story, so there is not much more for me to add. I promise I will not lie to you again."


    Ang froze, the words striking her like a blow. "Did he tell me about it? I do not remember." Her hand went to her forehead, pressing lightly, but there was no fever. Her body felt normal, yet her mind seemed wrong. She looked up again and a sudden thought jolted her. "Xavier’s hair... it was auburn when I saw him near the pool earlier. Now it is white. When did that happen?"


    "Two days ago," Alex answered, ncing at her with confusion. "Why do you ask? You were there with Taros when he dyed it. Why are you acting like you don’t know?"


    "Me?" Ang gave a smallugh, though it came out hollow, more like disbelief than amusement. This felt like some cruel joke. She had not spoken to Xavier since the racepetition, so how could they say she had been there that day?


    She realized she did not need more answers from them. What she needed was time alone to think, to piece together everything that was happening. Her friends clearly had no clue, and talking further would only waste her strength.


    "I will go to the library," Ang said as she picked up her books and rose from her seat.


    "I wish I coulde with you," Alex said quietly.


    "Me too, but he is helping me out with an assignment," Stales added, lifting his iPad. She gave a small nod, not even looking at the screen, and walked out of the ssroom.


    <fn239a> ???s ??????? ?s ?????? ?? findnovel</fn239a>


    Her mind was heavy with questions that spun like a storm. Was this all a dream? If it was, then she wanted to wake up quickly because this was no time for illusions. It was her test day, and nothing about it felt normal anymore.


    As she approached the library, her steps slowed. A man dressed in ck stood at the entrance, his face hidden behind a mask. The sight froze her in ce. Something was wrong.


    The area around the library was unusually quiet. Normally, students passed by,ughing and talking. Bicycles and cars belonging to the senior students were always parked in front, but today there was nothing. Nothing except for a single ck van that sent a shiver down her spine.


    Her stomach dropped. How had she not noticed sooner?


    Ang’s eyes darted to the side, hoping for a way out, but her heart sank as she spotted three more figures closing in from behind. Her enemies hade prepared. So many people for one girl like her.


    Her books slipped from her hands and fell to the ground. She thought of running, but before she could even take a step, a figure moved behind her. A sharp sting pierced her skin as a needle sank into her arm.


    "You can’t run away from your fate, little wolf," a cold voice whispered.


    Ang’s body trembled as she struggled to fight back, but her strength was leaving her. Darkness pressed in, swallowing her. Familiar voices echoed around her, calling her name, pulling at her fading consciousness.


    When her eyes opened again, the world was blurry. Shapes moved above her, but the voices grew clearer. Taros was by her side, his hand rubbing hers again and again as he called out to her. Relief broke through his voice when she finally answered.


    "I am fine," Ang whispered, forcing herself to sit up even though her head throbbed painfully. She pressed her palm to her temple, trying to steady herself. "Where am I?"


    "You copsed right before your test started," Taros answered gently. "Do you remember?"


    "Yes, I do," she whispered with a nod, pressing her hand against her aching head. "I feel better now, knowing it was only a dream."


    "You were dreaming?" Taros asked as he helped her sit properly and handed her a bottle of water. "We were all worried. The examiner even sent Kaito out of the hall. You need to see how crazy he went because he thought you were sick."


    "I am sorry for worrying everyone," Ang murmured as she tried to stand. "I am fine now. I want to continue."


    "Are you sure?" the examiner asked, still uneasy.


    "Yes," she replied quickly. "I have barely slept thesest few days. That must have been the reason I fainted."


    The examiner exchanged a look with Taros, and when he gave a small nod, she was allowed to continue. Ang returned to her ce. Alex was not beside her anymore, another student had taken his spot. The whistle blew and without a second thought she dived into the pool.


    Her arms and legs moved with speed and strength, her mind fixed only on the water ahead. Kaito had taught her the butterfly stroke and she used it just as he had shown her. Reaching the far end, she turned and swam back.


    By the time she climbed out, Kaito was already there with a towel, covering her quickly before anyone could notice the wrap she kept hidden under her top. Even with the body-hugging cloth, she knew it would not conceal her forever.


    "How did you do that?" Kaito asked, his voice filled with disbelief and worry.


    "I did what you taught me," Ang answered softly, but the look on his face told her he did not understand. She turned back to the pool and saw the others still struggling to reach the end. Alex had only just begun his return.


    Ang’s lips parted, but no words came. She had beaten them. All of them. How had she managed it, even after the weight of the dream that had shaken her so deeply?


    "You broke a record," Kaito said atst, his tone a mix of pride and unease. "One that even I have never set. Are you sure you are alright?"


    "Yes," she breathed, leaning against him for a moment. He held her close in a gentle hug before letting go.


    "People are watching," she whispered, lowering her gaze. "I have to be careful."


    "They can talk all they want. If they call us gay, it does not matter," Kaito replied firmly. His eyes dropped to her neck and his expression darkened. "Did someone inject you today?"