My boyfriend is a nine-tailed fox

Chapter 27: Discovering Powers

The cafeteria buzzed with its usual chaos—laughter, clattering trays, and the occasional argument over who stole whose fries. Anita sat with Claire and Max, picking at her sandwich while her thoughts drifted to the fox bead and its overwhelming presence in her life.

Her reverie was interrupted when Trevor, the school’s resident bully, swaggered over to their table. “Hey, Max,” Trevor sneered, his voice loud enough to attract attention. “You owe me for that science project. I carried the whole thing.”

Max flushed, stammering, “I—I did my part too, Trevor.”

“Did you now?” Trevor leaned in, his smirk widening. “Maybe I should teach you a lesson about pulling your weight.”

Anita’s patience snapped. “Back off, Trevor,” she said, standing up. “He doesn’t owe you anything.”

Trevor turned to her, his eyes narrowing. “Oh, look, Max’s little protector. What’re you gonna do, huh? Lecture me to death?”

Something inside Anita stirred—a sharp, electric feeling surging through her veins. Before she realized it, Trevor reached out to shove her, but she caught his wrist mid-motion.

The cafeteria fell silent as Trevor froze, his eyes wide. Anita’s grip was iron-tight, and with a slight twist, she forced him to stumble backward. The movement felt effortless, her reflexes sharper than ever before.

“Whoa,” Max muttered, his jaw dropping.

Trevor scowled, muttering something about "weirdos," before retreating. Anita let out a shaky breath, her hands trembling as she sat back down.

Jace was waiting for her at the lockers after school, his arms crossed and an unimpressed look on his face. “You used the bead’s energy, didn’t you?”

“I didn’t mean to,” Anita said defensively. “It just... happened.”

“That’s the problem,” Jace said, his tone stern. “The bead isn’t something you can play around with. It reacts to your emotions. If you let it take over, you won’t be able to control it.”

“I wasn’t going to stand by and let Trevor push Max around,” she snapped.

Jace sighed, running a hand through his hair. “I get it. But every time you use the bead’s power, you risk exposing yourself to the spirits hunting you. You need to think before you act, Anita.”

Anita frowned but nodded. Deep down, though, a part of her couldn’t help but wonder: If she could harness the fox bead’s energy, what else could she do?

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Chapter 28: A Dangerous Visitor

The classroom door creaked open, and the hum of chatter fell silent as a tall, elegant boy walked in. His hair was jet-black, and his eyes gleamed with an unsettling sharpness. The teacher smiled. “Class, this is Leo, our new transfer student. Please make him feel welcome.”

Anita exchanged a glance with Jace, who sat two rows behind her. His relaxed posture had stiffened, and his eyes were fixed on Leo like a predator sizing up its rival.

Leo’s gaze swept the room, pausing briefly on Anita. A small smile played on his lips, sending a shiver down her spine.

At lunch, Leo approached Anita’s table, his charm on full display. “Mind if I join you?” he asked, his voice smooth and disarming.

“Uh, sure,” Anita said hesitantly, scooting over to make room. Claire and Max greeted him warmly, oblivious to the tension radiating from Jace, who had just sat down across from them.

“So, Anita,” Leo began, his tone casual. “You’re... different, aren’t you?”

Anita’s fork froze halfway to her mouth. “What do you mean?”

“Just a feeling,” Leo said with a cryptic smile. “You stand out.”

Jace cleared his throat loudly. “Leo, was it? Maybe you should get to know the whole class before you start singling people out.”

Leo’s eyes flicked to Jace, his smile never wavering. “Of course. But some people are just... fascinating, don’t you think?”

After Leo left, Jace leaned in close to Anita. “Stay away from him. He’s not what he seems.”

“You think he’s a spirit?” Anita whispered, her pulse quickening.

“I know he is,” Jace replied, his voice low and cold. “And he’s here for the bead. Be careful, Anita. He’s dangerous.”