Chapter 210: Not Just A Highschool Group
Jay continued leaning against the wall near the school gate, his arms crossed casually, eyes alert. He had only caught a quick glimpse of the face when the car window rolled down earlier, but it had been enough.
Dud’s face.
That annoying, smug expression was hard to forget. Still, there was a possibility he had imagined it, or at least mistaken someone else for him in that moment. The window hadn’t been open long. It could’ve been his mind playing tricks on him.
But one thing he was sure of, what hadn’t been a trick, was the vehicle itself.
That same car had driven past the school multiple times, circling the area in a way that didn’t feel casual. It wasn’t just parked like a parent waiting for their kid, and it didn’t take the same route each time. It was deliberate. Strategic.
’Why is that guy here again?’ Jay thought, narrowing his eyes. ’Is he checking in on Max? But Max already left for the day... so why stick around?’
Eventually, Abby exited the school, chatting with a couple of her friends. Jay slipped into step a short distance behind, careful not to be noticed by the girls.
But something felt strange, off in a way that made the hairs on his neck stand.
’This timing... it’s too weird. Right after Max tells me to watch over Abby, suddenly someone’s lurking around? But why would the gang keep eyes on her in the first place?’
He scanned the streets as he followed, his steps light, his senses sharp. But despite his vigilance, there was no sign of the vehicle. No lingering shadows. No tail.
Abby’s walk home was quiet and uneventful.
Jay frowned. ’Maybe I did imagine it?’
Still, the unease stayed with him.
The next day at school, things returned to their usual rhythm, the chaotic, comfortable back-and-forth between the boys and girls. Jokes flew. Teasing continued. Max tried to look annoyed but didn’t do much to stop it. The day rolled by fast.
When the final bell rang and it was time to head home, Jay followed the same routine again.
He lingered near the school wall, pretending to scroll through his phone. His eyes flicked up just in time to catch it.
The same car.
It passed slowly.
Two days in a row.
At the same time.
Jay’s pulse quickened. That was no coincidence.
’Okay. There’s definitely something going on.’
He waited a few more minutes, pretending not to care, before casually watching Abby walk off in her usual direction. Again, the car didn’t follow her.
Jay let out a breath he didn’t realize he’d been holding.
’Okay. Good. At least it’s not about her... today.’
Still, the whole situation gnawed at him.
’I should handle this car situation now, before it drives me insane. Otherwise, if something does happen to Abby while I’m distracted, I won’t forgive myself.’
Besides, Jay had already picked up on something else.
Abby wasn’t completely unprotected.
From the shadows, the corners of streets, and even the rooftops near her house, he’d noticed them, other figures moving with precision. Quiet but trained. They blended into the background better than any average person could.
He’d watched the way they moved, how they shifted in sync and responded to her pace. They weren’t thugs or stalkers.
They were professionals.
Bodyguards.
Private security.
Jay had observed enough to be sure, they were there for Abby’s safety.
And just to be thorough, he had brought the matter up with Max.
When he described what he saw, their patterns, their presence near her home, Max had nodded.
"I know," Max had said. "They’re there on purpose. You don’t need to worry about those guys. They’re mine."
There had been a small flicker of approval in Max’s eyes, the closest thing to a smile.
"And Jay... good work," he’d added. "I’m glad you’re being thorough."
Hearing that had meant something. Jay took his job seriously, even if it wasn’t official. Whether he was asked or not, he would keep watching over Abby.
What was troubling Jay more than anything wasn’t Abby’s walk home or even the potential gang involvement, it was that damn vehicle.
That car.
It had been circling the school like a shark in shallow waters. And Jay knew enough to trust his instincts by now. This wasn’t coincidence.
This wasn’t nothing.
And if it turned out to be something dangerous , then it wasn’t just Abby or Max who’d be affected. It could impact all of them, the entire group. That was a risk Jay wasn’t willing to take.
So, without hesitation, he crossed the road, his eyes locked on the small car with the heavily tinted black windows. The engine purred softly, almost as if it was waiting for him.
Jay walked right up to the driver’s side and knocked on the window.
Tap. Tap. Tap.
The window whirred down halfway with a mechanical groan, revealing the last face Jay had hoped to see.
An adult man, smug and relaxed, with a devilish smile spreading across his lips.
Jay’s heart sank.
’I was right... it is that guy. The one who called himself Dud.’
"Well, well," Dud said, his voice syrupy and mocking. "I think I’ve seen that face before. Yeah... you’re one of Max’s little lackeys, right?"
Jay didn’t answer. He just stared, silent, expression cold.
"You’ve got that same look in your eyes as last time. Like you want to hit me," Dud said, cocking his head to the side. "So go on then. Do it. Let’s see if you’ve got it in you."
Jay’s fist clenched at his side. The memory of what Dud had done to Joe, the cheap shot, the ambush, the blood, flashed through his mind like fire. Every muscle in his body tensed.
But he held it in.
Because he didn’t know what was really going on between Dud and Max. Not yet.
Instead, Jay asked, voice steady, "Why have you been watching the school?"
Dud blinked slowly, then grinned wider.
"Max isn’t even here," Jay continued. "But you’ve been circling the area for more than just today."
"Oh?" Dud said with faux surprise. "I didn’t realize the school had hired a detective . Good job."
He clapped mockingly, slow, deliberate slaps of his hands right in front of Jay’s face. It was condescending, theatrical.
Jay didn’t flinch.
"I’m just exploring the area," Dud said with a shrug. "Driving helps me think. I’ve got a lot on my mind lately."
"Cut the act," Jay snapped, finally losing patience. "Just tell the truth."
That wiped the grin off Dud’s face. His expression darkened slightly as he leaned his elbow out the window, letting his hand dangle casually along the side of the door.
"Hey," he said, voice low and cold. "Are you threatening me, kid?"
Jay said nothing, but his glare didn’t budge.
"Because even if you are friends with Max, that’s not gonna save you," Dud continued, his voice laced with venom now. "You need to learn how to speak to people who are in a position to make your life hell , young man."
The air seemed to chill, like his words had weight.
"You’re lucky," Dud added. "You’re in high school. If you weren’t..." He let out a short breath, almost like a laugh. "You’d be paying a very, very high price for this little attitude of yours."
Jay stood there for a moment longer, but he could see it, he wasn’t going to get any real answers.
Unless he wanted to drag Dud out of the car and force them out of him, this conversation was going nowhere.
So he stepped back.
But not without leaving something behind.
"You’re saying we’re lucky we’re still in high school?" Jay asked, his tone level. "So what, that makes us fake? And you’re real because you’re older? Because you’re out of school and acting like some thug in a tinted car?"
Dud raised an eyebrow.
Jay didn’t wait for a response.
"I’ll give you a little warning that might come in handy someday," Jay said. "One day... you might want to watch out for those ’high schoolers’ you think are beneath you."
He turned, walking away slowly.
"Because one of these days... they’re the ones who’ll be kicking your backside ."