Aqua swallows hard, her throat tight and raw from crying. "I don't know what to do," she whispers, her voice barely audible above the hum of conversation around them. "He was everything to me...and now he's gone."

You squeeze her hand gently in sympathy, offering her a small smile. "I know it hurts, Aqua..." you begin, but she cuts you off with a harsh laugh that sounds more like a sob.

"Do you?"

You hesitate for a moment before nodding. "I...I think so," you say slowly, searching for the right words to comfort her. "We were together for so long...and I never wanted anyone else but you." Aqua looks away, tears streaming down her cheeks as she fights back another sob.

"But it wasn't enough," she whispers, her voice barely above a whisper now. "It was never enough..." You lean across the table, resting your hand on hers where it lies on the surface between you.

Thorn glares at you from where she's been lying on her bed, clearly unimpressed by your offer. "Fine," she says through gritted teeth, "but make it quick." She rolls over onto her stomach and crosses her arms beneath her head, effectively putting up walls around herself.

You move to sit down at the end of Bambi's bed, leaving a respectful distance between you and Thorn. "What do you want to talk about?" you ask cautiously.

Thorn snorts derisively. "Why should I like someone like you?" she demands, her tail lashing back and forth angrily on the bed behind her. "You're not one of us! You're not even supposed to be here!"

"I just want to fit in," you explain softly. "To belong somewhere."

Thorn looks at you for a moment, considering your words. Finally, she sighs and rolls onto her back, propping herself up on her elbows. "Fine.

"I understand why they feel that way," you say softly, "but I don't see it that way at all. I think we can help each other... and maybe even change things for the better." You smile gently at Aiko, trying to reassure her of your intentions. "We just have to show them that there's another way."

Aiko blinks back tears, her chest heaving with emotion. She looks down at the floor, suddenly self-conscious about how easily she's been moved by your words. "

Aiko's heart skips a beat as she feels your warm breath on her cheek, then the soft press of your lips against hers. It's a moment of pure trust and acceptance, something she hasn't experienced in a long time. Her tail flicks excitedly behind her as she responds to your kiss, her tongue darting out to explore your mouth. In that brief instant, all of her worries and fears seem to melt away, leaving only the intoxicating rush of desire and affection.

Kiri listens intently as you explain your reasoning, her expression slowly shifting from anger to sadness. "Two years," she repeats softly, almost to herself. "That must have been terrifying for you."

She looks at you again, her gaze searching. "I understand why you might have been scared, Jayden. But keeping it a secret... it hurt me. It made me question everything we had together."

Kiri sighs heavily, running a hand through her hair. "I don't know what to do now.

Kiri's eyes flicker with surprise at your suggestion, then narrow thoughtfully. "Stay friends?" she echoes, her voice cautious. "After everything?"

She paces across the rooftop, her mind clearly racing with thoughts and emotions. Finally, she stops facing you again, her expression unreadable.

"I'll consider it," she says quietly. "But there are no guarantees, Jayden. We both need time to heal and figure some things out."

Kiri hesitates, then adds, "If we're going to even try to be friends, you need to earn my trust back.

As Kage continues to force himself on benbo, the other predator students begin to disperse, each disappearing down separate hallways or back into their dorm rooms. The sounds of fighting and yelling grow fainter until they're barely audible over the pounding of hearts and labored breathing.

With a final growl, Kage finally releases benbo, his gaze drifting lustfully down to the exposed skin at benbo's neck and collarbone. "You'll be mine,"

he whispers darkly before standing up and sauntering off in search of new prey. The hallway falls silent once more, save for the soft sound of benbo's ragged breathing as they struggle to their feet, feeling violated and humiliated. Aiko watches from a distance, her expression unreadable as she slowly makes her way back toward her own bed.

Lily glances over at benbo before looking away guiltily, seemingly unable to meet their gaze.

"No," she whispers, her voice barely audible over the sounds of your struggle. "I can't leave you like this." Tears well up in her eyes as she watches helplessly, unable to tear herself away from the scene before her.

As Loki continues to take advantage of your vulnerable state, his movements become more frenzied and desperate. His hips slam into yours harder now, driving you deeper into the ground with each thrust. The pain is intense, but so too is the pleasure that courses through your body as he claims you in this primal act.

Cassandra watches, her heart breaking as she sees the look of helplessness and pain on your face.