The tension in the room was palpable, a living thing that danced around the crowd. Students whispered among themselves, eyes flickering between Jordan and Chase. No one dared to interrupt, as if witnessing a pivotal moment in a movie.

Chase shifted his weight, unsure what to do next. A part of him wanted to walk away, but his pride held him there. He glanced at his friends, who were no longer laughing but watching uneasily.

Jordan took another step, and this time, the unexpected happened. Instead of raising her fists or shouting, she reached into her backpack and pulled out a small book. She placed it on the table between them. “Read this,” she said calmly, pushing it toward him. “You might learn something.”