Lux was furious—no, she was livid. Not only that, but she was down right shocked that she even had the balls to continue her shitty behavior, even after threatening to expel her groupies. She knew Jinx was smart enough to not underestimate her. Lux had the strings to pull if she wanted something, no matter what it was. It's been a few days since her threat, and ever since, her expected peace and quiet had been replaced by teeth-grinding anger and trembling fists as Jinx continued her reign of terror. Every day, without missing a beat, the stupid blue haired punk pulled some idiotic, unnecessary 'harmless' prank on her.

On Monday, her locker door was missing, only to be found lodged in a vending machine a floor below. She had to admit, the dedication required to fit a rectangular door inside a snack machine was crazy, but also a stroke of twisted genius.

Tuesday's gag was the most infuriating. Jinx stole all her expensive textbooks and hid them around the school, leaving behind her barely legible chicken scratch riddles as clues. It took Lux roughly two hours to find all six books, each retrieval stoking the fire of her rage.

Wednesday was downright disgusting—a brown paper bag of dog shit left in her locker. The smell hit her like a punch to the gut, and she spent the rest of the day trying to scrub the stench out of her nose and her belongings.

Jinx was hitting her left and right with something new every day, and Lux felt like she was about to crack.

By Thursday afternoon, Lux was walking down the hallway with her group of friends, heading towards the cafeteria. They were happily discussing their possible meal choices, the noise and bustle of the school day swirling around them. Lux was having a pretty good day, despite the undertone of paranoia gnawing at her. She had received an A-minus on her English paper, clocked the fastest time during the mile run, and her stomach was calm, even after downing her usual iced coffee that often left her feeling queasy.

It was a decent day, but she still had prickles on the back of her neck, her eyes constantly scanning the halls for any sign of Jinx, silently bracing for the next impact. The fluorescent lights above cast a harsh glow on the linoleum floors, and the faint smell of cafeteria food wafted through the air. Lux's heart pounded a little faster with each step, her senses heightened as she tried to enjoy the fleeting moments of normalcy.

"I'm kind of craving a salad," Terra said, scrolling mindlessly on her phone.

"Salad sounds good and all, but I kind of want a burger today," Chelsea whined. "But I know I'm gonna feel like crap after. This new diet I'm on has me so..."

Lux subconsciously tuned her friend's chatter out the moment she spotted the infamous blue braids leaning against a row of lockers, her gang surrounding her. Lux raised an eyebrow at the strange formation they had going on. She squinted with suspicion, unable to make out their expressions.

As Lux and her friends approached Jinx, the blue-braided girl's group suddenly turned in unison, their eyes locking onto her. Lux held their gaze, a flicker of confusion crossing her face as she wondered why they were staring. Then, without warning, Jinx's trio parted like a curtain, allowing her to step forward with an almost theatrical flair.

Jinx stopped just a few steps away from Lux, tilting her head back in a dramatic motion that suggested an imminent sneeze. Lux, sensing she was the target, froze in place. The world seemed to slow down as she tried to process the rapid turn of events, her mind racing but her body paralyzed.

In one swift, fluid motion, Jinx lurched forward, and a grotesque, exaggerated "sneeze" erupted from her. A spray of vivid red spewed from Jinx's mouth, splattering across Lux's face and shirt. The warm, sticky liquid clung to her skin and clothes, and Lux's heart skipped a beat as she instinctively assumed it was blood.

"Oh my gosh! I'm so so so sorry!" Jinx cried sarcastically, cupping her mouth, imitating a genuine apologetic reaction. Her trio erupted with laughter, pointing at Lux covered in faux blood.

Lux's friends turned around, their faces contorted with horror as they pieced together how she ended up with what looked like a blood paint splatter. Their wide-eyed stares mirrored Lux's own shock. Her eyes darted rapidly from side to side, her thoughts racing to make sense of what had just happened.

"You guys are such dicks!" Chelsea cried out, gawking at Lux's stained shirt.

"W-what..." was all Lux could stammer before storming off, her face a mask of shock and disgust. Her friends shot Jinx and her trio death glares, their eyes burning with anger and disbelief, before hurrying after their blood-covered companion.

Jinx snorted, wiping the excess blood from her nostrils and upper lip with the back of her back hoodie sleeve. She turned to face her goons, a smug grin spreading across her face.

"Aw... I ruined her shirt," Jinx said, her tone dripping with false regret, clearly pleased with her stunt.

Last period rolled around, and the bluenette slouched behind her desk, twirling one of her braids like a lasso. She was anticipating Lux's arrival, her curiosity piqued by the art project she had displayed on her pristine, white polo. About ten minutes into class, Lux was still nowhere to be seen. Jinx puffed out her cheeks, her brows furrowing as she stared at the empty desk across the room, her thoughts muddled with confusion and a muted flicker of concern. It was obvious why she was absent; Jinx knew that much. She wasn't stupid. She was actually surprised that Lux had ditched class to avoid her. That was unlike her. After every prank and verbal altercation they'd been through, Lux always showed up to face her, giving her the expected death glare and pearly white snarl. It's just what they did, this little game of theirs.

Jinx gives an audible sigh as she dramatically sits up right, resting her head on top of her desk. She shoves her hand into her black ripped jeans pocket, pulling out her favorite miniature camo Swiss army knife and flips it open to one of the many metal gadgets stowed within. About to carve into the wooden desk, their teacher's voice startles her.

"Jinx?" His voice booms, setting down the phone given by the school on his desk.

Jinx quickly shoves the knife back into her pocket, forcing an innocent smile.

"Sup teach!" She grins, leaning back in her seat, hoping he didn't catch her vandalizing attempt.

"You're wanted in the principal's office."

The class collectively combined their voices, a symphony of 'oohs' and 'ahhs' filling the room. The teacher sighs in response and turns back to the chalkboard, continuing to write his interrupted lesson down. Jinx rolls her eyes as she pushes off her desk, standing to her feet, her braids falling to her sides. She muttered random swears under her breath as she packed up her stuff and headed towards the familiar office. A few minutes later, Jinx stood in front of the dreaded office, staring at the door slightly cracked. She inhales deeply, putting on the biggest fake smile she could conjure before softly kicking the door open, walking into the formal, tidy room that always smelled faint of mothballs and black licorice.

"Principal P! What can I do ya for?" She smirked as she made her way towards the empty green seat in front of his desk, oblivious to the other person occupying the chair next to her. Jinx plopped down into the mediocre stiff chair, making herself comfortable by swinging her legs off the side of the chair's arms. As Jinx looked up past her feet, her eyes were met with a pair of icy blue orbs.

"Blondie! There you are!" Jinx crossed her arms, her backpack strap dangling off her arm, her grin still wide.

Lux didn't say a word. Her legs were crossed tightly, her shoulders poised. If looks could kill, the one she had currently held was an option for those on death row. It made Jinx silently shudder as her eyes flickered from the angry blonde to the unamused chubby principal.

"Jinx, I'm sure you know why you're in here." he gave an exasperated sigh, removing his bifocals, setting them delicately on his dark oak desk. Principal Priggins leaned back in his high-backed brown leather chair, a questionable squeak giving out from beneath him as he shifted his weight.

Jinx's eyes darted to Lux's shirt, expecting to see a white canvas of crimson splotches, instead, she was wearing a tan crew neck sweater far too big for her frame, the fabric falling off of her left shoulder ever so slightly. Feeling Jinx's gaze, Lux became uncomfortable and shifted her body away from her, giving Jinx a perfect view of her back.

"I don't know what you're talking about," Jinx said coolly, her shit-eating grin never faltering.

Was today the day? Jinx thought, trying to keep her head straight.

Principal Priggins inhaled deeply, his suit jacket straining against his broad chest. The fabric pulled tight before the buttons gave way, causing the jacket to gape open. Jinx sucked in her lips, trying to stifle a rising chuckle at the sight. He really needed to get better fitting clothes.

"I've talked with Ms.Crownguard, discussing the events she's endured this past week, along with a few bystanders." Jinx gulped softly, her throat bobbing. "She also brought to my attention the ice rink incident."

Jinx's smirk immediately dropped, a look similar to fear washed over her pale face. She scrambled in her seat, sitting up as straight as she could as she pushed herself up from the hard chair.

"Low blow, Crowntard!" Jinx shouted, throwing her whipcord arms in the air with frustration, glaring at the blonde who couldn't meet her gaze.

"Jinx!" Principal Priggins exclaimed, slamming his sausage fingered hands flush against his desk, rattling his computer monitor and a few framed pictures of his pet parrot, Reese.

Lux and Jinx turn to Mr. Priggins with wide eyes. His face was cherry red, his crow's feet deeper than normal. He huffed and ran a hand through his short peppered hair, closing his eyes briefly before turning to Jinx.

"We have given you several chances, Jinx," he started, adjusting the placement of his picture frames and a few office supplies nearby. "I'm afraid your get-out-of-jail-free card has finally expired."

Jinx's mouth hung open as she blinked rapidly, trying to process his words.

"Are you fuckin' kiddin'?" Jinx bellowed, slamming her hands on his desk, the gold picture frames toppled over, along with the metal cup holding miscellaneous pens and pencils.

He didn't say a word. Neither did Lux. The only sound in the office was the hum of the AC vent above the door and Mr. Priggins' labored breathing. Even though Jinx claimed not to care about getting expelled in the first place, something in her snapped. She wasn't quite sure what it was, but the fact that Lux was successful in getting her way—winning their ongoing feud—made her stomach boil with rage.

Mr. Priggins broke the silence. "As of today... you are expelled. You will be removed from Piltover Community, effective immediately."

Jinx turned to Lux, her jaw working a bit in an attempt to say something, but nothing came out. Lux just stared at Jinx blankly, her slender fingers rolling her sweater's sleeve between her thumb and index. Lux should feel great, ecstatic even, but she didn't. She felt odd. Kind of...sad? No, sad wasn't the word. Remorseful? Maybe? The silence in the air was thick, Jinx and Lux were locked in a questionable staring contest, a mixture of conflicting emotions flickering behind each other's eyes. Principal Priggins glanced at his watch and cleared his throat.

"Not to be insensitive, but I need you both to leave. I have a meeting to attend with the board." He says softly, picking up the picture frame once again, angling it to his liking. "Jinx, I need you to pack up your locker and go straight to the administration office. No ifs, ands or buts." he said sternly, placing his glasses back on his chunky face, turning his attention away from them to his computer.

Jinx was flabbergasted, staring at Mr. Priggins, her brows furrowed her hands in the shape of claws. White Jinx mean mugged their unphased principal, Lux rapidly gathered her belongings before dashing out of the office, her eyes glued to the floor as she exited. Jinx watched as she scurried out the door, fueling Jinx's anger even more. She pivoted on her feet and charged after her.

"Blondie!" Jinx growled, trying to catch up with her, her footsteps echoing within the halls.

Lux didn't say a word as Jinx continued to call out to her. Her eyes were fixated on the scuffed cream linoleum tiles, her brain yelling at her feet to move faster as she made her way to her locker. She didn't know what to say to her. What was there to say? She warned her and she didn't listen. She was fed up with it. The only thought she had was to just go home and shower. Today was humiliating.

"Hello?!" Jinx yelled louder, finally catching up to Lux, who now stood in front of her locker, her shaky fingers struggling with the combination. Jinx's chest was rising and falling heavily, the anger bubbling in her stomach reaching a dangerous temperature. She felt like she could breathe fire with how hot she was running.

"Just leave me alone, Jinx," Lux muttered, still fumbling with her lock, her face pink.

Jinx stood close, their bodies mere inches apart as the blue-braided girl snarled, her fists clenched at her sides.

"Why are you always so uptight?!" Jinx spat through gritted teeth, her jaw flexing.

Lux's fingers dropped from the lock, her body turning to Jinx's, her jaw clenched as well.

"Uptight?! Are you really that dense?! You fucking ruined my shirt with... w-what I thought was blood! You're lucky it was cherries! If it was real blood, I would have called the cops! That's like a-a health hazard!" Lux exclaimed.

Jinx glared daggers at her, her fingernails denting her skin as she squeezed her fists tighter, her knuckles white.

"It's just stupid pranks! Harmless! My friends would have—WE'RE—laughing their asses off! If I did it to them, they wouldn't have—"

"I WASN'T LAUGHING!" Lux roared, smashing her fist against her locker, the harsh sound reverberating off the empty hall. Jinx sucked her lips in, lightly biting them from the inside, watching Lux intensely, her gaze softening slightly.

Lux slid her hand down the locker, drawing her hands to her sides. Jinx's gaze dropped to Lux's hand, the side of her hand a deep red from the impact against the metal. That unsettling feeling of concern fizzled inside of her, this time a bit more louder.

"Blondie–"

"DON'T." Lux barked, her knuckles going white.

Jinx opened her mouth to say something, but as her lips parted, an ear-piercing school alarm abruptly blared. Both of them flinched, instinctively covering their ears. The continuous wail echoed throughout the school, a harsh, grating sound unlike the familiar fire drill bell—a sound designed to send chills down the spine and alert everyone to imminent danger. The hallway lights flashed red in time with the alarm, casting a sinister glow on the walls and floors. Students and teachers froze momentarily, their conversations and activities abruptly cut off by the alarm's urgent scream. The PA system crackled to life, a stern voice announcing, "This is a lock down. Secure all doors and windows immediately."