Undercover High School

Chapter 2 – A Glimpse Beneath the Surface

“That bastard. Forcing himself on a defenseless woman?” Alister muttered, clenching his fists. His gaze sharpened. His breathing grew heavy, blood simmering with fury.

He stepped forward, emerging from the shadows of the night and approaching the scene.

“Hey! Let her go.”

Rudi turned sharply, his expression twisted in anger.

“Who the hell are you?! Stay out of grown-up business!” he barked.

Clara, who had looked completely hopeless moments ago, now looked up and froze as she recognized the figure standing under the streetlamp. The leather jacket, the piercing eyes, that air of danger and mystery.

“Alister?” she whispered in disbelief.

Alister walked closer, sliding both hands into his jacket pockets. His posture was relaxed, but there was a dangerous tension in every step.

“I don’t like repeating myself,” he said coolly. “Let. Her. Go.”

Rudi sneered. “Trying to be a hero, kid? You really wanna throw hands with me?”

Alister shrugged casually. “I’m good. The real question is, will you make it home in one piece?”

Without warning, Rudi lunged forward and threw a punch. But Alister was faster. He caught the man’s wrist mid-air and twisted it behind his back. Rudi cried out in pain.

“Arghhhh!!!”

“Didn’t you hear me the first time?” Alister hissed, forcing Rudi down to his knees with a firm hold.

Clara stumbled back, her body shaking—but her eyes never left Alister. The student she once thought was just quiet and chronically late… was now standing before her as her protector.

After rendering Rudi powerless, Alister shoved him aside. Rudi staggered to his feet, glared at them both with rage, then rushed into his car and sped off like a coward.

“Coward,” Alister scoffed.

Silence fell over the night again. Clara stood frozen, her breathing ragged.

Alister’s eyes shifted toward her. Their gazes locked. He then walked closer.

“Miss Clara,” he said gently, his voice calmer now. “Are you okay?”

Clara nodded slowly. “Th-thank you… Alister. Why were you even here?”

Alister didn’t answer right away. He looked down the now-empty street.

“Just passing by,” he replied quietly.

Clara stared at him, seeing him truly for the first time. Her student—handsome, distant, and mysterious—wasn’t at all what he seemed.

“I’ll take you home,” Alister said. “Just give me the address.”

She hesitated, still watching him as if trying to read the thoughts behind his calm face. But the night was too quiet, and her heart too tired to ask more questions.

“Melati Street, alley number seven,” she said softly. Her voice still trembled, though she was regaining composure.

Alister nodded and turned toward his motorcycle. He started the engine, then glanced back at her. “Get on. I’ll take you safely home.”

Clara hesitated. This was far from a normal situation. She was a teacher. He was her student. But tonight, those labels didn’t matter. She just wanted to get home safely.

Carefully, she climbed onto the back of the bike. Her hands hovered awkwardly behind her, but once the motorcycle began to move, she instinctively leaned in slightly to keep her balance.

As they rode, the dim streetlights illuminated Alister’s face. Clara stole a glance from behind. Even with the helmet, his aura remained—confident, composed, and protective. The way he handled the motorcycle, the way his shoulders held tension—it felt like he carried the weight of the world. He was no ordinary student.

Minutes later, they stopped in front of Clara’s house. She dismounted carefully.

“Thank you… again, Alister,” she said, this time with a gaze filled not just with gratitude, but something deeper. “I don’t know what would’ve happened if you hadn’t shown up.”

Alister simply nodded. “You should rest. Don’t open the door unless it’s someone you know.”

His voice was gentle, yet firm. The kind of voice that belonged to someone who had been through pain but still chose to protect others.

Clara nodded and walked toward her door. Before stepping inside, she glanced back one last time. Alister was still on his bike, watching her until she was safe inside.

Once the door closed, he revved the engine and vanished into the night.

From that moment on… Alister was no longer the same in Clara’s eyes.

The engine roared, slicing through the night air heavy with gasoline and hot asphalt. The old lot on the edge of town had transformed into a lawless arena of adrenaline, as it did every Saturday night. Teenagers in leather jackets and helmets gathered, cheering wildly at the underground races unacknowledged by law.

Alister arrived late—because he had stayed to help Clara.

It cost him his slot in the main race.

His black motorcycle skidded to a stop at the edge of the crowd. Without a word, he took off his helmet.

His expression was unreadable. Calm… but disappointed.

The lead spot—his usual place—was already taken.

He slipped into the crowd, arms crossed, eyes narrowed.

“Hey, Al,” a guy called out, raising a hand. “You’re late, man. That’s rare.”

“Something came up. Who’s that?” Alister asked, nodding toward the racer dominating the track.

“Oh, that? Some new kid. Joined last minute ‘cause we were short on riders. The crew let ’em in.”

Alister said nothing, eyes locked on the speeding motorcycle.

The rider was agile, aggressive—owning the track like it was second nature. But what really caught Alister’s attention was the bike: a navy-black sport model, fast, lean, and expertly controlled.

Then came the sharp turn—a spot Alister had used countless times to knock out his opponents.

The rider handled it flawlessly.

His brow lifted. “Who is that?”

The crowd roared louder. Some shouted a name he didn’t recognize. He ignored them all.

His focus was singular—on that rider.

Then, the bike crossed the finish line and rolled to a stop in the middle of the crowd. Cheers erupted.

The helmet came off slowly.

Long hair spilled out. Sharp eyes. A triumphant smirk on the lips of a young woman.

Alister froze.

She… was a girl?

Her face was beautiful, but her gaze—bold, wild, unafraid. Nothing like the girls he’d known.

For the first time in a very long time…

Alister was curious.

***