(Henry's POV)
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"You freak! Watch where you're going!" an angry girl snarled at me.
I immediately shrank at the intensity of her voice.
People started staring and gathering around us.
My chest tightened at the unwanted attention I am receiving. I looked down, fumbling my fingers.
This is all my fault… I should've looked where I was going.
I lowered my head, letting her words hit me one after another. I didn't even try to defend myself.
"Hey, human plastic! Fuck off, will you!"
A sudden shout pierced through my ears.
I slowly lifted my head—And froze.
It was Kara.
She stood there, fuming, glaring at the woman I bumped into, who looked just as angry as she was.
Kara glanced at me, and I mouthed, "Just go."
But she didn't move.
Instead, her scowl deepened.
"You were clearly at fault. I saw everything, you slut! He was literally on the side. Is your mind full of dicks that you don't even know right from wrong?" she snapped.
The woman's face twisted in anger.
"Don't meddle here, Kara. You might've grown tough these years, but I advise you to leave or else—"
"Or else what? You'll hurt me?" Kara scoffed, stepping closer. "Bitch please, you can't handle me. I can easily flip you if I want. Want me to show you?"
The woman instinctively stepped back.
"You—!"
"I'll deal with the both of you later," she grumbled before storming off.
"Hey! What was that?! Come back here so I can show you my skills in ka~ra~te!" Kara yelled, kicking the air dramatically with a goofy face.
Some students laughed at her antics and gradually they dispersed, and everything slowly went back to normal.
Kara fixed her hair and crumpled uniform before rushing toward me.
"Henry, are you okay? Did she hurt you?" she asked, her voice filled with concern.
I stared at her.
She's… really nice. We just met today… and she did that for me without hesitation.
In my whole life, only my family treated me like this.
It feels… nice.
"Hey, Henry, you okay?"
I snapped out of it when she waved her hand in front of my face.
Without thinking, I stepped forward, wrapped my arms around her neck, tiptoeing slightly.
"Thank you."
"Woah—okay, okay! It's no biggie, really," she said, patting my back. "I just hate that woman. Honestly, I wish I could've punched her. What a waste of opportunity."
She closed her eyes dramatically, like she was mourning.
I couldn't help but smile a little.
She really is something.
I wish I could be like her… strong and confident.
…
I told Kara I was heading to the cafeteria, and she insisted on coming with me.
After what happened, she said it was "for my own safety."
"Your friends told me they'd pick you up from detention," I said.
As soon as the words left my mouth, she burst out laughing.
I blinked.
What's funny…?
"Those guys are awful," she said between laughs. "They really think I'd sit still for three hours in detention. Like what kind of lame person would do that?"
Oh.
Actually… I would.
I remember sitting quietly for eight hours once because I spilled my teacher's coffee.
So I really am lame.
Sigh… But that doesn't need to be said.
…
"You don't really have to come with me," I said.
She made a bunch of weird noises in response waving her hands messily.
"Yeah, no. That's not happening."
Then she clapped her hands once.
"Okay, here's the deal. Once we get there, you go to your brother, and I'll find those three dumbasses. Sound good?"
I studied her face carefully. She wasn't tricking me. So I gave her a thumbs up and smiled.
We reached the cafeteria, and she pulled me to the side so we could look around.
I described Grey to her and she quickly caught up and started searching.
After a few seconds, she poked me and pointed at a table.
Wow, she spotted Grey. That was fast.
But the moment I looked at where Grey was I quickly understood why.
He was sitting with a group of loud guys which was such a catcher of attention.
So I guess he got into the team, huh?
Suddenly… I wasn't so sure anymore if I should go.
Before I could say anything. Kara was already walking away, blowing exaggerated flying kisses at me.
"I'll find them! Just stay here! We'll come to you!" she shouted before disappearing into the crowd.
I took a deep breath. Then slowly walked toward Grey.
"Hey, I am Lucas, you are the new kid earlier right? If you want you can join me and my friends." A tall brown-haired guy suddenly popped out in front of me, grinning.
I pointed at Grey. "Sorry, but I'm eating with my brother."
"Oh, I see…" he said full of dismay, "Next time then," he said, winking.
I quickly walked away.
Feeling uncomfortable all of a sudden.
There were only three guys around Grey, but they were all muscular and tall.
It was… intimidating for someone of my stature.
"Grey," I called softly but it seems they didn't hear me.
I call him a bunch of time but my voice would only be drowned by their voices.
Left with no option, I poked his back making him turn.
"Henry! Bud… You're here!"
Before I could react, he grabbed my hand and pulled me in front of him.
"Guys, this is my little brother, Henry. Bud, say hello to my new friends."
"Hello…" I said quietly.
"Woah, he is your brother?"
"He's kinda small, don't you think?" one of them grinned.
Grey immediately defended me.
"He's just late with puberty. It's fine, he's still young."
Hmph! I am not really small, in some countries 5'6 is already tall.
Tsk! They're just giants.
"Henry, right? Hi, I'm Carter Dawson. Nice to meet you."
A guy with glasses like mine held out his hand.
His eyes were calm and gentle, making me quickly get comfortable with him.
I shook his hand briefly— But before I could pull away, a blonde guy grabbed my hand.
"Ohh my! I see your future, my dear Henry! Bright, happy and full of sex, but wait, there is more—OW!"
Carter yanked his hair.
"Stop talking nonsense! Sorry about that, Henry. That's Bryce. Please forget what he said."
Carter muttered then pointed at Bryce "And you, stop contaminating this young boy's mind."
"Tch! You really look like a married couple every time you do that you know," another guy chimed in.
He turned to me, smirking.
"Hi, Henry. I'm Blaze. I can be your friend… or if you like, I could be the fire that keeps you warm at night."
Before I could even process what he said.
Grey's arm suddenly wrapped tightly around my shoulders.
"Hey! Stop that! He's my brother, you fucker!"
Blaze only smiled.
A strange smile.
Why is he like that…?
"Bud, some of the guys aren't here yet. I'll introduce them next time. So, how was your day?"
My face lit up at the question.
"I made some new friends!"
I told him about them and asked if it was okay to eat outside.
He agreed.
So I stayed here, waiting for my friends to come pick me up, quietly listening to their conversation while waiting.
Minutes passed.
Then suddenly…A chill ran down my spine.
The hairs on my nape stood when I felt someone staring at me. Like what happened in the hallway.
"Alex! Here, bro!"
Blaze suddenly stood up, waving.
I turned around to see who he was talking to.
And I saw him.
My heartbeat skipped.
This guy… he looked… dangerous. With that poker face and dominant aura, it's like his presence was enough to suffocate a whole room.
And then— For a split second— He looked at me.
My chest tightened.
Nope. My instinct is telling me to flee.
"I—I should go," I said quickly, grabbing my things.
But Grey stopped me.
"Wait, meet Alex first. He's our team captain, and he's a genius, just like you. You'll like him." my brother said optimistically.
No.
I won't.
I definitely wont!
I could feel it.
The danger. The threat.
He was completely opposite of me! What is my brother thinking?
The guy, Alex, sat across from me.
I lowered my head, refusing to look at him.
Grey nudged me, telling me to greet him.
I didn't.
"Sorry, Alex. My brother's shy." Grey said softly, laughing it off.
A few seconds passed, and they were still waiting for me to lift my head up.
The silence felt heavy.
I didn't want to make things awkward for Grey.
So slowly… I lifted my head. My eyes moved.
From his shoulders…
To his neck…
To his face…
And finally— to his golden dark eyes.
He was already staring at me dead in the eye.
Then I saw a glint of amusement playing in them.
Is he having fun watching me cower in front of him?
My body went stiff.
Why can't they see it…?!
He was looking at me like…
Like I was his prey!