The science lab buzzed with quiet movement and the low hum of equipment.
Mr. Miller stood at the front, sleeves rolled up, explaining something about energy transfer while gesturing toward the board.
Theo sat forward immediately, eyes bright, already scribbling ideas that definitely went beyond the lesson.
Eliot sat beside him, posture neat, notebook open, pencil ready.
He listened carefully, glancing between Mr. Miller and Theo's half-formed diagrams. Being here felt… right. Comfortable.
A few tables away, Leon sat with his arms crossed, expression permanently offended by the very concept of science. He looked like someone had personally insulted him with a periodic table.
Rex was half-slumped over his chair, blonde hair messier than usual, chin propped on his hand, eyes barely open. He yawned loudly.
Leon sighed and ran a hand through his perfectly styled brown hair, clearly tired of carrying the team's dignity alone. He leaned over toward Theo and Eliot and whispered, "Focus. He's literally explaining the important part."
Eliot straightened instantly. "S-sorry."
Theo nodded quickly. "Right. Yes. Important part."
Mr. Miller clapped his hands once, drawing everyone's attention. "Alright, listen up. This year's science club competition is group-based. I'll be assigning roles."
Leon perked up slightly.
"Theo," Mr. Miller said, pointing, "you'll be the inventor. You've got the ideas."
Theo beamed. "Yes!"
"Eliot," Mr. Miller continued, "you'll take notes. Clear documentation wins competitions."
Eliot nodded, calm and serious. "I can do that."
"Leon," Mr. Miller said, glancing at him, "you explain. You're clear, direct, and people listen to you."
Leon blinked. "…Huh."
"And Rex," Mr. Miller finished, "you'll record everything. Video, logs, progress."
Rex lifted his head. "Wait—so I get a camera?"
"Yes."
Rex grinned instantly. "We're winning."
Leon glanced at Theo and Eliot, then sighed. "Fine. But if we lose, I'm blaming the portal kid."
Theo laughed. Eliot smiled quietly.
Somewhere between notes, inventions, explanations, and chaos, it became very clear to all of them—
This year, the science club wasn't just competing.
They were going to win.
--
The cafeteria was loud in that hollow, echoing way that made every laugh feel sharper than it should.
Trays clattered, chairs scraped, and voices stacked on top of each other until it all blurred into noise.
Eliot sat near the end of a long table, shoulders tucked in, tray untouched.
He picked at the edge of a napkin, eyes down, trying to disappear into the pattern of the table.
It didn't work.
"Hey. Winters."
The voice came from behind him.
Eliot stiffened.
Brent Calder stood there, tall, broad, smiling without warmth. His friends—Mason and Kye—hovered close, blocking the aisle like it was intentional. It always was.
Brent nudged Eliot's shoulder with two fingers. Not hard. Just enough.
"You always sit like that," Brent said. "Like you're afraid the air's gonna hit you."
A few nearby kids glanced over, then looked away.
Eliot swallowed. "Can you… just leave me alone?"
Mason laughed. "Hear that? He asked."
Kye leaned closer, peering at Eliot's tray. "Did you even eat today? Or are you surviving on… what is it you draw? Wolves?"
Brent reached down and flicked the corner of Eliot's notebook where it stuck out of his bag. The page slid open just enough to show dark pencil lines.
"Still with the monsters," Brent said. "Figures."
Eliot's fingers curled tight in his lap. He didn't look up. He didn't argue. He knew better. The room felt smaller, the noise farther away, like he was underwater.
"Careful," Brent added, voice low. "Wouldn't want you getting hurt again."
That did it.
Eliot stood up so suddenly his chair scraped loud against the floor. The sound cut through the cafeteria. A few heads turned.
"Stop," Eliot said.
His voice wasn't loud. But it was clear.
Brent blinked, surprised. "Oh? Found your backbone?"
Eliot's hands shook, but he didn't step back. "I said stop."
For a moment, it felt like the whole room held its breath.
Then Brent scoffed. "Whatever. Don't get brave. It doesn't suit you."
He stepped away, his friends following, laughter trailing behind them like static.
Eliot sat back down slowly. His heart hammered. His food was cold now. He didn't touch it.
Across the room, someone was watching.
Leon's jaw tightened. Rex stopped joking mid-sentence. Theo's hands clenched around his tray, eyes fixed on Eliot like he was already moving through equations in his head—calculating, planning.
Eliot didn't notice.
He just folded his napkin carefully and stared at the table, wishing—just for a moment—that he were as strong as the things he drew.
It happened later.
Not during lunch. Not when teachers were watching.
Eliot was at his locker, fingers moving too slowly as he swapped books. His shoulders still felt tight, like he'd forgotten how to relax them.
"Winters."
Brent's voice again. Calm. Too calm.
Eliot didn't turn.
Brent stepped closer, blocking the locker door with his foot. "You think standing up once changes anything?"
Eliot's hand trembled as he slid a notebook into his bag. "Please. I'm just—"
"Just what?" Mason said, amused. "Just weak?"
Before Eliot could answer, another presence filled the space.
Leon.
He didn't rush. Didn't shove. Didn't raise his voice.
He just stopped beside Eliot's locker and leaned back against the metal, arms crossed. Tall. Solid. Unmoving.
The hallway suddenly felt very quiet.
Leon looked at Brent—not angry, not threatening. Just… assessing. Like Brent was something mildly inconvenient.
"Move your foot," Leon said.
Brent scoffed. "Or what?"
Leon tilted his head slightly. "Or you keep standing here pretending you're impressive."
Mason snorted, then stopped when Leon's eyes flicked to him.
Leon stepped closer—just enough to shrink the space. His voice dropped, calm and flat. "You like easy targets. That's not confidence. That's laziness."
Brent's smile twitched.
Leon continued, almost bored. "You bother him again, and every time you walk into this hall, you'll wonder if I'm nearby. That's it. No drama."
He glanced down at Eliot. "You good?"
Eliot nodded, barely breathing.
Leon looked back at Brent. "We're done."
For a long second, Brent didn't move.
Then he pulled his foot away. "Whatever," he muttered, already backing off.
Leon waited until they were gone before pushing off the locker.
"Walk with me," he said quietly.
Eliot did.
Neither of them spoke until they reached the corner of the hall.
Leon stopped. "You don't deserve that."
Eliot stared at the floor. "I know."
Leon hesitated, then added, "You don't have to be loud to be strong."
Eliot looked up, surprised.
Leon was already walking away.