Hex POV
It was break time, and I was sitting on the playground, glued to my phone, trying to beat the high score on my game. I barely noticed until a hand covered my eyes.
"Guess who it is?" a playful voice whispered.
"I know… it's Mila," I said, smiling under the hand.
"How did you know it was me?" she asked, tilting her head.
"Clearly… by your scent," I said, glancing at James standing behind her.
James muttered, "Whoa… he actually knows her sent?"
I ignored him, slipping my phone into my pocket.
"Come on, let's go get some lunch, or just walk around," Mila suggested.
"Fine,"I said, standing up, and we started walking. We laughed about video games, and random silly things we wanted to do when we grew up. It was easy. Light. Fun.For a few minutes, everything felt normal.
Then Marco appeared.
"Well, well… look who it is,"he sneered, flanked by his usual two friends.
I tried to walk past, but he blocked my way, shoving me hard. I stumbled and hit the ground. My dress got dirty, and my hands scraped against the rough concrete. Pain shot up my palm, but I didn't cry. I wiped the dirt off and glared at him.
"Don't you ever get tired of bothering me?"I asked.
"Never,"Marco said, grinning."I'll keep pestering you forever, kid."
"Kid, huh?"I muttered under my breath. "We'll see about that."
I was clearly 2 years older than him
He smirked and crossed his arms. "You think you can escape me? Go ahead."
Oh, he started it. Fine.
"You think being loud and annoying makes you smart? You can't even pass the last math test, Marco,"I said, keeping my voice calm, but inside I was fizzing."Your brain is as empty as your backpack."
"Ha! You think that hurt? You're tiny. No muscles, no power, no friends… pathetic!" he shot back.
I rolled my eyes."Really? At least I don't trip over my own feet and spill my lunch every day."
"And you? You sit behind Class with headset on like a scared little puppy. Seriously?"
I clenched my fists. That was the last straw. I stared him down, thinking about everything he'd done—the shoves, the insults, the way he treated everyone like they were beneath him. My eyes narrowed.
"You know what, Marco?"I said, my voice low but sharp."You talk a lot. You shove a lot. But underneath all that noise… you're scared of being ignored, scared of being ordinary, scared everyone will see you for what you really are—a spoiled kid who's never had to work for anything. That's why you bully, because you don't know how to fight for real things."
Silence. Even Marco's friends stopped laughing. His jaw dropped.
Marco stepped closer, his tone dripping with mockery. "You little brat, seriously—"
Before he could finish, I moved, grabbing him by the collar and looking him in the eye. My voice dropped low, cold, and sharp. "You better leave me and my friends alone."
Marco's friends hesitated. Marco laughed nervously. "Who do you think you are?"
And that's when the voice cut through.
"What do you think you are doing?"
We all froze. Miss Reyes —Marco's mother— my mom had appeared.
Her eyes scanned us, sharp and commanding. "Why did you push my son to the ground? And you… you're standing there like nothing happened?"
I froze.
I blinked. Confusion mixed with anger. Wait… what just happened? I didn't… I just defended myself!
I looked up and saw Marco lying dramatically on the ground, holding his chest like I had knocked him out. His eyes were wide, and he looked like a victim in a movie.
"I saw my son pushed to the floor," Miss Reyes said, stepping closer. "And this boy… he is standing over him like nothing happened? Charles , what is this?!"
"He started it. He pushed me and insulted my friends. I only defended myself."
Her gaze hardened. "This is unacceptable. Your parents should teach you better. And you… you're just a poor boy on a scholarship. How dare you raise your voice?"
My fists clenched. "I'm not backing down! He attacked me first!"
Then came the slap. Pain exploded across my cheek, but I didn't cry. I pressed my lips together, holding back tears.
She doesn't love me… she never did, I thought bitterly.
My vision blurred, and my head throbbed from the slap, but I forced myself to stand straight.
"Miss Reyes," I said, my voice trembling slightly but firm, "what you call 'poor' or 'scholarship' doesn't define me. I deserve respect like anyone else."
Another sharp slap landed. My cheek stung, my eyes watered, but I didn't fall. I tried to control myself, to keep my pride intact.
My heart thumped. I didn't know what to say. My hands were dirty, my dress smeared, and my face was red from the slap. I felt like crying, but I clenched my teeth.
She doesn't even know the truth. She thinks I bullied him… but he's lying. Always lying.
"I… I didn't push him! He shoved me first, and he insults everyone—he even tripped me!" I tried to explain, but my voice sounded small.
Miss Reyes' eyes softened for a moment as she looked at Marco, but then her gaze snapped back to me. "A slap may teach you respect. Remember, boy, actions have consequences."
I shook my head. She doesn't understand. I didn't do anything wrong…
I felt tears prick my eyes, but I forced them back. I didn't cry. I couldn't. I stood there, hunched, clutching my face, trying to make the pain stop in my mind.
Then I heard it.
"Who dared to touch my little brother?"
I looked up and saw Jayjay standing there, her eyes blazing. I felt a surge of relief.