It was college today—my very first day. Like always, I pulled my mask up over my face, adjusted my hoodie, and headed out. I wanted to disappear into the crowd, just like I did back in school. I chose the very last seat on the bus, the one tucked in the corner where no one would bother me. I didn't want to be noticed—not by bullies, not by girls, not by anyone. They were all distractions. Friends? I didn't need them either. Being alone suited me just fine. Especially me.
But the moment I stepped into the classroom, my heart stopped.
There, sitting casually in the third row, was someone I could never forget. Elroy. That name had burned itself into my memory. He was the boy who made my elementary school days hell—mocking my voice, tripping me in the corridors, laughing while the others joined in. Even now, years later, I could feel that same dark aura rolling off him like a bad smell. My stomach twisted. I told myself to ignore him. Stay invisible. He probably didn't even remember me. I slipped into the backmost seat, pulled out my notebook, and tried to focus on the professor's voice. But my eyes kept drifting to Elroy. I wasn't staring out of curiosity—I was watching him like a hawk, making sure he never turned his attention my way again.
The first session dragged on. I pretended to take notes, but half my brain was on high alert.
Then came the break.
I found a quiet corner of the canteen, sat alone, and unwrapped my sandwiches. Just me, my food, and the low hum of everyone else's conversations. Peaceful. Safe.
Until two tall guys loomed over my table.
"Hey, guy eating alone," one of them said with a smirk. "Not gonna share with us?" I felt the familiar cold rush of fear. Bullies. Of course. They always find me.
"Don't you have your own food?" I replied, trying to sound calm, trying to sound strong. Inside, I already knew what was coming.
The bigger one grabbed my shirt collar and yanked me up like I weighed nothing. "What do you think, huh? You messing with the wrong guy." His friend laughed. The whole canteen turned to watch. Phones came out. Eyes stared. No one moved to help. Just like always.
Then—someone stepped in.
A hand shot out and shoved the guy holding me backward. Hard. "Don't mess with anyone again," the voice said, low and steady, "or you're gonna pay."
I looked up. Elroy.
The bully stumbled, caught off guard. "Who the hell are you? Some kind of savior for this loser?" Elroy didn't flinch. "No. I'm not a savior. I'm just someone who steps in when shitty people like you need to be stopped."
Before the guy could answer, Elroy drove a fist into his back. Not wild, not angry—just clean and controlled. The bully crashed forward onto my table, knocking my sandwiches everywhere. "Stay away from everyone," Elroy warned, voice like steel. "I mean it."
The two guys scrambled up, muttered something under their breath, and slunk away. The canteen exploded into whispers. Some people even clapped. Elroy had just become the hero of the day.
He turned to me, breathing a little hard. "You okay?" I was still frozen, heart hammering. This was the same Elroy who used to make me cry in the playground. And now… he had just saved me.
"Y-yeah… I'm okay. Thanks for the help." I finally managed to speak, pulling myself out of the shock.
He gave a small nod, almost shy. "By the way, my name is Elroy." He introduced himself like we'd never met before. Like the past didn't exist.
I hesitated. My real name felt heavy on my tongue. "I'm… Luka."
He smiled—just a quick, easy smile—and walked away.
I sat back down, sandwiches scattered, mask still on. My hands were shaking. Not from fear anymore. From something else entirely. The boy who once ruined my days had just become the one who stopped them from getting worse. And he didn't even know who I really was.
The bell rang. I gathered my things slowly, mind spinning. Maybe college wouldn't be exactly like school after all.