students were making their way home. Jonathan and Joshua were walking toward the school gate, the warm breeze blowing across their faces as they continue to chatted about the bike ride they had planned earlier.
Soon Jonathan's attention snapped back to reality when a piercing scream cut through the air, almost like a pig being slaughtered.
"Jonathan! Jonathan!" The voice continues to grow louder with each passing seconds. Jonathan instinctively turned around. His eyes widened as he spotted a figue charging towards them like an angry bull. His face was flushed, and his movements was a bit heavy.
Joshua, walking beside Jonathan, let out a sigh. He had never been a fan of Kelvin, and his irritation was clear as he frowned at the approaching figure. "That lump of mass is going to give me a headache," he muttered under his breath, crossing his arms in annoyance.
But Jonathan wasn't as quick to dismiss him. He halted his steps, a mix of curiosity and concern on his face as he waited for Kelvin to catch up.
Joshua shot Jonathan another look. "What are you doing, Jonathan? Let's just go. Leave the pig in peace."
Jonathan chuckled softly at the comparison but stayed, clearly not ready to walk away. He understood that Kelvin, despite his size and the relentless teasing he faced, was someone who could really be a friend, especially when the world often looked down on him.
Finally, Kelvin reached them, panting heavily, sweat dripping from his forehead. Jonathan quickly noticed a few things,...Kelvin had a swollen bump on his head, a red cheek that looked like it had been slapped, and a cut on his lip that was still oozing out blood and staining his chin.
"What happened, Kelvin?" he asked, his voice laced with concern.
"Don't worry, I'm used to it,"...Kelvin said as he forced a smile on his face and wiped the blood from his lip with the back of his hand.
Jonathan's expression darkened, his eyes narrowing as he pieced a few things together. He had figured out the answer, but he had to ask. "It's Gabriel, isn't it?" he asked.
Kelvin nodded slowly, confirming Jonathan's doubts. "Yeah... Gabriel and his friends decided to have some 'fun' again."
Jonathan's fists clenched involuntarily, his blood boiling at the thought of Gabriel picking on someone like Kelvin. He had a deep-seated hatred for bullies, and seeing Kelvin like this made his stomach churn. Their friendship might not have been the strongest, but they still considered each other friends, even if it was unspoken. Watching Kelvin get beaten like this everyday has Left a bad taste in his mouth . He had once saved Kelvin from Gabriel and his gang, and that was how their became friends, Kelvin always wanted to be around him after that.
"That's it," Jonathan muttered under his breath, stepping back and already turning toward the school building. "I'm going to find Gabriel."
"What do you think you're doing?"
Joshua's voice stopped him in his tracks.
Jonathan turned to face Joshua,..."I'm going to settle this once and for all, "This ends today."
Joshua's expression hardened, and for a moment, his eyes narrowed as he assessed the situation. "And what do you think you're going to do? You really believe going to fight them now is going to solve anything?"
Jonathan was usually calm, but this situation with Kelvin was getting out of control.
He hesitated, realizing that Joshua was right. He was angry—furious, but rushing headfirst into trouble would only make things worse.
But something had to be done about Gabriel. This had gone on for far too long.
Kelvin, still awkwardly lingering to the side, shifted uncomfortably. "Guys... please... I really don't want you to get into trouble because of me," he said with a forced smile, hoping they would just drop it.
Jonathan turned to him, his expression softening. "Don't say that, Kelvin. No one should have to 'deal with' this kind of stuff."
Joshua sighed, rubbing the back of his neck in frustration. This lump of mass never seize to course trouble for them.
...
Sophia was walking the parking lot, making her way toward the black car that her driver usually used to take her to and from school. Her usually radiant face was clouded with displeasure... Lisa and Angela followed behind her, bickering and blaming each other for the earlier incident.
She reached the car that was waiting to take her home. It was a familiar sight, but today, she couldn't care less. All she wanted was to escape the chaos and find peace in her own space.
But as she approached the car, a figure suddenly blocked her path. She halted her steps, irritation flashing in her eyes as she looked up. It was Gabriel. A wave of frustration washed over her, and she took a deep breath to regain her composure. "What is it, Gabriel?" she asked, her voice already tinged with annoyance. She had no time for whatever he was up to today.
Gabriel flashed a playful smile, clearly unfazed by her stern tone. "Come on, Sophia," he said, his voice light and teasing. "It really hurts my heart to see that beautiful face of yours frowning."
Sophia narrowed her eyes, her anger shooting up. His words were always wrapped in that annoying mix of flirtation, but today, it only added fuel to the fire.
Her shoulders tensed and even though she could feel the heat of her rising anger, she struggled to keep her cool. Gabriel's antics were nothing new, but today, she just wasn't in the mood for his usual tricks. She had been looking forward to heading home, and now he was blocking her path, as if her life wasn't already complicated enough.
"I asked, what do you want?" she repeated, her voice more annoyed this time.
Gabriel didn't move an inch. Instead, he stepped closer, his grin growing wider. "Just give me a hug, baby, and I will let you go," he said sweetly, reaching out toward her. He casually brushed aside a lock of hair that had fallen across her face, as if it were the most normal thing in the world.
She clenched her fingers into fists. She was furious.
The sight of Lisa Angela standing just behind her only made things worse. Lisa, unable to contain herself, was barely holding back her laughter.
Pfffu....
Her shoulders shook with suppressed giggles. The sound of her barely contained amusement was like throwing gasoline on the fire of Sophia's anger.
Angela, standing next to Lisa, glared at her, Her eyes seemed to communicate everything without saying a word: We're already in trouble, and you want to make it worse?
Finally, Sophia's control snapped. The tight grip she had on her emotions broke free, and without thinking, she erupted in fury.
"Get lost!!"
Her voice echoed through the place, causing several students nearby to turn and stare in surprise. Gabriel, who had clearly expected a more playful reaction, was momentarily taken aback. His eyes widened in shock at the intensity of her outburst.
Without saying another word, Sophia pushed him aside. She brushed past him with a fast motion, barely giving him another glance. She walked toward the car, feeling the adrenaline of her anger coursing through her veins.
As she reached the door, she flung it open and slammed it shut behind her
The sound echoed through the air.
The driver finally stepped on the gas pedal, and the engine roared to life as the car kicked forward, leaving the school grounds behind. Sophia leaned back in her seat, gazing out through the window.