For the first time in his life, the protagonist began stepping beyond the limits set by his parents. Gone were the days of simply studying, getting good grades, and following their well-laid plans.
Now, he have friends and a group he belonged to.
The classroom was no longer just a place for academics, it was a playground for laughter and mischief. He and his friends roamed the school as a gang, moving together, claiming their own territory in every corner of the campus.
The canteen became their kingdom. Every interval, without fail, they occupied their usual spot, their laughter echoing through the halls. There was no shortage of treats as his pocket money vanished into cream buns, cakes, and endless snacks for the group.
They were always late to class, slipping in at the last moment, never once thinking about studies.
Lunchtime wasn't just about eating. It was an event. They sat in a large circle outside the classrooms, sprawled across the paved ground, sharing meals and endless conversations. They gave their gang a name, something only they understood, a bond sealed with jokes and shared secrets.
They did everything together. They knew everything happening in the school. If a teacher forgot to come to class, they reminded them. If a teacher needed something carried, they were there. They were everywhere.
And just like that, his world changed.
The structure, the discipline, the expectations, it all faded. He was no longer the boy who lived by the rules.
He stopped caring about grades.
At home, he barely studied. His parents noticed the situation and their concern grew. When they asked him about it, he brushed it off saying,"Everything's fine. I'm studying."
But it wasn't fine. The first class tests arrived, and his grades plummeted from A+ to C-. Still, he didn't care and nothing felt wrong. His parents, though uneasy, convinced themselves it was just the pressure of moving to a new school.
But deep down, something had shifted and he didn't realize that it wasn't going to stop.