Just then, Matt and his troop strolled into the classroom and stopped at Hazel's desk.
"Hey, nerdy. Get up," Matt ordered dryly, tapping her desk with his foot.
Ignoring him, Hazel kept her eyes on her phone, nodding faintly to a rhythm only she could hear — though no music was actually playing.
"Bitch, I said get the f*ck up!" Matt hissed through clenched teeth, slamming his palm against the desk. The sound made the boy sleeping beside Hazel stir.
Hazel lifted her gaze, frowning.
"Can't you see I'm busy?" she said coolly.
Her calm tone only fueled Matt's anger. He'd woken up in a foul mood after another fight at home. He shouldn't have come to school today, but he needed someone to take it out on. Unfortunately for Hazel, the usual victims of his bullying weren't around — and she'd always been his favorite target anyway.
