The morning bell echoed through the hallway.
Aran walked into school with his bag hanging loosely on one shoulder.
He wasn't excited, but he knew she'd be there — the girl who somehow made school feel alive.
Pink hair that glowed under sunlight, blue eyes that looked like calm oceans,
and skin so pale it almost felt unreal. Her name was Elara.
Smart, confident, always topping the class — everything he wasn't.
He spent the whole first period glancing at her from the corner of his eye.
When the final bell rang for lunch, he gathered all his courage.
His hands were shaking, but he walked up to her.
"Elara… I like you," he said softly, hoping she'd smile.
But she didn't.
Instead, she laughed — not the kind of laugh he wanted to hear.
Her friends joined in, whispering things that burned worse than her rejection.
"You? Seriously?" she said, her eyes cold. "Don't even dream about it."
The words hit harder than he expected.
He stood there for a second, then just smiled weakly, pretending it didn't matter.
That evening, he went home silently, ignoring every noise, every thought.
Next morning came too fast.
When he entered the classroom, everyone was already staring.
Whispers followed him, like shadows he couldn't shake off.
He sat at his seat, trying to act normal, but something felt wrong.
Then the door slammed open.
Three seniors walked in — faces hard, eyes burning with anger.
They walked straight toward him.
"Are you the one who messed with Elara?" one of them said.
Before he could answer, a punch hit his face.
Then another. Then a kick.
The room spun. His mind went blank.
Everyone watched.
No one helped.
And that was the moment everything changed.
Part 2..