Aarvin sat alone, quietly eating, when Riyan suddenly appeared and grabbed his wrist.
"What are you doing? Come."
Aarvin swallowed nervously as Riyan dragged him behind the school building.
"Look," Riyan said, pointing to three older boys leaning against a wall.
"They're not my enemies. They just have… a bit of an attitude."
Then Riyan smirked.
"I'll give the signal. You throw one or two punches."
Aarvin's eyes widened.
"What? Bro… I can't—"
"Quiet. Just land one punch. I'll handle the rest."
The three boys walked closer.
"Oh, Hale's little brother?" one of them laughed.
"He looks like a kid."
Aarvin trembled.
Riyan whispered, "They won't dare touch you. I'm right here. Just punch."
Aarvin shook his head desperately.
"Bro, I don't want to fight. I can't do this. I'm leaving."
He turned and walked away — fast — chest tight, breath shaking.
Behind him, the boys laughed loudly.
Riyan didn't laugh.
He simply watched Aarvin's retreating back…
expression unreadable.
Back in class, Elena looked up immediately.
"You okay? Your hands are trembling."
Aarvin forced a smile.
"Yeah… just adjusting."
But inside, he felt weak.
Small.
Embarrassed.
He didn't know this was only the beginning.