"Notice that the stiffest tree is most easily cracked, while the bamboo or willow survives by bending with the wind."—Bruce Lee
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✧ ANGELUS ✧
I hate it when people look at me like that.
Eyes following my every step. Whispers. Stares. Admiration? Curiosity? I couldn't tell—and I didn't care.
I didn't ask for this.
Michael thought it would be a good idea to "fix me up"—get new clothes, a new look.
"Might help you blend in better," he said.
I should've refused.
Because now? I was exactly what I didn't want to be. Noticed.
And then there's this girl—Mimi, apparently—who's been trailing me ever since I stepped into the hallway.
"Can you show me around the school?"
"Are you always this quiet?"
"Oh, you have really intense eyes..."
I didn't respond. I never do. But she kept talking, like silence was just an invitation to speak more.
What's wrong with people? Do I not frown hard enough? Is it that my silence isn't sharp enough to warn them away?
I ignored her, just like I ignored everyone else. But then… I saw her.
Kelsey.
Storming toward me like I'd personally stolen her crown and burned down her kingdom.
Of course. I knew she'd come.
It was written all over her yesterday—the rage, the humiliation, the bruised pride. She wouldn't let it go easily.
But I didn't flinch. I didn't change my pace. I just remembered the food box in my hand.
Mrs. Bauer asked me to give it to her this morning. Said Kelsey hadn't eaten before leaving.
I didn't want to. I really didn't. But saying no to her? Not possible—not after what happened yesterday.
She and Michael had both sat me down last night, faces serious. Disappointed.
They acknowledged Kelsey's cruelty, but they still asked me to be better. To be gentle with her.
Mrs. Bauer's voice still echoed in my mind. "She may be harsh, but you must never lose control again. Be patient with her, Angelus. You're stronger than she is—show it."
Michael had said something similar this morning as we walked through the mall.
"Treat her like a younger sister," he'd said. "Annoying, dramatic, spoiled—but yours to protect."
So, here I was. A stupid box of food in my hand.
And the storm heading right for me.
I knew it was going to blow up. But I didn't care. I'd promised I'd be nice. So, I would. Even if she didn't deserve it.
I braced myself as she stormed toward me, fury etched into every step.
Honestly, I still didn't know what I did to her—really did to her—to deserve this level of hatred.
Part of me wished she didn't hate me. But the bigger part? It was glad she did.
Because people I care about… they don't stay long. They disappear, or worse—they die.
Her hatred was protection for her and for me.
She's not my friend. She never was. We hate each other. And maybe it's better that way.
But I'm still scared for Michael… for Mrs. Bauer. Even Max.
They care about me in a way I don't think I deserve.
I just… hope they don't vanish like the rest.
"And where the heck do you think you're going?" she yelled, shoving herself into my path like some furious goddess of wrath.
"You think you're just gonna walk around here after turning everyone against me? My friends, my family—you did that. You won't get away with it. I swear you won't!"
I didn't say a word and just stuffed the food flask in her hands.
She caught it by reflex, startled.
"Your mum asked me to give you that," I said flatly, already turning as I plugged in my air pods. No music yet. Just escape.
CLANG!
I didn't have to look to know what it was.
Typical.
I turned, and—
There it was: the flask lying in pieces, food splattered across the floor like it was guilty of something.
And there she was—Kelsey—her chest heaving, rage radiating off her like heat from an open flame.
How can someone so… beautiful be this infuriating?
She stormed toward me, fire in her eyes as she yelled furiously.
"I hate y— AHH!"
She didn't even see it coming as she stepped on the mess she created, and her foot flew out from under her.
She slipped.
And somehow—without thinking—I moved.
My arm caught her wrist mid-swing, and the other wrapped behind her back, stopping her from slamming into the ground.
She froze. I froze.
And then… she looked at me—eyes wide, vulnerable and scared.
Her fingers gripped my arms tight. Not out of affection— but out of instinct.
And in that split second, everything… just paused.
Why the hell did I catch her? Why didn't I just let her fall? She wanted to slap me.
I should've let her fall. Instead, I pulled her back up, steadying her on her feet.
The moment she found her footing, she shoved me.
"Let… let me go!" she barked, smacking my hand away like it burned her.
I didn't flinch. I didn't say a word. I just shrugged, about to walk away.
But then, standing behind me was another trouble—
Mason.
Jaw clenched, fists tightening at his sides. Eyes locked on me. And they weren't friendly.
Great. Trouble just keeps finding me.
Mason had just entered the hallway when I caught Kelsey from falling—which meant he saw the whole thing.
"Get your filthy hands off my girl!" he barked, shoving me in the chest. "How dare you lay your dirty hands on her?!"
The push came fast. I wasn't braced for it and staggered backward, balance slipping. I knew I was going down. I instinctively tensed up, ready to hit the ground—or maybe the lockers—but instead, I crashed into someone.
Hard.
Whoever it was barely had time to react. They staggered, caught off guard, and slammed into the lockers with a loud thud.
Gasps echoed across the hallway.
I pushed off him quickly, and that's when I saw the frozen stares around me.
Everyone was pale.
Even Mason had taken a step back, the color drained from his face.
That's when I knew I hadn't just stumbled into anyone—I'd walked right into a bigger problem.
God… can't I go one day without being targeted?
I turned and looked up—straight into the scowling face of a guy who looked like he belonged in a prison gym, not a high school.
Muscular. Older. Easily bigger than Mason. His presence alone sucked the air out of the room. He looked furious. And worse—like someone who enjoyed being furious.
Before I could say anything, he grabbed me by the collar and slammed me against the lockers, fists clenched, jaw tight. His voice was deep and brassy, and it rumbled with restrained violence.
At that moment, the bell rang and the crowd vanished.
Even Mason and Kelsey scurried off without a word—though Kelsey's eyes lingered for a moment. She didn't look satisfied like I expected. She looked… worried?
Now it was just me, him, and his entourage.
"Do you know who I am, boy?" the guy growled.
I kept my tone even. "Look… I'm sorry, alright? I didn't mean to bump into you. I was pushed."
But that clearly wasn't good enough.
"Well, I don't forgive," he said with a sneer. "You gotta pay the price for bumping into me."
I rolled my eyes. Seriously? Another hallway tyrant looking to score points.
"I didn't ask for your forgiveness," I replied coolly, brushing his hand off my collar and straightening myself. "And I'm not paying for anything. If you want someone to blame, go find the guy who shoved me. I've got class to get to."
The hallway went silent again.
They all stared like I'd just slapped a teacher.
Apparently, no one had ever talked back to him. Especially not someone like me—someone who looked like easy prey.
Then—he laughed.
A deep, amused, dangerous laugh. His crew followed instantly.
I turned to leave. Not because I was scared, but because they weren't worth my time. But one of his guys stepped in front of me.
"Boy, you've got nerve," he said with a crooked grin.
Another guy narrowed his eyes, leaning closer. "Wait… I think I know this guy…"
That got everyone's attention.
"Isn't he the dude from the video?" he said, snapping his fingers. "Yeah—he's the one that beat the crap outta Mason and his crew!"
Another one gasped. "Yes! That's him!"
Amber—their leader—raised an eyebrow.
"What video?" he asked.
"The one from yesterday," a guy said. "He took on Mason and his friends alone. Crushed them."
Their expressions shifted. Curiosity. Then awe.
Amber's didn't change much, but I could see the flicker in his eyes. Something like surprise. Or calculation.
"Yo, that was you?" one of them asked, stepping back for a better look. "Didn't even recognize you. You cleaned up good."
"Looking sharp, bro," another added.
"Alright, that's enough," Amber snapped, and the hallway fell quiet again.
He turned his full attention to me, circling like a shark. Testing me. Reading me.
"What if you did beat Mason and his losers?" he said, stopping in front of me. "Do we look like Mason and his friends?"
His voice dropped lower, heavier, and his eyes locked onto mine like a challenge.
"You had the guts to talk back. I should be pissed," he said, lips curling into a twisted grin.
"But I'm not. See, I like courage. And it looks like you've got more of it than most."
I stayed quiet, but my fists were ready.
Then he shocked me.
"I'm willing to let this all go," he said. "No beatdown. No drama. All you gotta do is… join us. Roll with my crew."
Uh...What?
"No," I said flatly and turned again. "I've wasted enough time."
One of them moved like he wanted to block me again, but Amber held up a hand.
"What should we do to him? He's getting away," one asked.
"Let him go," Amber said coolly.
I didn't stop walking.
But I knew this wasn't over. They'd be back.