It was a Monday morning, and students had returned to school after a long weekend. The courtyard was alive with the usual hustle and bustle. Adam and his group of friends sat idly around the tree pit in front of the school. They were the most popular kids on campus—at the very top of the social hierarchy. They practically ruled the school, often making their targets' lives miserable, while others did their best to stay off their radar.
Adam was the unofficial leader of the group. He was the captain of the basketball team, undeniably handsome, and maintained good grades. His father, Mr. Woods, was on the school board, so teachers—and even the principal—often turned a blind eye to his antics. Standing next to him was his girlfriend, Jessica. With her blonde hair and blue eyes, she was the captain of the cheerleading team. Despite her terrible grades, her wealthy parents' generous donations kept the teachers silent about her behavior.
The rest of the group included Oliver, Maya, Jeremy, Christen, and Harper. Oliver, Adam's best friend since childhood, also came from a wealthy family—though not as rich as Adam's—and had even better grades. Maya, an Asian-American girl of stunning beauty, came from a family of doctors.
Jeremy was the joker of the group—always cracking jokes, often at the expense of others. He was quick-witted, and although his grades were average, his charisma and loyalty to Adam earned him a spot in the inner circle. Christen, on the other hand, was quieter. She was the artsy one, often sketching in her notebook, but her connection to Jessica—her childhood best friend—kept her in the group despite not fitting the typical mold. Harper was the fashionista, known for her impeccable style and sharp tongue. Rumor had it she planned to start her own fashion line right after high school.
Together, the group walked the halls like royalty, their presence impossible to ignore. Most students either admired them from afar or feared becoming their next target. Whispers always followed in their wake—some envious, others bitter.
The group leaned against the brick wall near the school gates, sipping iced coffees and scrolling through their phones. Their laughter echoed across the courtyard—sharp, mocking, rehearsed.
Just then, a beat-up sedan pulled up to the curb. Out stepped a thin, anxious-looking boy—oversized glasses, wrinkled shirt, and a backpack nearly half his size. Liam.
His mother kissed his cheek, her eyes filled with concern. "Have a good day, sweetheart," she said before driving off.The moment Liam turned toward the building, Adam smirked.
"Target acquired," Jeremy muttered, nudging Maya.
"Look who's here," Harper added with a grin.
Jessica rolled her eyes. "Here comes the mama's boy, still wearing diapers?"
Liam kept his head down, clutching his backpack tighter as the group slowly surrounded him.
Oliver chuckled. "Don't worry, man. We'll help you become cool—step one: lose the glasses. Step two: your face."
Liam didn't respond. He'd been through this before. Every morning, the same routine. Humiliation.
But just as Adam raised his phone, likely to record another embarrassing clip, a sharp voice cut through the noise:
"That's enough."
The students turned. A tall figure stood at the front entrance, the sunlight casting a long shadow behind him. His expression was unreadable.
"Inside. Now."
The group hesitated, the air suddenly heavier.
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