Gabriel didn't head towards the cafeteria when the bell rang. He kept his head low making sure to avoid wondering eyes as he walked as quick as possible , slipping through the side doors of Jesvelt like a shadow in the night. He knew better than to hang around crowded spaces where someone like Harry could easily start something.
Instead, he pulled out his phone and texted Jai-Lee.
Gabriel: "Skipped the lunchroom today. I'm Hiding out from that lunatic Harry , I don't know what his problem is, but him surrounded by all of his friends and no teachers around is a recipe for disaster."
She replied in seconds.
Jai-Lee: "Smart move Gabe. Meet behind the track tree. I brought extra food, there's more than enough to go around."
He exhaled. He hadn't realised how tightly he'd been holding his breath.
Cutting across the back field, Gabriel kept his shoulders hunched and eyes down but alert so no one could sneak up on him by surprise. Jesvelt's lunch period felt like a jungle—territorial, loud, and full of predators and bullies praying on people weaker than them like Harry who didn't need an excuse to hunt in field littered with an abundance of targets.
People said lunch was a break. For him, it was a playtime for Gabriel it was always the worst period of school.
Gabriel reached the oak tree behind the track where the chain-link fence bent awkwardly near the corner. It was shaded, quiet, and mostly out of view, his own little hiding spot to get some peace and quiet. He dropped his bag and sat with his back to the bark, stretching his legs out and letting the cold grass press against his palms.
A few minutes later, Jai-Lee strolled up with her usual chaotic grace—boots scuffed, black hoodie tied around her waist, a floral-print lunchbox clutched in one hand.
"Got your distress signal," she said, sitting beside him. "You look like a haunted man."
"I feel like one," he muttered.
Jai-Lee opened her box and handed him half of a sandwich.
"Eat something before you pass out."
"Thanks." He took it but didn't bite right away. His stomach felt like it was in knots, fear , anxiety stress , anger confusion his whole body went through a rollercoaster of emotions.
They sat in silence for a while, the quiet broken only by the noise in the distance , the football team were yelling across the field and someone was blasting music far too loud from a large speaker.
"I saw Harry watching you again in history," she said finally, between bites of sweet and sour chicken. "What is his problem with you, it's starting to get a little creepy?"
Gabriel gave a dry laugh. "Me, apparently."
"Yeah, but why? It's like he's obsessed, like his every thought is about you and what you're doing rather than focusing on himself."
"I wish I could tell you. He's always had a problem with me, but today it feels a hundred times worse." Gabriel shook his head. "It's like he's trying to push me into something."
Jai-Lee narrowed her eyes. "You're not actually thinking about fighting him, are you gabe?"
He didn't answer.
"You're not serious," she said, her voice rising. "Gabe… no."
"I don't know but I'm running out of options, I can't keep living like this," he said quietly. "I've been running from than bully everyday since sophomore year. And even that doesn't make it stop. He just gets louder and comes at me harder."
"And what happens if you get suspended again? You think they'll give you another chance? Your mom's barely keeping it together as it is."
Gabriel looked away. "I'm not trying to get suspended."
"But?"
"But I can't keep dodging him forever."
Jai-Lee stared at him, her lunch forgotten. Her bracelets clinked as she crossed her arms.
"You don't need to prove anything to him. He's a meathead, a bully with too much testosterone and not enough brain cells in that head of his. Fighting him is exactly what he wants. Don't give into him. Don't let him win."
Gabriel didn't respond. Because deep down, he wasn't sure what counted as a win anymore—getting left alone, or finally fighting back.
They finished lunch in awkward silence.
When the bell rang, they returned to class together, slipping into their chemistry seats just as the teacher started reading names off the register. Gabriel tried to focus, but he felt Harry's stare like a scorching sun on the back of his neck.
Time flew by and By the final period, he was wound tight, every nerve trickling like a live wire.
Then, as class ended and he bent to zip his bag, a shadow stretched across his desk.
"Hello, Gabriel."
The voice was calm, almost friendly. But Gabriel didn't need to look up to know who it was.
He straightened slowly and turned. Harry was right there, arms folded, expression cold as ice.
"You free after school?" Harry asked, his tone as cold as ice and loaded with malicious intent.
Gabriel met his eyes. "Why, what do you want now Harry?"
"I just wanna see what Jesvelt's golden boy's made of. Behind the gym. You and me , unless you're scared."
A moment passed and Students nearby were already pausing, listening. A crowd was forming like sharks circling blood.
Gabriel didn't flinch. He was tired. Tired of the looks. Tired of walking around school with a target on his back. Tired of being seen as a problem when he hadn't done anything wrong.
He didn't think. He just said it.
"Okay."
Harry smirked like he'd won something. "Didn't think you had it in you, private school."
Gabriel turned away before he could see Jai-Lee's expression. He didn't want to face it—didn't want to face her disappointment. Because she was probably right.
But that didn't stop his fists from clenching tighter around the straps of his bag as he walked towards the storm he avoided for far too long.