I could swear I wet my pants a little. I was literally about to beg him to let me live.
I've been bullied my whole life because of my small stature, and I've never complained.
I remember the first time—Blueberry Middle School. My mom told me to stand up to my bullies. Honestly, that was the dumbest thing I ever did. I got beaten up, over and over. My friends stopped talking to me. They were scared too. Some just wanted a shot with the girls—since we were all nerds.
I lost my friends. I lost my dignity.
And here I am again, doing the exact same thing.
I don't even know this girl. Hell, she probably won't care.
Why am I always this stupid?
I was just about to beg when—
---
All eyes shifted. Something else caught their attention.
Someone was grabbing the Baron's hand.
A boy. Blond hair. About six-foot-two. Yawning like he just woke up from a nap.
"What the hell is your problem, you fat rhino?" he said.
"Why do you always do this when I try to sleep?"
"Let go, Maxwell."
Maxwell. That was his name.
Simple. But he was gorgeous.
The kind of guy who could make someone who's straight question everything.
I stared at him, forgetting I was still in danger.
He tightened his grip on the Baron's hand. The Baron let out a small yelp.
Then he let go of me.
Maxwell was taller. Stronger. Calm.
"Do you really want to do this?" the Baron asked.
Maxwell scoffed, clicked his tongue, and turned away.
"Watch your back, little gecko," the Baron muttered, face flushed with embarrassment.
Maxwell lifted me up from the window railing.
He smiled.
"The name's Maxwell. Maxwell Turner."
"I'm... I'm Frederick. Frederick Harper."
"Good to meet you, Fred. Stay away from people like Mael. They're really dangerous.
Hell, you're not even the first person—and I'm sure you won't be the last.
Freshmen ending up with broken bones? Pretty normal around here.
Just because I saved you doesn't mean you're free.
He'll try to use you to get to me. Or make me give something up.
Be careful."
Right then, the bell rang. Lunch break.
Maxwell yawned again and walked to his seat—right behind mine.
How did I not notice him before? Was it because he was always asleep—
(Back in the Maldives)
"So the author is gay?" Peter asked.
"Uhnn... What are you saying? Just keep reading the novel," Mia replied.
"So you're into this kind of stuff, huh?" he teased.
Mia looked at her brother with indifference.
"And you wonder why you're all alone."
"Hey, I don't have a girlfriend because I see them as a distraction."
"From what?" she teased again.
"From... from... Shut up and let me read the goddamn novel.
*
I stayed in the classroom for lunch.
Just a piece of toast and a peach.
I don't complain. I've learned to be happy with what I have.
Sure, I want money, fancy cars, all that—but I still feel good.
My uniform's new. My bag's handmade but kind of trendy.
Okay, maybe not trendy, but at least not outdated.
I sat down to eat when I saw her—the girl from earlier.
She cleaned her glasses, put them back on, and walked out of the class.
I thought, "What does a girl like that have to do with a guy like him?"
I lost my appetite.
Something told me she was going to meet Maxwell.
The thought made my stomach churn.
I carefully packed my lunch back into the box and walked silently down the hallway.