Eli didn't sleep.
He lay on his bed, staring at the ceiling, phone dark in his hand. Every time he
closed his eyes, the comments came back.
Who does he think he is?
That was cruel.
I liked him better before.
"…Whatever," he muttered.
He rolled onto his side.
The mask sat on his desk.
Waiting.
"Eli."
He groaned.
"Eli, you're going to miss the bus."
"I'm awake," he said.
His mom stood in the doorway. Again.
She looked tired.
"You didn't take that thing off again, did you?"
Eli sat up slowly. "It's just a mask."
"That's not what I asked."
He avoided her eyes. "I'll be fine."
She sighed. "You've been saying that a lot."
Eli stood and grabbed his bag. "I gotta go."
She watched him leave.
"…Just be careful," she said.
He didn't answer.
School was buzzing.
Not party buzzing.
Something else.
Phones were out. Whispers moved fast.
"That's him."
"Did you see the comments?"
"He really said that?"
Eli walked through it like it wasn't happening.
A group of seniors stopped talking when he passed.
Someone laughed nervously.
Eli lifted his chin.
They're just scared, he thought. Good.
His phone vibrated.
Unknown:
Today's the day.
Eli stopped walking.
Eli:
You keep saying things like you know me.
A pause.
Unknown:
I know what you'll do when you're cornered.
Eli scoffed and slid his phone back into his pocket.
"Watch me," he muttered.
In homeroom, the tension snapped.
Mr. Caldwell cleared his throat. "Before we start, I want to address something."
Eli leaned back in his chair.
Phones lowered.
Eyes turned.
"There was an incident recorded yesterday," Mr. Caldwell continued. "It's been
circulating online."
A murmur spread through the room.
"This school does not tolerate intimidation."
Eli smiled faintly.
Mr. Caldwell looked directly at him.
"Eli," he said. "Care to explain yourself?"
Silence.
All eyes on him.
Eli stood.
"I didn't touch anyone," he said. "Didn't threaten anyone. Didn't break any
rules."
"That's not the point," Mr. Caldwell snapped.
Eli tilted his head. "Then what is?"
A few students shifted uncomfortably.
Mr. Caldwell's jaw tightened. "Sit down."
"No," Eli said.
The word echoed.
Mara turned in her seat, eyes wide.
"You embarrassed people," the teacher said. "You used fear."
Eli shrugged. "They used fear first."
"That doesn't justify—"
"It explains it," Eli cut in. "You just didn't care before."
A sharp inhale rippled through the room.
Mr. Caldwell slammed his desk. "Enough."
Eli held his gaze.
The bell rang.
No one moved.
"…We're done," Mr. Caldwell said quietly.
Eli sat down.
Hands steady.
Heart racing.
He smiled.
Between classes, Mara caught him by the arm.
"Are you insane?" she hissed.
Eli looked down at her hand.
She let go immediately.
"You don't get to do that," she said. "You're not untouchable."
"Feels like it," Eli replied.
She shook her head. "You're not brave. You're just cruel."
That stung.
Eli laughed. "You really miss the old me, huh?"
She stared at him. "I miss the real you."
She walked away.
Eli watched her go.
"…Yeah," he said softly. "So do I."
Lunch came fast.
Too fast.
The cafeteria was packed.
Eli didn't sit.
He stood near the center.
Waiting.
The bullies entered together.
They stopped when they saw him.
One of them muttered, "Don't."
Another shook his head. "Ignore him."
They tried to walk past.
Eli stepped into their path.
The room went quiet.
"Move," the tallest one said.
Eli smiled. "Say please."
"You don't wanna do this," the bully warned.
"I do," Eli said. "I really do."
Phones came out.
Someone whispered, "Here we go."
The bully stepped closer. "You think that mask makes you something?"
Eli leaned in. "No."
"Good," the bully said. "Because without it, you're still—"
Eli took the mask out of his bag.
The room gasped.
He held it up.
"You're right," he said calmly. "Without this, I'm nothing."
Silence.
Then—
He put it on.
The shift was instant.
Posture. Presence. Air.
The bully took a step back without realizing it.
"There you go," Eli said. "That's better."
The bully clenched his fists. "Take it off."
"No."
"You're scared," the bully snapped.
Eli laughed.
"Of you?" he asked. "Never."
The bully shoved him.
Eli didn't move.
The shove looked weak.
Pathetic.
Eli leaned forward just enough for everyone to hear.
"You stole from me because you thought I wouldn't fight back," he said. "You
were right."
The bully's face twisted. "I'll—"
"But now," Eli continued, louder, "you don't matter."
The room exploded.
Shouts. Gasps. Someone yelled for a teacher.
The bully swung.
Eli caught his wrist.
Not fast.
Effortless.
He twisted.
The bully dropped to one knee, choking back a yell.
"Eli!" someone screamed.
Eli leaned close. "Say you're sorry."
The bully's eyes darted around.
"…I'm sorry," he said.
"Louder."
"I'M SORRY!"
Eli released him.
The bully collapsed.
Teachers rushed in.
"What is going on?"
"Step away!"
"Mask off—now!"
Eli stood tall.
Breathing steady.
Sirens wailed somewhere outside.
The office was cold.
Too quiet.
Eli sat alone.
Mask confiscated.
His hands shook now.
The door opened.
A student stepped in.
Not a teacher.
Not security.
The guy from lunch.
Hoodie. Black mask.
He closed the door behind him.
"You crossed it," the guy said.
Eli swallowed. "Who are you?"
The guy tilted his head. "Someone who didn't stop."
"…Stop what?"
The guy stepped closer. "Before it stopped being fun."
Eli clenched his fists. "I was in control."
The guy laughed softly. "No. You were admired."
Silence.
"You liked that more," he continued.
Eli looked away.
"…What do you want?" Eli asked.
"To warn you," the guy said. "Pride doesn't break you."
He turned toward the door.
"It replaces you."
He paused.
"And now?"
Eli looked up.
The guy glanced back.
"Now it's watching to see what you do next."
He left.
The door clicked shut.
Eli sat alone.
No mask.
No power.
Just the echo of cheers that hadn't been for him.