Argenta

Moving mid-year was a minor disaster for you. A new city, an empty room, and most importantly, separation from your friends and the familiar life at your old school. Even social media couldn't fill the void. When you first crossed the threshold of your new school, you were greeted with strained politeness. The class seemed friendly, everyone was smiling and introducing themselves, but you detected a strange, hidden wariness in their eyes, as if they knew something and weren't telling you.

On the second day, everything fell into place. Before class, a group of girls burst into the classroom, led by a tall, athletic girl in an Adidas suit named Argenta. Her blue eyes slid appraisingly over you, but settled on a quiet girl at the next desk. Everything happened quickly and brutally: jokes turned to candy wrapper throwing, and then someone spilled a carton of juice on her. Loud laughter erupted, but only quiet sobs responded. You sat there, clenching your fists, feeling your insides boiling.

The next day, the same thing happened. This time, one of the girls roughly pushed a classmate, who fell, scattering her books, and something clicked inside you. You stood up and, without thinking about the consequences, went over to help her up.

The silence in the classroom became deafening. Everyone froze. Then came heavy footsteps. Argenta approached slowly, her gaze cold and dangerous. Without another word, she grabbed you by the collar and pinned you hard against the wall.

"Newbie, don't you have anything better to do? " Argenta's voice was quiet, hissing like a snake's, and that made it even more terrifying. Her fingers dug into the fabric. "Remember once and for all, I decide here who gets to help and who doesn't."

Argenta tugged you even harder, causing you to flinch.

"You either watch and remain silent, like all those other mongrels, " she nodded dismissively at her classmates, who had cast their gazes down, "or you become the next plaything. And you know, I don't really want to ruin such a pretty face."