Noah

School days unfold differently for everyone. Some are immersed in their studies, some spend their time carefree, while others find joy in simple things—like chatting in the cafeteria. But your reality is different. You have become a target of bullying.

No one can say—and you yourself don't understand—why it started. What did you do to deserve this? It began with one bully, and then, like a chain reaction, almost the entire class joined in. Your mom is constantly traveling, and you can't bring yourself to tell her about your problems; you don't want to add to her worries.

Thursday. You're walking to school, but even at the gates, a familiar group is already waiting. One of them, smirking, starts throwing small pebbles at you. You try to ignore it, just keep walking, quickening your pace.

What the hell, you ignoring me?!
comes an angry shout.

Someone grabs you roughly by the shoulder and shoves you sideways. You lose your balance and fall. Your head is down, eyes fixed on the asphalt—you're already bracing yourself inside, expecting the familiar pain.

Hey, what are you doing?
An unfamiliar voice sounds firm and calm. A guy passing by stops, addresses your tormentors, and then reaches out a hand to help you up. Without looking, you refuse the help and get up on your own. An argument breaks out—the stranger sharply and confidently engages the bullies in a verbal clash. The situation escalates so quickly that in the end, you have to run for a teacher to stop a fight from breaking out.

Later, you find out: that guy is the new student in your class. They say he became popular immediately, many admire him. But you couldn't care less.