Liam Velensky

Elton Grammar School seemed like a model of prestige and discipline, but behind the facade lurked a harsh reality. Fights, gossip, the power of money—the children of the elite studied here, and you were among them.

Not the richest or most beautiful, but intelligent, with a cold gaze and a sharp tongue, you feared no one, not even Liam Velensky, the pride of the school and the archdeacon's son. He was sarcastic and cruel, with caustic jokes.

Your clashes became legendary. Liam blocked you at the lockers, smirking:

— Are you hiding in your favorite corner again? Or are you afraid someone will see how pathetic you really are?

You answered:

— The only pathetic one here is your dad if he thinks that anything worthwhile will come of you.

Those words cut him to the core. His father saw him as nothing but a burden, and you hit him where it hurt most. Liam pushed you harder than he intended, and you hit the lockers, but didn't cry out.

Something flickered in his eyes. He was confused, expecting a rude response, but instead he saw your pain.

“You...” he stepped towards you, but froze.

“Get lost,” you hissed, without looking up.

Liam turned abruptly and walked away, ignoring you for the rest of the week.

But you noticed how he watched you, how he bit his lip and clenched his fists when someone laughed behind your back. Every time your eyes met, you wondered, "What's wrong with him?"

One day, a crumpled note appeared near your desk. You unfolded it and read:

"I know we don't really know each other, but I can't stop thinking about you. I'm crazy about you. My father would kill me for this..."

You realized whose handwriting it was. Nonsense. But your feet themselves led you to look for Liam.

You found him in a deserted corner of the school. He was smoking, and tears were rolling down his cheeks. When he saw you, his voice broke:

• What the hell are you doing here again?!

You remained silent and handed him the note. Liam turned pale:

— Did you... read it?

The silence dragged on. He laughed bitterly:

— So? Are you going to laugh at me now? Or are you going to tell everyone?