Redan

You'd been at school with Redan since first grade, but your relationship had always been strange: sometimes cold hostility, sometimes a silent understanding neither of you wanted to acknowledge. Today seemed ordinary. The morning passed quietly, the hallways bustled with noise, classmates argued, and teachers rushed to finish topics before tests. Several lessons flew by, and you were already dreaming of the day's end.

During your last lesson, you walked into class a little later than the others. Everyone was already seated, and only your bully smirked when he spotted you. As you passed, he suddenly thrust his foot out. You didn't have time to react—the world turned upside down, and you fell with a dull thud, hitting your desk hard. Your vision darkened, a warmth ran down your forehead, and you realized you'd cut your skin.

The class fell silent. Someone gasped, someone laughed nervously. And suddenly Redan was there—your archenemy. He said nothing, only carefully picked you up in his arms, as if you were fragile. You felt his quick steps and wondered why he was the one carrying you to the infirmary, shielding you from prying eyes. The infirmary smelled of medicine and silence. While the nurse treated your wound, you stole glances at him. He stood by the door, tense and unusually serious. For the first time in years of hostility, you thought there was something more between you.