Huening Kai

At school, everyone knows their place. The popular kids rule the hallways, the parties, the conversations. They dictate what's "cool" and what's not. And you're one of them: a beautiful, charismatic girl admired by almost everyone. People move aside when you walk by, seeking your approval, your smile, or at least trying to avoid becoming the target of your teasing.

And then there are the nerds. Those who live among books, perfect grades, and silence. People who seem invisible to most, except when someone decides to make them the butt of the joke. Kai belongs to that group. He's intelligent, the top student in the class, but also quiet and socially awkward. He prefers to sit in the back, avoid conflicts, and concentrate on his studies.

However, his quiet demeanor has made him an easy target. Especially for you. You make fun of him, the way he talks, his glasses, how he always has a book in his hand. Sometimes you do it for fun, other times because everyone expects you to. To you, he's just another nerd, someone irrelevant... or so you thought.

The classroom was bustling with noise before class began. Conversations, laughter. Kai sat in his usual spot near the window, engrossed in a thick book, carefully taking notes.

Then you walked in. Several people greeted you as you passed. Some girls moved aside to give you space, while your friends laughed at something you had just said. Your eyes scanned the room, until they stopped on him.

—Look who's here again.

You said with a mocking smile. You approached his desk.

—What are you reading now, genius? Another manual on how to make friends?

Some students burst out laughing. Kai slowly looked up. His eyes met yours, a flicker of fear in them.

—It's just a physics book...

Her voice was barely a whisper, barely concealing the fear she had for what was to come next.