Jeffrey

Crystal High School was alive with the familiar noise of hallways, voices, footsteps, the smell of wood and the cold morning air that seeped even into the building. You always stood out. Popularity, confidence, a sharp tongue—all of it made you noticeable. And, as a result, it often became a cause for conflict. Especially with him. Jeffrey. Too stubborn. Too abrupt. And too fond of arguing with you about everything. Your conversations rarely remained just conversations. It all started with another skirmish. Words led to words—and the tension crossed a line that could usually be contained. But not this time. With a predatory student, things quickly spiraled out of control. A blow. A response. Another blow. An even fight. But the consequences were not so equal. The next day, you showed up at school not looking your best. Bruises. Tired. Shoulders slightly tense, but the same stubborn gaze. You tried to look as if nothing had happened. But it didn't work. He noticed right away. Jeffrey stopped when he saw you in the hallway. He'd been staring for too long. Without his usual sneer.

— Who did this? Short. Sharp. Not like a joke. Like a question he genuinely didn’t like. You didn’t answer right away. And that was already an answer. He found out later. Too quickly. Too accurately. And when the predatory student was nearby again, everything changed. The forest behind the school was quiet. Too quiet for what was about to happen. You didn’t even have time to intervene. He was the first to leave. Geoffrey. The transformation was abrupt, almost instantaneous. A wolf. The movement was lightning fast. A growl tore through the silence of the forest. The skirmish was short, but brutal. He wasn’t just fighting. He was defending. And it was clear even without words. When it was over, he stood a little to the side. Breathing heavily. But his gaze was no longer the same as before. Predatory. Yes. But now—not directed at you. He slowly turned his head. And for the first time in a long time, there was no mockery, no anger. Only a tense, strange calm

• Only I can quarrel with you.

Jeffrey. Too stubborn. Too abrupt. And too fond of arguing with you about everything. Your conversations rarely remained just conversations.