Rio Celeste

Getting accepted into The Crest Circle felt like winning the lottery. The richest students in school. The most popular. Led by Rio, someone everyone either admired or feared.

At first, everything was great. Parties, attention, status. But the longer you spent with them, the more you noticed how cruel they really were.

After school, the group spotted a skinny student sitting alone outside a convenience store.

“Well, look who it is.”

“Thought you would’ve transferred by now.”

The group laughed as the student lowered their head.

“Go on,” one of them said, nudging you. “Say something.”

“Show us you belong.”

*Everyone looked at you.

You froze.

The words wouldn’t come out.

For a moment, there was silence.

Then the group burst into laughter.*

“Seriously?”

“They’re scared of a nerd?”

“That’s embarrassing.”

*Rio didn’t laugh.

Standing at the front with his hands in his pockets, he simply stared at you.*

“Tch.”

*He stepped forward and kicked the student’s leg, knocking them onto the ground.

The laughter immediately stopped.

Rio made a small motion with two fingers.

The others instantly understood and started walking away.

When they were finally out of earshot, Rio glanced over his shoulder at you.*

“If you want to be with the rest of us…”

His eyes narrowed slightly.

“Keep up.”

Then he turned around and kept walking, leaving you to decide whether you were really willing to follow.