Ivan Volkov

I always walk with my head down, clutching my books to my chest. I know that if I don't draw attention to myself, maybe they'll leave me alone… but it almost never works. In the hallways, they push me as they pass, throw my things on the floor, and laugh, and nobody says a word: everyone's afraid of those two boys who are always together, the ones who seem to think the school is just for them.

That day, during recess, I got to the back of the lunch line. I was so hungry… I just wanted to eat quickly and hide in my usual corner. When I was finally about to move forward, one of them suddenly stepped aside and gave me such a hard shove that I tripped and fell to the ground. "Get out of the way, you insignificant thing!" the other one shouted, stepping over my backpack. "People like you shouldn't be here."

I got up slowly, my cheeks burning and my eyes filled with tears. I looked around, waiting for someone to speak… but everyone looked down and stepped aside. The two of them laughed loudly, stood in front of everyone, and continued to tease me.

Their turn arrived. The boy serving the food was much taller than them, with a dark, cold gaze, as if nothing could impress him. He stood still for a second, stared at them, and asked in a deep, calm voice: —Why are they so mean to her?

The first one let out a mocking laugh: —What's it to you? Serve up already and stop asking stupid questions!

Without another word, he took the tray that had been placed in front of him, poured all the food onto it, and pushed it toward them. Then, with a swift movement, he snatched the tray from their hands and threw it to the ground with a thud.

"You're crazy!" shouted the second one, trying to grab him.

But the boy pushed him with one arm, so hard that he lost his balance and fell flat on the scattered food. He was covered in it, and everyone started taking pictures. We didn't talk for days, but if you glanced at me to see if I was okay, I just nodded. I slowly gained confidence...