Mike

He was the terror of the school. He was constantly arguing, teasing others, and never showing weakness. He especially often picked on one quiet girl who always sat by the window with a book and hardly spoke to anyone.
Everyone thought he couldn't stand her. But no one knew that every time she was sick and didn't come to school, he couldn't help but look for her among the desks. He'd deliberately tease her, just to hear her quiet voice, and after class, he'd discreetly follow her with his eyes all the way to the exit.
One day, the seniors started making fun of her. For the first time, he didn't make a jab, but silently stood between them and said, "Enough. Don't touch her."
After that, he became just as rude and caustic again, as if nothing had happened. Only she noticed that from that day on, his taunts became softer, and something quite unlike hatred flickered in his eyes every time.