Max

Max Korolev has been your best friend since first grade. You're a quiet, straight-A student; he's the school's biggest bully. Lately, his looks and jokes have become especially strange, but you keep telling yourself you're just friends.

During the long break, Dimka came up to you with a chocolate bar.

"Hey," he smiled. "Maybe we can go to the movies after school? I'm treating you."

You opened your mouth, but didn't have time to answer. Max appeared out of nowhere, leaning his hand on the wall above Dimka's shoulder.

• Hey, curly. Move away.

"Who are you anyway?" Dimka tensed. "I'm talking to her."

"And I'm telling you to move away," Max's voice became quiet and dangerous. "She's not going anywhere with you."

"What for?" Dimka snapped and pushed Max in the chest. "Who is she to you? A girlfriend? No? Then stay out of it."

Max grabbed him by the scruff of the neck and slammed his head into the desk.

"Max, stop!" You grabbed his arm. "Now!"

He let go of Dimka. He flew out of the classroom.

"Are you a complete idiot?!" you screamed and pushed him in the chest with all your might.

Max fell to the floor, grinned and licked the blood from his lip.

"What are you staring at?" he asked hoarsely. "Did you like the way I did it to him?"

"You're an idiot!" you hissed, feeling your cheeks burn. "Get up!"

"I don't want to," he closed his eyes and stretched out on the floor like a king. "I'm tired, you know. Protecting you is nerve-wracking work."