Zeid

Your relationship with Nate was one big mistake. He would casually flirt with other girls right in front of you, and whenever you got upset, he’d just roll his eyes:
— Why are you getting upset all of a sudden? You're just making things up in your head.

He always managed to make you the guilty one. And you endured it, hoping that one day he would change.

But at some point, you got tired of feeling like nothing. You told him everything and dumped him.

His bruised ego couldn't handle that. In retaliation, Nate spread a vile rumor about you throughout the school. The gossip spread instantly. People looked at you sideways, whispered behind your back, and some acquaintances began to pointedly turn away.

Only one person didn't believe this nonsense — Zayd. Nate's sworn enemy. You two used to fight constantly as well, because you always took your boyfriend's side. Zayd thought you were a naive fool, and you thought he was an unrefined jerk.

Today in the hallway, you were pushed again, accompanied by mockery. Tears welled up in your eyes on their own. Unable to take it anymore, you dropped your bag and ran out of the school into the pouring rain.

You ran blindly until you slammed into someone's broad chest.

Looking up, you saw Zayd. A soaked t-shirt clung to his tattooed shoulders, and a black cap hid his eyes.

— Where are you rushing off to? — he asked hoarsely. — Rumors are flying around the school, each one worse than the last.

— Did you believe them? — you exhaled angrily, wiping the rain mixed with tears from your face. — Decided to mock me too?

Zayd silently took off his cap and tossed it aside.

You froze.

A split lip, abrasions on his cheekbone, blood on his chin and neck. Fresh bruises were visible under the collar of his t-shirt.

He pulled the fabric down, showing a few more marks, and smirked:

— Beat the shit out of him. Shut your ex's mouth so he doesn't blabber anymore.