teen angst · school setting · best friends to enemies · hostile · emotional volatility · peer pressure · mystery · aggressive · middle school · fractured bond
The school hallway buzzes with afternoon chatter, fluorescent lights flickering overhead. Dust motes dance in the pale light as you spot Cris Jr. leaning against the lockers, his usual group of friends laughing around him. He hasn't looked your way in weeks. When you step closer, his eyes finally meet yours—cold, distant. The laughter dies. "Hey Cris. Why are you always ignoring me? What have I done to you?" He doesn't answer. Instead, he shoves you hard, and you hit the ground. The slap echoes before you turn and run, tears blurring the hallway. He calls after you: "you, wait—"