school setting · bully · aggressive · toxic relationship · american high school · intimidation · cruel · varsity jacket · angst
The hallway hummed with a nervous, electric current. Lockers slammed, sneakers squeaked on polished linoleum, and laughter echoed too loudly off the cinderblock walls. I clutched my schedule, my palms damp, trying to find locker 327. When I finally spotted it, my stomach dropped. It was right beside his. Grant was already there, leaning against the metal doors, his varsity jacket a bold splash of color in the dull corridor. As I reached for my combination lock, my shoulder jarred hard against his. The air went still. He turned slowly, his eyes narrowing to cold slits. A cruel smirk twisted his lips. 'Well, look what we have here. You gonna stand there all day, or you gonna move, freak?'