In front of the blackboard, the teacher was explaining a complex mathematical problem.
The students stared without real interest, some were only pretending to listen, while others were absent-minded. Everyone was waiting for the end of the class.
As usual, Khaled sat at the back of the class trying to avoid as much attention as possible. He stared at the desk in front of him while his mind was in a completely different world, the teacher's words seemed like a distant echo unable to penetrate his isolation.
Although the classroom atmosphere seemed calm, it hid hidden disturbances.
On the other side, Adam, the leader of the bullies, sat lazily in his chair, his gaze directed towards Khaled. He smiled a wicked smile, it was clear he was planning something against Khaled more than just the usual mockery.
Adam is a young man with a strong build for his age. His hair is styled casually, he has an arrogant look and a strong presence that makes him the center of attention.
Adam and his friends close to Khaled exchanged a quick glance. Without anyone noticing, they placed a small device under Khaled's desk before class.
″Now, shall we begin...″ he whispered with a malicious smile on his face.
A short time passed before he looked at his watch, waited until the class was completely quiet, then pressed a hidden button in his pocket. Suddenly, embarrassing and loud noises began to come from Khaled's desk, the sound was like the moaning of a woman reaching her climax.
Khaled froze in place, he was very confused, the sound came from his side but he didn't realize what had happened immediately. He looked around and saw his classmates staring at him. Some laughed while others whispered to each other.
″What is this!?″ the teacher shouted angrily, his face frowned because of it.
All the students looked at Khaled, who was confused, unable to explain what had happened. Adam spoke with feigned innocence and said loudly, ″I think Khaled has a hidden device under his desk, sir.″
He stepped towards Khaled, removed the device from under the desk, and handed it to the teacher, saying sarcastically, ″I never thought Khaled would do something like this, it seems he was bored and wanted to make the class more exciting.″
"His eyes filled with shock as he looked at the device, ″sir, I... I didn't put this here! I swear I had nothing to do with it!″
His eyes were fixed on the floor, filled with a feeling of injustice and anger. Malicious laughter rose from Adam and his group, while they hid their faces trying to pretend to be innocent. But Khaled could hear their laughter, which increased his anger and helplessness.
The teacher, who had always thought Khaled was peaceful, looked disappointed, ″I wouldn't have expected this from you, Khaled, go to the principal's office immediately!″
Laughter rose in the background while Khaled froze in place, his heart was beating fast. He tried to defend himself and say something but the words failed him.
He walked with heavy steps towards the door, engulfed in anger and helplessness. But a quiet voice broke the imposed silence of the class:
″Sir...″
Everyone's attention turned towards the source of the sound, it was Sarah, the quiet girl who had always seen what was happening in silence. Khaled stopped in the middle of the way and looked at her with an expression not without surprise.
Sarah is a naturally quiet and attractive girl, with light brown hair falling over her shoulders, and green eyes that reflect her empathy for those around her. She looked at the teacher firmly, ″ I'm sure Khaled is not responsible.″
The teacher raised his eyebrows, surprised by her intervention, and said in a less stern tone, ″Well, if Khaled is innocent, can he give us an explanation of what happened?″
Hearing this, Khaled turned towards the teacher, and said in a low voice full of frustration, ″I don't know... All I know is that I didn't do anything, and this device doesn't belong to me.″
Sarah knew well what was happening to Khaled and today she couldn't bear to remain silent. ″I saw everything, it was placed under Khaled's desk without him knowing.″
She hesitated for a moment, knowing that she might become a target herself for telling the truth, but she couldn't continue to be silent, which made her go ahead.
″Then who did it?″ the teacher asked coldly.
Sarah fell silent again, she knew the truth but didn't want to get involved. She looked towards the bullies, specifically Adam, who was watching her with his sharp eyes.
Her hesitation increased, she remained silent for a while. The teacher sensed Sarah's hesitation and, knowing Khaled, knew that he couldn't do such a thing. In addition, with no evidence of the real perpetrator, he decided to end the matter at this point.
″That's enough, Khaled, go back to your seat. Whoever did this, if it happens again, it won't end this easily.″
Khaled returned to his seat, his eyes red with anger. He passed by Adam and his friends who were laughing, but he decided to ignore them, at least for the moment.
Sarah's intervention was unexpected, it was the first time someone stood by him.
Their eyes met for a moment, but it was enough to give him some hope, even if it was little.
The bell rang announcing the end of the class, ″Alright everyone, you can leave. Make sure to review what we saw in this class when you get home, I don't want to see those looks on the exam, as if I didn't teach you this before.″
At the same time, as Sarah was getting ready to leave, Adam passed by her and whispered in her ear, threatening in a sarcastic tone, ″Be careful, Sarah... getting close to the cursed boy will only bring bad luck, hehehe.″
She didn't reply and ignored him, but she felt a shiver run through her body, she knew she had indeed gotten involved.
As she was on her way out, the teacher called her, ″Sarah, can you wait a moment?″
Sarah stopped and gave a hesitant look to the teacher who looked at her with a serious but friendly look. ″Yes, of course.″
After everyone left the classroom, the teacher closed the classroom and approached her quietly, ″I want to talk to you about what happened today. I noticed you were hesitant while speaking earlier, is there something you want to tell me?″
Sarah looked down, hesitating again.
The teacher took a deep breath and added, ″I know you're a truthful and brave girl, Sarah. What happened earlier, your standing up and defending Khaled, confirms this and proves that you have principles. So if there's anything you know, I'm here to help you.″
Sarah raised her head and looked at him, and saw genuine concern in his features. She finally decided to speak, ″The truth is that Khaled didn't do anything, some others did it.″
She paused for a moment but the teacher remained silent, listening attentively. Sarah continued, ″...Adam and his friends planned it. I didn't want to say this earlier because I know what they can do if they find out I exposed them.″
The teacher nodded understandingly and then spoke in a reassuring tone, ″I appreciate your courage, Sarah. And I understand that it wasn't easy for you. But it was important for you to tell me.″
″I will act cautiously about this. I will make sure Khaled stays away from them, so they don't target Khaled anymore.″
Sarah spoke with relief, ″That's comforting, thank you, sir.″
″No, not at all, I'm the one who should thank you,″ he said with a smile, and the teacher left the classroom.
Khaled, who usually goes straight home, stood in the shadows by the school gate.
He was waiting, his eyes nervously watching the door.
Sarah finally came out, walking quietly with her bag on her shoulder.
When he saw her, Khaled took a deep breath and approached her, trying to look confident but he couldn't hide the hesitation in his steps.
″Sarah...″ he said in a low voice but loud enough for her to hear.
Sarah stopped and looked at him, a small smile appeared on her face, which encouraged him to continue.
″I just wanted to thank you for what you did for me today, I know it wasn't easy for you.″
She nodded gently and said, ″No need to thank me, I knew you didn't do anything. I felt it would be unfair if I remained silent.″
They were both silent for a moment, then Khaled said with a shy smile, ″Anyway, thank you. It really means a lot to me.″
Sarah smiled again and said, ″Don't worry. Just try to stay strong.″
Khaled nodded, ″I will.″
He felt a warmth wash over him, something he hadn't felt in a long time.
They said goodbye to each other, Sarah went on her way while Khaled remained standing, feeling some hope amidst his loneliness.
But he wasn't alone.
Not far away, Adam stood in the shadow of a tree by the road, watching the scene.
On his stern face was a sly smile, he whispered to himself as he played with a leaf between his fingers, ″Well, it seems we have a new game.″
He turned and left quietly, leaving a vague feeling of danger.