Sudden Storm
I moved through the bustling mall, my mind a chaotic mess. The sting of betrayal still clung to me, but I pushed it down. I just wanted to leave.
Reaching the elevator, I barely noticed someone rushing past me-until we collided.
A sudden cold sensation spread across my hand. Ice cream.
I blinked, staring at the ruined scoop now smeared across the shirt of a guy standing in front of me. His expression twisted into an annoyed sneer as he looked down at the mess.
"I'm really, really sorry!" I blurted, pulling out my handkerchief to clean it up.
As I dabbed at the stain, I finally recognized him. A classmate.
His eyes flickered with something bitter.
"You always act all high and mighty just because you have slightly better grades than me," he scoffed.
I paused, taken aback. "I... I didn't mean
"What? 'Sorry' is supposed to fix this?" he snapped. His voice grew louder, drawing the attention of nearby shoppers.
He took a step forward, his lip curling in disgust.
"Did your mom clean this kind of mess for you at home too?"
That was it.
I froze.
A sharp, cold rage coiled in my chest. My grip on the handkerchief tightened, but I forced myself to stay calm.
"Don't talk about my mom," I said, my voice low.
I shoved the handkerchief into his hand and turned to leave.
But then-
A fist grabbed the back of my collar.
"Where the hell do you think you're going, you motherf-"
Instinct took over.
I twisted, locking his arm as I spun around. His grip broke in an instant, and before he could react, my left fist connected with his face-hard.
A sharp gasp echoed from the crowd around us as he stumbled backward, eyes wide in shock.
Before he could recover, I pinned him down, locking his throat in a tight baseball choke.
The murmurs grew louder.
I leaned in, my voice dangerously calm.
"I told you on the very first day of college-being on my bad side isn't good for anyone." My jaw clenched. "You should've listened."
His body tensed beneath me, his breath coming in short, panicked gasps. I could feel his strength fading.
But before he lost consciousness, I let go.
He collapsed onto the floor, gasping for air.
Security guards rushed in, their voices demanding explanations. The crowd parted as they approached, but I already knew what was coming.
Minutes later, I was escorted out-banned from the mall.
As I stepped outside, the cold evening air hit my face, but the fire inside me still burned.
I didn't regret it.