Zach Monroe, Again
The school parking lot was nearly empty in the late afternoon, the sun casting long shadows across the pavement. Steven had just finished up at the library, his bag slung over his shoulder as he made his way toward his car.
Then he heard it.
"Look who it is."
Steven exhaled sharply before turning. Of course. Zach Monroe, flanked by his usual two sidekicks, stood leaning against a car, smirks plastered on their faces.
Zach pushed off the car and took a few lazy steps forward. "Haven't seen you around much, nerd. Thought maybe Jessica finally got tired of her charity project."
Steven could feel the words pressing against him, the same old mockery, the same predictable cruelty. But something was different this time.
This time, he wasn't just going to take it.
He squared his shoulders and met Zach's gaze head-on. "You know, for someone who's so desperate to get with Jessica, you sure talk about me a lot. Is that some green I see in your face?"
A flicker of surprise passed through Zach's eyes, quickly replaced by amusement. His friends chuckled, but Zach wasn't laughing. "You think you're funny now?"
Steven shrugged. "Yoy think I'm trying to be funny? Your humor must be broken."
The response stunned them. Steven could tell because for once, Zach didn't have a comeback ready. His friends exchanged glances, waiting for him to say something.
Zach scoffed. "Look at you, acting all brave. What, did Jessica give you a pep talk? Told you to be a big boy?"
Steven chuckled. "No. I just realized that you're not as scary as you think you are." He took a step closer, lowering his voice just enough to make his words land. "You need people to laugh at your jokes so you feel important. But when no one's laughing, what does that make you?"
Silence.
For the first time, Zach Monroe looked genuinely irritated. His jaw clenched, and for a second, Steven thought he might actually throw a punch. But instead, Zach let out a humorless laugh, shaking his head.
"Whatever, man," Zach muttered. He turned to his friends. "Let's go."
And just like that, they walked off.
Steven let out a breath, his heart still pounding, but something inside him felt… lighter. Stronger.
Maybe Jessica was right. Maybe some fights were worth it.
Owning His Space
The next morning, Steven walked into class feeling different. Lighter. Like he had finally stepped into himself instead of shrinking into the background.
History was first period, and today was a debate session. Mr. Harris had divided the class into groups, assigning each a historical topic with modern relevance.
Steven's group was given: "Is social media a tool for empowerment or a source of harm?"
They had barely started brainstorming when Taylor scoffed. "Why don't you just take the lead, Ava? We all know Steven's not gonna talk."
Jessica, sitting nearby with her own group, stiffened at Taylor's words. Her eyes flicked toward Steven, as if silently urging him to prove them wrong.
Steven raised an eyebrow. "Why wouldn't I?"
Ava, Taylor, and the others turned to him in surprise.
Taylor laughed. "No offense, but you kind of just sit there."
Steven leaned forward, resting his arms on the desk. "I 'just sit there' because half the time, no one actually listens. But if we're being honest, I know more about this topic than any of you."
Ava blinked. "Wait. Are you serious?"
Steven shrugged. "Look, social media can be empowering, people use it to spread awareness, connect with others, and share important stories. But it also ruins lives. It amplifies bullying, spreads misinformation, and traps people in echo chambers."
Taylor rolled her eyes. "That's literally just repeating both sides."
Steven smirked. "No, that's laying out the foundation. But since you like specifics, take cancel culture, for example. On one hand, it holds people accountable. On the other hand, innocent people have had their lives destroyed over things taken out of context. One mistake, and the internet brands you forever."
That got their attention.
Even Ava, who usually had something to say, just nodded slowly. "That's actually… a solid point."
Jessica's friends were listening now, but their expressions were unreadable. There was tension there, like they were still getting used to this version of Steven, the one Jessica had defended so fiercely.
By the time their group presented, Steven had completely taken charge. He countered arguments smoothly, cited historical examples, and made the case that social media was both powerful and dangerous, an argument so strong that the opposing team struggled to refute it.
When they finished, Mr. Harris smiled. "Now that was an argument well-delivered. Excellent job, Steven."
As Steven sat down, he caught Jessica's gaze from across the room. She was smiling, one of those proud, knowing smiles.
Meanwhile, Ava, Chloe and Taylor exchanged a glance before looking at Jessica. There was something different in their expressions, not just annoyance, but something else. A realization.
Jessica didn't look away. She just folded her arms and leaned back, as if daring them to say something.
They didn't.
Steven smirked slightly. Yeah.
Maybe it was time people saw him for who he really was.