Adrian walked through the school hallways, his eyes cast down at the floor. He hated mornings like this, where the fluorescent lights seemed to hum in sync with his pounding headache. The smell of stale air and fresh paint filled his nostrils, making his stomach turn.
As he turned a corner, he collided with a group of rowdy students. They laughed and joked, their carefree atmosphere a stark contrast to Adrian's gloomy mood.
"Watch where you're going, loser," one of them sneered, shoving Adrian aside.
Adrian's eyes flashed with anger, but he bit back a retort. He knew better than to engage with the likes of them.
He continued on to his locker, spinning the dial with a practiced hand. As he exchanged his books, he caught a glimpse of himself in the mirror attached to the locker door. His eyes looked tired, his skin sallow. He couldn't remember the last time he'd had a good night's sleep.
The bell rang, signaling the start of first period. Adrian grabbed his books and headed to class, his feet heavy with the weight of his own expectations.
He took his seat in the back of the classroom, trying to blend into the shadows. But as the teacher began to drone on, Adrian's mind wandered back to his miserable home life.
Why did he have to live like this? Why couldn't his mother just get her act together?
He thought about the argument they'd had the night before, the screaming and shouting that had left him feeling shaken and alone.
As the class drew to a close, Adrian packed up his things and filed out of the room with the rest of the students.
That's when he saw him – Chris, the school's notorious bully, leaning against his locker with a sneer on his face.
Adrian's heart sank. He knew that look, that tone. It meant trouble.
Chris was a senior, a star athlete with a charm that hid his cruel streak. Adrian had heard the rumors about Chris's exploits, the way he loved to torment the younger students.
Adrian tried to avoid eye contact, but Chris caught his gaze and held it, a smirk spreading across his face.
"Well, well, well," Chris drawled. "Look what we have here."
Adrian felt a surge of fear, but he stood his ground, trying to look braver than he felt.
"What do you want, Chris?" he asked, trying to keep his voice steady.
Chris chuckled, a cold, mirthless sound. "Oh, I think you know exactly what I want," he said, taking a step closer to Adrian.
Adrian's heart was racing now, his mind racing with possibilities. He knew he had to get out of there, fast.
But as he turned to leave, Chris reached out and grabbed his arm, holding him in place.
"You're not going anywhere," Chris sneered, his eyes glinting with malice.
Adrian struggled to break free, but Chris's grip was like a vice.
He was trapped.