Chris leaned against his locker, surveying the hallway with a mixture of boredom and disdain. As the king of this school, he reveled in the fear he inspired. Students scurried past him, casting nervous glances his way.
His gaze landed on Adrian, walking down the hallway with his head down. Chris's eyes narrowed. There was something about Adrian that rubbed him the wrong way. Maybe it was his vulnerability, his weakness. Or maybe it was his refusal to back down, even when Chris pushed him to his limits.
Whatever it was, Chris couldn't resist the urge to taunt Adrian. He pushed off from his locker and strode down the hallway, his eyes fixed on Adrian's back.
"Hey, Adrian," Chris called out, his voice dripping with malice. "What's wrong, loser? Can't handle the heat?"
Adrian's shoulders tensed, but he didn't respond. Chris snorted in disgust. What was the point of bullying someone if they didn't even have the decency to fight back?
He caught up to Adrian and shoved him against his locker. "You're so pathetic," Chris sneered. "You think you're better than me? You're nothing but a worthless little coward."
Adrian's eyes flashed with anger, but he bit back a retort. Chris laughed, enjoying the fear he saw in Adrian's eyes.
But as he turned to walk away, he caught a glimpse of something in Adrian's expression that gave him pause. It was a spark of defiance, a hint of courage that Chris hadn't seen before.
It intrigued him, and for a moment, Chris wondered if he had underestimated Adrian. Maybe this kid wasn't as weak as he seemed.
Chris's curiosity got the better of him, and he turned back to Adrian. "You know, I've been thinking," Chris said, his voice dripping with condescension. "Maybe you're not as boring as I thought."
Adrian's eyes narrowed, but he didn't respond. Chris smiled, enjoying the game.
"Oh, come on, Adrian," Chris taunted. "Don't be shy. Tell me, what do you think about me?"
Adrian's face remained impassive, but Chris could see the anger simmering beneath the surface.
"I think you're a pathetic excuse for a human being," Adrian spat, his voice low and even.
Chris's eyes widened in surprise. He hadn't expected Adrian to fight back.
But as he looked into Adrian's eyes, he saw something there that made him feel uneasy. It was a glimmer of determination, a spark of courage that Chris couldn't ignore.
For a moment, the two of them locked eyes, the tension between them palpable. Then, without a word, Chris turned and walked away, leaving Adrian standing alone in the hallway.