Ethan and Daisy walked away in a heavy silence.
"Why did you stop?" one of the girls asked, her voice sharp with annoyance.
"I don't know," the first boy muttered, glancing back nervously.
"Yeah, me neither," the second boy added, shifting his weight. "My instinct just… screamed at me not to mess with them."
Olivia scoffed, tossing her chocolate-brown hair over her shoulder. She was undeniably beautiful—the kind of beauty that acted as a shield for her cruelty. As the wealthy leader of the school's elite circle, she wasn't used to hesitation. "Fine. I'll take care of Daisy myself."
When Ethan and Daisy reached home, the air between them was thick. Daisy hadn't spoken a word the entire walk, her frame still trembling. Ethan wanted to press her for answers, but her hollow gaze stopped him.
"You're home! Come, let's have dinner," their mother called out as they entered.
Ethan nodded, but Daisy's voice was barely a whisper. "I'm not hungry. I'm just… tired." She hurried toward her room before Ethan could reach out to stop her.
"Ethan, is everything alright?" his mother asked, her brow furrowing with concern.
"Mom," Ethan said, his voice grave. "Can you tell me about Daisy's friends?"
His mother sighed and gestured for him to sit. As they began to eat, her expression clouded with a lingering sadness. I don't want them getting into more trouble, she thought, but she knew Ethan deserved the truth.
"Daisy had a dear friend in middle school," she began. "A lovely girl, but she was bullied relentlessly because of the color of her skin. Daisy stayed by her side, defending her every day. Eventually, the bullying got so bad the girl had to transfer schools."
She paused, her eyes hardening. "Then, all that hatred shifted to Daisy. That's why we moved her to a different middle school. But now, in high school, those same girls have returned. They're trying to sabotage her all over again."
Ethan's fork bent slightly under the pressure of his grip.
"One of them is Olivia," his mother continued. "Her father is a powerful man with more companies than I can count. We tried to fight back—we had proof—but in this world, money silences justice. The police told us that if we didn't drop the case, they'd find a way to frame us instead."
Ethan remained outwardly calm, but a cold, lethal fire was kindling in his chest.
"Daisy is beautiful, Ethan. And unfortunately, the attention she gets from boys only makes those girls more spiteful," his mother said softly.
"I'm going to help her, Mom," Ethan promised.
"They are rich and powerful, Ethan. People like us... we aren't a match for them." His mother whispered.
Ethan stood up to leave, but his mother , she clenched her fists as if gathering her courage, she called out, "My son." He turned back. She gave him a small, brave smile. "You don't have to be scared. I am with you. Always."
Later that night, after Ethan had retreated to his room, his mother stood outside Daisy's door. She knocked gently. "Daisy? It's me."
No reply.
"Daisy, I want you to know you don't have to be scared anymore. I know we don't have their money, but I am with both of you now. I will do everything in my power to teach them a lesson."
The door creaked open. Daisy stood there, her eyes red and swollen. Her mother pulled her into a tight embrace and stayed by her side until she finally drifted into a fitful sleep.
The Next Day
Ethan emerged from his room in his uniform, his face an unreadable mask.
"Daisy isn't going to school today," his mother said, placing a tray on the table. "You know the way?"
"Yes," Ethan replied shortly. He finished his breakfast in silence and stepped out into the morning air.
Instead of taking the main road, Ethan turned into a secluded alleyway. He stopped, his voice echoing off the brick walls. "Come out."
Four men in black masks emerged from the shadows. Enzo's goons, Ethan deduced.
They lunged at once. Ethan didn't flinch. He caught the first man with a punch so powerful it drove him into the pavement; a sickening crack echoed as the concrete beneath him splintered. The other three froze, their bravado evaporating instantly.
Ethan was ruthless. He moved like a blur, slamming a fist into the second man's chest with enough force to nearly stop his heart. The third man tried to bolt, but Ethan caught him by the collar, swinging him effortlessly against the brick wall.
He let the fourth man escape. He wanted a messenger.
After brushing the dust off his blazer, Ethan arrived at school just as the bells began to ring. Up on the third floor, a student named Jake watched him from a window, his fingers steepled in front of his face.
"Jake, what are you looking at?" a friend asked. "A girl?"
Down in the classroom, Ethan took his seat. The room was buzzing with gossip.
"Did you hear? A few of Enzo's gang got thrashed this morning."
"Enzo? The third-year? No way."
"Not Enzo himself, but some of the first-years in his crew. Word is his sister told them to jump someone."
"His sister? You mean Olivia from class 1-S?"
Ethan leaned back, absorbing every word. Olivia. Enzo. So they're the ones. Ethan thought.
"Good morning, Ethan," Finn said, sliding into the seat next to him.
"Morning, buddy," Ethan replied.
"What's everyone whispering about?" Finn asked.
"A fight," Ethan said simply. "A few of Enzo's guys got what was coming to them."
Finn's eyes went wide. "What?! Whoever did that... they messed with the wrong people."
A tall student approached Ethan's desk and extended a hand. "Nice to meet you. I'm Seth."