Part-12

  The familiar halls of James' school felt suffog this m. Every er held the potential for a hidden threat, every face a mask cealing a possible bully. He sidered skipping school altogether, seeking refuge in the quiet solitude of his room. But a stubbliered his eyes. Skipping wouldn't solve anything. In fact, it would only fuel his fear and hinder his progress. Taking a deep breath, he squared his shoulders and pushed open the door.

  His gaze swept the room, searg for his friend Emdad's familiar face. A knot of worry tightened in his stomach when he saw the empty desk. Emdad's absence wasn't unusual – he was known for the occasional tardiness or unpnned day off. But given the events of the previous night, a cold dread washed over James. Had Emdad been targeted too? Were they both victims of the same group of bullies, the ones Lemon led?

  The thought sent a tremor of ahrough him. He wouldn't stand by and watch Emdad get bullied. But what could he do? He was still weak, his hand throbbing a dull reminder of his limitations. Yet, the prospect of fag the bullies again, armed with the mysterious system, sent a spark of defiahrough him. Perhaps the system wasn't so bad after all. It offered him a ce to fight back, to protect himself and his friend.

  The school day crawled by for James. His mind was a whirlwind of worry for Emdad's absend the cryptic Bully System. Finally, the shrill ring of the lunch bell pierced the monotony, sending a surge of relief through him. He needed a break, a ce to clear his head and sider his move.

  As James navigated the crowded hallway towards the teen, a otion drew his attention. A throng of students had gathered, their faces alight with a mixture of amusement and unease. With a sigh of annoyance, James pushed through the crowd, his stomach growling in protest. He o reach the teen, grab some lunch, a some peace.

  Emerging into the ter of the crowd, James found himself face-to-face with a se straight out of an awkward teen drama. A girl, Mili from his own 9A css, stood at the ter of the attention. Her expression was a mix of annoyand apprehension. Opposite her stood a boy, clearly from the uppercssmen – a 9B student judging by his uniform tag. He was slightly taller frame and handsome. His features were torted in a persistent grin, revealing a desperate attempt at charm which was falling ft in James' eyes.

  "e on, Mili," the boy pleaded, his voice carrying over the murmuring crowd. "Just give me your number. We could grab coffee sometime."

  Mili, ever the straight shooter, crossed her arms and shook her head firmly. "No thanks, Ryan. I'm not ied."

  The boy's smile faltered for a moment, a flicker of annoyance crossing his face. He quickly recovered, though, and tried aabsp;

  "Maybe you're worried you'll have to pete with all my fangirls? Don't worry, you'll be my number one," he added with a wink that James found more creepy than charming.

  Mili rolled her eyes, her patience wearing thin. James reized the signs – she was about to unleash a verbal smackdown of epic proportions, something that would leave the boy wishing he'd never spoken to her. But before she could unto her tirade, a new voice cut through the tension.

  "Leave her alone, Ryan," James said, stepping forward. His voice, though a little shaky, held a newfound firmness.