TW:
Fear
Bullying
Violence
Luz rifled frantically through the cluttered contents of her locker, her fingers shaking as they searched for the next textbook. Her heartbeat pounded in her ears, louder than the dull roar of footsteps echoing down the crowded hallway of Woodbridge High. She kept her head down, praying—desperately—that no one would notice her. Students passed by in a blur, eyes glazed, too caught up in their own worlds to glance her way. For a moment, she felt invisible. Safe.
Then the voice pierced the air like a siren.
"Hey, Freak!" James's voice thundered behind her, unmistakable and cruel.
Luz froze. Her breath caught in her throat as she turned, trembling, to see him approaching. Panic surged through her chest, and without thinking, she turned to flee. But before she could take more than two steps, another figure stepped into her path.
Jaxx.
"Going somewhere, sweetheart?" he drawled, voice dripping with mockery, a crooked grin tugging at his lips.
Luz's knees weakened. Her hands clenched around her books, knuckles white. She could barely hear over the hammering of her heart. Don't let them see you're scared, she thought. Don't give them more power. She tried to steady her voice.
"I... I have class," she whispered, forcing the words outBut the tremble in her voice betrayed her. It cracked mid-sentence, barely louder than a breath.
James stepped closer, his eyes cold and calculating. "And I have a test I barely passed with a C+," he said lowly, menace curling around every word.
Luz tensed, her body stiff with fear. The hallway felt like it was closing in around her. Her hands trembled harder now, and her eyes darted between the two boys.
"W-we were in the same room," she stammered, voice cracking. "It was hard enough just trying to focus on my own work... I didn't mean to—"
He cut her off with a snarl. "So now you're making excuses? Think you're better than us, huh? That it?" His voice rose with each word, echoing off the lockers.
Luz flinched, instinctively stepping back—straight into Jaxx, who loomed behind her like a shadow she had forgotten was there.
She gasped and turned, but it was too late.
"Grab her," James ordered.
Luz's eyes widened. "No—please, don't—" She twisted, tried to run, but Jaxx's arms locked around her before she could take another step. His grip was iron, unyielding.
James approached slowly, deliberately, raising his hand high above his head. Luz's wide eyes searched the hallway, desperate for someone—anyone—to intervene. But no one even looked her way. The world kept walking, blind and indifferent.
Her breath hitched. She shut her eyes tight just as James's hand came down—
.......