Leah hurried through the library, scanning the aisles for Eugene. Eventually, she found him buried under a pile of books, as if trying to disappear entirely into the shelves.
Leah crouched beside him, eyes narrowing in mock seriousness. "Scared from just a confession? What kind of scaredy-cat are you?"
Eugene swallowed hard, hands trembling slightly as he pushed a book aside. "Leah... I'm scared," he admitted, voice low.
"Scared? From what? Rosalyn?" Leah asked, trying to suppress a laugh. "She's not that scary."
"No... not her," Eugene said quickly, glancing as if expecting someone to jump out. "That man... the one from the alley."
Leah frowned. "What man?"
"He said... he said I seduced Rosalyn," Eugene stammered, voice shaking. "And that he's going to punish me... or something like that."
Leah's eyes widened with realization. "Wait... are you talking about Kevin? Our school bully? I've heard he's head over heels for her."
Eugene nodded frantically. "Y-yeah him. Please... protect me. "
Leah raised an eyebrow, half amused, half exasperated. "From whom? Kevin... or Rosalyn?"
Eugene swallowed hard, looking genuinely terrified. "Both."
Leah tried to suppress her laughter, a playful smirk tugging at her lips. "Don't worry. Your sis has got your back. No one's gonna hurt you - doesn't matter if it's a school bully or... school belle," she said, emphasizing the last word teasingly.
Eugene frowned, crossing his arms. "Why does it feel like instead of reassuring me, you're teasing making fun of me?"
Leah couldn't hold it any longer and burst into laughter, the sound echoing softly in the library. Eugene groaned, but a small smile tugged at his lips despite himself.
Soon, both of them returned to class. The first few hours passed peacefully, the normal hum of lessons and scribbling of pens filing the room.
But as the bell rang and the teacher left, the calm shattered. A tall menacing figure appeared at the classroom doorway, blocking Eugene's path.
Kevin's eyes burned with fury as he stepped forward.
"You really got some nerve... approaching my Rosie even after my warning."
Eugene's heart thudded violently, memories of the alley flashing vividly in his mind. He stiffened in his seat, trapped between fear and the realization that the threat wasn't over.
Leah stepped forward, her eyes blazing with mischief. "oy, balloon! Go chase after Rosie somewhere else. Stop bothering him! That nerd can only flirt with books and machines, not girls, " she shouted, glaring at Kevin.
Eugene blinked, flustered. "Are you... helping me or making of me?"
"Of course I'm helping you," Leah replied confidently crossing her arms.
Eugene stared at her, unconvinced, as if questioning her very response.
Rosalyn, who had clearly enough, stood up, her eyes flashing with fury.
"Seriously, you pig! Since when did i become your girlfriend?" she snapped. "You muscle-head, no woman in this world could love someone as stupid as you, or someone who threaten others like this! Get out of here! And if you ever cross my path again or harass Eugene, I-I'll report you for harassment!"
Kevin's face turned red with embarrassment and fury. With a dramatic cry, he bolted from the classroom, leaving a trail of chaos in his wake.
Eugene slumped back into his seat, heart still racing, sweat pricking at his temples. He could barely process the whirlwind that had just happened. Leah teasing, Kevin fleeing, and Rosalyn standing up for him like some kind of hera.
Leah leaned over, nudging him with a grin. "Told you I've got your back, she said, still smirking.
Eugene groaned, burying his face in his hands. "I... I don't know if I should thank you or strangle you."
Leah laughed, shaking her head. "Relax, nerd. You survived. That's what counts."