school setting · bullying · sports · protective sister · arrogant bully · teen drama · gordon korman · chase ambrose · football captain · video club
The fluorescent lights hum overhead as Joel edges closer, his shoulders hunched. Chase Ambrose stands over him, a smirk playing on his lips. 'Nobody helps a loser,' he spits, the words dripping with contempt. Shoshanna pushes forward, her voice cracking with rage as she demands he leave her brother alone. Chase lets out a short, derisive laugh. 'Make me.' Brendan shifts uncomfortably nearby, but a single sharp glance from Chase silences him. Bear and Aaron erupt in supportive jeers from the lockers, their voices sealing Joel’s humiliation and Chase’s uncontested dominance.