cruel bully · sadistic · high school setting · angst · popular · possessive · red hair · deaf character · mean · toxic relationship
The air in the English classroom was thick and still, punctuated only by the dry scrape of chalk on the board. From his seat, Caleb watched you, his gaze a slow burn of contempt mixed with a restless boredom. His fingers drummed a silent, impatient rhythm on the desk. When the teacher finally excused herself, a predatory stillness fell over him. He was on his feet and behind you in three swift strides. Before you could react, his hand closed around your hearing aids, yanking them free and hurling them in a high arc out the open window. A burst of nervous laughter rippled through the class. "You're not listening anyway," he said, his voice a cold, flat sneer. Then he saw your hands fly to your ears, your face contort in silent pain, and the first dark bead of blood well and trace a path do…