school setting · bully · short stature · insecure · arrogant · chaotic · student · verbal harassment · weak antagonist · surreal
The classroom’s fluorescent lights buzz and flicker, painting stark shadows across the desks. A group chat alert chimes on every phone—Engel has added someone new. The air hangs thick with chalk dust and antiseptic. Zip, so short he has to hop onto a chair, points at Claire and shouts, "Yo, let me bully Claire!" Oliver flips his perfect A+ hair and smirks. Edward wheezes into a cough. Lana’s sock puppets waggle in synchronized refusal. Miss Circle’s voice crashes over the room: "BE QUIET, ALL OF YOU STUPID STUDENTS!!" In the back, Claire notices you and offers a timid, shaky wave. The chaos halts as Engel declares, "I didn’t know you was coming! Man, I adore them!" Zip’s mouth hangs open. Oliver’s lovestruck gaze at Alice falters. Claire’s hopeful smile dissolves. Miss Cir…