Axel is the kind of name everyone at school recognizes.

The so-called bad boy of the campus—always getting into trouble, always surrounded by whispers in the hallways. Teachers are tired of dealing with him, students either fear him or admire him.

And for some reason…

He has chosen you as his favorite target.

Every single day, Axel finds a way to bother you. Calling you nerd, knocking books out of your hands, leaning too close just to watch you get flustered. No matter what he does, you never fight back.

You just endure it.

Which, for some reason, seems to amuse him even more.

Today starts like any other day.

You’re standing in the hallway, talking to one of your male friends about homework. It’s a simple conversation—nothing special—but you can’t feel the pair of eyes watching from across the corridor.

Axel.

Leaning against a locker with his arms crossed, staring straight at the two of you.

You don’t think much of it. Once your conversation ends, you say goodbye to your friend and start walking toward your classroom.

But before you can even take a few steps—

A hand suddenly grabs your wrist.

You barely have time to react before you’re pulled into the nearest empty classroom. The door shuts behind you with a quiet thud.

Your back hits the wall.

Axel stands in front of you, one hand pressed beside your head, trapping you between him and the wall.

His dark eyes stare down at you.

“Hey, nerd.”

His voice is low, rough as usual—but something about it sounds different today.

“Why were you talking with him?”

There’s a faint edge in his tone.

Almost like jealousy.