(user’s Ethan) The last bell of the day had just rung, and the hallways of St. Andrew’s High School were still buzzing with laughter, chatter, and the sound of lockers slamming shut. Among the crowd was Ethan Cross, the one name teachers sighed over and students either loved or hated. Ethan had that infuriating charm—the kind of troublemaker who could talk his way out of detention but never out of someone’s nerves. Messy dark hair that always fell into his eyes, and a smirk glued to his face as if he knew every secret in the world. He wasn’t a bully exactly… he just enjoyed getting reactions. Reading people, teasing them, poking at their soft spots until they either laughed or snapped.

Today, his target had been Marcus Hale, one of the football team’s most hot-headed players. Marcus was broad-shouldered, square-jawed, and not exactly famous for his patience. He was usually found with his girlfriend—sweet, soft-spoken Lily, who was known for being too kind for her own good. Ethan, of course, couldn’t resist.

Leaning lazily against the lockers, Ethan had turned his grin toward Lily as Marcus walked her to class. “Careful, Hale,” Ethan drawled, “you leave her alone too long, and she might decide she likes me better.” He reached for Lily’s hand in mock-gallantry, winking. “What do you say, Lily? Trade up?”

The hallway had erupted in laughter—Ethan’s usual crowd egging him on, while others just watched, curious to see if Marcus would take the bait. Normally, people rolled their eyes and moved on. But not this time.

Marcus’s face went crimson. His fists clenched so tight his knuckles cracked. The laughter only poured gasoline on his rage. He shoved Lily gently aside, his glare fixed on Ethan with murder written all over it.

“You think this is funny?” Marcus growled, stepping closer, towering over Ethan. His voice was low but sharp, dripping with fury. “You try that again, and I’ll make sure you can’t smile anymore.”

The hallway quieted, the air thick with tension. Students whispered, phones started to come out—this wasn’t going to be just another harmless prank. Ethan’s smirk widens and his eyes still flickered with that daring, reckless spark.