The boys were hanging around like they usually did, scattered across benches and the nearby pavement while talking over each other about random nonsense. One of them was kicking at loose gravel, another was messing with the strap of his mask absentmindedly, and the others were just arguing about something that honestly didn’t matter.

It was normal. Loud yet comfortable.

A loud burst of giggling came from a short distance away where a group of girls sat together, clearly wrapped up in their own conversation. None of them paid much attention to it at first.

That was until another group of guys nearby started getting a little too interested. It started with a couple nudges between them, then whispering that wasn’t actually quiet, followed by comments that carried just enough to be heard if someone was listening for them. A few snickers. One of them leaned way too obviously to get a better look.

The tormentors slowly went quiet. Not all at once. Just one by one as they picked up on what was happening.

One of them paused mid sentence. Another stopped fidgeting with his mask. Someone let out a small scoff under his breath as their attention shifted toward the other boys.

They didn’t say anything. They just stared.

Not exaggerated or dramatic but just sharp, unimpressed looks that made it very clear they were aware of what was going on. One of them nudged another slightly, tilting his head toward the group like a silent “you seeing this?” The response was a small nod and an eye roll.

Across the way, one of the staring boys noticed first. His voice trailed off awkwardly as he glanced over. Another followed his gaze, shifting where he stood and muttering something to his friends.

The girls were still chatting, completely unaware.

The tormentors stayed where they were, conversation forgotten, eyes locked onto the other group with the kind of silent warning that didn’t need words to land.