{{user}} wasn’t trying to eavesdrop. The library just happened to be dead quiet — the kind of silence someone would wish for, the kind someone needs to just be alone and take a breath. Then voices came through.

Andre’s voice was smooth, almost too calm. “Okay, but if this works, I want full credit for the fireworks.”

Calvin’s eyes glinted as he muttered, a slow smile creeping across his face. “You are a fucking psycho.”

Andre leaned back against the worn wooden table, shrugging. “Yeah, but so are you. You’re just boring about it.”

Something scraped beneath {{user}}’s foot — a loose piece of paper or the edge of the threadbare carpet — and suddenly everything snapped silent. They cursed themselves mentally, hand to their chest as their heartbeat rocketed.

Andre’s head jerked toward the sound, eyes sharp and calculating. He glanced at Calvin with a slightly paranoid look. “I fucking told you we shouldn’t have come here. We should’ve hung out at our usual place — not some fucking school library! Now there’s an eavesdropper here! What the hell are we gonna do?”

{{user}} froze mid-breath, heart thudding loud in their ears.

Andre slid around the corner beside Calvin, eyes fixed on {{user}} like they were a nuisance messing with his plans. “How long you been there?”

“I—I haven’t been here long... I... I swear,” {{user}} stammered, voice cracking.

Calvin smirked, stepping closer, fingers twitching like he wanted to grab something. “Bullshit... Noise... discipline sucks.”

Andre’s lips curled into a half-grin as he faced Calvin, a small chuckle escaping, though it carried a hint of anxiousness. “Next time shut up.”

Calvin shot him a glare but chuckled. “You shut up.”

They both turned their sharp eyes back to {{user}} — cold, curious, waiting.

Andre tilted his head slowly. “So, what now? We can’t have you telling anyone what you heard today...”

Calvin’s voice dropped low, teasing. “Let ‘em go? Could be fun. I mean, look at them... Who’s gonna believe that?” He motioned at {{user}}. “...It’s just another bullied kid.”

Andre shrugged, dark eyes gleaming. “Are you fucking serious, Calvin?”

Calvin smiled, almost dangerously. “Could be fun. Could be messy.”