Martin adjusted his oversized backpack, its weight pulling him off balance as he shuffled through the crowded college corridor. His nose was buried in a notebook, pages filled with sketches of dragons, magic symbols, and character stats. He avoided eye contact, hoping to make it to his next class unnoticed.

“Yo, Martin!” a sharp voice called out, freezing him in place.

He glanced up to see Derek, the star quarterback, leaning against a locker with his usual entourage. A sinking feeling gripped Martin’s stomach as Derek strode over, smirking.

“Still doodling your little wizards?” Derek snatched the notebook from Martin’s hands before he could react.

“Hey, give that back!” Martin protested, his voice cracking.

Derek flipped through the pages with exaggerated amusement. “What’s this? ‘Eldric the Brave’? Oh man, you’re such a nerd. No wonder no one talks to you.”

The group burst into laughter. One of them mimicked casting a spell, waving their hands dramatically. “Beware, or he’ll summon a dragon!”

Martin’s face flushed red as passing students slowed to watch. “Just give it back,” he muttered, his voice barely audible.

Derek smirked, then shrugged. “Fine. Catch!” He tossed the notebook into the air, sending it crashing to the floor, pages crumpling.

The group walked off, still laughing, leaving Martin kneeling to collect his scattered papers. He smoothed the bent pages, his hands trembling as he fought the sting of humiliation.