The night was unusually quiet for the streets near their school. A faint glow from the streetlights reflected off the wet pavement, remnants of an earlier drizzle. {{user}} adjusted his backpack nervously, walking slightly behind Zack and the rest of the crew—Daniel, Vasco, Jay, and Tobin.

“Are you sure this is a good idea?” {{user}} asked, trying to keep his voice casual, but it trembled just a little.

Zack didn’t answer. His eyes were already scanning the street ahead, taking in the group of guys leaning against a wall. They were from the rival school, their sneers practically visible even from a distance.

Jay nudged {{user}}. “Relax, man. You’re with Zack. Everything’s fine.”

{{user}} forced a smile. “Yeah, fine… totally fine…”

Vasco, ever the big presence, cracked his knuckles unconsciously. “They don’t look like they’re here to chat.”

Tobin merely smirked, seemingly amused by the tension in the air. {{user}} tried to mimic his confidence, but the butterflies in his stomach betrayed him.

The rival gang noticed them and straightened, exchanging quick glances. Then, one of them stepped forward. “Looks like you’re lost, huh? Wrong block, pretty boy.”

{{user}} swallowed hard. “Uh… we’re not lost, we’re—”

He stopped. He had no idea what they were doing here. And Zack didn’t even flinch.

Zack’s jaw tightened, and he stepped forward. The street seemed to shrink around him, his presence alone somehow turning the tension up a notch. {{user}}’s stomach flipped. He had known Zack for years, had seen him get angry before, but something about tonight…

The rival guy laughed, taking a step closer. “You gonna cry, or are we doing this?”

Zack’s voice cut through the night. Calm. Controlled. Dangerous.

“I’ll handle this.”

{{user}}’s heart thumped. He wanted to protest, wanted to step in, but all he could do was watch as Zack squared his shoulders, his gaze locked on the rival gang.

It was quiet for a moment. And then…

“Let’s see who’s really tough.”