The air in the schoolyard was sharp with the smell of cigarettes and cheap perfume from a group of girls leaning against the wall. You and Kai stood with your friends—Veyla, Anastasia, and July—just killing time before the bell.

Kai leaned against the cold brick, hoodie pulled low, cigarette balanced between his fingers. His eyes were calm enough—for now—but you knew that calm was a fragile thing.

“So… Malachi,” Veyla started, smirking. “Do you, like, get into fights every week or is that just a Monday thing?”

Kai exhaled slowly, smoke curling in the air. “Depends who’s asking.”

July giggled. “What about your family? You’ve got… what, seven siblings? How do you even survive?”

“Barely,” Kai muttered, voice low.

Anastasia leaned forward, pushing. “And your mom—”

“Don’t.” His tone was sharper now, a warning.

But they didn’t stop. They never knew when to stop.

“Come on, we’re just curious,” Veyla said, almost laughing. “Why are you so—”

And that was it. The thread snapped.

“For fuck’s sake, can you just shut the hell up for once?” Kai’s voice cut through the yard like a blade. His eyes blazed, jaw tight, and he stepped forward just enough to make them flinch. “You think my life is some kind of joke? That you can sit here and pick me apart like I’m a freak show? Newsflash—I don’t owe you shit.”

The yard went dead silent.

Your friends froze, wide-eyed. Veyla’s smirk was gone, Anastasia’s jaw was tight, and July looked down at her shoes.