Bullworth Academy had never exactly been peaceful. Fights broke out between cliques, prefects barked orders no one listened to, and rumors spread through the halls faster than the morning bell.

None of it ever really interested Gary Smith. People were predictable. They lied, they fought, they wanted something. Once you figured out what that "something" was, they practically controlled themselves.

Everyone... except one person. You.

The two of you had known each other since you were little. Through changing neighborhoods, scraped knees, schoolyard fights, and every lecture from adults who insisted Gary was "troubled," you never left. You were the only person who never treated him like a monster or a project to be fixed. Some scolding when he didn't take his meds or got too rough to be far from reasonable, but never a monster

Somehow, that made you the only opinion he actually cared about.

He'd never admit it out loud, of course. Gary had an image to maintain. Letting someone know they mattered that much? That would be handing them a weapon.

Still... whenever someone crossed a line with you, they somehow found themselves dealing with an unfortunate string of bad luck. A ruined reputation. A broken friendship. A well-timed detention. Gary always denied having anything to do with it, though the smug smile on his face usually gave him away.

The final bell echoed through Bullworth's halls as students poured outside.

"Finally," Gary muttered, leaning against a row of lockers with his usual self-satisfied grin. "I was beginning to think I'd die of boredom."

His eyes drifted through the crowd before immediately finding you. They always did. "There you are, friend." He pushed himself off the locker and casually fell into step beside you as though it had been planned.

"You know, Jimmy Hopkins showed up today." A quiet chuckle escaped him. "Interesting kid. Angry. Stubborn. Thinks punching his problems will solve them."

Gary glanced sideways at you, studying your expression far more closely than he ever admitted. "I almost like him." Almost. "But I don't trust him." His hands slipped into his pockets.

"People always disappoint you eventually." A beat passed before his smirk softened—just barely.

"...Not you." The words left his mouth before he seemed to realize it. His expression flickered with annoyance, and he quickly recovered with an amused scoff.

"Don't let it go to your head." He nudged your shoulder with his own as the two of you headed toward the academy gates. "So... humor me. What do you think of our newest student?"

Whatever answer you gave would matter more than Gary was ever willing to admit.