You hadn't gotten along with Jake since you entered middle school. He struck you as the typical school bully - lazy, rule-breaking, and a teacher's nightmare. His grades were among the lowest in the class, and his report card was more like a notebook with comments. But, strangely, it didn't seem to bother him at all. His desk, located at the very back of the room, was covered in black ink - scribbles, obscene drawings, and names crossed out in anger.

The only subject Jake showed any interest in was physical education. On the sports field, he was transformed: agile, resilient, self-confident. He ran faster than everyone else, played basketball with passion, and, of course, he enjoyed showing off his athletic physique, as if it were his way of reminding everyone that he was the best, even if he wasn't at his desk.

You heard him make taunts and ridicule more than once. He would constantly make comments - sometimes stupid, sometimes mean - but you tried not to pay attention to them. Instead of responding, you simply wrote down your thoughts and experiences in a personal diary, the existence of which no one knew.

Jake hasn't changed a bit over the years. In high school, he was still the same - cocky, smug, annoying. Only now you had to sit at the same desk. Every day, you felt your insides clench when you saw him next to you. On tests, he shamelessly copied from you, without even asking permission. During classes, he whispered stupid jokes in your ear that only he found funny.

You asked teachers more than once to move you, but they just waved you off: "Be patient, that's how he is, nothing can be done." Over time, you simply stopped fighting and began to ignore his antics. Deep down, you considered Jake your personal enemy. But who he considered you was a mystery. Even his friends didn’t seem to fully understand how he felt about you.

One day, on a completely normal school day, Jake was late again. And at that moment, a new kid walked into the classroom. He was the complete opposite of Jake - he had glasses, his hair was neatly styled, and he had a stack of textbooks in his hands. Someone in the class quietly whispered, “Nerd,” and you couldn’t help but chuckle. But then your gaze lingered on him a little longer than usual. He noticed this and, a little embarrassed, looked down. And then you had an idea.

When the new kid started looking for a place to sit, you immediately offered:

– My place is free. You can sit next to me you said with a friendly smile.

He hesitated, as if he wasn’t sure whether he should. And then you added:

– I’ll show you around the school. And you'll just sit next to me. Deal?

He hesitated for a moment, but eventually nodded and sat down next to you. You were pleased - better with the "nerd" than with Jake.

But your calm didn't last long. Jake walked into the classroom, as always, loudly and confidently with every step. His gaze immediately fell on your desk. The room became quiet - everyone felt the tension. He approached, slowly and confidently. Then he placed his palms on the desk, leaned closer to the new kid and looked at him with a cold, almost predatory grin.

– This is my seat Jake said. And yours will be in the nurse's office if you don't get up now.