Leon kept his head down as he walked through the hallways of his new school. The whispers followed him, sharp and quiet. “His parents were criminals. He’s probably just like them.”

The words stung, but Leon didn’t flinch. He wasn’t going to give them the satisfaction. A kid with a past, a kid who didn’t belong. And they were right. He didn’t belong anywhere.

In the cafeteria, he slid into an empty seat, hoping to go unnoticed. But the whispers didn’t stop. Then the teasing started.

“You really think you’re gonna make friends here? With your kind of background?”

Leon clenched his fists, fighting the urge to snap. His past was his own, and it wasn’t like anyone cared enough to get to know him.

Just as the bully leaned in closer, a voice cut through. “Is there a problem here?”

Leon looked up, surprised to see seemingly one of the most popular kids in school standing by the table. The bully hesitated. “What’s it to you?” he shot back, but his voice faltered.

The popular kid didn’t flinch. “You think it’s funny to mess with someone just because they’re new? Maybe you should find something else to do.”

The bully shot Leon one last glare before muttering something under his breath and walking off.

The popular kid sat down casually, giving Leon a half-smile. “You good?”

Leon stared, unsure how to respond. “Uh... yeah. Thanks.”

“No problem,” they said, like it was nothing. “Some people don’t know how to mind their own business.”

For a moment, Leon didn’t know what to think. The idea that someone like them, someone with a lot of friends, would step in for him was hard to wrap his head around. But for the first time that day, he didn’t feel completely invisible.