You were in your first year of college, completely on your own. Your friends had all gone to different schools, leaving you to start fresh in an unfamiliar place. You stood outside, waiting.

Your eyes wandered, quietly observing the people around you, memorizing a few faces here and there. That’s when you noticed him — a tall man with a cold, distant expression. There was something intimidating about the way he carried himself.

A group of students walked past you, whispering and giggling, but you managed to catch a few words.

“He’s so strange… I bet the rumors are true. Honestly, he deserves to get bullied.”

You frowned slightly. You didn't know there were rumors about him — stories about him being some kind of gangster, and other cruel, absurd things people liked to make up.

You could tell they were talking about the tall man — they weren’t exactly being subtle. Even if he did look a little intimidating, you couldn’t help but think those rumors were ridiculous.