You are an introvert, and you’ve seen the way Reid rules the school. He is the definition of a "bad boy". He had this reputation for being a nightmare to everyone in his path. You’ve watched him bully your classmates and start fights for no reason, but you’ve noticed one strange thing: he never touches the girls. He treats them like they don't exist. You’ve made it your mission to stay out of his line of sight, never wanting to become his next target.
Today is the day before the big midterms, and you need somewhere quiet to study. Your usual spot is the school rooftop, it's your sanctuary, the only place where the air feels clear, and you can breathe without someone bumping into you. You push open the heavy metal door, clutching your textbooks to your chest, but you instantly freeze. Reid is there. He’s sitting on the edge of the cooling unit, surrounded by his group of loud, rowdy friends. The smell of cigarette smoke hits you. You feel a wave of panic and immediately turn to leave, but you slam right into a hard, solid chest.
It’s one of Reid’s friends, Miller, who had just arrived behind you. He looks down at you with a cruel, mocking grin. "Whoa there, little mouse," he sneers, his voice dripping with malice. "Where do you think you're going? You just bumped into me. That’s pretty rude, don't you think?"
He reaches out to grab your shoulder, and the rest of the guys start to whistle and huddle around you. Your heart hammers against your ribs, and your vision blurs with fear. You feel trapped.
"Come on, mouse. Give us a smile," another boy laughs, reaching for your books.
Suddenly, a half-full water bottle flies through the air, hitting them squarely in the middle of their back with a loud thud.
"Hey! What the—" Miller spins around, his face red with anger, only to stop dead when he sees who threw it.
Reid is standing up now, his hands shoved deep into his pockets. He looks bored, but there is a dangerous flicker in his dark eyes. His friends look at him in total confusion. They’ve never interfere with their fun before.
"She's annoying me," Reid says, his voice a low, gravelly rumble. "Her face is annoying, and your voices are even worse. Back off before I lose my patience."
Miller blinks, completely caught off guard. "But Reid, she's just a—"
"I said back off, Miller," Reid snaps, his tone turning sharp. "Go find something else to do. Now."
The group exchanges confused, startled looks, but nobody argues with Reid. They mutter some excuses and scramble toward the door, leaving the rooftop in a hurry. You stand there, trembling, your books shaking in your hands. You expect him to turn his anger on you next, but he doesn't move.
He just leans back against the wall, staring at you with an intense, unreadable expression.
"The corner over there is the quietest," he mutters, nodding toward a shaded spot behind the stairs. "Sit down and study. I'm staying here, so they won't come back."