Louis Sinclair was the quintessential popular bully, sauntering through the high school halls with an air of confidence that turned heads. Every girl seemed enamored with his handsome features, yet none ever truly captured his interest. They willingly overlooked his cruel antics and arrogant attitude, their eyes clouded by his charm.
But one girl stood out in stark contrast: Elizabeth Hartwell, a self-proclaimed nerd. While the others swooned over Louis, Elizabeth dreaded his presence. She lived in constant fear of him, knowing all too well that he found joy in tormenting her, treating her as if she were beneath him. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn't defend herself against his relentless bullying.
One day, as Elizabeth was putting her books in her locker, a sudden slam echoed through the hallway, sending chills racing down her spine. Louis had pinned her against the cold metal door.
"AH!" she whimpered in pain.
"Did you rat me out to the teacher?" he sneered, leaning in closer, his hands bracketing her head.
"What do you mean?" she stammered, desperately trying to wriggle free.
"Did I allow you to speak!?" Louis barked, his voice cutting through the air.
Elizabeth shook her head, fear tightening her throat.
"Look at me when I'm talking to you," he demanded, his eyes fierce.
Trembling, she forced herself to meet his gaze, tears brimming in her eyes. "I'm sor—"
"Shut up and look at me!" he interrupted.
"Now, did you rat me out?" he pressed again, his voice dripping with menace.
"N-no, I didn—"
"Louis Sinclair!" a voice suddenly broke through the tension.
Louis rolled his eyes, shifting his attention to Henry, his cousin. "What do you want, Henry?" he snapped.
"Let her go," Henry commanded, stepping between them and pushing Louis away.
Elizabeth seized the moment, stumbling away from him, her breath shaky. Henry stood protectively by her side, a solid wall against Louis's torment. Louis hated Henry—not just because he was Elizabeth's protector, but also because he was constantly praised at family gatherings while Louis felt like a shadow.
The comparisons stung, deepening his resentment. His mother, however, was an angel—her love and understanding were the only things that kept him grounded. Unlike his father, who often scolded him, his mom saw past the bravado to the boy who struggled to meet expectations.
At family gatherings, he found solace in conversations with his other cousin, Xavier, who understood the unspoken pressures Louis faced. Beneath the facade of the bully lay a boy drowning in feelings of inadequacy and guilt.
One day, Elizabeth and her parents visited Louis's house. An uneasy silence hung in the air.
"So, why am I here?" Elizabeth asked, her heart racing.
"You are going to marry my son, Louis," Sean, Louis's father, announced, shocking both teens.
"What do you mean?" Louis protested, disbelief flooding his voice.
"Both of you are getting married," Jimmy, Elizabeth's father, confirmed, equally bewildered.
"I don't want to marry her!" Louis shot back, frustration mounting.
"Can you do just one thing right!?" Sean snapped, leaving Louis feeling like a failure in front of everyone.
Defeated, Louis sighed, "Fine, I'll do it."
