Shadows of Valor

Part 20

As Sebastian and Reid enjoyed their meal and engaged in their lively conversation, their voices filled with laughter and camaraderie, their moment of connection was suddenly shattered by the intrusive presence of three narcissistic upperclassmen.

The trio, with their perfectly coiffed hair, designer outfits, and air of superiority, sauntered over to Sebastian and Reid's table, their smirks condescendingly directed at Sebastian.

"Well, well, what do we have here?" one of them sneered, eyeing Sebastian with thinly veiled disdain. "I didn't realize they let just anyone into this school. Are you lost, loser?"

Sebastian's smile faded, replaced by a flicker of annoyance in his eyes. He was used to judgmental stares and snide comments, but that didn't mean they didn't hurt.

Reid, sensing the tension, spoke up with a sharp edge to his voice. "Leave us alone. Can't you see we're having a private conversation?"

The second upperclassman laughed condescendingly. "Private conversation? With this guy?" He gestured dismissively toward Sebastian. "He doesn't exactly scream 'hero material.' More like 'reject' material."

Sebastian clenched his fists, a mix of anger and frustration boiling within him. He was tired of being belittled and judged based on his appearance. But he also knew the importance of restraint and maintaining control over his powers.

Taking a deep breath, he forced a calm demeanor and looked directly into the eyes of the instigator. "It's clear you have a distorted view of what it means to be a hero. Appearance doesn't define a person's strength or abilities. It's what lies within that truly matters."

The third upperclassman scoffed, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Oh, how profound. We should all take life lessons from the reject hero over here."

Sebastian's jaw tightened, but before he could respond, Reid interjected with a mischievous glint in his eyes. "You know, gentlemen, I heard rumors that Sebastian here has the power to make your worst fears come to life. It must be quite terrifying to look into those dark circles under his eyes and see your own reflection."

A moment of stunned silence hung in the air before Reid burst into laughter, unable to contain his amusement. Sebastian, caught off guard by Reid's unexpected remark, couldn't help but join in, his laughter mingling with Reid's.

The upperclassmen, their confidence momentarily shaken, exchanged uneasy glances. They realized they had underestimated Sebastian and Reid's resilience and ability to stand up for themselves.

With their laughter still echoing, Sebastian and Reid turned their attention back to their meal, ignoring the disapproving glares of the upperclassmen. 

A genuine smile played at the corners of Sebastian's lips as he rolled his eyes in mock annoyance at Reid's comment. "Their reflection in the dark circles under my eyes, huh?" he quipped, his tone laced with amusement. "Well, at least I can terrify them without even lifting a finger."

Reid chuckled, his laughter blending with Sebastian's. "Exactly! It's all about embracing our unique strengths, even if it means scaring off the fashion police."

A glimmer of hope sparkled in Sebastian's eyes as he turned to Reid, a faint smile on his face. "Well, let's hope that's the end of it," he muttered quietly, hoping to put the encounter with the upperclassmen behind them.

But just as his words left his lips, a figure approached from behind. It was one of the upperclassmen, a smirk plastered on his face. Without warning, he grabbed a carton of milk from a nearby table and poured its contents over Sebastian's head, the cold liquid trickling down his face and soaking his hair.

Sebastian sat there, stunned for a moment, as the cafeteria erupted into a mix of laughter and gasps. The upperclassman laughed triumphantly, thinking he had made a grand display of dominance.  Reid's eyes widened in shock, his jaw dropping at the audacity of the upperclassman's actions. Anger flickered in his eyes as he clenched his fists, ready to intervene.

But before Reid could react, Sebastian wiped the milk from his face, his expression shifting from surprise to determination. The room fell into a deafening silence as Sebastian's voice boomed with newfound resolve. "Enough!" he declared, his voice cutting through the air like thunder. "This ends now."