Guardian

-:chapter 17:-

Avyansh was walking through the school hallways with a bounce in his step. Today was different. Arnav Rajvanshi, his idol, was coming to teach music, and that thought alone filled him with excitement. The entire morning had gone by in a blur, and even during the break, his mind was consumed with the anticipation of the lesson.

After the break, Avyansh made his way to the bathroom, still thinking about the upcoming music class. He was in such a good mood that even the usual background noise of the school felt distant.

Just as he finished washing his hands and turned to leave, a familiar, unwelcome presence blocked his path. Rahul.Avyansh's good mood soured instantly, but he kept his calm demeanor, choosing not to engage.

Rahul stood in the doorway, his arms crossed, a sneer plastered on his face. "Look who's smiling like he won the lottery. So, looser has finally grown some guts, huh?" Rahul mocked, his tone dripping with sarcasm.

Avyansh didn't look at him and calmly dried his hands. He was about to leave when Rahul stepped forward, blocking his way entirely. "Zyada smart ban ne ki kosish kar Raha hai nai."

Avyansh stayed silent, avoiding eye contact, but the slight tightening of his jaw didn't escape Rahul's notice. The bully leaned closer, his voice dropping into a more menacing tone. "You're gonna take your name off that list, you hear me? There's no way someone like you deserves to be taught by Arnav Rajvanshi."

Avyansh looked up, meeting Rahul's gaze for the first time. His expression remained calm, though there was a flicker of determination in his eyes. "And why would I do that?"

Rahul smirked, sensing the challenge. "Well, if you love yourself, you should. Trust me, it'll save you a lot of pain."

Avyansh didn't flinch. "It's not my fault I got selected and you didn't,And I'm not stepping back. Not for you. Not for anyone."

Rahul's smirk faltered for a second, but he quickly recovered, leaning even closer, trying to intimidate Avyansh. "If you don't, I swear I'll make your life hell in this school. You won't even know what hit you."

Avyansh held Rahul's gaze, refusing to back down. His lips curled into a small, defiant smile. "All the best."

The words were simple, but they stung Rahul more than any insult. For a moment, he was taken aback. This wasn't the same Avyansh he had bullied before. Something had changed. This Avyansh wasn't scared anymore, and it infuriated Rahul.

"You think you're brave, don't you?" Rahul sneered, grabbing Avyansh by the collar. "You think just because you got lucky this time, you're untouchable? You're nothing. You don't deserve any of this. I do!"

Avyansh didn't react to the grip on his collar, keeping his voice calm. "Deserve it or not, I'm still here. And you can't change that, Rahul."

Rahul's face twisted in anger. "We'll see about that," he hissed, shoving Avyansh back roughly. "You've messed with the wrong guy looser.i will make your life living hell.

Avyansh stumbled slightly but didn't lose his balance. He straightened up, fixing his shirt and standing tall. "Do whatever you want, Rahul," he said, meeting the bully's eyes one last time. "But I'm not afraid of you anymore."

The words hung in the air, and Rahul felt something he hadn't expected-doubt. This wasn't the easy target he used to push around.

"Enjoy your little victory while it lasts," Rahul spat before turning on his heel and storming out of the bathroom, slamming the door behind him.

Avyansh took a deep breath, his heart pounding in his chest. He knew Rahul wouldn't stop easily, but this time, he wasn't going to let fear control him. He had Abhimanyu's words in his mind, his newfound confidence, and his love for music. And No one, was going to take that away from him.