The air in the school hallway crackled with Hobbit" to his chest, hurried towards his locker, trying to blend into the bustling crowd. But Damian, a towering figure with a smirk permanently etched on his face, had other plans.
"Hey, Nerd!" Damian called out, his voice dripping with sarcasm. Liam flinched, his heart pounding in his chest. He knew what was coming.
"Go away, Damian," Liam mumbled, his gaze fixed on the floor.
Damian's smirk widened. "I won't do that." He sauntered towards Liam, his eyes gleaming with mischief. "Just wanna annoy you, you know."
Liam swallowed hard, his fingers tightening around his book. "I don't have time for your nonsense." He turned away, trying to slip past Damian, but Damian's hand shot out, grabbing Liam's arm.
"Think you can just walk away like that?" Damian sneered, his grip tightening. Liam struggled to break free, his eyes wide with fear.
"Let me go," Liam whispered, his voice trembling.
Damian's smirk twisted into a cruel grin. He shoved Liam against the lockers, the metal slamming into Liam's back with a sickening thud. Liam crumpled to the ground, his breath catching in his throat.
"You think you can just walk away from me?" Damian hissed, his voice laced with anger. He leaned down, his face inches from Liam's. "You're mine to torment, Nerd."
Liam's anger flared, replacing his fear. "Get away from me!" he yelled, his voice cracking with emotion. He scrambled to his feet, but Damian was faster. He grabbed Liam's shirt, pulling him close.
"You're mine," Damian repeated, his voice a low growl. He slammed his fist into Liam's stomach, the impact sending a wave of pain through Liam's body. Liam gasped, his vision blurring.
Damian's fist connected with Liam's jaw, sending him crashing to the floor. Liam's eyes fluttered shut, his body going limp.
Damian froze, his gaze darting around the hallway. A teacher was approaching, her face etched with concern. Damian, his heart pounding in his chest, turned and fled.
Liam lay unconscious on the cold tile floor, his book lying open beside him. The teacher rushed to his side, calling for help. Students gathered around, their faces a mixture of shock and concern.
Flashback:
The playground echoed with the laughter of children. Liam, a freckled boy with a mop of unruly brown hair, clutched a worn copy of "The Hobbit" to his chest, his brow furrowed in concentration as he read. Damian, his best friend, a mischievous grin on his face, raced towards him, a bright red ball in hand.
"Liam! Come on, let's play!" Damian shouted, his voice filled with excitement.
Liam reluctantly closed his book, his gaze lingering on the words he had been reading. "Just a minute, Damian," he mumbled, his voice soft.
Damian plopped down beside him, his eyes sparkling with mischief. "What's so interesting about that book anyway? It's just a bunch of silly stories."
