Rich Heart,poor souls

The roots of rivalry

As Zyran walks into the classroom, the atmosphere shifts. His old, worn-out shoes scuff against the floor, and his frayed backpack hangs loosely on his shoulder. The chatter among the students quiets, eyes turning towards him.

He stands nervously at the front of the class, fidgeting with the strap of his backpack. “Hi, I’m Zyran,” he says, his voice barely above a whisper. “I just moved here.”

From the back of the room, Kai smirks, leaning forward in his chair. “Look at him, everyone! Is that a backpack or a relic from the Stone Age?” Laughter erupts from his friends, and Zyran’s cheeks flush with embarrassment.

As Zyran takes his seat, he overhears whispers and snickers, feeling isolated. Kai continues to make jokes about Zyran's appearance throughout the day, turning the new student’s introduction into a moment of humiliation rather than welcome.

It’s been a week since Zyran’s introduction, and the atmosphere at school has become increasingly hostile for him. The hallways are bustling with students, but Zyran feels more isolated than ever.

During lunch, Zyran sits alone at a table, trying to eat his food quietly. Kai and his friends approach, laughing and joking loudly. Kai spots Zyran and walks over, a mischievous grin on his face.

Hey, look who it is! The poor kid who thinks he can sit with us!” Kai announces, grabbing Zyran's tray and dumping it on the floor. “Oops! My bad! Guess you don’t need food if you’re trying to lose weight.” The laughter from his friends is deafening, and Zyran feels the heat of humiliation wash over him.

As Zyran leaves, whispers follow him down the hall. The bullying seems to have become a spectacle, with students eagerly watching and commenting on Kai’s antics. This week marks a turning point for Zyran, solidifying his desire to rise above his situation.

Days later
The class is going on a field trip to a local amusement park. Zyran is excited but anxious about being around his classmates, especially
During the trip, there’s a group activity where students are paired up to compete in games. Zyran is paired with a kind-hearted classmate, while Kai is left to choose a partner. Kai, seeing Zyran’s timid demeanor, decides to make it his mission to ruin Zyran’s day.

When the game involves a water balloon toss, Kai intentionally aims for Zyran. As they play, he pretends to throw a balloon to his partner but instead hurls it at Zyran, soaking him completely. Laughter erupts from the surrounding students, and Zyran feels humiliated again.

Furious, Zyran confronts Kai, shouting, “Why do you always have to pick on me? Can’t you just leave me alone?” Kai smirks, reveling in the attention. “Because it’s so easy, and you make it fun!”

In a moment of anger, Zyran shoves Kai, causing him to stumble backward and fall into a muddy puddle. The laughter shifts as students are caught off guard. Kai’s expression darkens, and from that moment, he vows to make Zyran's life even more miserable.