Beneath the Bully's Gaze

A Chance for Change

It was a typical Monday morning, and the students filed into the classroom, each one buzzing with the usual mix of gossip and complaints about upcoming exams.

Mira sat quietly at her desk, flipping through her notes as she tried to ignore Ethan's usual taunts and his group of friends laughing at the back of the room. Her patience with him was wearing thin, but she'd learned to steel herself, determined not to let him see how much he affected her.

Just as the class settled, their homeroom teacher, Mrs. Thompson, clapped her hands to get their attention. "I have an announcement," she began, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. "This Friday, we've arranged a volunteer opportunity at the Hope Orphanage. We're looking for a group of students to help out with the kids, organize activities, and assist in any way needed."

Mira's ears perked up at the mention of volunteering. She had always felt a pull to help others, and the thought of spending time at an orphanage filled her with a warm sense of purpose. But before she could raise her hand, she heard a scoff from across the room.

"What's the point of that?" Ethan muttered, loud enough for his friends to hear. They snickered, but Mrs. Thompson shot them a disapproving look.

"Actually, Ethan," she replied pointedly, "I think you might benefit from this experience. A little kindness and responsibility go a long way."

Ethan's smirk faltered, and a faint blush crept into his cheeks as the class chuckled. Mira watched him closely, curious. For a moment, his guard seemed to drop, and he looked almost... embarrassed. But it didn't take long for him to recover.

"Fine. I'll go," he shrugged nonchalantly, as if it were no big deal. His gaze then flicked over to Mira, and he raised an eyebrow. "What about you, Mira? You always look like you could use a hobby."

Mira's cheeks flushed, but she held her head high. "Actually, I was going to volunteer anyway," she replied, determined to stand her ground. "It's for a good cause, Ethan, even if you don't understand that."

"Is that so?" He smirked, the challenge gleaming in his eyes. "Well, this should be interesting, then."

———

The Hope Orphanage was a cozy, sunlit place tucked away at the edge of town. The building, though a bit worn, was filled with the sound of laughter and playful chatter. Mira's heart warmed as she watched the kids run around, their faces lit up with joy, and she felt a deep sense of purpose swell within her.

She had arrived early, eager to help out, and was busy setting up an art station with paint and coloring books when she heard the unmistakable sound of Ethan's voice nearby. He'd arrived fashionably late, his usual smirk plastered on his face as he leaned against the doorframe, watching her work.

"Hard to believe you're actually good at something," he said with a teasing lilt, crossing his arms as he surveyed the room.

Mira rolled her eyes, trying to ignore him. "Believe it or not, Ethan, there are more important things than looking cool or being popular," she replied, not even glancing his way.

"Is that right?" he replied, though his voice was softer than usual, and Mira noticed a slight shift in his expression. She wondered if he was beginning to feel out of place here, far from the comfort of his usual entourage.

Just then, a young girl with a shy smile approached them, tugging at Ethan's sleeve. "Mister, will you help me with this puzzle?" she asked, her eyes wide with innocence.

Ethan froze, seemingly unsure of how to react. Mira watched as he glanced down at the girl, his tough demeanor wavering. Slowly, he crouched down to her level, his face softening in a way Mira had never seen before.