Beneath the Bully's Gaze

32

Mira rushed through the school gates, her heart racing as she glanced at the clock on the wall of the main building. She was late—again. The sound of her shoes echoed down the empty hallway as she hurried toward her first class, hoping to slip in unnoticed. But as she turned a corner, she collided with a group of students loitering near the lockers.

"Watch where you're going, poor girl," one of them sneered, shoving her aside. Mira stumbled, her books scattering across the floor.

"Get out of my way," she muttered, trying to regain her composure as she hurried past them. Just when she thought she had escaped, she was called to the office for being late.

"Detention for you, Mira," the teacher said sternly. "You can clean the sports store after school."

Mira groaned inwardly but nodded, resigning herself to the punishment. After a long day of classes, she found herself standing in the dimly lit storage room, surrounded by dusty equipment and old jerseys. She sighed, grabbing a mop and bucket to start cleaning, dreading the thought of staying late.

As she worked, she noticed a high rack filled with basketballs and old sports gear that needed organizing. Determined to finish quickly, she grabbed a ladder and climbed up to reach the top shelves.

"Just a little higher..." she muttered to herself, stretching for the last few items. Just as she reached for a basketball, the ladder wobbled beneath her, causing her to lose her balance.

"Mira!" a voice shouted, and before she could react, she felt strong hands grip her waist, pulling her back from the brink of disaster. She turned her head to see Ethan, his expression a mix of concern and amusement.

"Why am I always saving you from your own clumsiness?" he teased, a smirk tugging at the corners of his lips.

Their bodies were close, the sudden rush of adrenaline causing her heart to race. Mira could feel his heartbeat thumping against her side, a rhythm that matched her own frantic pulse. For a brief moment, time seemed to stand still. The world around them faded, and all she could focus on was the warmth of his hands on her waist and the intensity of his gaze.

"Uh, thanks for catching me," she stammered, her cheeks flushing.

Ethan chuckled softly, his eyes sparkling with mischief. "You know, I could get used to this. Maybe you should fall for me more often," he quipped, leaning in slightly, his breath brushing against her ear. "I promise to always catch you."

Mira's heart skipped a beat, caught off guard by his playful confidence. "Very funny," she replied, trying to mask her embarrassment with sarcasm. "Maybe I'll find a better way to make you pay attention."

"Hey, it worked, didn't it?" he shot back, still holding her as they both struggled to regain their composure. But just as the tension between them thickened, the moment was shattered by the sound of a door swinging open.

"Hey, what's going on in here?" a classmate called out, breaking the spell that had enveloped them.

Mira quickly stepped back, her cheeks burning as she straightened her clothes and brushed off the dust. "Just cleaning," she mumbled, avoiding eye contact with Ethan, who now wore a smug grin.

"Looks like you were getting a little too cozy," the boy joked, winking at them before walking away.

Ethan shrugged nonchalantly, his voice teasing. "I mean, who wouldn't want to get cozy with me?"

Mira rolled her eyes, though a smile tugged at her lips. "Very confident of you," she shot back, trying to regain her own bravado.

"Confidence is key, Mira. Remember that," he replied, his tone more serious for a moment, before his playful demeanor returned. "Now, let's see if you can keep your balance without me."

With that, he stepped back, allowing her to return to the task at hand, though the air between them still crackled with an unspoken tension. Mira's heart raced, a mixture of confusion and excitement swirling within her. She had never expected Ethan to be the one to catch her—not just physically, but in a moment that felt almost vulnerable.

As she continued cleaning, she couldn't shake the feeling of his hands on her waist or the way he had looked at her. Maybe beneath all the teasing and bullying, there was something more, something worth exploring. But for now, she pushed those thoughts aside, focusing instead on finishing her detention without any more mishaps.