The quite girl

02.The Badboy

Levi sat at the back of the classroom, looking out the window. He wore his black leather jacket, looking like the classic bad boy. To his classmates, he seemed cool and tough, but inside, he felt empty.

At home, life was hard. His father was an alcoholic, coming home late and angry. Levi learned to stay out of the way, hiding to avoid problems. Without a mother—who died when he was young—he felt very alone. He had to grow up fast and take care of himself.

During lunch, he sat with his friends, laughing and joking. They thought he was strong, but inside, he felt like a ghost. He didn't care about school or the future; he just wanted to get through the day without being noticed.

Levi often sketched in a small notebook. Drawing helped him escape and express feelings he couldn't say out loud. He didn't want to be an artist; it was just a way to cope with his life.

One day, he noticed Naila sitting alone at a nearby table. She looked sad, and he felt annoyed. Why was she always around? He didn't understand why she cared so much about her art.

As the days went by, Naila kept showing up in the library, painting or sketching. To Levi, she was just another student he didn't care about. He had his own problems, and he didn't want to deal with hers.

One afternoon, Naila came up to him. "What are you drawing?" she asked, her voice hopeful.

He looked at her, feeling irritated. "Just stuff," he said, turning his notebook away. He didn't want her curiosity. Why did she have to bother him?

"It looks interesting," Naila said, trying to see his work.

Levi rolled his eyes. "I don't need your opinion," he snapped. He didn't want to talk. He didn't care what she thought.

As Naila walked away, he felt a mix of annoyance and relief. He reminded himself that he didn't need anyone else, especially not Naila. She was just another face in the crowd, and he wanted to keep his distance. He would face his problems alone, just like he always had.