Fabien stared at René with wide eyes as they stood inches apart from each other. The small boy's head barely made it to his chin as he slowly backed off. René squinted his eyes and grinned at Fabien. He knew the bully enjoyed watching him twitch and tremble in his presence, almost suffocating him with his stare.
"Move, sh*thead..", he said, banging on the locker just inches beside Fabien's head. The fragile boy widened his eyes as he instantly moved out of Renés way. He forgot that he was standing right in front of his locker. The last thing he wanted to do was get on Renés bad side. The bully had many older kids as friends and for some reason could do worse than teasing him with just his stares. On the first day of school, René rather ignored Fabian like the pest. Now that he's thinking about it, it was more comfortable compared to now.
Fabien sighed as he backed off from René.
"René should calm his big man boobs..", Vivian suddenly said, approaching Fabien from behind. Max also appeared from the side as he ducked over at Vivian's shoulder.
"Yeah, but don't forget that he lost his uncle by a car crash. I'm so glad that he didn't start to throw punches at every kid he meets.", he whispered to them and Vivian rolled her eyes.
"But he always has been like that. He is just being more obnoxious than ever.", she said, shrugging her shoulders. Fabien looked ahead while slouching with his shoulders. He began to rub his forehead, sighing in distress.
"I have a feeling... He didn't quite like me from the start, right? As if I am his personal target.", he said, looking at his friends. Max's face lightened up with a bright teasing grin.
"That's because you're popular with the girls!", he straight up said, making Fabien stare at him in surprise. He didn't expect to hear that from him but also didn't take it too seriously.
"What the... I don't think he hates me just because I'm good with the girls.", he said, looking dumbfounded. Vivian leaned against his shoulder as she nodded at Max.
"It's René after all. Plus you're rich and clothe yourself nice! René could only dream of it. He's always been a bit jealous of others..", she said, agreeing with him. They continued to laugh at René and they didn't notice someone approaching them from afar.
"Fabien... I heard my brother let his anger out on you in the morning. I hope you're alright.", they said, catching everyone's attention. Fabien widened his eyes as he turned to a blond-haired girl with similar grey eyes. She was the definition of beauty with a hint of softness. Fabien didn't realize he was just staring at her the whole time until Max bumped at him to say something.
"We’ll leave you guys alone.", Max continued saying out of nowhere, pushing Vivian away. Vivian protested but eventually couldn't go against Max's push. That girl was a little oblivious of what was happening. Fabien was now alone with René’s sister, Christine. He saw her friends giggle from afar and Fabien was nervous about it.
"Nothing to worry about. At least, he didn't punch me...", Fabien said, rubbing the back of his head. Or I would've lost it.
Christine sent him a weak smile as they began to walk together down to the hall.
"If something makes you feel uncomfortable, you can tell me anytime! I have kind of a weakness for new kids... How are you catching up with school by the way?", she suddenly asked, staring intensely at Fabien. The boy looked away to the floor, trying to avoid her glimmering eyes.
"I.. Don't really like the school so far.", he sighed, slouching his shoulders. He looked at Christine who made a worried expression but after a while, her eyes lit up.
"You came from West Belsart, right? I always wanted to go to that school... My friend moved there and their cafeteria food is the best! Unlike this boring farm hole here, yikes.", she said, beaming at him. He widened his eyes and couldn't help but chuckle a bit by her expression. She cringed just by the thought of the food in the cafeteria and Fabien couldn't blame her. The food in his old school was more dazzling to look at.
