Chapter 2: The Theatre of Intimidation
Julian didn't like the silence. He wanted a reaction—a sob, a plea, a flicker of panic. He leaned in closer, invading Liam’s space, his cologne cloying and heavy. Around them, the classmates pulled out their smartphones, ready to capture the moment Liam would inevitably crumble. It was the latest trend at Blackwood: bullying as entertainment, broadcasted to the digital elite.
"Did you hear me, Liam?" Julian smirked, his eyes glinting with malice. "You don't belong in our world. You’re a placeholder, a statistical error. Do everyone a favor and walk out the door before security has to drag you out."
The laughter from the back row intensified. One girl, a social media influencer with a million followers, adjusted her phone, zooming in on Liam’s face to capture the ‘pathetic’ look she expected to find.
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Liam finally stopped writing. He slowly closed his notebook. He didn’t look frightened, nor did he look angry. He looked profoundly disappointed, as if he were a man watching a small child throw a tantrum over a toy he didn't understand.
"You’ve been rehearsing that line all morning, haven't you, Julian?" Liam’s voice was soft, cutting through the murmurs like a scalpel. He didn't flinch. He didn't even blink. He calmly reached into his worn denim pocket. The room went dead silent.
