Chapter 5: Bullying
The next morning, Xavier woke up to the harsh reality of his new life. He got dressed, his body still sore from the previous day's beating. As he entered the academy, he felt a sense of dread. He knew what awaited him, but he had no choice but to face it.
Lucas and his friends seemed to be everywhere Xavier went, their presence a constant, ominous shadow. The hallways, once bustling with the chatter of students, fell silent as Xavier walked through, the weight of unspoken threats hanging heavy in the air.
In the morning, as Xavier made his way to his first class, he felt a sharp shove from behind. He stumbled forward, catching himself just before he hit the ground. Turning around, he saw Lucas and the others smirking, their eyes cold and unyielding.
"Watch where you're going, village rat," Lucas sneered, pushing past him.
Xavier's heart pounded in his chest, a mix of fear and anger coursing through him. He quickly made his way to class, hoping to find some respite, but the torment followed him even there.
During the lecture, Xavier tried to focus on the professor's words, but his mind was a whirlwind of anxiety. He felt a sudden, sharp pain in his back as something hard and pointed jabbed into him. He winced, turning to see Ethan sitting behind him, a malicious grin on his face, holding a sharpened pencil.
"Oops, my hand slipped," Ethan said, feigning innocence.
The professor glanced up briefly but said nothing, turning back to the lecture as if nothing had happened. Xavier gritted his teeth, trying to hold back the tears that threatened to spill over.
At lunch, Xavier tried to find a quiet corner to eat alone, but Lucas and the others found him quickly. They surrounded him, their voices low and threatening.
"You think you can hide from us?"
Before Xavier could react, Ethan grabbed his tray and dumped the food onto Xavier's lap. The hot liquid scalded his skin, and he let out a cry of pain. The cafeteria fell silent for a moment, but no one intervened.