The constant hum of chatter filled the classroom at Westridge High as Leon navigated his way to his seat. He kept his gaze lowered, preferring the solace of his thoughts to the trivial banter of his classmates.
Leon has black hair and a sharp, well-chiseled face, marking him as a confirmed loner.
His eyes were as sharp as those of an assassin, which wasn't surprising since his father was one, teaching his son martial arts from childhood until now. His family, the Ackermans, were not publicly known for their assassin profession, but they were quite notorious among the members of the underworld. Owing to the family secret, which he, as a member, was sworn to keep, Leon often kept to himself.
This made him a loner and a figure of mockery among his peers.
Today, however, unlike his usual secluded demeanor, an air of expectation surrounded him. Leon had made plans with his girlfriend, Lucy, a girl he had managed to muster the courage to hook up with, to meet after school.
As he slid into his seat, his best friend Jake leaned over from the next desk, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Heard you're planning something big for Lucy today," he whispered, nudging Leon's shoulder. "Got all the romantic gears turning, huh?"
Leon managed a tight-lipped smile, feeling the weight of the small, wrapped box in his jacket pocket. "Something like that," he replied, keeping his nerves under wraps.
Jake was a muscular, well-off guy, the son of mafia lords who controlled a hidden crime network. His family's notorious background made him one of the few who could understand Leon's complicated life. He and Lucy were Leon's only friends in this class.
Before Jake could probe further, Mrs. Henley, their literature teacher, clapped her hands for attention. "Alright, class, let's settle down. Today we're diving into 'Macbeth.' Pay close attention to the themes of ambition and betrayal—key elements that drive our tragic hero to his doom."
Leon's attention wavered as Mrs. Henley began her lecture. His mind drifted to the plans he had laid out for the afternoon. The irony of discussing betrayal on such a day didn't escape him, and a faint sense of unease tickled the back of his mind.
Halfway through the class, Lucy, who was seated across the room, caught his eye and flashed him a quick, secretive smile. His heart skipped a beat, and for a moment, all thoughts of Shakespeare's cautionary tales faded.
He scribbled a note on a scrap of paper and flicked it across the room when Mrs. Henley's back was turned. It landed neatly on Lucy's desk, who opened it and blushed upon reading the simple message:
"Can't wait for later."
The class dragged on, with spirited debates about loyalty and power. Leon found himself more engaged than usual. Though he didn't voice his thoughts, he internally argued that Macbeth's downfall was sealed the moment he decided to betray those who trusted him.
Raised on numerous tales of his parents' adventures as assassins, one story always stood out: they were once hired to eliminate a rich and powerful crime lord but were betrayed by their comrades who took the job with them. His parents had instilled in him a firm belief—one they repeated often: a betrayer should never go scot-free, no matter their reasons. Someone who can betray once wouldn't hesitate to do it again.
The bell finally rang, releasing them. Leon hurriedly packed his books, eager to meet Lucy. As he and Jake walked out, Jake nudged him again. "You seem off today, man. Nervous about the big reveal?"
"Just want it to be perfect," Leon confessed, adjusting the box in his pocket.
"You've got this. Lucy's lucky to have you," Jake clapped him on the back, parting ways at the hallway.
Leon's steps quickened as he made his way to the secluded spot behind the gymnasium. The old oak tree stood like a silent sentinel, waiting to witness what was meant to be a beautiful moment between the young couple.
But as he approached, his world came crashing down. There, in the dimming light of the day, was Lucy, intimately locked in a passionate kiss with Mark, a popular notorious flirt from their class. The sight of them together, so entangled, shattered everything.
The laughter and distant voices of departing students seemed to fade into a hollow silence. Leon felt a chill creep up his spine, a mix of shock, pain, and a rising, dark anger—a bloodline trait inherited from his parents. He stood there, watching as Mark's hands wandered with familiarity over Lucy as they kissed ever so passionately
Leon's thoughts spiraled, his earlier anticipation turning into a corrosive mix of betrayal and rage. The gift he had brought for Lucy—a delicate necklace—felt heavy in his pocket, its intended meaning now shattered. His gaze was filled with murderous intent, but still, he summoned every ounce of willpower not to attack but to observe a little more.
"Wow, quite the firecracker, aren't you? Does your 'boyfriend' know you kiss like this?" Mark teased with a roguish grin, his hand daringly sliding down to cup her lower back.
Lucy laughed, a flirtatious sparkle in her eyes. "Him? Oh, he's just a loner. I was just using him to get closer to someone like you. He's pretty clueless, thinks I'm meeting him here for a date or something." She moved in closer, her voice dropping to a sultry whisper. "But I'm here for the excitement, the thrill... you know, someone who really knows how to keep things interesting."
Frozen, Leon watched as Mark leaned in to whisper something that made Lucy laugh—a sound that twisted the knife deeper into Leon's heart.
Rage boiled over, obliterating reason.
With that, Lucy pulled Mark into another deep, lingering kiss. By now, Leon had utterly lost it.
Now that he thought about it, the spot they'd chosen—a secluded corner behind the gymnasium known for its quiet—had been suggested by Lucy for their supposed romantic rendezvous. What if Lucy was a sadist who had purposely set this as a stage for his heartbreak?
As he thought of this, he lost all sense of reasoning, completely overwhelmed with anger...
He stepped forward, propelled by anger he couldn't control. Gravel crunched under his feet, a sound loud enough to startle the entwined couple. Lucy's eyes widened in shock as she pushed Mark away, her lips forming Leon's name in a stammered whisper.
"Leon, I—I can explain," she stuttered, her face pale, her eyes darting nervously.
Mark straightened up, smirking arrogantly. "What's the big deal, man? It's just a bit of fun."
Fun. The word echoed mockingly in Leon's head.