The tension hung thick in the air as the older boy's sneer deepened, his fists clenching at his sides. The group of villagers behind him seemed to hold their breath, their eyes darting between Theron and their leader, unsure of what would happen next.
Charlize's grip on Theron's arm tightened, silently pleading for him to de-escalate the situation, but Theron's eyes remained locked on the boy, unwavering.
"Jealous? You think this is about jealousy?" The older boy spat on the ground, his voice filled with hatred. "You've got no idea what it's like to live here, scraping by just to survive. We don't need your pity, and we sure as hell don't need your arrogance."
'I'm the arrogant one now?' Theron asked himself in disbelief. It was funny thinking that they could say words like that when it was them who initiated the fight, leading to where they were now.
