At about 2 p.m. in the afternoon, the sun was hanging bright in the sky at Diamond High School; its golden rays spilled through the glass panes into classroom 3C. Outside, birds melodiously chirped songs to serenade their newly hatched young. A gentle breeze weaved its way into the classroom, carrying stray leaves that brushed against the window. Inside, a boy sat by the window, his head resting on his right hand, his elbow propped lazily on the desk, with an average yet defined muscular frame.
His gaze wandered far beyond the classroom, lost in the open sky, while faint murmurs of his classmates filled the background like an inconsequential hum. Yet, he paid no heed to their discussions as his mind wandered to fragments of his past, heavy as a storm cloud.
Suddenly, the serenity was shattered when, with the reverberation of a gunshot, the door of the classroom swung open with a bang. A tall figure with dark, unkempt hair stormed in; heavy footsteps pounded against the tiled floor with intimidating purpose.
The air in the room grew thick as he strode up to a timid boy beside the window. This over-spectacled lad sat with his head low and his eyes shielded by his bangs, which were pretty overgrown. The commotion yanked Felix-what a name for an unhappy boy like him at the window-from his thoughts, and his head turned sharply to witness the unfolding scene.
The intruder, a brute with bulging muscles, seized the boy in glasses by the front of his shirt and yanked him upward as though he weighed nothing. His left arm bulged with restrained violence as he bellowed, his voice like a thunderclap, "I told you to bring me five bottles of milk and some biscuits!" He raised his right fist, pulling his elbow back, a menacing shadow of fury.
The bespectacled boy stammered, his voice shaking with desperation. "I. I'm out of money! There's nothing on me right now." His words were like whispers in the roaring tide-they had little effect on cooling the rage of this bully.
A wave of fear disrupted the class. Girls scampered to the back, their hands quivering, clamped over their mouths as eyes wide with terror; equally terrified, boys hunched their heads down, feigning interest in their textbooks, not wanting to be on the bully's radar. Felix, however, was probably the only one who remained totally undisturbed; his gaze softened in pity as he watched the whole scene unfold.
His right fist shot straight for the bespectacled boy's face, but before he could hit him, a voice sliced through like a blade.
"Don't you think it's pitiful of you to bully the weak?
The words were given out in a soft and matter-of-fact tone, wherein the sinister smirk spread across his face. They froze the bully in mid-punch, inches from his target, who slowly turned, his raging eyes locking onto Felix now-looking casual amidst the tension of the room.
This provocation sent the bully's temper soaring. With a growl, he tossed the boy in glasses back onto his chair and then, leaping over the desk, closed the gap that separated him from Felix in one bound.
"I've dealt with fools like you before, playing the hero, and they always land up crushed beneath my fists," the bully spat, his voice dripping with venom. The other two, who had stationed themselves at the door of the classroom to block his escape, chuckled darkly in unison, the laughter sounding like the distant rumble of thunder.
Felix remained unfazed, his smirk widening. "And I've smashed plenty of arrogant people like you, people who think they hold the world in their palm." His tone was light, almost mocking, as he leaned lazily against the desk.
In one flash, the bully's furor exploded like a volcano. Once more, his right fist was raised and would have delivered the blow, but commotion at the door attracted the attention of all. Simultaneously, Felix and the bully turned toward the door, their eyes wide with wonder.
The two flunkeys who were standing before the door to block it with impertinent looks quickly gave way, with their self-importance bursting like mist. A young lady entered, and all eyes in the room were hers for the asking. She was drop-dead gorgeous, her long, shining, crimson hair cascading down her back like liquid fire, catching the sunbeams that streamed through the windows.
Her piercing crimson eyes sparkled like gemstones, but the coldness of her gaze could freeze even the bravest of souls. She walked in with an air of polished confidence: the tick of her heels on the floor was like time marking a countdown, a continuous reminder of her command.
The black suit caressed the curve of her ample frame as her full chest heaved to the rise and fall of regular, deep breaths. The tension dissolved, and there was an awed quiet, as if even her mere presence breathed life again into the shaken students.
She stopped, her sharp eyes scanning the room to come to rest on the two boys in the center of the fracas. Her voice was cold, controlled, and sliced through the silence. "When will you boys learn to act your age and not disturb the peace of this school?
The bully, momentarily robbed of his bravado, forced a wide grin, rubbing his hands nervously together. "You don't have to worry. I was just… educating a couple of ignorant fools."
The corners of Felix's lips curled upward in amusement. "Funny, this is the first time I've heard of a fool trying to educate others."
The bully's face darkened, his mouth opening to retort, but the woman's voice sliced through his attempt.
"Enough. Shut up, both of you." She turned to the bully, her crimson gaze pinning him in place. "You. Leave this classroom and go back to yours."
There was a flash of confusion in the bully's eyes, but he dare not go against her words. He staggered a little, his pride burning as he went toward the door. Turning at the threshold, he turned to fix Felix with his gaze; very deliberately, he raised his hand, pointing two fingers at his eyes and then at Felix-a silent threat of revenge. Then he was gone.
The woman's gaze darted to Felix; her tone was softer now but unwavering. "And you. Playing the hero does not suit you. Mind your studies."
Felix blinked. He had not expected her to say that. And with that said, she turned and walked away from the classroom, the length of crimson hair upon her head gleaming under the sun like a comet tail disappearing over the horizon.
For a moment, Felix stood there, rooted to the spot. His cheeks flushed faintly, betraying his thoughts. This was only the second time she had spoken to him. The first was during class activities when they'd accidentally bumped into each other, causing her books to spill across the floor. He had helped her gather them, their hands brushing briefly.
Now, with the classroom abuzz once more, Felix sat down, a ghost of a smile still playing on his lips.