The next morning, Khaled woke up unusually energetic and excited.
For the first time in a long while, he felt like he had a reason to look forward to the new day. He dressed quickly, ate his breakfast in a hurry, and set off to school with brisk steps and a hopeful look in his eyes. The cold breeze brushed against his face, and the gentle sunlight bathed the streets, as if the world around him shared his newfound optimism.
As he approached the school, he noticed that the hallways were more crowded than usual, with scattered whispers echoing here and there. At first, he didn't pay much attention, assuming it was just the usual morning noise. But the moment he stepped through the main gate, he felt that something was off.
Eyes started turning toward him, whispers turned into muffled giggles, and some students exchanged suspicious glances.
Khaled stopped in the middle of the hallway, his gaze shifting between the watching faces. He didn't understand what was going on until he heard a group of girls whispering loud enough for him to catch:
"Have you heard the rumors?"
"Yeah, they say Sarah is dating Khaled!"
"No way! That weirdo? How could she possibly go out with him?"
"I wouldn't have believed it either if I hadn't seen the pictures… They were eating together and laughing like close friends."
The girls' words struck Khaled like a lightning bolt. Who spread this? Who dared to take pictures of me with Sarah and spread such lies? He muttered under his breath, clenching his fists tightly. He had no idea how to react. The thought that Sarah might be affected by this weighed on him more than anything else.
Taking a deep breath, as if trying to make sense of the situation, he steadied himself and turned toward the classroom. He had to talk to her, understand what was happening.
Maybe they could laugh about the rumors together or find a way to handle the situation.
Khaled entered the classroom hesitantly, gathering his courage. His mind was drowning in questions, all revolving around Sarah. Would she understand him? Would she believe him? His eyes scanned the room quickly until he found her. She was sitting alone at the back, her posture slightly hunched.
As he walked toward her, his steps felt heavier with each passing second. But when he reached her desk, his breath caught in his throat.
The desk and chair were covered in scribbled insults. Each one felt like a dagger:
"The weirdo and the freak… a perfect couple!"
"I hope they both die together. The world doesn't need more lunatics."
Khaled froze, the words before him crawling like venomous snakes toward his heart. Rage bubbled inside him, but he felt powerless in front of these cruel messages, etched as if meant to last forever.
With a quiet voice and troubled eyes, he broke the silence: "Sarah… I'm sorry about all this. I really… don't know what to do. But don't worry, we'll find a way to deal with these ridiculous rumors."
But he didn't notice the growing tension inside Sarah.
Cautiously, he raised his hand, trying to wipe off one of the writings with his thumb, a faint smile on his face.
Sarah slowly lifted her eyes, hesitation filling them. Inside her, thoughts clashed wildly.
"How can I hurt him? But he doesn't know how scared I am. Adam is serious… He's a psychopath who will do anything to satisfy his ego. What if Khaled gets hurt because of me? What if my feelings bring him suffering?"
Adam's threats echoed in her mind:
"Sarah… I clearly remember warning you to stay away from Khaled, but you acted like my words were just a joke. And now, look at where your stubbornness has led you. And if you think this is the worst I can do—if you think spreading some silly rumors is all I'm capable of—" he chuckled darkly, " trust me, you're completely wrong."
Adam slammed his palm against the desk, his sharp eyes drilling into hers:
"I'll say this one last time—if you don't stay away from Khaled, I will make both of your lives a living hell. I'm serious, Sarah. I'll start with you first. I know exactly how much Khaled cares about you… and I know even better how much he'll suffer watching you break while being completely powerless to stop it."
Snapping back to the present, Sarah felt suffocated. But she decided to do what she thought was best to protect both Khaled and herself.
With a cold voice, masking the pain behind it, she said: "Khaled… I just want you to stay away from me. That's all."
Her words cut through Khaled like a blade. He was completely taken aback by the harsh tone.
"Sarah…" he whispered, as if pleading for an explanation.
But her voice shut him down: "I told you… I'm not in the mood. I don't want to talk. Just leave me alone."
With a face full of shock, Khaled stepped back, stunned by her coldness. He stared at her for a few moments, waiting for her to look at him, to explain—but she didn't. Instead, she kept her eyes fixed on the desk, refusing to acknowledge his presence.
Something inside him felt like it shattered. The words he wanted to say stuck in his throat.
He recalled every memory he had with Sarah—how she defended him, their laughter, the small conversations that brightened his dark days. For the first time, he had found someone who truly valued and accepted him.
And now, realizing that he might lose that person, an unbearable loneliness settled in his chest.
He didn't say another word. He just turned away and walked out slowly, his steps heavy, as if the ground itself was pulling him down.
Sarah, still staring at the desk, felt her tears threatening to spill. She watched his retreating back, barely holding back a sob. She knew she had hurt him, but she saw no other choice.
She whispered to herself, her voice trembling: "I'm sorry, Khaled… but I don't want to be the reason for more of your suffering."
As for Khaled, the darkness that haunted him grew even thicker. The scribbled insults on the desk remained burned in his mind—just like Sarah's cold words.
He left the classroom, wandering through the hallways like a ghost, not looking at anyone.
As he was drowning in his thoughts, Adam appeared before him, accompanied by his gang. They stood in the middle of the hallway, exchanging amused glances.
Adam flashed a wide grin, winked provocatively, then burst into laughter—a cold, cruel laugh, as if he was trying to humiliate him even more.
At that moment, Khaled felt his patience completely snap. He could no longer endure their mockery or bullying.
"Oh, Khaled, you seem to care a lot about people's stares these days! Is it because of your girlfriend?" Adam said, his voice dripping with challenge, enjoying his taunt.
Khaled froze for a moment, his eyes locking onto Adam. Something boiled inside him—rage surging to its peak. He couldn't take it anymore.
Without thinking, he lunged at Adam, his eyes blazing with fury, shouting, "You bastard! Why are you doing this to me? Don't you ever get tired? Leave me alone, or I'll kill you!"
But Adam only laughed harder, his eyes gleaming with contempt. "Go on, you cursed wretch."
Khaled's fist crashed directly into Adam's face. But instead of anger, Adam's lips curled into a devious smile. Khaled noticed this and immediately sensed something was wrong.
The next moment, the world spun around him—one of Adam's friends had grabbed him forcefully from behind and slammed him onto the ground with brutal strength.
A muffled groan escaped Khaled as he struggled to rise, but he couldn't. Kicks and fists rained down on him from every angle, his body absorbing every vicious blow.
"Make sure not to hit the face," Adam ordered coldly, wiping the blood trickling from his mouth after the first punch.
Their mocking voices echoed in his ears with every strike, pain surging through his body like an endless stab.
"Have you finally lost your mind, you idiot?" one of them sneered, delivering a sharp kick to Khaled's stomach.
"Who would've thought this loser would dare to fight back?" another taunted, grabbing him by the hair and jerking his head back.
His vision blurred, their voices fading as if coming from a great distance. The last thing he saw before blacking out was Adam's twisted smirk and the laughter of his gang. Then, the world dimmed into deep, silent darkness.
The darkness gradually receded as his consciousness returned.
He lay sprawled on the cold ground, his head pounding with an unbearable ache. Slowly, he opened his eyes. The wind stung his face, and the sound of rustling leaves filled his ears. He tried to move, but the pain in his body held him down for a few moments. Minutes passed before he managed to stand, staggering, leaning against a nearby wall to regain his balance.
With slow, heavy steps, he started walking away, ignoring the echoes of laughter and whispers still ringing in his ears like a distant echo.
His steps dragged toward home, burdened as if carrying the weight of the entire world on his shoulders. His eyes were void of life, veiled in darkness that concealed a smoldering ember of repressed fury. His lips pressed into a silent, tense line, and his breaths remained trapped in his chest, his frustration pulsing through every heartbeat.
As soon as he opened the door to his house, his mother noticed his arrival. She offered a cautious smile and said, "You're finally home, Khaled! You were out late today… Were you with your friends?"
Her voice held a mix of reassurance and expectation, but Khaled didn't respond. Her words brushed past his ears like a cold breeze, devoid of meaning. He trudged toward the stairs without uttering a word.
She took a hesitant step toward him before speaking again, her tone warmer this time. "Khaled… are you okay? If something is bothering you, you can talk to me."
Khaled stopped for a brief moment but didn't turn around. His voice was quiet, almost hollow. "I'm just tired… I want to sleep."
His mother froze in place, concern growing in her expression as she watched him ascend the stairs. Something was wrong, but she didn't want to push him.
The silence didn't last long. Suddenly, her phone rang—it was a call from the school. Her expression shifted the moment she heard the news.
Minutes later, she knocked on his door with an uncharacteristically firm tone. "Khaled, open the door. We need to talk. Now."
Khaled lifted his head from the pillow, startled by her tone. He dragged his feet to the door and opened it slowly. His mother stood there, her face a mix of anger and worry.
"What's going on with you, Khaled? The school called. They told me you got into a fight and used foul language."
Khaled froze, his mind immediately recalling Adam's smug face and sinister smile. His voice was tense as he said, "I didn't start anything… They provoked me until I lost control."
His mother let out a slow sigh, trying to keep her composure. "Khaled, I know things aren't always fair. But you can't let people push you into actions you'll regret. Life isn't easy, but it teaches us patience."
Frustrated, Khaled snapped, "Then what do you want me to do? Smile in their faces and pretend everything is fine? That's not me, Mom. I tried that before, and it just made me feel like I was losing myself."
She gently placed a hand on his shoulder and said, "I don't want you to be someone you're not, Khaled. But strength isn't just about fighting back—it's about knowing when and how to respond. Some emotions aren't worth showing to those who don't deserve them."
Khaled fell silent, lost in thought. Then, in a quieter voice, he said, "Maybe you're right… I'll try to be more careful."
His mother smiled softly and patted his shoulder. "That's all I ask. Now, let's go to the school and sort this out. And in the future, I want you to be wiser."
He looked at her, his eyes a bit calmer than before, and said, "Alright, Mom."
She returned his gaze with a reassuring smile. "Good. Let's go."
With a quiet sorrow, Khaled agreed to go with his mother, but inside, he was boiling. His silence was heavy throughout the journey to the principal's office, his violent thoughts simmering. Something inside him warned that the next moment would be harsh.
When they arrived, the principal greeted them with formal words, saying, "Please, have a seat." He cast a quick glance at Khaled before turning to his mother. "Mrs. Al-Mansour, I believe you know why we've called you here, don't you?"
His mother responded with tense confidence, "I heard that Khaled was involved in a fight, but I'm sure there's a misunderstanding. My son isn't aggressive."
The principal remained calm but spoke more seriously. "I wish it were a misunderstanding, but we have witnesses… and undeniable evidence."
She leaned back slightly in her chair, concern washing over her face. "Evidence? What do you mean?"
The principal pulled out his phone and played a video, saying, "This footage documents what happened."
His mother watched in shock. The clip showed Khaled approaching Adam, yelling, "You bastard! You again?! Why do you keep messing with me? Leave me alone, or I'll kill you!" Then, a clear punch landed on Adam's face.
His mother covered her mouth, whispering, "Oh my God… Khaled." She couldn't find words to justify what she had just seen.
The principal ended the video and firmly stated, "Mrs. Al-Mansour, based on this unacceptable behavior, the school has decided to suspend Khaled for a week. We cannot tolerate violence in any form."
His mother shot up from her seat. "Suspension? A whole week? Isn't that excessive? Khaled has never caused trouble before! How can you punish him like this without considering the full context?"
The principal responded in a composed, official tone. "Mrs. Al-Mansour, we do take students' past behavior into account. If Khaled weren't known for his discipline, the punishment would have been harsher. This decision isn't just a punishment; it's an opportunity for Khaled to reflect on his actions and correct them."
As the principal spoke, Khaled sat in dark silence, glaring at him with disdain. His thoughts burned with anger: "An opportunity to reflect? To correct my actions? Where was this system when I was being humiliated day after day? Why am I the one at fault now? Damn this system, and everyone in it!"
His fist clenched so tightly that his mother sensed he was on the verge of an outburst. She tried to intervene. "Principal, please reconsider. Khaled wasn't the aggressor here!"
But before the principal could reply, Khaled cut in with a dry voice. "It's fine, Mom. I've heard enough. Just one week, right? Let's go."
He turned away without looking at the principal or even his mother and walked out of the office with heavy steps.
His mother stood in shock for a moment before hurrying after him, feeling that something inside her son had shattered.
When they reached home, he said quietly, "I need some time alone, Mom."
She paused, studying his exhausted features. There was something in his voice, in the way his shoulders slumped, that made her feel this was more serious than it seemed. But she didn't want to pressure him further. Forcing a smile, she said, "Alright, Khaled. Take your time… but I'm here, always here if you need me."
She watched him climb the stairs slowly, a pang in her chest. "Khaled… I know you don't want to talk right now, but… I want you to know that I see you. I see you carrying so much inside. And I'm here to share that burden."
Khaled turned to his mother, speaking softly while avoiding her gaze, "Thank you, Mom. I appreciate your concern, but I'll be fine." With slow steps, he continued toward his room.
His mother sat alone, overwhelmed by a deep sense of helplessness. She thought of her late husband—how much she needed him now. She felt like Khaled, her only son, was standing on the edge of something dangerous, and she had no idea how to pull him back.
In his darkened room, Khaled sat, surrounded by a suffocating silence. The air felt heavy, as if the walls were closing in on him with every passing second. His shaky breaths were the only sound filling the void, echoing within him like a whisper in a deep cave. Anger, sadness, and despair swirled inside him like a storm with no escape.
He closed his eyes, but there was no refuge. Inside him, he lived in two worlds, both collapsing in their own way.
Khaled no longer needed a pen or paper to escape into his imaginary world; everything was alive inside him now. The details pulsed in his mind, as if the air around him was tearing apart to reveal another realm—a world of chaos and conflict.
In that world, things were catastrophic. A dark sky loomed over the village, and the wind howled as if it carried his inner turmoil. At the village's edge, Noor and his friends stood against an army of monsters unlike anything they had ever faced—creatures with glowing eyes and fangs that gleamed like steel.
Noor shouted at his companions: "Stay together! Don't split up!"
But things were spiraling out of control. The ground beneath them exploded, and screams of pain and fear echoed everywhere.
The fiercer the battle became, the more Khaled felt its weight pressing on his chest, as if every blow Noor took left a scar on him. Noor, the symbol of strength and resilience he had always relied on, now looked fragile, bound by an unforgiving reality.
The fight was more than just fantasy; it was a reflection of Khaled's own struggles—his battles with himself, the bullies, and the injustice he felt.
In a moment of weakness, Noor fell to his knees, blood dripping from his wounds. Yet, he lifted his head stubbornly, staring at the approaching beast. "I won't give up… not now!" he declared, his voice broken but his eyes filled with determination.
Tears slipped down Khaled's cheeks before he even realized it. Noor's weakness was a mirror of his own pain, his suffocating fear present in both worlds. Deep inside, he wished Noor could fight in his place, that Noor could achieve victory in his world to compensate for Khaled's own failures in reality.
But the more hopeless Khaled felt, the worse things became in Noor's world. Darkness spread into every corner, disasters unfolded, and his friends began to fall one by one. It was no longer just a fantasy; it had become a living nightmare, feeding on Khaled's suffering.
Suddenly, Khaled stood up from his bed, as if trying to break this invisible link. "Enough!" he shouted, his voice trembling. But he knew no one could hear him. Noor was alone in this battle, just as he was.
He sank to the floor, burying his head in his hands, desperately trying to quiet the chaos in his mind. But he knew the truth too well: as long as his pain remained, Noor would never find peace. And the only way to save both worlds was to face his demons in reality.
Khaled's emotions reflected clearly in Noor's world—darkness was consuming everything, bringing forth destruction and despair were befalling their village.