The library was quiet, but Janice was anything but. Her fingers flew across the keyboard of her laptop, a devilish grin playing on her lips. Avery sat beside her, anxiously bouncing her knee.
“Janice, are you sure about this?” Avery asked, her voice tinged with worry.
“Positive,” Janice replied without looking up. “Ryan needs a taste of his own medicine. And trust me, this is perfect.”
Avery sighed, glancing around nervously as if someone might catch them. “What if it makes things worse? He already hates me enough.”
Janice paused, finally meeting Avery’s eyes. “Aves, listen to me. Guys like Ryan only stop when someone puts them in their place. You’re too good to let him walk all over you. Now, trust me, okay?”
Before Avery could protest further, Janice clicked the final button. On the screen was a grainy video of Ryan fumbling a football during practice, tripping over his own feet and landing face-first on the field. Janice had added slow-motion effects and a caption that read: “King of the Field? More like King of the Faceplant.”
Janice smirked. “And… it’s live.”
Avery groaned, burying her face in her hands. “Oh no. This is a bad idea.”
“It’s a great idea,” Janice corrected, leaning back in her chair. “Just wait. By lunchtime, everyone will have seen it.”
By the time gym class rolled around, the video had indeed gone viral. Students whispered and chuckled in corners, their phones discreetly tucked away. Ryan’s usual swagger seemed slightly less confident as he walked into the gym, his jaw tight.
Avery tried to stay invisible as always, but her nerves were on edge. She could feel the tension in the air.
“Alright, everyone,” the gym coach called, clapping his hands. “We’re doing relay races today. Pair up and get ready.”
Avery paired up with a quiet girl who seemed just as uninterested in gym as she was. They were placed at the back of the line, which suited her just fine.
But Ryan had other plans.
“Hey, Deveraux!” he called out, his voice cutting through the chatter.
Avery froze, her stomach sinking. She turned slowly, finding Ryan smirking at her from the front of the line. His friends snickered behind him.
“Think you’ll actually finish the race, or are you gonna slow everyone down like always?” he said, loud enough for the entire class to hear.
Laughter rippled through the gym, and Avery’s face burned. She looked at the coach, hoping for intervention, but he was busy fiddling with the timer.
“Ignore him,” her partner whispered, but Avery felt glued to the spot, unable to look away from Ryan’s mocking grin.
“I mean, maybe we should make it a walking race just for you,” Ryan continued, his tone dripping with fake concern. “Wouldn’t want you to trip and hurt yourself. Again.”
Janice, who was across the room, stormed over, her eyes blazing. “Shut your mouth, Hayes,” she snapped, standing between him and Avery. “We all know you’re just mad because you’re the school’s biggest joke right now.”
Ryan’s smirk faltered, but he quickly recovered. “Joke? Oh, I’m not the one huffing and puffing after one lap around the track. Maybe Deveraux can borrow my football for practice. She’s shaped like one anyway.”
Gasps filled the gym, and Avery felt tears prick her eyes.
“That’s enough!” Janice yelled, shoving Ryan’s chest. “You think you’re untouchable? You’re going to regret this, Hayes.”
Ryan chuckled, stepping back. “Bring it on, Jan. This isn’t over.”
Janice turned to Avery, her jaw clenched. “He’s going to pay for this,” she said fiercely. “This isn’t over.”
After gym class, Avery retreated to the farthest corner of the locker room, wiping her eyes quickly before anyone could see. She grabbed her bag and slipped out before Janice could catch up, needing a moment alone.
She walked toward the courtyard, her head down, when a soft voice called out.
“Hey, Avery!”
She turned and saw Ezra, a quiet but friendly classmate, jogging to catch up with her. He wasn’t someone she interacted with much, but he had always seemed kind.
“Are you okay?” he asked, his brown eyes filled with genuine concern.
Avery shrugged, not trusting herself to speak without crying.
Ezra hesitated, then added gently, “I saw what Ryan said back there. He’s an idiot. Don’t listen to him.”
“That’s easier said than done,” Avery mumbled, looking away.
“I mean it,” Ezra said firmly. “You’re smart, and honestly, you’re way better than this place. Half the people here only care about superficial nonsense, but you’re… different. In a good way.”
Avery blinked, caught off guard by the unexpected compliment. “You think so?”
“Absolutely,” Ezra said with a small smile. “Ryan picks on you because he knows you’re better than him. People like him always go after the ones who make them feel small.”
Avery felt her chest tighten, but this time it wasn’t from embarrassment. She managed a faint smile. “Thanks, Ezra. That… means a lot.”
“Anytime,” he said, giving her a warm look.
But before Avery could say more, her gaze shifted behind Ezra, and her heart sank.
Across the courtyard, Ryan stood with his arms crossed, glaring at them. His jaw was tight, and his eyes were locked on Ezra with an intensity that made her stomach churn.