On Tuesday morning, the class group chat was a battlefield of emojis and mockery.
Lina had barely turned on her phone when messages flooded the screen.
A new picture. Blurry, shaky, but clear enough: a ring, harsh light, a silhouette in motion – broad shoulders, the outline of a punch.
Underneath, a text from Jana:
"Our School Knight is apparently earning some extra pocket money 💸🥊."
Comments below:
Mia – 🔥🔥 so hot
Kevin – That guy's totally nuts
A few laughing emojis, a skull, a heart.
Lina stared at the display, her heart heavy as stone.
The sound of blood in her ears was louder than the break bell.
Her fingers trembled as she locked her phone.
She wanted to throw it into her locker, anywhere nobody would find it – but the words were already stuck under her skin.
---
The assembly hall was louder than usual.
Rain drummed against the windows, students pushed through the hallways, voices echoed.
