Bully Lord

Part-12

The familiar halls of James' school felt suffocating this morning. Every corner held the potential for a hidden threat, every face a mask concealing a possible bully. He considered skipping school altogether, seeking refuge in the quiet solitude of his room. But a stubborn glint entered his eyes. Skipping wouldn't solve anything. In fact, it would only fuel his fear and hinder his progress. Taking a deep breath, he squared his shoulders and pushed open the classroom door.

His gaze swept the room, searching for his friend Emdad's familiar face. A knot of worry tightened in his stomach when he saw the empty desk. Emdad's absence wasn't unusual – he was known for the occasional tardiness or unplanned day off. But given the events of the previous night, a cold dread washed over James. Had Emdad been targeted too?  Were they both victims of the same group of bullies, the ones Lemon led?

The thought sent a tremor of anger through him.  He wouldn't stand by and watch Emdad get bullied.  But what could he do?  He was still weak, his hand throbbing a dull reminder of his limitations.  Yet, the prospect of facing the bullies again, armed with the mysterious system, sent a spark of defiance through him.  Perhaps the system wasn't so bad after all.  It offered him a chance to fight back, to protect himself and his friend.

The school day crawled by for James. His mind was a whirlwind of worry for Emdad's absence and the cryptic Bully System. Finally, the shrill ring of the lunch bell pierced the monotony, sending a surge of relief through him. He needed a break, a chance to clear his head and consider his next move.

As James navigated the crowded hallway towards the canteen, a commotion drew his attention. A throng of students had gathered, their faces alight with a mixture of amusement and unease. With a sigh of annoyance, James pushed through the crowd, his stomach growling in protest. He needed to reach the canteen, grab some lunch, and get some peace.

Emerging into the center of the crowd, James found himself face-to-face with a scene straight out of an awkward teen drama. A girl, Mili from his own 9A class, stood at the center of the attention.  Her expression was a mix of annoyance and apprehension. Opposite her stood a boy, clearly from the upperclassmen – a 9B student judging by his uniform tag. He was slightly taller frame and handsome. His features were contorted in a persistent grin, revealing a desperate attempt at charm which was falling flat in James' eyes.

"Come on, Mili," the boy pleaded, his voice carrying over the murmuring crowd. "Just give me your number. We could grab coffee sometime."

Mili, ever the straight shooter, crossed her arms and shook her head firmly. "No thanks, Ryan. I'm not interested."

The boy's smile faltered for a moment, a flicker of annoyance crossing his face. He quickly recovered, though, and tried another tack. 

"Maybe you're worried you'll have to compete with all my fangirls? Don't worry, you'll be my number one," he added with a wink that James found more creepy than charming.

Mili rolled her eyes, her patience wearing thin. James recognized the signs – she was about to unleash a verbal smackdown of epic proportions, something that would leave the boy wishing he'd never spoken to her. But before she could launch into her tirade, a new voice cut through the tension.

"Leave her alone, Ryan," James said, stepping forward. His voice, though a little shaky, held a newfound firmness.