It was another typical morning at the school. Damien and his friends, Jake and Mason, were gathered by the lockers, exchanging smirks and planning their next move. Their latest victim was a freshman who had the misfortune of bumping into Damien in the hallway. It was the perfect excuse for a little “fun.”

As they were about to leave, a wave of murmurs spread through the crowd. Damien frowned and glanced in the direction everyone seemed to be looking. A tall, sharply dressed figure was walking through the entrance. He moved with an air of confidence that immediately commanded attention.

“Who’s the new kid?” Jake muttered, his eyes narrowing as he observed the stranger.

Damien sized him up, too. The guy had a certain presence—dark hair slicked back, piercing blue eyes, and a calm, almost detached expression. He didn’t walk like someone trying to fit in. He walked like someone who already owned the place.

“That’s Ethan Hook,” Mason said, recognizing him. “His dad’s some big-shot politician. Just transferred here.”

“A politician's son, huh?” Damien scoffed. “He better learn fast. This is my turf.”

Without hesitation, Damien approached Ethan, his friends following close behind. The rest of the students parted as he walked, watching to see what would happen.

Damien smirked, loud enough for those around him to hear. “Hey, new guy. Hope you’re ready for the most exciting time of your life. This school is not exactly known for rolling out the red carpet.”

Ethan stopped, turning slowly to face Damien. His expression remained completely neutral, his eyes cold and calculating as they met Damien’s gaze. For a moment, there was silence.

Ethan raised an eyebrow, his lips curling into a slight, almost imperceptible smile. “I’m sure I’ll manage,” he said coolly, his voice steady and low. “I’ve been to worse places.”

Damien’s smirk faltered for just a second. There was something about Ethan’s response that unsettled him, though he couldn’t quite put his finger on it. Most new students would have stammered or at least tried to curry favor with him. But Ethan… Ethan was different.

“Good to know,” Damien replied, his tone sharp as he tried to reassert his authority. “Just make sure you don’t get in my way.”

Ethan didn’t blink. He just stood there, as though assessing Damien like one would size up a chess opponent. “I wouldn’t dream of it,” Ethan said, but the way he said it felt more like a challenge than a concession.

Without another word, Ethan walked past Damien and his friends, his footsteps steady, never looking back. Damien clenched his fists, a strange feeling creeping into his chest—something he hadn’t felt in a long time. Doubt.

Jake snorted, trying to lighten the mood. “What a weirdo. Thinks he’s too good for us or something.”

But Damien wasn’t so sure. Something about Ethan’s calm demeanor felt off.

That afternoon, Damien’s friends were still buzzing about Ethan. While they lounged around the campus, Ethan appeared again, walking alone. Damien watched as some of the students around them whispered in admiration or curiosity.

“Looks like the new guy’s got some fans,” Jake said, pointing out a group of girls eyeing Ethan as he passed by.

Before Damien could say anything, Ethan casually walked up to their group, a small smile on his lips. “I hear you guys are the ones to know around here,” he said, his tone friendly but guarded.

Damien narrowed his eyes, suspicious. “Depends who’s asking.”

Ethan chuckled. “Relax. I’m not here to make enemies. I just figured since we’re the only ones here with any real pull, we should at least get along.”

Damien studied Ethan, trying to read him. His friends seemed more relaxed, but Damien wasn’t convinced. Still, Ethan’s invitation to “get along” wasn’t something Damien could outright reject, not in front of his friends.

“We’ll see,” Damien said after a pause. “We’re hanging out later. You can tag along.”

Ethan’s smile widened, but there was still something behind his eyes—something cold, calculating. “Sounds good. I’ll see you there.”

As Ethan walked away, Damien felt a knot form in his stomach. There was something dangerous about him—something Damien couldn’t quite place. But whatever it was, Damien wasn’t about to back down. Not yet.

Later that day, Damien and his friends gathered at their usual spot behind the bleachers. True to his word, Ethan showed up, as calm and composed as ever. The group spent the next hour talking, joking, and, of course, planning their next target. But as they talked, Damien noticed something unsettling.

Every time he tried to steer the conversation, Ethan would effortlessly guide it back. When Jake or Mason would laugh at one of Damien’s comments, Ethan would make a subtle remark that redirected their attention toward him. It wasn’t overt, but it was enough for Damien to notice.