Ethan's presence in the group had shifted things in a way Damien hadn't anticipated. At first, it seemed like they were just getting along—Ethan was funny, confident, and always knew the right thing to say. But now, it was like he had taken control, as if he had planted himself at the center of everything without anyone noticing.

Jake and Mason laughed more at Ethan’s jokes, looked to him for ideas, and even followed his lead during their usual bullying sessions. It was subtle, but Damien felt it—the way he was becoming an outsider in his own group.

One day after school, Ethan threw out a suggestion. "What if we went after someone bigger?" Ethan said casually, leaning against the lockers with his signature smirk. "Someone who thinks they’re untouchable."

Jake perked up immediately. “Like who?”

Ethan’s smirk widened. “Daniel. The class president.”

"Think about it," Ethan continued, his voice smooth and calm. "Everyone thinks Daniel’s this perfect guy, right? But what if we show them he’s just like everyone else? Vulnerable. Breakable."

Mason nodded eagerly. “Yeah, man. That’d be epic.”

Ethan’s plan was cruel. It wasn’t just about pushing someone around or making them look stupid. It was personal. They were going to expose something Daniel had been hiding, something that would ruin his reputation in front of the entire school.

The group agreed to do it. The prank was set for the next day during the school assembly. Damien went along with it, Jake and Mason were all in, and Ethan… well, Ethan had a way of making sure no one ever backed down.

The school assembly was packed. Hundreds of students crowded into the auditorium, waiting for the awards ceremony to begin. Daniel stood on stage, looking every bit the golden boy he was—perfectly composed, perfectly liked, perfectly safe.

But that was about to change.

As Daniel stepped up to the microphone to give his speech, Ethan gave the signal. Damien hit play on his phone, and suddenly, Daniel’s voice was drowned out by the sound of a recording—his voice, saying something he never intended for anyone else to hear. A private conversation, recorded without his knowledge, was now echoing through the auditorium for everyone to hear.

The auditorium was in silence, everyone was freaking shocked. Daniel froze, his face going pale as the words played over and over, revealing something deeply personal, something humiliating. His hands clenched the sides of the podium, his composure shattered.

After the assembly, Ethan was grinning ear to ear. “That was perfect,” he said, clapping Damien on the back. “Did you see his face? He’s never coming back from that.”

Jake and Mason were still laughing, reliving the moment as if it was the funniest thing they’d ever seen.

Ethan gave Damien a long, knowing look, his smirk never faltering. “You did good today,” he said. “This is how we stay on top. Never forget that.”