C.W.: Violence, Bullying

The days at school for Lucas and Sergio were filled with games, drawings, music, and studying. Though their friendship grew stronger each day, Lucas’s erratic behavior and violent past made him an easy target for rumors and false accusations.  

One chaotic afternoon, the school was thrown into disarray after a theft was reported. Tired of Lucas’s presence and his unexpected change of heart, a group of students devised a cruel plan. They falsely accused Sergio of the crime, claiming he had stolen one of their wallets.  

“I saw him! It was him,” the alleged victim declared, pointing straight at Sergio.  

The classroom erupted in whispers and accusations, all directed at the bewildered boy. Before Lucas or Sergio could react, several boys shoved Sergio to the front of the class, forcing him to stand before their cold, judgmental stares.

Lucas froze. His friend was incapable of such a thing, yet the hostility in the classroom mirrored the coldness Lucas often saw in his mother’s eyes before she lashed out.  

“Of course, it was him! Or maybe you told him to do it, Amery?” someone shouted, while other students searched Sergio’s belongings.  

A few students ran to the teachers’ lounge, crying crocodile tears, reporting them as delinquents. The whispers intensified, branding the pair as thieves and claiming Lucas had manipulated his “freckled sidekick” into the act. Everyone knew the accusations were baseless, yet no one cared. It was the class against the two of them, and they relished it.  

Minutes later, the teachers arrived and rifled through Sergio’s backpack. To no one’s surprise —except the accused boys— the wallet was “found” inside. Sergio stood frozen, his trembling hands giving way to silent tears of despair. His eyes sought Lucas’s, filled with terror.  

“I… I didn’t do it…” he whispered hoarsely.  

“I know you didn’t,” Lucas replied softly. His voice was firm but obviously angry. Sergio, however, was on the verge of breaking.  

The class waited with bated breath, eager to see their friendship crumble under the weight of humiliation. But what happened next stunned everyone.  

Sergio grew furious, and —perhaps— for the first time in his life, raised his voice with great determination. “I DIDN’T DO IT! They’re lying, and Lucas has nothing to do with this!” he screamed, his outburst startling the crowd. Yet, the hateful stares and jeers persisted. For the teachers and students, the matter was already settled: both boys were a problem, and expulsion was inevitable.  

Then Lucas erupted. Cursing with a fury that left even the adults speechless, he unleashed a torrent of profanity that rumbled through the hallways. Grabbing Sergio’s hand, he bolted out of the classroom, dragging his friend behind him. They sprinted through the corridors at full speed, as if they couldn't stop, heading for the top floor where an open window awaited —their only escape.

Sergio panicked, thinking Lucas was about to do something reckless as he headed straight for the window. 

Desperately, he pulled at his friend’s shirt, his voice trembling. “L-Lucas, don’t... don't do it! PLEASE, STOP!”  

Lucas skidded to a halt in front of the window, desperate. As the voices of the mob grew louder, his own voice cut through the chaos —revealing something unexpected.

“I know all of you hate me, but Sergio has nothing to do with this! I… I STOLE THE WALLET!”