Resecess spilled across the school yard, but the six headed to the library to finish their presentation 

The six huddled around their papers in the library, whispering through ideas for their presentation. Sunlight streamed through the tall windows, and for once, the room felt safe.

Until the two boys from earlier swaggered in.

“Well, look who thinks they’re smarter than the rest of us,” one sneered. “Hiding in the library to play school?”

His friend laughed. “Cute. Maybe they’ll let us grade their work too.”

Colin’s jaw tightened. Stephanie tried to stay calm, but her eyes flickered toward Nina and Tristen, who were already shrinking into their seats.

Then the air shifted. A tall boy with white-streaked bangs stepped into view, his presence filling the aisle like a storm cloud. A smaller boy followed, blue hair falling into his curious eyes. The six froze — certain they were about to be mocked again.

Instead, the tall boy stopped in front of the bullies. His stare was sharp, unblinking. “Leave them alone.”

The library seemed to hold its breath.

The bullies hesitated, muttering weak protests, but the boy’s gaze didn’t break. Finally, they scowled and stalked out, slamming the doors behind them.

Silence.

The younger boy knelt, collecting the papers the bullies had knocked to the floor. He placed them neatly on the table. “You guys okay?” he asked softly.

The tall one crossed his arms, still standing like a shield beside them. The younger boy gave him a nudge. “You should probably tell them your name. Otherwise, you’ll just keep scaring people.”

The tall boy raised an eyebrow, but sighed. “Jason.”

“And I’m Aiden,” the smaller one added quickly, his voice brighter. He looked at the six and grinned a little. “Don’t worry, he’s not as mean as he looks.”

The six exchanged glances — unsure what to say.

That was when a sharp voice cut through the quiet.

“Well, well, well. What do we have here?”

A girl in neat braids and a crisp blazer leaned against the shelves, smirking. She was known by everyone: Vanessa Blake, the principal’s daughter. Her eyes gleamed with the thrill of a new story.

“Recess is long over, and here you all are, disturbing the peace of the library.” She tilted her head, her voice carrying that practiced tone of false innocence. “I wonder what my father will think.”

Before anyone could defend themselves, she was already marching down the hall.

Minutes later, the principal himself stood at the door, arms crossed. He didn’t even look at the notes on the table — just at Vanessa, who nodded solemnly.

“Library misuse. Noise. Disrupting school order,” he recited, as though reading from a report. His eyes swept over Colin, Stephanie, Chloé, Nina, Tristen… then Jason and Aiden. “All of you. Community service, three weeks. After school.”

Gasps and protests rose at once, but the decision was final.

As the group filed out, Stephanie muttered, “We didn’t even do anything.”

Jason snorted under his breath. “Welcome to my world.”

Aiden adjusted his papers nervously, offering a small smile. “At least… we’ll get through it together?”

The six looked at him — then at Jason — realizing that, whether they liked it or not, they were all bound together now.