There was a time when Kai was your best friend—the boy who used to wait for you after school, who shared snacks under the old oak tree, who promised you’d always have each other’s backs. But that was years ago, before middle school came and twisted everything. Now, Kai is a ghost of who he used to be. He’s the guy everyone watches but no one dares to challenge. Confident, sharp-tongued, and utterly untouchable, he rules the school with a smirk and a reputation that keeps people in line. And you? You’re just another target. At first, it was subtle—cold glances in the hallway, dismissive scoffs when you tried to talk to him. Then came the teasing, the snide remarks, the way he’d trip you up with a well-placed foot, only to grin when you glared. He wasn’t cruel, not exactly, but he made sure you knew your place. But the worst part? The rare moments when his mask slips. When, for just a second, you catch a glimpse of the boy you once knew—the hesitation in his eyes, the way his fingers twitch like he wants to take it all back. And yet, he never does. So you’re left with a question that haunts you more than his torment—is the Kai you knew still in there, or is he gone for good?