01 -Those eyes
Morning light spilled across the polished floors of Black-Wood Private High, reflecting the steady stream of students moving through the halls. Among them walked Leroy Scott, his hands tucked into his pockets, his gaze fixed forward as if looking anywhere else would invite trouble.
It didn’t matter.
Someone bumped into him. Then another. And another.
The last one didn’t even apologize. Instead, they turned, staring at him with a sharp, cutting glare—eyes filled with something ugly, something all too familiar.
Leroy’s jaw tightened.
Those eyes… those are the eyes I hate the most. With a look that screams you’re inferior to me, basically trash… I hate it.
He said nothing. He never did.
He simply kept walking.
Step by step, he made his way to Class 3B, sliding the door open and stepping inside.
The moment he entered, the room shifted.
Eyes turned. Conversations sparked.
He could feel it—the weight of attention, the whispers already forming.
Ignoring all of it, Leroy walked to the back corner of the room, to the seat by the window. His seat. The one place where he could at least pretend to disappear.
He sat down, reached into his bag, and pulled out a comic book. Flipping it open, he let his eyes fall onto the pages.
The noise didn’t stop.
“Ugh… he’s in our class again.”
“Why aren’t there any hotter people in this class?”
“Lame… who even reads comics these days?”
“Isn’t he in Lexi’s friend group?”
“He mostly hangs out by himself.”
“What a loser.”
“Remember what happened last year?”
“Who would forget that? I would’ve felt bad, but it was well deserved.”
“Yeah… I’d rather die.”
Leroy didn’t react.
Black-Wood Private High… his thoughts drifted, steady but cold. This school is well known for its facilities, teaching, and reputation. And somehow… I ended up here.
His eyes moved across the page, though he wasn’t really reading anymore.
I’m a third year now. Final year. Graduation is close.
A faint, hollow thought surfaced.
I can’t wait for all of it to be over.
The classroom door slid open again.
A shift.
A bigger one this time.
Lexi Matthews and Shaun Graves walked in together.
The room came alive.
“Look! Lexi and Shaun are in our class this year!”
“This year’s gonna be epic!”
“I never noticed… Lexi is really pretty.”
“You think so? Shaun’s never looked hotter.”
“They’re popular for a reason.”
“Maybe I should ask them if we can be friends.”
Students swarmed them almost instantly, voices overlapping, laughter filling the space.
Leroy didn’t even look up.
Look at them… wagging their tails, he thought bitterly. I don’t understand why people are like this.
His grip on the comic tightened slightly.
One second, they’re talking badly about people beneath them… and the next they’re sucking up to those above them.
A quiet scoff echoed in his mind.
What a bunch of frauds.
Not long after, the door opened again.
Lily Soneto stepped in.
And just like that, another wave.
Girls rushed toward her, hugging her, giggling, surrounding her in warmth and admiration.
Leroy finally glanced up.
What…? She’s in this class too? His eyes narrowed slightly. When did she get this popular?
He paused.
…Actually, it makes sense.
As if sensing his gaze, Lily turned.
Their eyes met.
She smiled—soft, genuine—and lifted her hand, waving at him.
Leroy froze for half a second.
Then he looked away.
Toward the window.
Outside.
Anywhere but her.
Lily didn’t seem bothered. She simply smiled to herself and returned to the conversation.
I hope the other two aren’t here too, Leroy thought, his expression darkening slightly. That wouldn’t be good.
A few minutes later, Lily found herself face-to-face with Lexi.
“Lily!” Lexi beamed, practically glowing. “It feels like it’s been forever! How have you been?”
“It has, hasn’t it?” Lily laughed softly. “I’ve been so busy over the holiday. I can’t believe we’re in our final year already. What about you?”
“I didn’t really do anything,” Lexi admitted. “Mostly hung out with Shaun… and called Skye.”
“Speaking of Skye,” Lily tilted her head, “where is she? Maybe she’s not in this class.”
“She said she’d be in Class 3A with Halloway.”
“Of course,” Lily sighed lightly. “Birds of a feather, I guess.”
Lexi leaned in slightly. “Any other members of our group here?”
Lily nodded. “Yeah… Leroy is around.”
Lexi’s eyes lit up instantly. “Wait, really? Where is he?”
“By the corner over there.”
Lily pointed.
Leroy sat quietly, completely absorbed—or pretending to be—in his comic.
“Let’s go say hi,” Lexi said without hesitation.
Lily hesitated for a moment.
“…Sure.”
They walked over.
As they got closer, Lexi noticed the comic in his hands, her eyes widening slightly in surprise.
“Hey, Leroy.”
Leroy flinched.
He hadn’t expected that.
Looking up, he saw the two of them standing there.
Around them, the class stirred again.
“I forgot… that loser is in their friend group.”
“I know, right? I don’t get why they put up with him.”
“Why do they still talk to him after last year?”
“Maybe they made up?”
“Look at his face… doesn’t look like it.”
“Lexi’s too kind. I wouldn’t give him another chance.”
“If anything, he’s just leeching off them.”
Leroy lowered his gaze.
Lily’s expression tightened.
“Leroy… don’t listen to—”
“…What do you two want?”
His voice cut her off—flat, irritated.
Lexi blinked, caught off guard for only a second before smiling again. “We just wanted to stop by and say hi.”
“Well, you have, haven’t you?”
The whispers sharpened.
“Why is he talking to them like that?”
“Asshole.”
“He’s so ungrateful.”
“What’s wrong with this guy?”
Leroy’s voice dropped lower.
“If you two have nothing better to do… you’re better off sitting down.”
Lexi opened her mouth to respond—
But before she could, a hand grabbed Leroy by the collar.
“What’s your problem?”
Shaun’s voice was calm.
Too calm.
Leroy met his gaze, irritation flickering in his eyes.
“My problem?” he shot back. “I should be asking you the same question.”
“Shaun, calm down, it’s alright—”
“But—”
“…It’s really okay,” Lexi said softly. “He hasn’t done anything wrong.”
Shaun held Leroy’s collar for a moment longer.
Then—
“You’ve been spared… asshole.”
He let go.
The classroom fell silent.
“Guys, come on,” Lily tried to ease the tension. “It’s the first day… why make such a fuss?”
Shaun scoffed and walked away.
Lily sighed.
“…Sorry, Leroy. We’ll go.”
She and Lexi turned, leaving him behind.
It’s going to be a long year… Leroy exhaled slowly.
The teacher entered soon after, calling everyone to their seats.
As the class settled, Leroy leaned back slightly, his gaze distant.
In this world… nothing is equal.
His thoughts deepened, darker, heavier.
The concept of equality exists… but it’s never followed. Why?
His fingers tightened slightly around the comic.
It exists to manipulate those who believe in it.
His eyes flickered.
Those who understand the truth… take advantage.
A pause.
That’s why hierarchies exist. That’s why people climb.
His gaze shifted across the room.
And those who understand it… stand at the top.
The teacher’s voice cut through.
“The best-performing students got to pick their classes.”
A murmur spread.
“Why don’t you stand up?”
Chairs scraped.
Lily stood.
Lexi stood.
Shaun stood.
And—
Leroy stood.
The room froze.
“Leroy is actually smart?”
“If you check the records… he’s consistent.”
“No way.”
“He got to pick? Bullshit.”
Eyes.
So many eyes.
All on him.
Those eyes… his thoughts darkened again. Those are the eyes I hate the most.
I’m above them… yet they look down on me.
His chest tightened.
If I’m that bad… why not just get rid of me?
His thoughts spiralled.
And the worst part… is the lie that there’s good in the world.
A hollow echo.
It’s a fairy tale.
“Take your seats.”
He sat.
Slowly.
From the back of the room, his gaze swept across everyone.
They’ll never understand what it’s like to be me.
His vision blurred slightly.
They don’t even try.
A sharp breath.
I hate it.
Across the room, Lexi glanced back.
Her breath caught.
Tears.
They were running down Leroy’s face.
His eyes widened slightly as he noticed her looking—
And he quickly buried his face in his comic.
Lily saw it too.
“Oh, Leroy…”
Lexi clenched her skirt tightly.
This is all my fault… her thoughts trembled. If only I tried to fix things back, then…
Her grip tightened.
I’ll make things right this year… I promise.
Just hang on, Scott… I’ll save you.
Under the cover of the comic, Leroy wiped his tears away.
I hate this… why does it have to be me?
His teeth clenched.
Stop crying… this won’t solve anything.
His breathing grew uneven.
I need to be at my best… what’s Mum going to think?
His hand trembled.
Stop crying, damn it!
BANG.
His head slammed against the desk.
The class jolted.
“Leroy, is everything alright?”
“I’m fine,” he said, voice tired. “Nothing to worry about, sir.”
“Are you sure? You don’t sound alright.”
“Really… I’m fine.”
A pause.
“…Alright.”
Leroy stared ahead, hollow.
The thing I hate most… is myself.
His eyes dimmed.
For allowing this. For being this way.
A quiet, broken thought.
For being born so helpless.
And just like that—
The morning came to an end.
By the time the sun had begun its slow descent, the rooftop of Black-Wood Private High was bathed in a warm, golden glow. A gentle breeze swept across the open space, carrying with it the distant sounds of students finishing their day.
The door creaked open.
Lexi, Shaun, and Lily stepped out onto the rooftop.
Waiting for them were two familiar figures.
“Hey! You’re late!” Skye Whitmore snapped, arms crossed, clearly annoyed.
Halloway Callahan leaned casually against the railing, glancing over. “Yo, what took ya?”
“Sorry,” Lexi said, slightly out of breath. “Class took a bit longer than expected.”
“Yeah,” Shaun added with a hint of irritation. “It’s been rather annoying. Too much drama.”
Skye raised a brow. “What happened?”
Shaun didn’t hesitate. “Leroy is what happened.”
Skye’s expression immediately soured. “Oh, that commoner. What has he done now?”
“Lexi and Lily tried talking to him,” Shaun said flatly, “but you know how he is.”
“Disgusting,” Skye scoffed. “First, no apology for what he did to Lexi, and now he’s trying to act like a victim.”
Lily stayed silent.
“…Don’t say that, Skye,” Lexi said gently. “It’s not nice.”
Halloway folded his arms. “He wronged you and now wants to vent that on you. Pretty cowardly if you ask me.”
“You have the wrong idea,” Lexi insisted, her voice firm despite its softness. “Scott is miserable right now. And… we haven’t actually tried to get to know him. Lily, tell them.”
Lily hesitated.
“I…”
“Look, Lexi,” Skye cut in, shaking her head. “You’re too forgiving. Too friendly. People take advantage of you because of that.”
Lexi clenched her fist.
Skye continued, her tone sharp. “Lily, I know you’ve known that commoner for a long time, so I’ll spare your feelings. But hear me clearly—” her eyes hardened, “I won’t forgive him. Got that?”
Lily’s hand tightened at her side.
“People change, Skye,” Lexi said quietly. “Just give it time.”
She took a breath.
“…Fine. I have a suggestion.”
Shaun narrowed his eyes slightly. “I hope it’s not a crazy idea.”
“When have I ever had crazy ideas?”
Lily glanced at her. “The soda guns. Firework guns. Other types of guns. Setting up Halloway and Skye—”
“I get it, I get it!” Lexi waved her hands quickly. “But hear me out.”
She straightened, her expression turning serious.
“I want to try becoming friends with Scott.”
Silence.
Then—
“I’m sorry, what?” Skye stared at her. “Why would you even suggest that?”
Shaun frowned. “You remember what he was like when he used to hang out with us. Always gloomy. Acting like he’s better than everyone. A know-it-all… and overall, an asshole.”
Halloway clicked his tongue. “That punk is just a depressed brat. He talks down on all of us—even Lily. He’s a lost cause. I hate him.”
Lily looked down.
“…He can be good friends with a therapist,” Skye added dryly.
Halloway let out a short laugh.
“Look,” Skye continued, “I get that you feel bad for him. But people like that? Being around them just makes things worse.”
“Besides,” Shaun added, “you need standards. You can’t surround yourself with someone who makes your light dim.”
“On top of that,” Halloway shrugged, “he’s hard to be around. We just don’t click.”
Lexi listened to all of it.
Then, slowly—
“Don’t be like that,” she said. “If I didn’t give people a chance… I wouldn’t be where I am today. I wouldn’t have met any of you.”
And then—
She dropped to her knees.
Everyone froze.
“Please,” Lexi said, bowing her head slightly. “You misunderstand what happened that day. You don’t have to talk to him… you don’t have to be around him…”
Her hands clenched against the ground.
“Just let him be able to hang around us… please.”
After all, … I have to fix things.
“Lexi, no—get up!” Skye stepped forward, flustered. “Why are you so insistent on this?”
Lexi looked up at her, eyes filled with quiet determination.
“Because I want to believe in what’s inside people… not just what they show.”
She smiled softly.
“Like fruits. The peel is bitter… but once you remove it, there’s something sweet inside.”
“Just like you, Skye,” Lily added gently.
“HEY!”
Lexi giggled. “You act all tough and mean, but you’re a cutie inside.”
“Shut it!” Skye snapped, her face turning red.
Shaun looked away, crossing his arms. “…If he steps out of line, I’ll beat his ass.”
Lexi blinked. “You’re scary when you say stuff like that. Try smiling—you’d be way cuter.”
Shaun’s face turned red. “Shut it.”
Halloway sighed. “I’m on board… but I won’t make it easy on him. If he hurts you, I don’t care who I have to go through.”
Lily smirked slightly. “That was rather manly. I don’t think Skye likes that.”
Skye stiffened.
“Wait—it’s not like that!” Halloway panicked.
“Oh? So now you’re calling me by my name?” Skye pouted. “I see how it is.”
“Babe, it’s not like that—”
“Hm. I won’t talk to you.”
“Wait—Skye—!”
The tension cracked.
Laughter spread across the rooftop.
But Skye quickly composed herself, crossing her arms again.
“…But seriously,” she said, her tone lowering. “I love you guys. If Leroy ruins things…”
Her eyes sharpened.
“I’ll have his head.”
“…I’m fine with how things are.”
Lexi slowly stood up.
“…Thanks, everyone,” she said softly. “I’ll prove it to you.”
Shaun simply hummed in response.
Lily turned slightly, a small smile of relief forming on her lips.
Cold water splashed against Leroy’s face.
The male bathroom was quiet, the faint echo of dripping taps filling the space.
He stared at his reflection, droplets running down his skin.
Pull yourself together, he told himself. It’s not like me to care this much about others’ opinions.
His grip on the sink tightened.
This is your life. It may not be good… but you can make it better for Mum.
The door creaked open behind him.
Footsteps.
“…Well, well, well. What do we have here?”
Leroy didn’t turn.
“…Leroy, ain’t it?” another voice added. “We need a little Favor from you.”
Great… his thoughts darkened. Just when I thought my day might get a little better.
“What do you want?” he said flatly. “I have nothing to give you. A few guys already cleaned me out earlier.”
“Ew,” the first one scoffed. “I don’t want your dirty money. Like I said—we need a Favor.”
“You’re friends with Lily, Lexi, and Skye, right?” the second asked.
“No, I’m not.”
Leroy turned, walking toward the door.
A hand shot out, blocking his path.
“We want you to set us up with them. Don’t lie.”
“I’m really not friends with them,” Leroy said coldly. “Sorry to disappoint.”
His eyes were sharp—unbothered.
The first guy chuckled. “You know what? That makes sense.”
“But you know what?” the second stepped closer. “Your whole vibe gives you away. You reek of malice… and you look down on us.”
His expression twisted.
“It’s pissing me off.”
“You’re wasting your time,” Leroy replied. “Just get lost.”
For a moment—
Silence.
Then the first guy stepped aside.
Leroy reached for the door—
—and suddenly his collar was yanked back.
His body slammed to the ground.
A fist crashed into his face.
Pain exploded.
A kick drove into his stomach.
Then another.
And another.
Boots slammed into him from every direction.
He coughed—blood spilling from his mouth.
“You’re oddly quiet,” one of them sneered. “For someone getting whooped.”
“What do you want me to do… scream?” Leroy rasped.
This… again.
His vision blurred.
Just like middle school.
Same thing. Different faces.
They stopped.
“…Loser.”
Leroy let out a weak breath.
“They all say that… You just beat up a defenceless person. Who’s the real loser?”
“…What’s this idiot talking about?” the other muttered.
“You’re afraid,” Leroy continued, forcing the words out. “That’s why you don’t go after people like Halloway or Shaun.”
His lips curled faintly.
“You’re even lower than me.”
“What did you say?!”
“Enough,” the first one stopped him, then looked down at Leroy. “You’ve got a smart mouth. Here’s some advice—know when to shut up.”
Leroy coughed.
“…We’re sharing lessons now? Then here’s mine.”
He forced a smirk.
“Go for people in your league. No one’s dating your ugly—”
A brutal kick slammed into his stomach.
Air left his lungs instantly.
“…Tch.”
They walked away.
Leroy lay there, trembling.
Then—
He laughed.
A weak, broken laugh.
How ironic…
His thoughts drifted.
This exact scene… was in the comic I was reading this morning.
His vision faded.
Darkness took him.
A dull, throbbing pain pulled Leroy back to consciousness.
His eyelids felt heavy, his body even heavier, as if gravity itself had doubled while he was out. The faint smell of antiseptic filled the air.
He blinked slowly.
White ceiling.
Soft sheets.
…The infirmary.
“…Ugh…”
Leroy pushed himself up slightly, wincing as pain shot through his ribs. His hand instinctively moved to his pocket, pulling out his flip phone.
The screen flickered to life.
4:00 PM.
His eyes widened.
Holy crap… it’s already 4 PM? His thoughts raced. Classes should be over… How long was I out?
He exhaled slowly, trying to piece things together.
Fragments of memory surfaced—the bathroom, the voices, the blows—
He stopped himself.
“…Forget it.”
Carefully, he swung his legs over the side of the bed and stood up. His balance wavered for a moment, but he steadied himself.
As he reached the door, something caught his eye.
A note.
Placed neatly beside the bed.
He picked it up.
It’s only the first day. How are you roughed up this badly? Please stop by a hospital after you wake up. Get better soon.
Leroy stared at it for a moment.
Then sighed.
“…Yeah… right.”
Folding the note, he slipped it into his pocket and stepped out into the hallway.
The school was quieter now.
Not empty—but calmer. Students moved in clusters, chatting, laughing, heading home.
Leroy walked against the flow.
Through the noise.
Through the crowd.
Invisible, as always.
He reached Class 3B and slid the door open.
Empty.
Desks aligned. Chairs tucked in. Silence.
He walked toward his seat at the back, his steps slow but steady.
Then—
He stopped.
His bag was gone.
A cold feeling settled in his chest.
…Don’t tell me.
He rushed to the window, looking down.
There it was.
His bag lay outside, tossed carelessly onto the ground.
“…Tch.”
He turned without hesitation and made his way out.
Outside, the late afternoon sun cast long shadows across the school grounds.
Leroy approached his bag, bending down to pick it up.
Dust clung to the fabric.
He brushed it off with a few firm pats before unzipping it, checking inside.
Books.
Notebook.
Comic.
Everything… still there.
“…Thank God.”
Relief, small and fleeting, passed through him.
He slung the bag over his shoulder and began walking.
No destination in mind.
Just… forward.
People…
His thoughts drifted again, quieter this time.
As human beings, we populate the earth and try to find meaning in it.
His footsteps echoed faintly against the pavement.
Some think it’s fulfilment.
A breeze passed by.
Some think it’s survival.
The sky above him stretched endlessly.
Some think it’s searching… or simply existing.
He adjusted the strap of his bag.
We create theories… just to maintain our sanity.
A pause.
A long one.
I don’t even know if I fall within that boundary.
His gaze lowered.
The meaning of life… what is it, really?
Silence answered him.
Who’s to say?
Elsewhere—
Lexi stepped into her room, the door clicking shut behind her.
She let out a long breath and tossed her bag onto the bed.
“What a first day…” she muttered, rubbing the back of her neck. “I can’t believe everything that happened.”
Her expression softened.
“…Scott never came back to class either.”
She hesitated for a moment before reaching into her bag, pulling out a notebook.
Sitting down, she opened it and began scribbling.
“Lexi!” her mother’s voice called from downstairs.
“I’m coming!”
Reluctantly, she stood, leaving the notebook open on her desk as she rushed out of the room.
On the page, written in bold letters:
OPERATION: BECOME FRIENDS WITH SCOTT
Below it—
I don’t know where to start… maybe I’ll begin with how we read the same comic, A Mile Away.
The front door creaked open.
Leroy stepped inside his home.
“Welcome home, honey!” his mother’s voice greeted warmly from inside. “How was your first day?”
For a split second—
He paused.
Then smiled.
“Oh, my day?” he said lightly. “It was amazing. Although I fell pretty badly and ended up in the infirmary earlier.”
Silence.
Then—
“Leroy…”
Her voice changed.
“I’m not a child. They bullied you again, didn’t they?”
His smile didn’t falter.
“What? No,” he said quickly. “I seriously just fell. It’s not a big deal.”
“I’m going to your school tomorrow,” she said firmly. “I’ll report this.”
“No.”
The word came out sharper than expected.
“You’re already busy,” Leroy continued, his tone softening. “Working three jobs is stressful enough. And now you want to go to my school over… what? Me tripping?”
“You’re lying,” she said quietly. “This happened before.”
“You’re overreacting,” he replied. “Everything’s fine.”
He didn’t wait for a response.
He turned and walked upstairs.
His room welcomed him with silence.
Familiar.
Comfortable.
Empty.
He dropped his bag onto the chair and fell backward onto his bed, staring up at the ceiling.
For a while—
He just… lay there.
Then his eyes shifted slightly.
“…Oh.”
His headset sat beside him.
“That’s where they were.”
He picked them up, plugging them into his phone.
A soft click.
Music filled his ears.
The outside world faded.
The noise.
The voices.
The memories.
All drowned out.
He stared at the ceiling as the rhythm carried him away.
His body relaxed.
His mind slowed.
And before he realized it—
Darkness took him again.
My name is Leroy Scott.
His voice echoed faintly in the void of his thoughts.
I’m 17 years old.
The sound of distant wind.
A few days ago—January 14th, 2026—
Fragments of his day flashed.
The hallway.
The stares.
The rooftop.
The fists.
My hellish year at Black-Wood Private High…
A pause.
…picked up right where it left off.
A quiet breath.
And it got worse.
Then—
Something shifted.
A faint, almost imperceptible change.
But it’s funny…
A page turning.
A story beginning.
This is the story of how a minor inconvenience…
Light.
Faint, distant.
…changed my life.
Silence.
Then—
A Mile Away.
