A True Friend (Flashback)

Stephan Blackwood stood at the entrance of St. Augustine's High School, his heart pounding with a mix of excitement and apprehension. It was his first day at the prestigious institution, a world far removed from the humble neighbourhood he had grown up in. The grandeur of the building and the air of privilege surrounding him made him feel like an imposter, a fish out of water.

Taking a deep breath, Stephan pushed open the heavy doors and stepped into the bustling hallway. The chatter of students echoed in his ears, and he could feel their eyes upon him, scrutinising his every move. Whispers followed in his wake as he made his way towards his designated classroom.

As he entered the classroom, his gaze was drawn to a girl sitting at the front row. She exuded an aura of grace and gentleness, her features radiant and captivating. Her eyes sparkled with warmth, and a soft smile played upon her lips. She had long, flowing chestnut hair that cascaded down her back, and her posture was poised, displaying a natural elegance.

Stephan's heart skipped a beat as he noticed her, feeling an inexplicable connection to this ethereal presence amidst the sea of unfamiliar faces. He hesitated for a moment, unsure of where to sit, when their eyes met. In that instant, the girl's welcoming gaze filled him with a glimmer of gentleness, shattering the walls of insecurity that had surrounded him.

As Stephan made his way towards the empty seat next to her, he could still hear the whispers and hushed conversations of his classmates. The gossip about his background and the scholarship that had brought him here reached his ears, causing a surge of self-doubt to flood his mind.

But just as he was about to succumb to the weight of judgement, the girl turned towards him, her voice kind and gentle. "Hi, I'm Magdalena," she said, extending her hand in a gesture of friendship.

Stephan felt a warmth spread through his being as he shook her hand, his doubts momentarily forgotten. "Stephan," he replied, a hint of a smile tugging at his lips.

Magdalena's eyes held a sincerity that was both reassuring and comforting. "It's nice to meet you, Stephan. Don't mind the gossip. None of those spoiled brats are better than you!."

He laughed. Her words resonated with him, dispelling the imposter syndrome that had clouded his thoughts. In that moment, Stephan knew that he had found an ally, a beacon of light in the midst of uncertainty. Magdalena's kindness and acceptance gave him the courage to believe in himself and face the challenges that lay ahead.

Stephan's journey to St. Augustine's was not paved with silver spoons and luxury cars. Instead, it was his exceptional intelligence that earned him a scholarship, granting him access to a world vastly different from the one he grew up in. His heart raced with a mix of excitement and trepidation as he stepped onto the hallowed grounds of the school.

From the moment Stephan walked through the doors of St. Augustine's, he became a target for the privileged elite. His modest background and lack of wealth made him an easy mark for those who relished their power and status. The ringleader of this torment was Robin River, Magdalena's half-brother, and a notorious troublemaker.

Robin, with his broad shoulders and arrogant smirk, had made it his mission to make Stephan's life a living hell. He assembled a clique of like-minded individuals, the sons and daughters of the affluent families who attended the school, and they revealed their ability to belittle and humiliate Stephan at every turn.

Magdalena, with her delicate features and gentle demeanour, stood out from the crowd. She was Stephan's classmate, the girl who possessed a rare kindness that seemed incongruent with her affluent background. She witnessed the relentless bullying inflicted upon Stephan, and a fire ignited within her.

Stephan's heart pounded in his chest as he made his way through the crowded hallways of St. Augustine's High School. The echoes of laughter and chatter filled the air, but for him, it was an orchestra of anxiety and anticipation. He knew that every step he took brought him closer to another day of torment.

As he approached his locker, a knot formed in his stomach. The click of expensive designer shoes on the tiled floor sent a shiver down his spine. He knew who it was even before he turned around—Robin River, the epitome of entitlement and arrogance.

Robin, with his perfectly styled hair and a perpetual smirk on his face, surrounded himself with a group of loyal followers. They were like a pack of wolves, eager to tear apart their prey. Stephan had become their favourite target—a constant reminder of their superiority.

"Hey, scholarship boy," Robin sneered, his voice dripping with disdain. "Ready for another round of humiliation?"

Stephan clenched his fists, trying to suppress the rising anger within him. He knew fighting back would only fuel their cruelty further. Instead, he chose to endure, to keep his head held high despite the degradation.

But the torment was relentless. They pushed him, tripped him, and laughed as he stumbled. Each insult was a dagger to his self-esteem, a reminder that he didn't belong in their world. 

On this particular day, as Stephan struggled to keep his balance, Robin seized the opportunity to escalate the bullying. He grabbed Stephan's backpack and emptied its contents onto the floor, books and papers scattering in all directions. The hallway erupted with laughter, echoing in Stephan's ears like a mocking chorus.

Stephan's face burned with humiliation as he knelt down to pick up his belongings. Tears welled up in his eyes, but he refused to let them fall. He had to stay strong, to prove to himself that he was better than the torment they subjected him to.

But just as he began to gather his books, a gentle hand reached out, picking up a fallen notebook. Stephan's gaze lifted, and there she was—Magdalena, her eyes filled with determination. She stepped forward, her voice trembling but resolute.

"Leave him alone, Robin!" Magdalena's voice carried a strength that belied her petite frame. "What you're doing is cruel and unnecessary. Have you no decency?"

Robin's face contorted with anger, his eyes narrowing at Magdalena's audacity to defy him. "Stay out of this, Magdalena. This doesn't concern you."

Magdalena's voice rose with conviction. "It concerns me when someone is being treated unjustly!”

“We are not treating him unjustly! He doesn’t belong here, this poor smelly animal!” The moment Clara, the girlfriend of Robin said that, she took a strong slap from Majdalena that she fell to the ground. 

“Stephan deserves respect, just like anyone else,” Majdalena said with a cold face, “When the majority of us came here thanks to our parents power, he earned his place by his own sweat and hard work! Among all of us, he is the one that really deserves to be here!"

“How dare you!” Robin was about to fight with his sister but her cold eyes sent a shiver all along his body. 

“Dare not” she whispered to him in a threatening voice.

The hallway fell into a tense silence, the spectators unsure of how to react. Stephan's heart swelled with gratitude for the girl who had shown him compassion amidst a sea of cruelty. Magdalena's bravery was a glimmer of hope in his darkest moments.

Robin, seething with anger, reluctantly backed down with his gang. With a parting glare, he and his entourage slinked away, leaving Stephan, Magdalena and her two sweet besties, Amelia and Susi, standing in the aftermath of their confrontation.

Stephan turned to Magdalena, his voice barely a whisper. "Thank you. Thank you for standing up for me."

Magdalena smiled, her eyes sparkling with kindness. "Nobody deserves to be treated that way. We're in this together, Stephan. In fact, I should apologise for my brother’s ill-manners,” 

“YOUR BROTHER?!” Stephan didn’t believe his ears.

The girls laughed at his astonishment and Amelia responded, “Can you believe that such a scam bag is Magda’s brother? I can barely do!”

“He is my half brother, Stephan,” Magdalena explained, “We don’t have the same mother.”