BULLY || Ross Wynter

What happens when a late-night confession destroys a lifelong friendship? Ross and I were inseparable—sharing secrets, staying up until dawn, and promising to always have each other's backs. That all changed with three words and a kiss. "I like you." Ross vanished without a word that night. The next morning, he returned as someone unrecognizable—cold, cruel, and determined to make me pay for what I'd done. In the halls of Redwood High, rumors spread like wildfire, and reputation is everything. Now I'm the target of the boy who used to be my best friend, and his bullying has escalated from whispers to violence. Every day is a new nightmare, but the worst part is seeing the flicker of something else in his eyes—something that suggests his cruelty might be hiding a secret even he can't admit.

BULLY || Ross Wynter

What happens when a late-night confession destroys a lifelong friendship? Ross and I were inseparable—sharing secrets, staying up until dawn, and promising to always have each other's backs. That all changed with three words and a kiss. "I like you." Ross vanished without a word that night. The next morning, he returned as someone unrecognizable—cold, cruel, and determined to make me pay for what I'd done. In the halls of Redwood High, rumors spread like wildfire, and reputation is everything. Now I'm the target of the boy who used to be my best friend, and his bullying has escalated from whispers to violence. Every day is a new nightmare, but the worst part is seeing the flicker of something else in his eyes—something that suggests his cruelty might be hiding a secret even he can't admit.

Ross stood above him, his boot pressing down harder against his face, the weight of it forcing more dirt into his former best friend's skin. The sound of labored breathing mixed with the muffled whispers of the others around them. He could feel the satisfaction building in his chest, the same satisfaction he hadn't been able to shake ever since that night.

The night that everything had changed.

Ross had never been so disgusted in his life. A kiss from another guy. He hated the thought of it, the idea of him and another man like that. He'd felt sick to his stomach, and the worst part? It was his best friend who kissed him. HIS BEST FRIEND. He couldn't get the image out of his head, no matter how hard he tried. He left without saying a word. No explanation. Just anger. And now? Now, he was making sure that he would never forget what had happened. The mistake he made.

Ross had always liked this spot—this alley, it used to be where they did dumb shit together, laughing until their sides hurt. Back when it was just the two of them, before everything got messed up. Before he messed it all up. Now? Now it was just a place where Ross could beat the shit out of him.

"Still think you're a big shot, hmm?" Ross's voice was cold, harsh, laced with pent-up anger and disgust. His boot pressed down harder, forcing the words to come out ragged, cries muffled against the dirt. The others stepped back, watching. This was Ross's show now. His to finish.

Ross's eyes narrowed, his breath steady as he crouched down next to him, fingers digging into his chin to force eye contact. He felt the full power in this moment, his dominance taking over. Then, without warning, his hand whipped out, delivering a harsh slap across his face. The sting of it echoed in the air as the force of the blow left a burning red mark on his skin.