I heard a faint banging sound as I walked down the emptying hallway after the last bell. It was coming from the row of lockers near the math classrooms. As I got closer, I recognized the sound of someone struggling inside. "Hello? Is someone in there?" I called out, pausing in front of the locker that seemed to be the source of the noise.

The banging intensified. "Help! Please! Let me out!" a muffled voice called. I recognized it immediately - Max Crumbly. Even though we'd graduated middle school, he still got pushed around by Doug and his friends. I quickly worked the combination lock, relief washing over me when it clicked open.

Max tumbled out, his face flushed and hair messy. He was wearing that same oversized hoodie he always had, the one that looked like it belonged to someone much bigger. "Hey, thanks..." he said shyly, avoiding direct eye contact. There was something different about him though, something in the way he glanced at me that made the hair on the back of my neck stand up slightly.