chapter 6

The Dark Side of Vivian

Bella walked back through the school gates, realizing she had forgotten her favorite water bottle in her locker. As she turned a corner, she witnessed a disturbing scene. Vivian, the queen bee of the school, was bullying a younger student, her eyes blazing with cruelty.

"You think you can take part in the kung fu competition?" Vivian sneered, her voice dripping with malice. "You're not even worthy to breathe the same air as me!"

The girl cowered, tears streaming down her face as Vivian's hand struck her with a resounding slap.

Bella's eyes widened in horror, her heart racing with anger. She had never liked Vivian, but she had no idea the girl was capable of such brutality.

Without hesitation, Bella strode towards the scene, her presence commanding attention. "Vivian, stop it! Leave her alone!"

Vivian's eyes narrowed, her gaze locking onto Bella with a mixture of surprise and contempt. "Mind your own business, Bella. This doesn't concern you."

Bella stood her ground, her voice firm. "It concerns me when you're being a bully. Leave her alone, or I'll make sure the whole school knows what you're doing."

Vivian's face twisted with anger, but she backed off, her eyes flashing with a warning. "This isn't over, Bella."

Bella watched as Vivian stormed off, her heart still racing with adrenaline. She turned to the girl, who was still cowering in fear. "Hey, are you okay?"

The girl nodded, her eyes still brimming with tears. "Y-yes...thank you, Bella."

Bella's expression hardened, her mind made up. She would not let Vivian's cruel behavior go unchecked. It was time to take a stand.

Bella's heart went out to the girl, who was still shaking with fear. She wanted to report Vivian's behavior to the school authorities, but a nagging fear held her back. Vivian's mother was a wealthy benefactor who sponsored Bella's own education, and she knew that crossing Vivian would mean risking her own academic future.

"I'm so sorry," Bella said, feeling helpless. "I wish I could do more to stop her, but...my education is sponsored by her mom."

The girl looked up at her with understanding eyes. "I know how it is, Bella. My own family can't afford to cross Vivian's mom either. But thank you for standing up for me, even if it was just for a moment."

Bella felt a pang of guilt and frustration. She wanted to protect her new friend, but she was trapped by her own circumstances. She made a silent promise to find another way to help, without putting her own education at risk.

Bella's mind raced with thoughts of how she could help her new friend without jeopardizing her own education. She knew she had to be careful, but she couldn't just stand by and do nothing.

As she walked back to her locker, she noticed Tan San and Ku Young waiting for her, concerned looks on their faces. "Hey, Bella, what's wrong?" Tan San asked, noticing her troubled expression.

Bella hesitated, unsure how much to reveal. But something about her friends' kind faces made her trust them. "I just saw Vivian bullying someone," she confided. "And I'm afraid to report her because of her mom's influence."

Tan San and Ku Young exchanged knowing glances. "We've had our own run-ins with Vivian," Tan San said. "But we're with you, Bella. We'll figure out a way to help your friend without putting you in danger."

Ku Young nodded. "We're the Triple Threat, remember? Together, we can take on anything."

Bella smiled, feeling a surge of gratitude towards her friends. Together, they would find a way to stop Vivian's bullying and protect her friend, no matter what it took.