Chapter 6: Little Porcupine
Vios leaned back in his chair, staring out the classroom window. The sun was setting, casting a warm, golden glow over the school grounds. His thoughts drifted back to the day's events, particularly Xian's relentless yet laughable attempts to sabotage him.
He couldn't help but chuckle at the memory. Xian was like a little porcupine, bristling with spikes but ultimately harmless. The boy's determination to drive him out of West Woods High was almost endearing, in a pathetic sort of way. Vios had to admit, though, Xian's antics did add a certain spice to his otherwise monotonous school life.
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Vios' mind wandered back to the first prank – the bucket of water. He had been so engrossed in his phone that he nearly missed the telltale signs of mischief. But years of dealing with rivals and envious peers had honed his instincts. At the last moment, he had sidestepped, and the water had splashed harmlessly onto a passing teacher.
The look on Xian's face had been priceless. Vios had barely suppressed his laughter as the teacher, drenched and furious, dragged Xian and his friends off to detention. Even now, the memory brought a smile to his face.
"Did you really think a bucket of water would be enough, little porcupine?" he thought, amused.
The next day had brought another half-baked attempt at humiliation. Xian had switched out his textbooks with comic books. Vios had to give him credit for creativity, but the execution was flawed. Instead of embarrassment, Vios had turned the situation to his advantage, impressing the teacher with a quick-witted explanation about the sociological impact of humor in education. The dumbfounded look on Xian's face as the class applauded was almost too good to be true.
As he reflected on the comic book incident, a funny thought struck him. "If he put half as much effort into his studies as he did into these pranks, he might actually achieve something." The idea made him chuckle again. Perhaps Xian's misguided determination was his way of seeking attention, a cry for recognition in a world that had overlooked him.
Vios found himself watching Xian more closely after that. There was something undeniably captivating about the boy's fierce, almost comical determination. Despite his childish antics, Xian had a certain charm – like a scrappy little animal that refused to back down, no matter the odds.
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The gym clothes prank had been another near miss. Vios had smirked to himself as he squeezed into the too-small outfit. The laughter from his classmates had been expected, but he had quickly turned it into a lesson on body positivity and self-confidence. By the end of the day, he had gained even more admiration, much to Xian's frustration.
As he walked away from the locker room that day, he had a fleeting thought. "Maybe I should write a book: 'The Art of Outwitting Dumb@$$.' I bet it would be a bestseller." The idea made him laugh out loud, drawing curious glances from his classmates.
The science project incident had been the final straw, at least for Xian. Vios had immediately noticed the tampered components and had swiftly improvised a new experiment. The teacher's praise had been the icing on the cake. As he looked over at Xian's furious expression, a new nickname popped into his head: Little Porcupine.
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Vios had been called to the principal's office after the science project. He knew it wasn't for any wrongdoing on his part. His father's influence and his own spotless academic record ensured that he rarely faced any real consequences. Still, the news had reached his father, and now he was about to have a conversation he wasn't particularly looking forward to.
The phone rang just as he was packing up his things. With a resigned sigh, Vios answered, his voice cold but respectful. "Yes, Father?"
"Vios, I received a call from the principal today. He mentioned that you were involved in some incidents at school. Care to explain?"
Vios kept his tone even, hiding any hint of irritation. "It's nothing serious, Father. Just some childish pranks by a classmate. I handled it."
"Handled it? Vios, you know how important your reputation is. I won't have you getting dragged into petty squabbles."
"Yes, Father," Vios replied, his voice devoid of emotion. "I understand."
There was a pause on the other end of the line. "Good. Remember, you're representing our family. Don't let anyone bring you down to their level."
"I won't," Vios promised, already planning his next move. "Is there anything else?"
"No, that's all. Just remember what I said."
"Yes, Father. Goodbye."
Vios hung up, feeling a familiar mix of frustration and resignation. His father's expectations were a constant weight on his shoulders, but he had learned to bear it. He was determined not to let anyone, especially not a little porcupine like Xian, derail his plans.
---
As he walked out of the classroom, Vios couldn't help but think about Xian. The boy's relentless attempts to sabotage him were amusing, but they also hinted at something deeper. Perhaps Xian saw him as more than just a rival. Maybe, in some twisted way, Xian was looking for validation, a way to prove himself.
The thought made Vios pause. He had always been driven by a need to succeed, to prove his worth. Maybe Xian was the same, just going about it in a different, more chaotic way.
With a wry smile, Vios decided to keep an eye on Xian. Not just to stay ahead of his pranks, but to understand him better. There was something intriguing about the boy's fiery determination, and Vios was curious to see where it would lead.
As the bell rang, signaling the end of the day, Vios felt a sense of satisfaction. Despite the obstacles, he had once again come out on top. But he couldn't shake the feeling that this was just the beginning. The little porcupine wasn't done yet, and neither was he.
With a determined smile, Vios headed home, ready for whatever tomorrow would bring. The little porcupine had no idea what he was up against. But Vios was ready to find out just how sharp those spikes could be.