Chapter 2: Hidden voices

The classroom was dragging on painfully slowly, as if time itself had frozen. The teacher stood at the blackboard explaining a complex math problem, while the students stared blankly at the equations, barely pretending to pay attention. Some feigned interest, others were lost in thought, but all were eagerly counting down the minutes until the class ended.

At the back of the room, Khaled sat trying, as always, to make himself invisible. He stared at the desk in front of him, his mind lost in an entirely different world. The teacher's words sounded like a distant echo, unable to pierce the shell of isolation he had built around himself.

Yet, beneath the classroom's quiet exterior, there was an undercurrent of tension. On the other side of the room, Adam, the ringleader of the bullies, leaned lazily back in his chair, a malicious glint in his hazel eyes. His smirk betrayed a new idea brewing in his mind, something beyond the usual taunts.

Adam was a boy of strong build for his age, with dark brown hair styled in a deliberate messy look to appear confident. His hazel eyes sparkled with an ever-present air of dominance and arrogance. He often wore casual outfits like sporty shirts and shorts, reinforcing his image of control and mischief. His commanding presence drew attention, and he knew exactly how to wield it to assert his dominance over those around him.

Adam exchanged a quick glance with his friends sitting near Khaled. Without anyone noticing, one of them placed a small device under Khaled's table before class.

"Let's see what happens now..." Adam murmured, a devilish grin spreading across his face.

A few minutes passed before Adam casually glanced at his watch and pressed a hidden button in his pocket.

Suddenly, a loud, embarrassing noise erupted from under Khaled's desk. The unexpected sound broke the silence of the classroom, catching everyone off guard. Khaled froze in place, utterly bewildered. The noise blared on, and he looked around, confused and mortified. His classmates turned to stare at him—some laughing, others whispering.

"What is this?!" the teacher yelled, his face darkening with anger.

All eyes were on Khaled, who looked utterly panicked and unable to comprehend what was happening. Adam, feigning innocence, raised his hand and said loudly, "I think he's got some kind of device under his desk, sir." Rising from his seat, Adam walked toward Khaled's desk, mock concern written across his face. He reached under the desk and pulled out the device, presenting it to the teacher with exaggerated calmness.

"I didn't think Khaled had it in him to pull a stunt like this," Adam said with mock admiration. "Looks like he wanted to make the class more exciting!"

Khaled's eyes widened as he stared at the device, unable to process the situation. "Sir, I... I didn't put that there! I swear, I have nothing to do with this!" he stammered, his voice trembling with a mix of fear and frustration.

The teacher, who had always known Khaled as a quiet, reserved boy, looked disappointed. "I didn't expect this from you, Khaled. Leave the classroom immediately and go to the principal's office!" he ordered firmly.

Scattered laughter rippled through the room. Khaled remained rooted in his spot, his heart pounding violently and his eyes wide with shock. He opened his mouth to speak, but the words failed him.

As Khaled trudged toward the door, burdened by humiliation and helplessness, a quiet voice broke the heavy silence.

"Sir..."

Everyone turned toward the source of the voice. It was Sarah, the quiet girl who usually chose to observe from the sidelines. Her unexpected intervention drew everyone's attention, even Khaled's, who stopped in his tracks to look at her, a flicker of surprise crossing his face.

Sarah was naturally graceful, with long, light brown hair that cascaded over her shoulders. Her green eyes were deep and expressive, often reflecting her empathy for those around her. Her fair complexion and simple, elegant outfits, like loose-fitting blouses and jeans, mirrored her gentle and practical nature. Despite her reserved demeanor, there was a quiet strength in her gaze, a hint of courage waiting to surface when it mattered most.

Looking directly at the teacher, Sarah spoke with quiet determination. "I'm certain Khaled isn't responsible."

The teacher raised an eyebrow, surprised by her intervention. "Well, if Khaled is innocent, can he explain what's going on here?" he asked, his tone less severe.

Khaled felt as though the words were stuck in his throat. Slowly turning toward the teacher, he glanced at his classmates, who were either smirking or watching with curiosity. Finally, he muttered, his voice low and tinged with frustration and anger, "I don't know... All I know is I didn't do anything. That's not mine."

Sarah had known about Khaled's situation for a long time, and today, she couldn't stay silent anymore. Taking light steps forward, she said, "I saw everything. The device was placed under Khaled's desk without his knowledge."

She hesitated briefly, torn between fear and courage. She knew speaking the truth might make her the next target. But in that moment, she couldn't continue to stay silent and decided to press on.

"Who did it, then?" the teacher asked coolly.

Sarah fell silent again. She knew the answer but was scared of the consequences. Her eyes darted toward the bullies, particularly Adam, who stared at her with icy eyes.

Her hesitation grew. She didn't want to get involved and become the bullies' next victim. After a moment of silence, the teacher, sensing her reluctance and knowing Khaled couldn't have done something like this, decided to let the matter drop. Lacking evidence against the true culprits, the teacher simply chose to end the ordeal.

"Alright, that's enough," the teacher said. "Khaled, return to your seat. This better not happen again."

Khaled walked back to his seat, his eyes red with anger and frustration. Passing the bullies, who were whispering and laughing maliciously, he chose to ignore them—for now.

What Sarah did was unexpected. It was the first time someone stood up for Khaled. Their eyes met briefly, but those few seconds were enough to spark a faint glimmer of hope within him, even if it was fragile.

The bell rang, signaling the end of class, and the teacher gave the students permission to leave. "Okay everyone, you can go. Make sure to review what we've seen in this class when you get home. In the exam, I don't want to see you acting like I haven't taught you this before."

As Sarah prepared to leave, Adam passed by her and whispered a threat in her ear: "Be careful, Sarah... getting close to the cursed boy will only bring bad luck, hahaha."

She didn't respond but felt a shiver run down her spine. She realized she had stepped into something bigger than she anticipated.

On her way out, the teacher called out to her in a calm voice, "Sarah, can you stay for a moment?"

She paused, her heart beating a little faster. Casting a hesitant glance at the teacher, she saw his expression was serious but kind.

After the classroom emptied and the teacher closed the door, he approached her calmly. "Sarah, I want to talk to you about what happened today. I noticed your hesitation while speaking earlier. Is there something you'd like to tell me?"

She looked down, hesitating again. The teacher took a deep breath and added, "I know you're an honest girl, and you showed bravery by speaking up today. But if there's more you know, I'm here to help."

Lifting her gaze to meet his, she saw genuine concern in his features. Finally, she decided to speak. "Sir... the truth is, Khaled didn't do anything. It was the bullies who put the device under his desk."

Her words hung in the air for a moment, but the teacher remained silent, listening attentively. She continued, "Adam and his friends planned it. I was afraid to say anything because I know what they're capable of if they find out I exposed them."

The teacher nodded in understanding, then said reassuringly, "Thank you for your courage, Sarah. I know this wasn't easy for you. But it was important that you told me."

After a brief pause, he added, "I'll handle this carefully. I won't let them harm Khaled further. And I'll ensure you're safe as well."

Her eyes widened in a mix of surprise and relief. "Does that mean you'll move him somewhere else?"

The teacher nodded firmly. "Yes. I can't let this continue. Khaled deserves a safe environment to learn and live peacefully. And I'll do everything I can to protect you too, Sarah. You've shown today that you have a strong heart."

Sarah smiled shyly and said, "Thank you, sir."

The teacher left the classroom, leaving Sarah with a sense of relief, though she knew this wasn't the end. As for Khaled, the teacher's decisions might mark a new beginning, away from the injustice he had endured.

Khaled, who usually disappeared quickly to avoid facing the bullies or his classmates, stood this time in the shadow of the school gate, his eyes nervously watching the main entrance.

Finally, Sarah emerged, carrying her bag over her shoulder and walking at a steady pace. Seeing her, Khaled took a deep breath and approached her, trying to appear confident, though his hesitant steps betrayed him.

"Sarah..." he said in a quiet voice, just loud enough for her to hear. She stopped and looked at him, a small smile forming on her face, which encouraged him to continue.

"I just wanted to... thank you for what you did today. I know it wasn't easy for you.

"Sarah shook her head gently and said, "There's no need to thank me, Khaled. I knew you didn't do anything. It just felt wrong to stay silent."

The two stood in silence for a moment, as if words weren't enough to capture the situation that had brought them together. Then Khaled, with a shy smile, added, "Anyway, thank you. It means a lot to me."

Sarah smiled again and said, "Don't worry about it. Just try to stay strong."

Khaled nodded, a warm feeling spreading through him—something he hadn't felt in a long time.

"I will."

They bid each other farewell, and Sarah walked away, while Khaled stood for a moment, watching her leave, feeling a flicker of hope amid the darkness of his days.

But he wasn't alone.

A few meters away, under an old tree by the roadside, Adam stood in the shadows, watching the scene with sharp eyes. A sly smile spread across his face, and his gaze was full of promises for more trouble.

He whispered to himself, playing with a leaf between his fingers, "Well, it seems we have a new game to play."

Then, turning quietly, he disappeared into the crowd, leaving behind an ominous sense of danger.