Why us?

Noah and George reach Noah's apartment. The whole ride home was silent. George kept trying to get Noah to talk, but Noah was quiet. In the end, George decided to give Noah some time. No matter how talkative and childlike George is, he understands when to keep quiet. It was not the first time he got bullied, but being the target of a gang, that too the most powerful gang of the school was not something one can easily take.

(Flashback back to middle school)

It was inter-school athletics meet day. George forced Noah to participate in basketball despite him constantly refusing to do so. But the school team was short of one member, so George put in Noah's name.

The boys were playing basketball with many girls cheering up for them.

Although Noah did not like to participate in such events, he was pretty good at playing all sorts of games. He played well in all positions whatsoever.

As the game progressed, so did Noah's consistent scores. Noah was the candy to the eyes of the viewers with many girls cheering him up. Noah was unbothered by all this as all did was care least about it.

The opposite team was losing against Noah's team which made some of the girls start booing them. This made them super annoyed and, also despise Noah.

After the game was over with Noah's team winning the match, George went to the sports room to check in all the supplies and re-organize and, Noah was standing near his locker to get his clothes to change when some players of the opposite team got inside and locked the locker room.

Noah did not say anything but,

"Too much of a sports star, are you?" one of the players said while getting near Noah.

Noah started to step back as he did not want to get involved. But the players had something else in their mind.

"Let's see how good you are." And with this, they started beating up Noah.

Noah tried to defend but he was alone and was outnumbered. He tried to shout and call George but one of the players put a hand over his mouth and punched him in the stomach.

George came back to the locker room but found the door closed, he shouted Noah's name which made the players become alert and they ran out from the back door.

Noah managed to open the door and was about to fall down but George managed to hold him.

He had to stay for two weeks in bed to recover. He did not want to report the issue to the school authority as the students were from a different school, but George made him report it. The school authority handled the issue, but the bullies were suspended for just a few weeks.

(Flashback end.)

..

…

George stops the car outside Noah's place. Noah was still zoned out. George called his name a few times but got no reply. He shook Noah's hand which made Noah get back, and Noah turned to him.

"Noah, will you be alright? Should I stay with you today?" George asks sadly.

"I will be fine. Don't worry. It's okay, you don't have to stay. They will not be here in my apartment anyway." Noah says with a weak smile, trying to reassure George who is not willing to leave his best friend. 'I guess I will be okay', mumbled Noah to himself

"Promise me that you will call me if you need anything."

"I will." Noah smiles.

George gives Noah a side hug and, leaves for his home.

Noah enters his apartment. He just could not forget what happened today.

'I saw you in the parking lot scaredy-cat. You kinda got my attention so deal with it now.' These words keep flashing in Noah's head. He slumps down on his bed.

Noah POV

Her smirk, I just can't believe my life is going to be officially ruined by a stranger who I did not even know to date. How can the first day itself seem like the last day of my life? As much as I want to hide, the more people put me in the spotlight. What a life? *sighs*.

Gosh, I want to bury my head but all it will do is make me look like an ostrich who hides its head under the ground and thinks no one can see it. I really want to live a peaceful life without any troubles, especially, staying far away from all these gang activities. I cannot let myself get sucked back into it.

Why? Why does it have to be me?

I mean there are hundreds of other students then why me?

Ava's POV

Why him? I mean there are hundreds of other students then why him? To be honest, I do not know why I am so dead on making him my target. There's… there is something about him. The parking lot was not the first place I saw him. I have seen him before in school. Multiple times, he does not know because I never let him. There was always something that bothered me. Maybe it is because he is so distant from everyone and how he tries to avoid every single problem. He did not even pay attention to anyone. His eyes… God, his eyes.. there is something in his eyes, I just can't point it out. I can't figure him out that is what bothers me.

The way he ran back to the car in the parking lot, haha, I just kind of wanted to see him. Maybe I want to see him break down. He is too weak that I want to just crumble him all over but why did it hurt me when my friends were saying anything bad about him?

Maybe because only I want to annoy him. After all, he is my prey, isn't he?

Urgh, why am I thinking about him? I have to focus on David.

Third POV

"We have to do something. I will not let Ava stay in peace. I will break her and her friends down." David says as he speaks to his gang.

"David, what are you planning to do?", one of the gang members speaks.

"To ruin a perfect piece of cloth, we pull on the loose thread. We are going to hit the loose end. The weaker end. It is the end." David smirks.

"Let's get started. Gather more information about each and every member of the gang. Their schedule and day to day activity. Keep a close eye on them. We will begin our plan; I don't want to give her a chance to prepare." David commands.

"Yes sir."

"I am going to take back what belongs to me, even if it does not want to be mine. I will take it by force. I was not successful last time, but this time it will be different."