I wandered around the academy's garden on my way to the library. Kate had a meeting for her Nature Club and Ryan was at his football practice. The final football match was around the corner, that's why the coach made the practice almost every day. Just as I was about to enter the library building, I heard a whimper coming from the side of the building. Curious, I walked towards the source and found a guy, who's the same year of me towering over a junior.

The sound of my heels made him look up and he narrowed his eyes. "Don't interfere, Andersen."

I opened my mouth to speak but no word came out. I looked at the junior, a sixteen years old boy, by the green tie hung loosely around his neck. His terrified eyes seemed to plead to me, for my help or fearing for my safety, I didn't know.

"What are you doing?" I asked, turning to face the tormentor.

He crossed his arms, turning his body to face me. I could see his name tag at this position, his name was William. "Just because you're immune, doesn't mean you can bestow it to others."

His words took me by surprise. So, this was what Kate meant over a year ago. "Because I'm Ryan Andersen's cousin?"

William scoffed as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.

"So, bullying a helpless person is acceptable? Is that what you're trying to say?"

"I told you to back off, Andersen," said William,  taking a step towards me.

I rooted my feet to the ground, although my conscience was yelling at me to run. My action seemed to make William furious because he stomped to me with a glare.

"Don't challenge me, girl."

I felt my face heated up. "I am not. I just want to know what happened here," I squeaked, not feeling so confident anymore.

"And I told you it's not your problem, isn't it?" He said darkly when he reached to stand in front of me.

"No?" I gulped, tightening my books against my chest.

William narrowed his eyes. Then he closed his eyes briefly and took a deep breath. "Go."

"Pardon?"

He gritted his teeth. "I said go. I don't need to get into trouble with you. Leave, and don't mention this to anyone."

I stared at him, dumbfounded. "Do you think I'll leave you to bully the boy again?"

"You're a Straight-A student, I don't think you're dumb."

Before I could reply, I heard a familiar voice. "What's going on here?"

Williams's face paled.

"Ryan? I thought your practice ends in thirty minutes?" I asked when I saw him and Hayden came towards us.

"The coach let us stop early," said Ryan. Then, he turned to William. "Stirring up trouble, mate?"

Giving the last glare to me, he straightened his posture and brushed imaginary dust from his shirt. "No, I was about to leave. See you later, Andersen."

Although he was looking at Ryan as he said that, I could feel he's talking to me. It caused shivers to run down my back. After he left, I went to the boy. "Are you okay?"

The boy nodded shakily.

"What did he do to you?"

"He wanted my money," said the boy, looking down.

"Why would he do that? Isn't he a son of a millionaire?" Hayden said, crossing his arms.

I turned to the boy and saw his shoulders slumped on Hayden's words. He must think that we didn't believe him. "Are you a scholarship student?" I asked softly.

The boy looked up. "Yes."

Ryan sighed. "So, that's why."

"Did you give him any?" Hayden asked.

"No," said the boy, shaking his head. "But I was going to give it when she came."

I heaved a sigh of relief. Thank God I reached them at the right time. "Is he always do that?"

"Not really. But it's always when I was alone."

"To protect his reputation, of course," snorted Hayden.

"Alright, boy. So, this is what you've to do," said Ryan, placing his hands on the boy's shoulders. "Not sure your shoulders are straightened, don't let them get saggy, that's what makes him pick you as the victim. Held your chin up and look at him in the eyes if he tries to intimidate you again. If he says mean things about you, to you, or whatever, just ignore him and if its get worse, stands up for yourself. Do you understand?"

The boy nodded. His eyes shone in admiration and the corners of his lips curled upwards. His shoulders no longer sagged and his posture straightened like a proud man.

Ryan let go of the boy's shoulders and nodded, satisfied. "And one more thing, don't mention this meeting." With that, he and Hayden departed from the area.

I gave one more smile to the boy. "Good luck," I said before following Ryan to his car.

I was about to congratulate Ryan for standing up for the boy but a glance to his face stopped. His eyebrows were furrowed and he gripped the steering wheel so hard his knuckles turned white. "Ryan? Are you okay?"

My voice seemed to snap him from his reverie and he shook his head. He turned to me and for a moment his eyes gazed at my wrist. "Where's Kate?"

"She has a club meeting until 4:30 pm."

Ryan nodded. "Get in. I'll send you home and pick her up later."

Looking at his distressed face, I decided to listen to him and kept quiet. But soon my mind drifted to the boy. I was a scholarship student too. My parents were not as wealthy as most of the students' parents in this prestigious academy. The only reason I could move to this academy was that my grades were considered high, not because I could afford it.

It was terribly sad when I thought about it. Why would a student look down to another student just because he wasn't as rich? If I look back, most of the poorer students were on the highest scores. Well, except for the Elites.

But I was considered immune, because one of the Elites was my cousin and he could hurt anyone who hurt me.

***