Almost his

The notification hit their phones at once.

New Post Alert – Student Confessions Page

Max's hand trembled as he tapped the screen.

It was a picture. A candid shot from their recent rehearsal—Max laughing freely with the others. He looked genuinely happy.

But the caption turned his stomach.

"Baby Max with his sugar daddies. Looks like talent isn't the only thing he's using to climb up."

Silence fell like a thunderclap.

Max stared, his face drained of color before it flushed red. "Who the hell posted this…" he muttered, his voice low and dangerous.

Everyone looked at him, unsure what to say.

Then Max stood up so fast his chair screeched back. He threw his phone across the wall with such force it cracked on impact. Everyone flinched.

"I'M GOING TO KILL THAT PERSON!" he shouted.

Sol and Tik rushed toward him, holding his arms before he could storm off. "Max! Breathe, man. Calm down!" Sol said, gripping him tight.

"Let me go! I'm sick of this—first the stares, now this trash?!"

"Sit down," Mark ordered firmly. "Getting suspended or jailed won't help."

Lucian knelt beside him, his voice trembling. "Max, please…"

Jack turned to Tul, who was already pulling out his laptop. "Delete that damn post. Now."

"On it," Tul muttered, typing rapidly. "I'll find the IP too."

Max clenched his fists, breathing heavily, and then, without warning, slammed his hand into the wall behind him.

CRACK.

Everyone froze. Lucian gasped. Blood oozed down from Max's knuckles.

"Shit!" Jack exclaimed, grabbing Max's wrist. "What the hell, Max?!"

Lucian ran out to fetch the first aid kit. "Keep him still!"

Sol and Tik guided Max to sit, while Jack examined his bleeding hand. Max didn't say anything. His eyes were wild but distant.

Mark knelt in front of him, gently but firmly, "From now on, one of us stays with you, alright? You're not facing this alone."

Just then—another notification.

Tul cursed loudly. "There's a second post."

Everyone huddled around.

This time, it was a picture of right now.

Jack holding Max's hand, Sol and Tik beside him.

The caption read:

"Baby Max acting hurt to gain his daddies' attention. So dramatic."

Max froze.

The others snapped their heads around the quiet, secluded space behind their college building. Their secret hangout spot… wasn't so secret anymore.

"They're watching us," Tul whispered.

Mark stood up, eyes sharp. "Who's out there?!"

Lucian returned with the kit, panting. "Max, give me your hand. Please."

Max pulled it away gently. "I'm fine." His voice was low and bitter.

"No, you're not," Jack said.

Max grabbed his bag, slung it over his shoulder, and stood.

"Where are you going?" Sol asked, rising quickly.

"Back to the apartment," Max muttered.

"I'll come with you," Jack offered.

"No," Max snapped. "I want to be alone."

He didn't wait for a reply.

He just left.