Behind The Mask

Chapter 2:The Uneasy Beginnings

Li Xin tried his best to keep his head down as he walked through the school corridors. Every step felt like a spotlight was shining on him. Whispers echoed, eyes followed him, and no matter how much he tried to blend in, he stood out.

“Hey, you’re the new guy, right?” a voice called out from behind. Li Xin tensed and turned to see Zhao Wei, one of the school’s most popular students, grinning at him. His cocky smile was impossible to miss, and the crowd of students nearby seemed to lean in, curious about the newcomer.

Li Xin was already used to the attention, but something about Zhao Wei’s demeanor made him uncomfortable. “Yeah, that’s me,” he said, trying to sound nonchalant. “I’m just here to study.”

Zhao Wei raised an eyebrow, clearly not buying the casual tone. “Study, huh? You don’t look like someone who’s here for the books. You’ve got that... mysterious vibe. You hiding something, new guy?”

Li Xin felt his throat tighten. He didn’t want to attract more attention, but it seemed like it was impossible to avoid. “Just here to settle in. Nothing to hide.”

Zhao Wei laughed, clearly enjoying the discomfort. “I like you already. Let’s see how long you keep that secret.” He winked and turned to leave, the crowd around him murmuring about the exchange. Li Xin exhaled, relieved that the conversation was over, but he knew this wouldn’t be the last time people took an interest in him.

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Later in the Hallway

The afternoon classes felt like a blur to Li Xin. Every time he tried to focus, someone was looking at him, whispering, or making comments. It wasn’t just the students—it was the teachers too. His mind wandered as he walked back to the dorm, but just as he was about to turn the corner, a voice froze him in his tracks.

“Still here?” Zhang Wei’s voice was laced with venom, each word dripping with disdain.

Li Xin turned to face him, trying to remain calm under the weight of Zhang Wei’s intense gaze. Zhang Wei’s piercing blue eyes seemed to scan him, as if he could see right through the facade.

“What do you want?” Li Xin asked, trying to keep his tone neutral, though his pulse was racing.

Zhang Wei’s lips curled into a sneer. “I don’t like change,” he said coldly. “And I don’t like people who invade my space. Why are you still here? You think you can just show up and get comfortable?”

Li Xin swallowed hard. “I’m just getting settled in,” he replied, avoiding Zhang Wei’s gaze. “I’m not here to cause trouble.”

Zhang Wei took a slow step forward, towering over him. “Well, trouble has a way of finding me,” he said with a wicked grin. “You better watch your step. This isn’t your place to play around in.”

With that, Zhang Wei turned and walked away, leaving Li Xin standing there, his heart pounding in his chest. The tension between them was palpable, and Li Xin knew it wasn’t going to get any easier from here on out.

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Later That Night – Dormitory

As the day wound down, Li Xin returned to the dorm. He expected the same cold reception, but tonight there was a noticeable shift in the atmosphere. The room was quiet, with only Chen Lei and Liang Wei present. Liang Chao was nowhere to be found.

Li Xin barely had time to settle in before the door swung open, and Zhang Wei entered the room with his usual arrogant stride. His eyes immediately locked onto Li Xin, as if he was inspecting him like an unwanted piece of furniture.

“Still here?” Zhang Wei asked again, his tone dripping with irritation. He didn’t even look at the other boys as he addressed Li Xin.

Li Xin looked up, trying to remain unfazed by the tension in the room. “This is my room too,” he said, his voice steady. “I’m not going anywhere.”

Zhang Wei gave him a cold, mocking smile. “We’ll see how long that lasts. Don’t get too comfortable, new guy. You’ll be lucky if you even make it through the week.”

Li Xin’s fists clenched at his sides, but he held his ground. “I’m not here to step on anyone’s toes. Just here to study.”

Zhang Wei’s grin widened. “You think you’re fooling anyone? We all know something’s off about you. No one’s buying your ‘I’m just here to study’ act.” He turned to his friends, dismissing Li Xin completely. “I’m going out. You guys coming?”

Li Xin watched them leave, the door slamming behind them. The silence that followed felt suffocating. He was alone with his thoughts, trying to shake off the lingering tension. Zhang Wei wasn’t just arrogant—he was actively hostile, and Li Xin had no idea how long he could keep pretending to be someone he wasn’t.

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Cliffhanger: Zhang Wei’s dominance in the dorm continues to unsettle Li Xin, and the pressure of keeping up his act as a boy is only getting worse. What happens when the others begin to notice his secret, and how much longer can he keep his true identity hidden?