Beta's POV
A group of boys walked in, and one of them immediately caught my eye. Franco, I recognized him instantly. He was a local kid from the neighborhood, the kind of guy you didn’t want to mess with. He and his crew were known for causing trouble, especially for younger kids, and I’d crossed paths with him enough times to know that he wasn’t someone you could shake off easily.
I tried to ignore him, hoping he wouldn’t spot me, but of course, he did. His voice rang out across the room. “Yo, Beta! You come here too?”
I froze, my heart skipping a beat. I reluctantly stood up, my stomach twisting. Franco and his crew swaggered over to my table, their laughter too loud, like they owned the place. They didn’t even bother to be subtle about it.
“Hey, man. What’s up?” Franco asked, slappi
