The bully's redemption

Merry Christmas Eve guys

.

.

.

Kamsi paced the length of her small room, the floorboards creaking faintly under her restless steps. Her arms were crossed tightly, as though holding herself together, but her face was set in grim determination.

On the bed, Zendaya lounged with practiced ease, her back propped against the headboard, one leg dangling lazily off the edge. She watched Kamsi with wary eyes, the faintest arch of her brow betraying her disbelief.

"We have to uncover Jimmy's secrets," Kamsi said, her voice sharp, almost pleading, like the words had been bottled up for too long.

Zendaya blinked, unimpressed. "And why exactly do we have to?" she drawled, twisting a strand of her dark hair around her finger. "You know his parents practically own half the city. They're lawyers, Kams. Powerful ones."

Kamsi stopped abruptly, turning to face her. The intensity in her eyes made Zendaya's smirk falter. "That's exactly why," Kamsi shot back, her tone slicing through the room like a knife. "People like him get away with everything because no one has the guts—or the resources—to stand up to them. But we can."

Zendaya tilted her head, skepticism shadowing her face. "We?" she repeated, narrowing her gaze. "Kamsi, you're talking about digging into the life of someone untouchable. And basing it on what? Hallway gossip? You can't validate that."

Kamsi's shoulders stiffened, her fingers curling into her palms. "Then I'll validate it. I'll find the proof," she declared, her voice trembling slightly at the edges, but her resolve shining through. "Damon, Gilbert and probably Alexander ."

"Don't tell me this is about Xavier Xavier?" Zendaya sat up, her casual demeanor cracking into something sharper. "Youre doing all this because if him? "

Kamsi looked away, pressing her lips together as if swallowing back guilt. She rubbed her arms absentmindedly, her gaze distant. "I misjudged him," she admitted quietly, her voice raw with something she didn't quite name. "I cost him a chance at something that mattered… I can't just stand by and do nothing. I need to make it right."

For a moment, the room fell silent except for the faint ticking of the wall clock. Zendaya studied Kamsi, her sharp eyes softening, like she was searching for cracks in her friend's resolve but finding none. Finally, Zendaya sighed and let out a reluctant chuckle, a sly grin tugging at her lips.

"You're crazy," she said, shaking her head. "But I'd be an even bigger idiot to let you do this alone." Her grin widened as she sat cross-legged on the bed, her eyes glinting with mischief. "Okay, fine. Let's do this."

A smile broke across Kamsi's face, relief flooding her features as she exhaled a breath she didn't realize she'd been holding. "Thank you," she whispered.

Zendaya shrugged, leaning back on her hands, her grin lingering. "Just remember, when this blows up in our faces, I'll be the first to say I told you so."

Kamsi didn't even flinch. Her resolve was a wildfire, spreading faster than doubt could extinguish it. Whatever Jimmy was hiding, she'd find it. And with Zendaya by her side—and maybe Xavier too—there was no turning back now.

---

The empty classroom hummed with the faint echo of after-school silence—desks pushed askew, sunlight pooling lazily through dusty windows, and the air heavy with unspoken tension. Damon sprawled across the teacher's desk, his legs stretched out like he owned the place, fingers lazily drumming against the wood in an offbeat rhythm. That infuriating smirk curled at the corner of his mouth, sharp and teasing.

"Well, well," he drawled, his voice dripping with mock amusement. "So, let me get this straight—you want us to dig up dirt on Jimmy? Shake his perfect little family tree? I gotta say, Kamsi, didn't think you had it in you."

Kamsi stiffened, her knuckles tightening around the strap of her backpack. Of course he'd mock me, her face burned, but she lifted her chin, refusing to waver. "I'm not asking for much—just the truth. You all know what he's done."

The room seemed to shift as Gilbert spoke, his calm, measured voice slicing through Damon's taunts like a scalpel. "I've been hearing things." He pushed his glasses up his nose, his sharp gaze flickering toward Kamsi. "Quiet rumors, whispers in the hallways. Girls too scared to speak. If we look hard enough, we'll find something real."

Gilbert's focus made Kamsi's stomach churn with equal parts gratitude and dread. She wasn't sure she wanted to hear confirmation of what she already suspected—Jimmy wasn't just a bully. He was dangerous. How did it get this far without anybody stopping him?

Gilbert adjusted his glasses, his tone even but probing. "And what exactly do we gain by befriending them? Other than risking unnecessary drama?"

"Validation," Kamsi replied firmly, meeting his gaze. "They won't spill unless they trust us. I overheard them mention a girl but I don't know the name. If we dig deeper, we can connect the dots to Jimmy."

Alexander finally stirred, his calm voice slicing through the tension. "This has to be careful—strategic. No mess, no traces." He leveled Kamsi with a pointed look, as if testing her resolve. "Are you prepared for what happens when this blows up?"

Kamsi swallowed hard but nodded. "I have to be."

A heavy pause lingered. Then Damon clapped his hands together, breaking the moment. "Alright, team 'Expose Jimmy' is a go." He winked at Zendaya. "What's the plan, boss lady?"

Zendaya grinned, pushing off the desk to stand beside Kamsi. "Fashion, food, and Damon's charm. Easy."

Kamsi elaborated, her confidence growing. "Zendaya will handle the fashion angle—they're obsessed with brands. Gilbert and Damon, you'll play the 'cute guys' card. And I'll step in with food. Something sweet never fails."

Damon mock-saluted. "Leave the charm to me."

Gilbert rolled his eyes. "I'll keep him from being too ridiculous."

Zendaya turned to Kamsi, an approving smile tugging at her lips. "This will work."

Kamsi swallowed hard, meeting his gaze with all the courage she could summon. "I understand. And I'll take responsibility. All of it."

The corner of Alexander's mouth twitched, something flickering behind his stoic mask—respect, maybe, or reluctant approval.

"Look at you, all grown up," Zendaya's voice chimed in, breaking the tension with a sly smirk. She lounged against a desk, legs crossed elegantly, her manicured fingers tracing patterns on its surface as though this were just another afternoon hangout. Her eyes, however, gleamed with mischief as they locked onto Kamsi. "Told you they'd help, didn't I?"

Kamsi exhaled, her shoulders dropping slightly. She couldn't help the flicker of relief, though the weight of what they were about to do settled heavy on her chest. This isn't about me anymore it's about every girl Jimmy's hurt.