Agony (GEMINIFOURTH)

Chapter 32: The Breaking Point

The storm that had begun online had spilled into real life. What started as hate comments on social media had seeped into the hallways of the school. Quiet remarks, whispered insults, and cruel looks followed Fourth everywhere he went. It was subtle but relentless, a constant reminder that his relationship with Gemini was under scrutiny. Through it all, Gemini stayed by his side, always vigilant, always protective. They were in the same class, so Gemini made sure to stick close, never letting Fourth feel like he was facing this alone.

But there were moments when Gemini couldn't be there—like during trips to the bathroom.

It was during one of these moments that everything came to a head. Fourth had gone to the restroom between classes, hoping for a few minutes of peace. But as he entered the empty space, he felt the presence of someone behind him. Before he could react, a group of boys, three or four of them, cornered him against the wall.

"Look who it is," one of them sneered, his voice dripping with mockery. "The pretty boy who thinks he's too good for anyone but Gemini."

Fourth's muscles tensed, his instincts screaming at him to get out of there, but there was no escape. They had him trapped, blocking the only exit. His heart pounded in his chest, adrenaline surging through his veins as he tried to remain calm.

Another boy chuckled, his eyes roaming over Fourth in a way that made his skin crawl. "Should've noticed it earlier," he said, taking a step closer. "Even with that bad-boy attitude, you've got a pretty face, don't you?"

Fourth's stomach churned, anger rising in his throat. He wanted to fight back, to lash out, but he knew he was outnumbered. The group of boys closed in, one of them reaching out, his fingers brushing against Fourth's arm.

"Don't touch me," Fourth snapped, his voice sharp, laced with fury.

The boy laughed, but before he could say anything more, Fourth swung his fist with all his strength, aiming for the closest face. The punch landed squarely, sending the boy stumbling back with a cry of pain. For a brief moment, Fourth felt a surge of satisfaction—he had landed the first blow.

But then the others closed in. Two of them grabbed him, holding his arms behind his back, pinning him in place as the leader of the group stepped forward, a smirk playing on his lips.

"Oh, you've got some fight in you, huh?" the boy taunted, grabbing Fourth's chin and tilting his head up, forcing him to meet his gaze. "Too bad you're outnumbered."

Fourth struggled against their grip, his muscles straining as he tried to break free, but they were too strong. Panic started to rise in his chest as the boy's hand slid down from his chin to his waist, fingers lingering far too long.

"Let's see if you're as tough as you act," the boy sneered, his voice low and menacing.

Fourth's heart raced, his breath coming in short, panicked bursts as he realized what was about to happen. The boy leaned in closer, his mouth inches from Fourth's neck, and Fourth's skin crawled with disgust. He tried to turn his head, tried to pull away, but the grip on his arms was too tight.

Just as the boy's lips were about to touch his neck, the bathroom door slammed open with a force that echoed through the room.

"Get the hell away from him!" Gemini's voice cut through the tension like a blade, full of fury and authority.

The group of boys froze, their heads snapping toward the door. Gemini stood there, his eyes blazing with anger, his fists clenched at his sides. He looked like he was ready to tear them apart, and for a moment, no one moved.

The two boys holding Fourth hesitated, their grip loosening slightly as they exchanged nervous glances. The boy closest to Fourth, the one who had tried to touch him, straightened up, his confidence faltering in the face of Gemini's fury.

Gemini didn't wait for them to react. In a heartbeat, he was across the room, his fist connecting with the side of the leader's jaw in a brutal, satisfying crack. The boy stumbled back, clutching his face in shock and pain. Before the others could retaliate, Gemini turned to the two holding Fourth and grabbed one by the collar, slamming him into the wall with enough force to make him yelp in surprise.

"Let him go," Gemini growled, his voice low and dangerous.

The boys, clearly shaken by Gemini's sudden appearance and raw fury, quickly released Fourth and backed away, their expressions full of fear and uncertainty. The leader, nursing his jaw, glared at Gemini but said nothing. Without another word, they scrambled for the door, disappearing as quickly as they had come.

As the door swung shut behind them, the adrenaline began to fade. Fourth stood there, trembling slightly, the tension in his body slowly unraveling. His heart was still pounding, but the immediate danger had passed.

Gemini, his chest heaving with anger and worry, turned to Fourth, his eyes softening when he saw the shaken look on Fourth's face. He stepped forward, pulling Fourth into a tight, protective embrace, his arms wrapped securely around him.

"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry I wasn't there sooner," Gemini whispered, his voice filled with guilt. "Are you okay?"

Fourth leaned into the embrace, closing his eyes as he tried to steady his breathing. "I'm okay now," he whispered, though his voice wavered slightly. "Thanks to you."

Gemini pulled back just enough to look at him, his hands gently cupping Fourth's face. "They won't ever touch you again. I swear."

Fourth nodded, his throat tight with emotion. He didn't need to say anything more—Gemini's presence was enough. He knew that as long as Gemini was by his side, he wasn't alone in facing any of this.

But as they stood there in the quiet aftermath of the confrontation, they both knew that things were far from over. The hatred that had started online had taken a darker turn, and this was just the beginning.

The storm was still raging, and they would have to weather it together.