BULLYING

The walk back home felt heavier than usual.

Leo had confided everything, and the weight of his words pressed on my chest, making it hard to focus on anything else. My stomach knotted tighter with each step toward the house, as the looming conversation ahead took shape in my mind.

I dreaded it—not because of what I had to say, but because I knew how they’d react.

Leo had been quiet after spilling his heart, his usual cheerfulness dulled by the sour taste in his mouth. His hands were stuffed in his pockets, head down, a slight frown on his lips. When we finally reached the door, he gave me a small, tired smile before slipping inside without a word.

I watched him as he trudged upstairs to his room, each step slow and deliberate. He needed time to process everything, and honestly, so did I, but I didn't have that time. I needed to tell his brothers so that they could do something to protect him.

I paused at the threshold, taking a deep breath before stepping into the family room. T