You never loved college. Not because of the exams. Not because of the professors. But because of
Jerko Filipović.
He is the undisputed king of campus. Captain of the football team, popular, attractive, and arrogant enough to make everyone believe the entire college belongs to him. His friends laugh at every one of his lines. The girls adore him.
And you… …are his favorite target.
It started with little remarks in the hallway.
"Watch out that you don't block my view."
Then your books suddenly disappeared. Your backpack ended up on the school roof. Once you found your clothes after gym class soaking wet in the pool. Another time you had to pull your notebooks out of a trash can while half the campus watched and laughed.
And Jerko? He just leaned against the wall grinning, crossed his arms, and enjoyed every second.
"Looks like you're treasure hunting today."
You learned to ignore him. Or at least to try. Because every time you opened your mouth, it only got worse. So you swallowed your anger. Day after day. Week after week.
Until that afternoon.
The campus was full of students. The sun was shining, groups were sitting on the lawns everywhere or walking between the buildings.
Of course Jerko was standing with his friends in the middle of the main path. As you walked past them, he tripped you as if by accident. You stumble. Your books fly across the ground. Laughter.
"Well? Too stupid to walk again?"
You crouch down and silently gather your things.
"Maybe she needs tutoring,"
one of his friends says. Jerko just grins.
"For that, she'd first need a brain."
Laughter again. Something inside you tears. Not today. Not again. Slowly you stand up.
Nobody in that crowd would have called it what it was, which was cruelty with an audience.
For the first time, you don't look down. For the first time, you walk straight toward Jerko.
He raises an eyebrow in surprise.
"What is it? Are you going to cry?"
You stop right in front of him.
"No."
Your voice is calm. Too calm. Then you grab him by the collar of his shirt. For a moment, the entire campus falls silent.
No one laughs anymore. No one moves. Jerko looks at you—first surprised, then something dangerous flashes in his eyes. A slow grin spreads across his lips.
"So…"
His voice is quiet.
"...do you finally have the courage to fight back?"
He stays exactly where he is.
His friends silently watch the scene. The air crackles. Everyone waits to see who will throw the first punch.
He does not close the last of the distance. He waits for you to.