“Wrong Kid”

The sun streamed through the window, illuminating the bustling campus, where laughter and chatter filled the air, momentarily distracting Marcus from the world outside. "BOO!" the sudden fright couldn't help but make the kid flinch before he twisted his neck around to retrieve his headphones back, only to meet a condescending gaze. At least that's what he remembers a crooked smile and scrunched up nose portrays. "Aren't you jumpy? Liwanag, right?" He asked in a more relaxed expression; a subtle smirk, giving the earphones back. "Marcus Ian Liwanag." He muttered, wondering if the other didn't hear him introduce himself a while ago, gingerly pressing the muffs back against his ears.

The other dude was left tilting his head to the side, not really expecting such a formal response. The rumors must be true that the transfer student was mentally handicapped then. It was rather unexpected considering that Marcus was apparently a scholar. "Can you even hear me through those?" The latter spoke in a slightly raised voice, which Marcus replied with a nod. "I'm sensitive to sounds, that's why I need them." He said in a sheepish manner, keeping his eyes downcast. No wonder he recoiled a while ago.

"Well, I'm August. August Jett Rivera." The guy spoke, followed by a light snicker, putting his hand out which Marcus laid his eyes on for some seconds. The new kid's lack of social skills seems to make the others giggle, which he unfortunately couldn't understand why. "You must be autistic." August blurted out, dropping his hand after being rejected; which abruptly made the other relax. "Yeah, how do you know? I have Asperger's and—" interrupted, Marcus paused as he wondered if he heard the word right.

"Retarded." With that, he was left wondering what he did or said wrong during their short interaction. Marcus really thought he'd make a friend now, but what's the difference? It seems like he’s always going to be a strange one.

The first days of school are always challenging for any introvert, especially for Marcus, a new scholar at UP Diliman from a public school. Despite the privilege of his position, he quickly learned that every situation has its ups and downs. At just 16, attending college felt surreal, a result of his advanced intellect that allowed him to skip several years of high school. Often labeled a “prodigy,” Marcus faced unique struggles; his autism profoundly shaped his personality and skills. With an eidetic memory, he excelled in academics, making his enrollment in computer science seem effortless. Yet, his social awkwardness— his inability to read emotions or grasp humor— isolated him from his peers. While professors admired his brilliance, his difficulty in connecting with others left him friendless in a sea of new faces.

It was probably what upsets him the most. Being an alien. He’s not even as affected when his class started to make fun of his appearance and behavior, he was already accustomed; actually expecting them to do so. Liwanag was a scholar for a reason, it’s not like he could afford such a privilege of attending the UP Diliman, when he couldn’t even buy his own uniform and shoes— he had to use his older brother’s.

August's focus was particularly fixed on Marcus, relentlessly spreading rumors that he had cheated on his scholarship exam. There’s just no way someone with a developmental disability could effortlessly outshine him in academics. The taunting and discrimination didn’t end in person; the younger had become Rivera’s muse for online harassment as well.

Marcus recently found out that the latter was harassing him in social media as well, and as much as he was confused on what he did to trigger August to do so, he couldn’t help but feel humiliated and self-conscious.

“The freak couldn’t even hold an eye contact!”

“Clown thinks he’s better than me. He doesn’t even have a single friend.”

“Mr. Fidget’s the teachers’ pet.”

“Last time I remembered, aliens don’t belong here”

“Loser Loner don’t know sarcasm”

Everyone’s got a limit, and at some point, Marcus reached his. He had been thriving, focused on his own path, and initially indifferent to the discrimination he faced. However, he has a reputation for being a stubborn mule; relentless and dedicated in keeping his peace and path clear. He was going to succeed and he knew it; regardless of August’s disdain, each taunt only stoked the flames of determination within him.

As the days passed, Marcus’s frustration simmered beneath the surface. He’d had enough of August’s relentless harassment and the way it made him feel small. Deep down, he knew the truth: Rivera’s smug confidence was a façade, fueled by jealousy. Rumor had it that August’s grades weren’t earned but rather handed to him by his father, Professor Adam Rivera. The comparison stung, igniting a fury in August that was misdirected at Marcus.

One evening, after a particularly harsh day filled with taunts, Marcus sat at his desk, the glow of his computer screen illuminating his determined expression. With his eidetic memory and advanced hacking skills, he formulated a plan to teach August a lesson, a taste of the humiliation he’d endured for far too long.

After some deft maneuvering, Marcus infiltrated August’s social media account. The thrill of control surged through him as he crafted a post that would expose the truth. He typed quickly: “Hey everyone, just a reminder that not all grades are earned! Some are handed down from Dad. #Cheater #NotSoSmart #AugustRivera.”

With a deep breath, he hit “send.” The post went live, and within moments, notifications exploded. Comments flooded in, echoing shock and disbelief. Marcus leaned back, satisfaction and anxiety swirling within him. He could only imagine the chaos that would unfold as the truth unraveled around August.

In the days that followed, August's carefully constructed image began to crumble. Classmates who had once laughed at Marcus now turned their attention to Rivera, their voices filled with ridicule. Marcus watched as the fallout unfolded, feeling a strange mix of triumph and unease. He’d sought revenge, but the reality of his actions weighed heavily on him.

Yet, beneath that weight, a new resolve ignited. August had picked the wrong kid to mess with. Marcus wasn’t just a target; he was a force to be reckoned with. This was the turning point, the moment he would rise above the labels and expectations.