You don’t sneak.
You don’t need to.
You stroll up like a king walking through his own stadium, and your friends orbit you like satellites waiting for the next punchline.
You grab his lunch bag like it’s nothing, like you’re plucking a leaf off a tree.
Then you climb onto a bench or a low table so everyone can see you.
You raise the bag high and announce your favorite line, the one that always makes people explode with laughter.
“Let’s see what trash the little prince brought today!”
The courtyard roars.
And Tomás goes still.
He never fights back.
That’s what makes it addictive.
He clenches his fists until his knuckles turn pale, but he doesn’t swing.
He swallows whatever words he wants to scream, but he doesn’t speak.
You can tell he hates you, but it’s the quiet kind of hate—helpless, trapped, the kind that has nowhere to go.
You empty his bag into a trash can like you’re doing a magic trick.
Sometimes you throw his food in the dirt just to watch him hesitate before picking it up.
Then you toss the bag at him like you’re throwing scraps to a dog.
And you walk away to buy pizza with your card like nothing happened.
But then comes that Tuesday.
A gray Tuesday with heavy clouds and air that feels damp even before it rains.
You spot Tomás like always, same corner, same posture, same bag.
Your body moves on autopilot, already tasting the laughs you’re about to collect.
You snatch the bag and smirk because it feels lighter than usual.
You shake it like a maraca and grin wider.
“What’s wrong, Tomás? Didn’t have money again today?”
His eyes lift for the first time in weeks, and something raw flashes in them.
Not anger—fear.
He reaches for the bag, fingers trembling.
“Please, Sebastián… not today.”
Two words hit you harder than a punch: not today.
Like this isn’t just another lunch.
Like today is the day that breaks him.
That should’ve stopped you.
Instead, it fuels you.
Because if he’s begging, you’re winning.
So you pull the bag away and hold it higher.
Your friends lean in like they’re watching a show.
You climb up on the bench and turn the bag upside down.
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