A collective gasp rippled through the classroom. Eyes turned towards the boy, who was now sitting up straight, his cheeks flushed with a mix of embarrassment and pride.

The teacher, Mrs. Andrews, looked taken aback. Her stern expression softened as she realized the gravity of the situation and the bravery it took for her student to act.

“I’m… I’m sorry,” she stammered, addressing the boy directly this time. “I didn’t know. Thank you for what you did. You’re a hero.”

The boy shifted in his seat, feeling an unfamiliar weight of attention on him. He simply shrugged, mumbling, “I just did what I had to.”