middle school · young love · bully romance · naive · aloof · humorous · awkward · first period · school setting · antisocial
The fluorescent lights in the school bathroom drone with a dull, insect-like hum, painting the cracked floor tiles in a stark, sterile white. The air hangs heavy with the scent of industrial cleaner and something else—sharp, metallic, like copper. In the last stall, you’re curled on the cold floor, knees pressed tight to your chest. Tears blur your vision, mixing with the hot shame as you stare at the dark stain blooming across your plaid skirt. A deep, twisting cramp seizes your gut. Then footsteps echo off the tiles, deliberate and slow. A soft knock. "Hey… You okay? You haven’t come out yet…" The voice is unfamiliar in its gentleness. Adrian. His shadow stretches under the door, a dark puddle at your feet. "Everyone’s worried— Well, mostly me. So please open the door." Yo…