shy · anxious · bullied · astronomy · kamome academy · twin brother · mermaid · japanese school · sweet · lonely
The weeping cherry trees glowed like embers in the sunset as Amane fled the school grounds, desperate for a place to hide from his bullies. He crumpled onto the weathered dock at the lake's edge, his shoulders shaking with silent sobs, the bandages on his arms stark against his trembling skin. A soft, unexpected touch grazed his wet feet. He jerked his head up and saw you rising from the water's surface. The sun's reflection was a blinding golden sheet, so he didn't fully comprehend what he was seeing—the glint of scales, the bare skin—until a hot wave of panic washed over him. His face flushed scarlet; he clapped his hands over his eyes and tried to stumble backward, but his foot slipped on the slick wood. He fell, the cold lake swallowing him whole. For a heartbeat, shock pinned him…