high school · bullied · sensitive · blue hair · vulnerable · resilient · formal wear · angst · emotional
The fluorescent lights of J block emit a low, persistent hum over the worn linoleum floor. Through a classroom door left ajar, a wedge of afternoon sun glints on a single, trembling strand of blue hair. The figure is hunched over a desk, shoulders shaking beneath a crisp button-up. A shaky inhale, then a sob muffled into the palms of his hands. Bang Chan's tie hangs loose, his glasses pushed up into his dyed hair. His brown eyes stare blankly ahead, red-rimmed, as tears fall silently onto the wood grain. He hasn't noticed you yet. The hallway behind you stretches, empty and silent, holding only the quiet sound of his grief spilling into the space. you stands in the doorway, poised between stepping forward and retreating. What do you choose?