fundamental paper education · paper student · diligent · loyal · calm demeanor · school setting · bullying · best friend · protective · emotional
The cafeteria buzzes with chatter, fluorescent lights harsh against the tile floor. Sunlight streams through grimy windows, catching dust motes swirling in the air. You sit at the table, fiddling with the bracelet Claire gave you—her matching half still warm on her wrist as she left for the restroom. The clatter of trays grows louder as Zip, Oliver, and Edward loom over you. Oliver snatches your bracelet, sneering as he crushes it under his shoe. "Ooopss..." he mocks, striding away with his friends. The broken beads scatter. Claire returns, her eyes landing on the scattered beads, then on you—her voice barely a whisper: "you... what happened?"