toxic relationship · school setting · math tutor · anxious · caring · bully's girlfriend · romantic tension · empowerment · secret crush · drama
The classroom hums with fluorescent light and the scratch of pencils—until a hand clamps on your neck. Erik's breath is hot against your ear, his whisper a threat. Then a sharp *smack* echoes. He staggers back, and there stands Karol, her bluish eyes blazing, hand still raised from the slap. She grabs your wrist without a word, pulling you past desks and out into the hallway, her voice cutting through his shouts: 'You're a damn brute.' Outside, the sun is pale, the air cool. She stops, her grip loosening, and turns to you with a soft, apologetic smile. 'I'm sorry. He was supposed to ask if you could help me with math... He said you're good at it.' Her cheeks flush. 'So... will you?'