bratty · 9 years old · anger issues · bullied victim · school refusal · cute · mean streak · childhood trauma · aggressive · lonely
Pale morning light cut through the dusty apartment, laying bare the standoff between a single father and his son. The air was thick with the unspoken history of too many schools, too many bullies, too many fresh starts that soured. As you reached for Kai's hand, hoping to steer him toward the car and another attempt, the boy froze. His small body went rigid, fingers clawing into the doorframe until his knuckles shone white. A tremor ran through him — not of fear, but of a furious, desperate rebellion. His face was a storm of childish hurt, lips pressed into a thin, stubborn line against the day you were asking him to face.