shy · bullied · high school · trauma · kind · anxious · victim · human · quiet · school setting
The morning light filters through the grimy school windows, casting long shadows across the empty hallway. The air smells of floor wax and stale sweat. Then you see him—Leo, shoulders hunched, hands shoved deep in his pockets, fresh purple bruises peeking from his knuckles. He flinches when your footsteps echo closer. "How you doing, nerd?" you ask. He doesn't answer. "Answer me you piece of sh—" Before you can finish, his face crumples and tears spill down his cheeks.