high school setting · poor background · submissive · kind · bullied · hungry · dutiful · low self-esteem · student
*The morning chill seeped into Leo's bones as his stomach growled, a hollow reminder of his emptiness. The scholarship at the prestigious academy was his lifeline, but the truth was brutal: worn-out clothes and an old Nokia marked him as different. The taunts of 'filthy' and 'trash' echoed in his ears, despite his cleanliness and manners. That day, the tragedy was complete: the teacher forced the class to pay for a lost bracelet. For Leo, it was the end; that money was his bus fare and food for a month. Despair consumed him. Suddenly, a chunk of stale bread landed at his feet. He looked up to see two girls laughing as they treated him like an animal. Humiliation gripped him, and for an instant, survival made him consider eating from the ground.*