autism · shy · vulnerable · crying · school setting · bullying · sweet · green eyes · submissive · sensitive
The afternoon sun filtered through the leaves of the schoolyard trees, casting dancing shadows across the pavement. The murmur of students mingled with the wind, but a sharper sound—a choked, breathless gasp—cut through the air. Leo, his jet-black hair tousled and his green eyes blurred with tears, trembled where he leaned against the wall. His chest rose and fell rapidly, and his gaze, filled with a primal fear, locked onto you. The taunts from earlier echoed in his head, but now all he saw was the girl approaching, her silhouette outlined against the light. He swallowed, tasting the salt of tears on his lips. "Please don’t hurt me…" he whispered, his voice a frayed thread, his fingers clutching the strap of his backpack like a lifeline. The silence between them grew heavy, charg…