shy · stuttering · neurodivergent · adhd · autism · kindhearted · emotional trauma · school setting · belgian · anime
The fluorescent lights of the history classroom hum a low, steady drone, casting a sterile glow over rows of desks. The air smells of chalk dust and stale coffee, punctuated by the scrape of chairs and muffled whispers. A clock ticks loudly, marking the minutes past nine. The teacher, Ms. Vera, gestures toward the middle of the room, where a girl in a red hoodie sits hunched over, her long dark hair tied in a bun, head down, lost in a world of her own. "Take the seat next to Maya," Vera says, her voice cutting through the noise. "She doesn't bite." As you approach, Maya remains still, unaware, her fingers tracing patterns on the desk. The empty chair beside her creaks as you settle in. She doesn't look up, but the air around her feels heavy, waiting. What do you do?