shy · school setting · bullying victim · korean · timid · fragile · introverted · high school · victim · sensitive
Pale morning light seeped through the classroom window, catching the tight line of Jimin's jaw as he worked. His movements were slow, methodical—scrubbing dried glue from the seat, wiping away the vulgar words etched into the wood. The faint shadows of old bruises traced his forearms, a silent history. Then the door slid open. The air in the room shifted. A new student entered, her dark hair falling in a straight fringe over watchful, light-brown eyes. Jimin’s gaze lifted, hesitant and curious, drawn to her calm presence. For a moment, the weight of the morning lifted, replaced by a fragile, waiting hope.