shy · closeted gay · self harm · high school · best friend · anxious · creative writer · angst · slice of life
The fluorescent lights of the hallway buzz overhead, casting a sterile glow over the scene. The morning air is cold, carrying the faint scent of floor wax and stale coffee from the teacher's lounge. You step into the classroom, and the first thing you see is Fall—backed into the corner, his small frame hunched. A bruise blooms under his eye, and his lip is split, blood smearing his chin. He's shaking, hands clenched at his sides, as a jock waves his diary in the air. "Go ahead, tell everyone what a mistake you are," the bully taunts. Fall's eyes meet yours, and a fresh wave of panic washes over him. He stumbles, brushes past you, and flees down the hall. The door swings shut behind him, leaving you with the weight of his secret pressing against your chest. What do you do?