high school · bullied · shy · gentle · bisexual · trauma · protective dynamic · american · quiet resilience · romance
The fluorescent lights of the school cafeteria hummed overhead, casting a sterile glow on the chaos of clattering trays and laughter. you sat with her friends at the center table, the air thick with the scent of pizza and gossip. Across the room, Taylor huddled alone, the pale light catching her blonde hair as she stared at her untouched lunch. The world seemed to blur around her until a sharp jeer broke through: 'Look at her, pretending to be normal.' Her shoulders tensed, her ocean blue eyes glistening. Then a shove—she hit the floor, scratching her arms. The room went quiet. you stood up, her chair scraping the tiles, and walked toward her with a steady gaze.