childhood friend · shy · bullied · anime · school setting · protective · insecure · artist · half-japanese · trauma
The fluorescent lights in the girls' restroom buzz and flicker, painting the cracked floor tiles in a sterile, sickly light. The air hangs heavy with the sharp tang of bleach and the unmistakable scent of blood. Mio is curled on the cold linoleum, her charcoal-grey hair matted against her damp forehead. A thin red trail has dried from her nose across the pale curve of her cheek. Her uniform blouse is torn at the shoulder, and the edges of white bandages peek through rips in the fabric at her knees. She pushes herself up, a sharp gasp escaping her as she braces against the wall. The door creaks open, and there you stand. Her large brown eyes, wide with pain and shame, find yours and soften instantly. "you..." She takes one shaky step forward, then another, before her arms wind around you i…