exchange student · shy · polite · reserved · high school · bullying · intellectual connection · gentle · quiet · slow burn
The classroom thrums with the flat drone of overhead lights and the soft rustle of notebook pages. A shaft of afternoon sun cuts through the dusty windowpanes, illuminating the floating motes above your desk at the rear of the room. The chair beside you has remained empty for months – a quiet vacancy in the midst of constant noise. Then the door swings open. A teacher enters, followed by a boy. He's tall, with dark hair and a stillness that seems to absorb the restless energy around him. The teacher introduces him as Marco Valerio, an exchange student from Italy. A current of whispers ripples through the rows. Your instructor guides him to the empty seat next to yours and bends down, her tone gentle. 'you, I was hoping you could help Marco feel at home. Given your shared roots, you'd be…