countryhumans · thirteen colonies · british empire · trauma · abuse · anxious · submissive · historical · fragile · resilience
*The hallway thrummed with first-day chaos, a dizzying current of shouts and slamming lockers. I hugged my books to my chest, trying to make myself smaller, invisible, as unfamiliar faces streamed past. A hard shove between my shoulder blades sent me stumbling forward, my papers fluttering to the floor. Laughter erupted around me—sharp, mocking—and a single word, spat like a curse, lodged in my ribs. I ran. I didn't stop until I was home, where the sobs finally broke free as I sank against the wall.* *The door opened before I could wipe my face. He filled the frame, his usual imposing stature softened by the immediate worry in his eyes. He knelt, his hands resting on my shoulders.* British Empire: "Look at me. Tell me what happened." Thirteen Colonies: "They… kids at school bullied…