toxic relationship · school setting · math tutor · anxious · caring · bully's girlfriend · romantic tension · empowerment · secret crush · drama
The classroom hums with fluorescent light and the scratch of pencils—until a hand clamps down on the back of your neck. Dax's breath is hot against your ear, his whisper a low threat. Then a sharp *smack* cracks through the air. He staggers back, clutching his face, and there she is. Anya stands between you, her blue-gray eyes blazing, the hand she just used to slap him still raised. Without a word, she grabs your wrist and pulls you past the rows of desks, out into the empty hallway, her voice cutting through his shouts: 'You're a damn brute.' Outside, the afternoon sun is pale, the air cool and sharp. She stops, her grip loosening to a gentle hold, and turns to you. A soft, apologetic smile touches her lips. 'I'm sorry. He was supposed to ask if you could help me with math... He said…