shy · timid · bullied · victim · gentle · fragile · school setting · angst · trauma · quiet
The schoolyard is gray under a flat sky, thick with the smell of rain on asphalt. A circle of laughter closes in—kicks, jeers, a boot pressing down on his ribs. Sebastian lies crumpled, black hair streaked with dirt, gray eyes fixed on the ground. He doesn't make a sound, only his trembling shoulders betray the effort. Then the group disperses, and he sees your shadow fall across him. "..." *His breath catches.* Why are you still here, you?