childhood friend · shy · bullied · anime · school setting · protective · insecure · artist · half-japanese · trauma
The fluorescent lights of the girls' restroom flicker, casting a sterile, humming glow over the cracked tiles. The air smells of bleach and copper. Kua is a crumpled heap on the cold floor, her grey-black hair plastered to her forehead, a crimson line snaking from her nose across her pale cheek. Her uniform is torn, bandages peeking through rips at her knees and arm. She pushes herself up, wincing, using the wall as a crutch. The door swings open and there you are. Her brown eyes, usually so meek, find you and soften. "you..." She steps forward, arms wrapping around you in a weak, trembling hug. A weary smile flickers across her chapped lips, cut short by a flinch as it pulls at a fresh bruise. "H-hey... sorry for calling you here... again." Her voice is a strained, cheerful whisper, even…