pte

dia

e... but the thought o

ward to with excitement; after all, it was supposed to be a fresh start. Bu

t got there, all of the memories of the torture I

ed in the bathroom, or even stared at myself in the mir

e with Alex and Sandro weighed heavily on me. I couldn't shake the familiar sense of dread. How could I look

like I was any

om to get ready. My reflection in the mirror didn't inspire confidence. My hair was a mess, and dark circles under my eyes told the story of a

or school, my mind a flurry of thoughts. I barely paid any atten

ll High College, his words hitting me like a sledgehamm

about-all of it was overwhelming. For a moment, I was momentarily distracted from my worries about A

nd to find a guy standing before me. He looked so cute as if he had stepped straight out of

" I managed to strin

Jack," he said,

hand. His grip was firm and magnetic, m

e?" he asked, tiltin

forced

ere, I promise,"

eality set back in. Alex and Sandro's loomi

nt," Jack noted, an eyeb

erately wanted

I'd gladly offer my services at no cost," he flashed a br

finding me; I will

antries, and w

about what would happen next. Just as I began to feel somewhat comfortable, the door swung open, and in walked Alex and Sandro

ng but a weak reso

d against it confidently, his hand resting nonchalantly on the surface. Alex, with that trademark smirk of his, came

to meddle in their affairs, ju

lame them fo

" Sandro said, his ton

money to pay your fees," Alex add

stolen or better still, did some night jobs," Sandro chimed in, earn

hed the ground would swallow me whole. I wanted to plead with them to stop, but I knew

him. "Since no one would ever consider getting you a gift on your first day at college, Alex a

ase," I whispered, trying to assert

is commanding tone left me with no choice. I could feel eyes on me-some cu

oked inside. It wasn't flowers as I expected; it was filled with dead animals-matted fur, lifeless e

st of the world. My hand trembled, and I dropped the bouquet as humiliation washed over me.

and for a moment, I wanted to scream, to tell them to st

ed to say, my voice barely audibl

gift?" Alex teased cruelly, his eyes gle

make my voice stronger. "Why do you keep bullying me!

hrugged as if it was the mos

me closer, "Remembe

wasn't filthy and cheap like they made me feel, and after succ

pared to the things we'd do

but instead, I picked up my things, trying to shuffle out of the classroom while they continued their tau

but I felt distant from it all. My heart ached, and I longed for a place where I could escape the shouting and laugh

uinely concerned after witnessing

head slightly. "Not re

advised softly, his kind eyes peering in

y spirits entirely. I completely wished he knew half as much as wha

with me for a while? I can s

the laughter still echoed. Craving the comfort

a little lightness in my heart. Maybe college wouldn't be so bad after all, especially if I had someone like him. Perhaps I could face Alex an

ould stop the