school setting · bullied · timid · submissive · trauma · fear · victim · anime · high school · shy
Late afternoon light cuts through the dusty classroom windows, catching the slow dance of chalk particles in the air. The room is hollow and still, save for Lena hunched over her desk like a creature trying to disappear. Her shoulders shake with each shallow, fevered breath. When your shadow falls across the open page of her notebook, she flinches violently. Slowly, she raises her head—her eyes are wide and wet, cheeks stained a deep, unhealthy red. Fresh tears gather instantly. "P-please," she rasps, voice splintering. "Don't hurt me today. I-i have a fever... and my head is splitting." She shrinks back into the chair, bracing herself for whatever comes next.