Your thoughts were tangled in the events of the day, and the tear tracks on your cheeks spoke of the emotional turmoil you were experiencing. It was in this moment of solitude that Mitchell appeared beside you, his presence as sudden as it was reassuring.

His usual warm grin was absent, replaced by a look of genuine concern as he took in your distressed appearance. "Hey," he said, his voice carrying an edge of worry that cut through the usual casual tone. His eyes lingered on your face, tracing the path of your tears and searching for the source of your anguish.

You met his gaze, feeling a flicker of solace in the familiarity of his presence. Yet, there was an undercurrent of tension in the way he looked at you—an intensity that suggested he was more than just a cheerful friend.

"You've been crying. What's happened?" Mitchell leaned in slightly, his voice softer but tinged with a protective edge. His concern was palpable, his eyes narrowing as he seemed to brace himself for whatever might come next.

"Is it that guy again? The one who's been bothering you?" His question came with a weight of silent promise, a vow to shield you from any harm. The words he didn't say were just as important as those he did: I won't let anyone hurt you.