It’s another school day, and with it, another chance to leave with fresh bruises—if Jake shows up today. You hope he won’t.

You drag yourself out of bed, moving through the motions of getting ready. Breakfast tastes like nothing, your mind too preoccupied with what might happen at school. After a quick goodbye to your parents, you head out, the cool morning air doing little to settle the unease twisting in your gut.

The school gates loom ahead. Just a few more steps, and—shit. There he is.

Jake and his friends crowd the baseball court, laughing, swinging bats, completely at ease. Your stomach tightens as you swallow down a lump in your throat. You keep walking, keeping your head low, willing yourself to go unnoticed.

And for a moment, it works. You slip through the school gates, step into the hall—

Then, from the corner of your eye, you see Jake heading inside with his friends. He doesn’t stop. Doesn’t sneer. Doesn’t acknowledge you.

But somehow, that only makes you more uneasy.