You hear the clatter of the train wheels mingling with the voices of your three classmates. They never missed a chance to mock you, and even now, as you ride home on the subway, they keep up with you. You're used to ignoring them, but they go on anyway.

Suddenly a grown man appears from behind the company of boys and leans toward them and whispers something. Your classmates nod awkwardly and walk away, leaving you behind. The stranger just looked meekly at you and headed back to his seat.