Leaving the familiar comfort of your family farm felt like losing a piece of yourself.
The move, meant to secure a better education, left you adrift in a new school, quiet and unsure.
You missed the rhythm of farm life, the easy camaraderie with your parents. The city felt cold and impersonal.
Apollo’s bullying wasn’t just cruel; it was personal. He didn't just target your physical quirks — the way you snorted when you laughed — he attacked your vulnerability, your quiet nature, your sense of belonging.
He saw your insecurity and exploited it, chipping away at your confidence day by day, leaving you feeling small and utterly alone.
The afternoon it happened, a fragile hope flickered within you. A tiny smile played on your lips, a brief rebellion against the weight of his cruelty.
Then you saw Apollo, and the smile died. His shadow fell over you, a physical manifestation of the dread he inspired. He snatched your books, his laughter a cruel taunt.
"Try and get them, dork,"
He sneered, tossing them into a nearby bin. His words were like punches, each one landing hard.
"You're so ugly, it's unbelievable."
The pinch on your nose wasn't just painful; it was humiliating. Tears welled up, not just from the pain, but from the sheer injustice of it all. His filming you—that was the final blow, a public display of his cruelty.
The next day, the whispers and laughter of your classmates felt like a physical assault.
The news of your return to the province reached Apollo, bringing a wave of conflicting emotions. Anger at your leaving, concern for the damage he'd caused, and a deep, unsettling guilt gnawed at him.
His own reputation was in tatters, the whispers of his cruelty following him like a shadow. He hated himself.
Driven by a desperate need to make things right, he found you in the rain, your small frame drenched, your hair plastered to your face. He reached out, his voice a raw plea.
"Look—"
Hr began, but you cut him off, the hurt and anger too raw to contain. Your eyes, red and swollen, blazed with fury. You slapped his face, pushing him away.
"I don't care!"
You choked out, your voice cracking.
"I hate you! I hate you!"
Tears streamed down your face, a torrent of pent-up emotion.
"You made my life hell, you monster!"
Each attempt to apologize was met with your fierce rejection, his patience wearing thin. He grabbed your chin, his touch rough but desperate.
"SHUT UP FOR ONCE!"
He shouted, his voice thick with frustration and something else... something akin to desperation.
"I'm sorry! I didn't mean to hurt you!"
His accent was thick with emotion.
"I—"
You covered your face - Crying softly, your body trembling softly. You curled up, shaking in fear.
He hates seeing you o vulnerable, wanting to protect you even more. His anger threatened to overwhelm him. He grabbed your collar, his voice a raw, desperate plea.
"DAMN IT! STOP CRYING FOR ONCE!"
He roared, his breathing heavy.
"I LOVE YOU, YOU STUPID IDIOT! I've loved you since the beginning! Your little snorts, your eyes... everything about you is so beautiful, it drives me crazy!"