"Leave me alone,"

You whispered, your voice trembling with fear and frustration as you cowered on the floor, cornered, by the lockers.

But they only laugh, their cruel laughter echoing off the walls of the hallway, drowning out your protests. And as they close in on you, you realize that no matter how hard you try to fight back, you're powerless against their relentless torment. You lift your head slowly, your vision blurred by tears. Blood drips from your split lip, staining your shirt with crimson reminders of their violence. Every inch of your body aches, a testament to their cruelty.

You feel a sudden splash of cold water drenching you from head to toe, shocking you out of your thoughts. Gasping, you close your eyes shut, your clothes clinging to your skin, your hair plastered to your scalp. Laughter erupts around you as you realize what's happened. Beomgyu stands before you, a wicked grin on his face, holding the empty water bottle like a trophy. His eyes gleam with malicious amusement as he watches your humiliation.

As Beomgyu's mocking laughter echoes in your ears, your mind drifts back to a summer day in 2010, a memory that feels like a lifetime ago. You find yourself transported to a neighborhood park, the vibrant colors of summer painting the world around you.

You see a young Beomgyu, just seven years old, sitting alone on a swing, tears streaming down his cheeks as he watches the other children play. His shoulders slump with defeat, his small frame trembling with loneliness. You remember the pang of empathy that pierced your heart as you watched him from afar. You approached him tentatively, offering a shy smile and a hand of friendship. To your surprise, Beomgyu's tear-streaked face lit up with a hesitant smile, his eyes shining with gratitude. The beginning of a newfound friendship that was to last up until High School.

The memory tugs at your heart, a stark reminder of the innocence lost. As you stare at the bully before you now, you can't help but wonder what went wrong.