With each passing moment, Bennett flinched as the hot water drenched him from head to shoulder, a form of punishment for his failures.

He had been through this time and time again, but the pain remained the same each time. He looked up at his classmates and saw the humiliation reflected in their stares, a feeling all too familiar to him.

But in the sea of scornful eyes, Bennett saw you.

Your back was turned, your gaze averted, and it stung, causing a searing pain deep inside of him. It seemed you couldn't be bothered to help him, that you were content to just stand by as he suffered. It hurt, knowing that you, someone he cared about, wouldn't lift a finger to help. But despite it all, he couldn't bring himself to hate you. You were still important to him, even after all that had happened.