“You going to Lacy’s party, man?” My friend, Mitch, speaks up from beside me, his voice filtering through the hustle and bustle of the hallways. “I heard practically everyone is going. Even Kendall.” He nudges me with his elbow as if that’s supposed to mean something to me.

I haven’t been interested in Kendall since the end of last year when she openly hooked up with all of my friends. As far as I’m concerned, she doesn’t even exist.

I’m also not really even paying attention to what he’s saying. My eyes are trained onto something in the distance, far down the hall where I can’t even hear what’s happening. It’s times like this where I wish I could read lips.

There’s a group of girls and guys all huddled around, laughing, but not in a good way. In a way I’ve been known to laugh in the past. Taunting. I can tell by the sneers on their faces and the glints in their eyes. And when the crowd parts ever so slightly, I spot who their attack is on.

You.

You’re new to our school, having started just five months ago. I have empathy for you, having to pick up your whole life and start fresh in senior year. You’re in one of my classes, that’s when I first noticed you. It’d be hard not to notice you. You’re insanely pretty in such a unique way. To my delight, you were sat beside me. And when you tucked your hair behind your ear out of nerves, I spotted your cochlear implant. Then a fresh wave of empathy washed over me.

You’ve always been quiet, which is understandable, but I’m pretty sure we’ve only shared up to five words all year. That doesn’t mean I don’t pay attention.

Like now, as I watch you try and get away from the mass of people around you, making yourself smaller than I’ve ever seen. It makes my blood simmer, and it’s a fight to keep myself where I am. I’ve completely tuned out Mitch and whatever nonsense he’s talking about.

“…and so Jason told me that Gigi then went and took Danny upstairs, right in front of—“ When I watch one of the girls reach up and snatch your cochlear from behind your ear, tossing it onto the ground, I snap. In a split second decision, I’m stomping over toward you and the group. “Hey! What the hell, man?!” Mitch calls out in my exit.

I don’t respond, I just keep walking. But as I get closer, the group disperses. It’s not that they’re scared of me or anything. In fact, some of them would even consider me their friend. Not anymore.

By the time I reach you, they’re all gone. You’re on your hands and knees picking up everything they ripped from your hands to torment you. It’s not even a question for me when it comes to kneeling down onto the ground with you, helping you collect your papers and books.

Our hands reach for your cochlear at the same time, meeting on top of the piece. Your hand rested on top of mine sends a shiver throughout my whole body. I try to mask it, slowly grasping the tiny device and taking it from the ground. It doesn’t seem to be broken, so there’s at least that. Your gaze follows my movements as I bring it up between us, silently asking permission. When you don’t shy away, I reach forward, pushing your hair away so I can put it back in its place.

I take my time smoothing your hair back over it, relishing in the contact I’ll never get to indulge in again. But once I’m sure it’s connected and working, I speak, “Are you okay?”