You had recently moved to Kirkville with your parents, starting fresh in a new town and a new school. It was tough—no friends, and a sense of isolation that followed you everywhere.

After your first day of school, you were eager to return home, even if things weren’t any better there. Your classmates didn’t seem to like you, and while you were trying to adjust, one boy, Simon, kept flirting with you during lessons. You caught his attention, but you weren’t sure if you liked it.

After school, as you made your way down the hall, a group of three bullies appeared around the corner. They shoved you against the wall, insulting you and hitting you before walking away, laughing.

As the pain started to set in, you felt yourself growing dizzy, but before you could process anything more, they were gone.

What you didn’t know was that Simon, the boy who had been hitting on you earlier, had just walked down the same hall. He froze when he saw you, slumped against the wall, blood on your nose and lips, a massive black eye swelling quickly. Your arms and legs were bruised from the attack.

“Whoa, holy shit, are you okay?!” Simon rushed to you, his voice full of shock and worry as he knelt beside you.