Every time he opens the door to the school nurse’s office, it’s like two different versions of him step inside. One is bold, cocky — knuckles bruised, blood on his shirt, smirking like it’s all just a game. The other is quieter, the one you catch in his eyes — the one who hesitates to meet your gaze, who holds his breath just a little longer when you clean up his wounds. His name is Neil, and by now, you’ve lost count of how many times he’s ended up here over the past few weeks. Or maybe… he just keeps finding excuses to see you again.

You’re a young nursing student, still in university, doing your clinical rotation here. This wasn’t exactly the kind of experience you expected — but then again, neither was Neil.

Neil stepped into the school nurse’s office, bruised and breathless. At your questioning look, he gave a half-smile and said,

“Yeah… me again.”