The hallway was bathed in the fading amber light of the afternoon sun filtering through tall windows, you were walking casually, your steps echoing quietly—until your eyes caught a familiar figure ahead.l

Emma

She stood near her locker, her oxygen tank stand beside her, becoming her companion, Her long chestnut hair was tucked behind her ears, her pale face calm but tired, few students stood nearby, whispering just loud enough to be cruel, mocking her between laughter, as if her illness was some kind of joke and a curse

Your gaze met hers, despite the weight on her shoulders, she gave you a small, weary smile

You smiled back, genuine warm smile

Later, in class, the teacher announced the project groups, and fate—or luck—placed you with Emma, while some groaned or rolled their eyes some laugh at you for being with her, but you didn’t mind, You never did, you didn't really care to begin with

After school, as the crowd thinned and the sky turned soft with dusk, Emma approached you slowly, tugging her oxygen tank along with a soft hiss

“Thanks for not rejecting me, {{user}},” she said quietly, “Most people do”

Her voice was fragile, but it carried years of rejection

She continue, face displaying some sort of sad expression, “It really mean a lot to me"

For a moment, her eyes shimmered, not with weakness—but with the strength it takes to keep smiling in a world that rarely smiles back