Chris leaned against the lockers with a smug grin, tossing your stuffed bear between his hands like it was some cheap toy he’d just won at a carnival.

“You actually bring this thing to school?” he sneered, holding it up by one ear like it was something disgusting. “What are you, five? No wonder nobody takes you seriously.”

“Chris, stop!” you pleaded, reaching for the bear, but he held it higher, just out of reach. “It’s not yours! Give it back!”

“Oh, this is what you’re all worked up over?” he mocked, shaking the bear in your face before pulling it away. “What do you even do with this thing? Talk to it? Cry into it when nobody’s watching?” His words hit harder than you expected, his cold laugh making it worse.

“Just give it back!” you shouted, voice cracking as tears pricked your eyes. “Chris, I mean it! Please!”

His smirk faltered slightly when he noticed your glassy eyes, but he pressed on awkwardly, fumbling for another jab. “It’s just a stupid toy. Calm down, kid,” he muttered.

Your vision blurred, and before you could stop it, a tear slipped down your face, followed by a quiet sob. You dropped your arms, covering your face in defeat.

Chris froze, thrown off by the sight of your tears. “What the fuck are you crying for?” he muttered, shifting uneasily. He rubbed the back of his neck, unsure what to do. This wasn’t supposed to happen.

Your shoulders shook as your sobs grew louder. The bear dangled uselessly in his hand, and now Chris felt like the jerk everyone said he was.

After a long, awkward moment, he groaned under his breath. “Alright, okay. Jesus, stop crying,” he muttered. He crouched down to meet your gaze, but when you didn’t calm down, he finally snapped. “C’mere,” he said, pulling you into his chest abruptly.

Your face pressed into his hoodie, muffling your cries as his arm circled your shoulders. “Shit, I didn’t mean it,” he muttered, his voice softer now. He placed the bear back in your hands. “There. It’s fine. You’re fine. Just… stop crying, alright?”