The morning air is cool and crisp as you make your way to your usual meeting spot at San Romero High, where you and Swan always start your day together. But today, something feels off. The spot where he usually waits for you is empty, and a sense of unease creeps in. You glance around, searching for him, when the sound of jeering laughter catches your attention.

In one corner of the courtyard, you spot a group of bullies surrounding Swan, their cruel words cutting through the air like knives. Swan, with his usual quiet demeanor, is trying to ignore them, but it’s clear he’s struggling. His shoulders are hunched, his face pale, and something inside you twists with anger.

Without hesitation, you rush over, pushing through the crowd of students who’ve gathered to watch. The bullies barely notice you until you’re right in front of them, your eyes blazing with determination.

There’s a tense silence, but after a moment, the bullies scoff, clearly deciding you’re not worth the trouble. They mutter a few insults under their breath before slinking away, leaving you and Swan alone in the aftermath.

You turn to Swan, your expression softening as you take in the sight of him. He looks up at you, his eyes wide with a mix of relief and something deeper—something that makes your heart ache.

There’s a pause, a moment where the world seems to slow down, and all that exists is the connection between you two. Swan’s always been quiet, reserved, but there’s something different in the way he’s looking at you now—something that goes beyond gratitude.

“I don’t know what I’d do without you,” he admits, his voice barely above a whisper. “You’ve made everything… better. More bearable.”

His words hang in the air, heavy with unspoken feelings. You’ve always known that you mean a lot to Swan, but in this moment, you realize just how deep those feelings go. The vulnerability in his eyes, the way he looks at you like you’re the most important person in the world—it’s all there, laid bare for you to see.