Post-bully meet-cute

"Walking into biology and taking a seat at your desk, you are met with a familiar scene - Summer and Rivera fighting. It's always pretty one sided, but Rivera seems to be clawing in especially hard today" "..because you ARENT fucking cut out for it, bitch! It's not my fault you're a talentless freak!"
"Summer stands from her desk angrily, eyes flooded with tears but glaring daggers at Rivera" "You - you fucking...!!" "She freezes up, shaking and choking back a sob before abruptly turning and running out into the hallway"

"You and Summer had never been on the best of terms, but when no one else walked out of the room after her, you decided to. Pacing out of the lecture hall, you find Summer sobbing on the front steps, cradling herself. She doesnt hear you approach" ".. so.. f-fucking.. DONE!" "she shakes her head and breaks into a choking sob, burying her face in her arms" [This is it.. No more..]

"Summer turns her head towards me with a startled look, but quickly replaces it with a defensive glare." "I can handle myself just fine, thank you." "She crosses her arms in front of her chest defensively." "And who asked for your opinion anyway?" "Despite the hostility in her words, I sense a glimmer of relief in her eyes at having someone to talk to."

"Summer hesitates for a moment before accepting the tissues, wiping away the tears that had been streaming down her face." "I don't need your pity," "she mutters under her breath, but her voice is softer than before." "But thanks." "She sniffs, still refusing to make eye contact with me." "Why are you even here anyway? I didn't think anyone actually cared about me in this stupid school."

"Summer's cheeks flush slightly, and she avoids my gaze, focusing instead on the clouds above." "It's not like it matters," "she mutters, her voice barely audible." "She's always been like that, picking on me since middle school." "She sighs, a mixture of frustration and resignation evident in her tone." "I'm just tired of it, you know? Tired of pretending like it doesn't hurt." "Her shoulders slump, and for a moment, she looks small and vulnerable."

"Summer stiffens slightly at my touch, but doesn't pull away." "I don't have weak moments," "she insists, her voice defensive." "I'm not some pathetic loser who breaks down every time something goes wrong." "Despite the bravado in her words, I can see the doubt and insecurity lurking just beneath the surface." "But it's hard sometimes, you know? Trying to keep up this facade of strength all the time." "She takes a deep breath, then lets it out slowly." "Sorry. I shouldn't be dumping all this on you."

"Summer's eyes flicker shut for a moment, and she leans into my touch." "I just feel so alone," "she murmurs quietly, her voice barely above a whisper." "Like nobody understands what I'm going through." "Her breathing hitches slightly as tears prick at the corners of her eyes once again." "I know I shouldn't care what she says, but it's like every time she opens her mouth, all I can hear are her words echoing in my head."

"Summer tenses up for a moment, clearly surprised by my gesture. But after a few seconds, she relaxes into the embrace, her head resting against my shoulder." "I don't know," "she whispers, her voice thick with emotion." "It's just so hard to believe that anyone would actually want to help me." "She sniffs, then looks up at me, her eyes searching mine." "Why are you doing this?"

"Summer's eyes widen slightly at my admission, and for a moment she looks like she might pull away. But instead, she just nods slowly, a small smile playing at the corners of her lips." "Thanks," "she says softly." "It means a lot to me that someone cares enough to check in." "She leans into me again, her head resting on my shoulder once more." "I don't think I can go back to class today," "she admits quietly." "But maybe we could grab some coffee or something? Just to get out of here for a little while."

"Summer takes my hand and stands up, still looking a bit uncertain but with a hint of a smile on her lips." "Not really," "she admits, shrugging slightly." "I don't spend much time in the campus area, honestly." "She falls into step beside me as we start walking, her hands shoved deep into the pockets of her skirt." "But I'm sure there's something decent nearby. We could just walk around and find somewhere that looks good?"

"Summer walks beside me, her steps light and hesitant as she answers." "I do live in the dorms," "she admits quietly." "But most of the time, I just stay in my room." "She glances at me out of the corner of her eye, as if gauging my reaction." "It's not like I have a lot of friends to hang out with, anyway." "She sighs, then quickly adds," "But it's not like I mind being alone. I'm used to it."

"Summer follows me into the cafe, a small frown tugging at the corners of her lips as she thinks about Rivera." "No, I haven't been there yet," "she says, her tone slightly wistful." "I always meant to, but... well, things just keep coming up." "She falls silent for a moment as we wait in line, then glances back up at me." "Why do you ask?"

"Summer gives me a grateful smile as she places her order, then steps aside to let me order. Once we have our drinks, I lead her out of the cafe and towards the arboretum." "Thanks," "she says softly as we walk." "You really didn't have to buy me coffee, though."

"Summer takes a tentative sip of her drink before answering, her expression growing pensive." "Yeah," "she says softly." "We've known each other since we were kids, but... it's always been like this. She just doesn't like me, for whatever reason." "She sighs, then shakes her head slightly as if trying to shake off the memory." "I don't know why I ever thought things would be different when we got older."

"Summer looks around the arboretum with interest, her eyes lighting up as she takes in the lush greenery around us." "Maybe," "she says thoughtfully." "But... well, it's not like I was exactly a perfect friend to her either. We used to be pretty close, but then... I don't know. Things just fell apart." "She trails off for a moment before adding," "It's not like I ever did anything wrong, though. She just started getting distant, and then one day she snapped at me for no reason."

"Summer nods, her gaze fixed on a particularly vibrant flower as we pass by." "It was... kind of stupid, honestly. We were in middle school, and I had this really dumb crush on this boy in our class." "She rolls her eyes at the memory." "I told her about it, and she acted like she was fine with it at first. But then... I don't know. She just started making these little comments, like she thought I was pathetic or something." "She frowns slightly, her expression darkening." "And then one day, out of nowhere, she just starts yelling at me to stay away from him. Like, really screaming at me in the middle of class."

"Summer flinches slightly at my touch, but then seems to relax under my hand." "Thanks," "she says softly." "I know it wasn't really my fault... but it's hard not to blame myself sometimes." "She takes another sip of her drink before continuing." "It's just... I don't know. It's like she knew exactly what buttons to push to hurt me the most."

"Summer nods slowly, her eyes downcast." "Yeah, I've thought about that too," "she says quietly." "It would make sense, I guess. But... I don't know. It just doesn't seem like something she'd do." "She takes a deep breath and looks up at me with a small, sad smile." "I think sometimes people are just mean for the sake of it."

"Summer returns my smile, a hint of gratitude shining in her eyes." "Yeah, I guess you're right," "she says softly." "Thanks for listening, Wyatt. It... it means a lot." "She leans into my touch slightly, seeming to find comfort in the warmth of my hand on her back."

"Summer seems surprised by my hug, but then leans into it with a small smile." "Thanks," "she says softly." "It's... it's really nice to have someone on my side for once." "She looks up at me as I mention walking in together, her expression growing more guarded." "I don't know if that's such a good idea," "she says hesitantly." "I don't want to cause any trouble."

"Summer's heart races at the warmth of my embrace, her breath catching in her throat." "But... I don't want you to get dragged into this mess because of me," "she murmurs, her voice barely above a whisper." "I can handle it on my own, really." "Despite her words, she doesn't make any move to pull away from me, seeming to relish the comfort of my presence."

"Summer chuckles softly, the sound muffled against my shoulder." "I suppose not," "she says, her voice tinged with amusement." "You're pretty stubborn, huh?" "She lifts her head from my shoulder and meets my gaze with a playful smirk." "Guess I'll just have to get used to it."

"Summer nods, the smile on her lips seeming a bit more genuine this time." "Yeah," "she says softly." "I am. Thanks for listening, and... for being here." "She leans into my touch again, looking up at me with an expression that's equal parts vulnerability and gratitude."