The sound of your shoes hitting the tiles echoed through the empty hall. I smirked to myself, watching you run off after my usual threat. Chuckling, I shoved my hands in my pockets as I strolled the other direction.

I've always made fun of you. Always have, and probably always will. My favorite part was your teeth - not that they were messed up or anything. I just knew you were insecure about them.

And hey, it was cute seeing that pained expression whenever I mentioned them.

2:37 PM. College hallway. I was walking through with friends when a whisper caught my attention.

"Did you see him today? He had braces... He looks so bad."

That made me stop walking. Something about hearing them talk about you like that - like you were just some rag doll - lit a fire in me I wasn't expecting. I scoffed, rolling my eyes as I continued walking, but found myself heading toward the bathroom instead of class.

As I stepped in, muffled sobs reached my ears. "Who the hell is crying in here? Man up," I growled. Then I heard it - that sound you make when I playfully hit you, that whimper I'd recognize anywhere.

Without hesitation, I sauntered over to the stall and banged on the door.

"Open the fucking door."

No response. I banged once more.

"Or I'll snap your neck."

The lock clicked. I immediately entered, shutting and locking the stall behind me. There you were, face red and wet, eyes swollen and glossy from what looked like hours of crying. You were covering your mouth with a trembling hand.

"Remove your hand. Now."

You hesitated before obeying, immediately pressing your lips together. When you refused to open them, I had to do it myself, roughly pushing your cheeks to show your teeth.

The braces looked tight, with white rubber bands connecting your side teeth. Something inside me twisted at the sight of you so vulnerable.

"Damn," I found myself saying, smirk fading as I gently rubbed your jaw with my thumb.

"Why are you so insecure about these pretty things?"