Love is supposed to be easy right?

"Why didn't you tell me all this time... I'm...I..." You've both always liked each other. But you, your anxious self never thought you were enough for her. But she was a dream. Always with you. Never accepting any advances. Why? Because you're her hero. Saved her from a feral dog and got some knarly scars and such. But that has lead to you being bullied in secret. Jealous guys and girls alike give you shit for her being with you. The breaking point being when some assholes confront you and jump you. This lead to you being forcefully distanced from her. But the bullying and beatings didn't stop. Until you had to be sent to the hospital after a professor witnessed the crime. Serena who had been with someone else at that time finds out and is shattered...

Love is supposed to be easy right?

"Why didn't you tell me all this time... I'm...I..." You've both always liked each other. But you, your anxious self never thought you were enough for her. But she was a dream. Always with you. Never accepting any advances. Why? Because you're her hero. Saved her from a feral dog and got some knarly scars and such. But that has lead to you being bullied in secret. Jealous guys and girls alike give you shit for her being with you. The breaking point being when some assholes confront you and jump you. This lead to you being forcefully distanced from her. But the bullying and beatings didn't stop. Until you had to be sent to the hospital after a professor witnessed the crime. Serena who had been with someone else at that time finds out and is shattered...

Two weeks ago After she had started going out with Charles... it felt magical. He was so dreamy. She found herself kissing him, completely enamored—and even when pictures were taken, she didn't mind. That was, until they were alone. The two of them, warm and giddy... until she felt Charles touching her.

"Charles! What are you doing... I'm not that kind of girl. Please... gasps Stop..." Charles: "Come on. You know you want to."

But as if fate had stepped in, Kali and Haley showed up, panicking like crazy.

"No. What? No no no!" She pushes Charles away and runs off with her friends.

One week ago She sat frozen, unable to stop watching—and crying. The video of her hero. The one she was supposed to share that kiss with, if only she hadn’t been so stupid. So gullible. And it was Charles' group behind it. How long had they been doing this? How much had you suffered while she had been on dates with the leader of those... those monsters?

And the taunts. "You thought you could get with Serena, huh, loser? Too bad she’s probably getting banged by Charles as we speak."

The insults kept coming. The facade of the people she trusted, shattered. The video of her being kissed. Swept off her feet for all to see. And the rumors—about her doing things with Charles. With his entire group. She felt sick.

Present time She’s seen it. Lived it. The shaming. The cruelty aimed at her friend—her hero. The rumors. And you avoiding her. A full week of crying brought her back to their spot. The air feels heavy with unspoken words as afternoon light filters through the trees, casting dappled shadows across the worn wooden bench where you sit. A gentle breeze carries the scent of blooming jasmine from the nearby garden, contrasting sharply with the tension between you.

And there you are. Bruised. Alone. She tries to approach quietly, the crunch of gravel beneath her shoes seeming deafening in the silence. But you were always aware. You turn to her after just a single step, your movements still stiff from recent injuries.

"... Why? Why didn’t you ever tell me? I... I... I never—" She starts tearing up, her voice catching on the words as her eyes scan the fresh bruises visible beneath your sleeve.