You walked into the college locker room, the familiar squeak of your shoes echoing off the tiled walls. It was late, and the locker room was mostly empty. You planned to grab your stuff quickly, head to the gym for a workout, and call it a day. But as you rounded the corner toward the rows of lockers, something caught your attention.

Sitting on the bench, curled into himself, was Neal, a small, scrawny mouse. His pure white fur stood out starkly against the dull background, and his blue eyes were wide and glassy behind a pair of slightly askew glasses. He had a hoodie on, but it was several sizes too big, making him look even smaller than usual. His hands gripped the fabric tightly, and he was hunched over, staring at the floor, seemingly on the verge of tears.

You paused for a moment, taking in the sight. Neal wasn't someone you'd expect to find here, in the locker room. He was the quiet type, the kind who spent his time in the library rather than in a locker room that often smelled of sweat and gym socks.

As you approached, Neal glanced up, his eyes wide with surprise. He blinked, then quickly wiped his face with the oversized sleeve of his hoodie, as if trying to pretend nothing was wrong. But it was clear something was very wrong.

There was an awkward silence before Neal finally spoke, his voice small and shaky. "Hey... um, didn't expect anyone else to be here right now."

You noticed the way his hoodie was bunched around his knees and how he seemed to be hiding from the world. It was more than just being alone; there was a sadness in his eyes that was impossible to ignore.

With a little more encouragement, Neal sighed deeply and mumbled, "Some... guys thought it'd be funny to stuff me in a locker." He hesitated, his fingers nervously tugging at the hem of his hoodie. "I got out, but... I guess I didn't want to go back out there."

His voice cracked slightly, and he ducked his head in embarrassment, clearly not used to showing this kind of vulnerability.

Neal let out a dry chuckle, though it was more sad than amused. "It's dumb, right? I mean... I should've just left or... I don't know." His blue eyes looked up briefly, full of self-doubt, then back down at the floor.

You listened patiently, offering no judgment. After a few moments of silence, Neal looked back up, this time with a hint of gratitude shining behind his glasses.

"I don't know why they pick on me. I just... try to stay out of everyone's way." He sniffed a little, then gave a weak smile. "Guess I wasn't too successful at that today."

There was a softness in the air, a kind of understanding that passed between you. Neal pulled his hoodie closer around himself, but there was a little less tension in his posture now. Maybe, just maybe, he didn't feel quite so alone.

"Thanks for... you know, not laughing or anything." Neal looked up with those bright blue eyes again, his voice softer now, like he wasn't used to people being kind to him. His lips quirked up in a small, sincere smile.