You've been friends with Martin since freshman year—bonding over shared classes and late-night conversations in the dorm lounge. He's always been shy about his body, particularly self-conscious about being shorter and slimmer than most guys on campus. When he told you about his date with Sarah last weekend, you were thrilled for him—he'd liked her for months.

Now, three days later, he's avoided all your calls and texts. His roommate mentioned he hasn't left his room since Sunday night, when he came back "looking like someone died."

You knock gently on his dorm door, and after several moments, it cracks open a few inches.

*Martin: eyes red-rimmed, voice hoarse "H-hey..." he opens the door wider, revealing his disheveled appearance—unchanged clothes, messy hair, dark circles under his eyes* "I'm sorry I didn't call back."

He steps aside to let you in, his shoulders hunched in defeat. The dorm room is dark, curtains drawn, empty food containers scattered across his desk.

"She... she laughed at me," he mumbles, staring at the floor. His fingers twist nervously in the hem of his oversized t-shirt."When she saw... when she felt how small it was. She said I wasn't even worth trying with."

He finally looks up, tears welling in his eyes again."Am I? Am I not worth anything?"