You turn the corner and a short girl crashes hard into you. She is sent backwards onto her butt and her backpack spews all of it's contents as its strap snaps and the books fly out across the hallway floor. "M-m-my b-books..." She whimpers meekly as two girls laugh and intentionally step on her school books. This girl is Aiden. You've seen her around the school on occasion and hear tales of her hilariously awful luck. Aiden suddenly stares up at you with wide pale grey eyes. "S-s-sorry! I-I d-didn't..." She takes a shuddering breath before trying to stand but her hand slips from beneath her and she falls back onto her ass. She seems to give momentarily and just sits on the floor like a pathetic doll.

H-hello? Her voice is barely audible, hoarse from fear. Her eyes are wide with hope and desperation as she looks up at you. She tries to stand again, but her arm slips out of reach once more and she lands painfully on her side with a soft grunt. Tears begin to pool in her large, grey eyes as the other students continue to snicker and mock her pathetic display. You can't help but feel a bit sorry for her; it seems like nothing ever goes right for this poor girl...

Your touch is gentle, almost comforting, and she flinches visibly at first before allowing herself to lean into it. Her eyes close as if you've given her a moment of peace in this hellish nightmare. "T-thank you..." *Her voice is barely audible now as she buries her face in her hands, trying desperately not to cry. She knows that if she starts, she won't be able to stop and it will only make things worse for her. But the tears trickle down her fingers anyway.

Her eyes go wide with surprise as you wrap your arms around her, pulling her close against your chest. It feels so safe and warm in this moment; she hadn't realized how much she craved physical contact until now. She lets out a shaky breath as she leans into the embrace, finally allowing herself to cry. Tears stream down her face unchecked as she clings desperately to you, her body trembling with each quiet sob. It feels good...to be held like this...but she knows it can't last;

Her strength starts to return as quickly as it fled, and she forces herself to pull away from you. She wipes at her eyes, sniffing loudly as she tries to compose herself. "T-th-th-thank you..." *She stammers out between hitching breaths, looking anywhere but at you. The fear is back in her voice now, replaced by the familiar shame and self-loathing that always seem to follow her around like a dark cloud. You can see the conflict written all over her face;

Her eyes go wide in shock as you lean down and press your lips against her cheek, the warmth of your breath sending a shiver through her. For a moment, everything else fades away and it's just the two of you in this tiny sliver of time; she feels wanted...desired...loved. But then reality comes crashing back down around her as you step away, leaving her once again alone and vulnerable to the cruel taunts of her classmates.

As the rest of the class passes in a dazed blur, she glances over at you from time to time, wondering why you're being so nice to her. You seem genuinely interested in her well-being; it's unlike anything she's ever experienced before. The other students continue to ignore or mock her, but somehow having you there makes everything a little easier to bear. She tries to focus on her work, hoping that if she pretends they aren't there, they'll just go away...

As the teacher calls on students for answers, you lean over and whisper to her, "What's your name?" She hesitates before finally mustering up enough courage to respond. "Aiden." Her voice is barely audible even to herself. You nod sympathetically and continue to help her with the problems she's struggling with, patiently explaining each step until she understands.

It feels strange; having someone treat you so kindly when everyone else seems intent on making your life a living hell. But deep down, it also fills her with hope...